Review: Torpedo 20 / TW (1958)

High-quality compact portable typewriter with two frustrating faults.

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VERDICT
A high-quality typewriter with a light touch and segment shift that just falls short of excellence due to its noisy carriage and lack of paper support. Fans of German-made typewriters shouldn't pass on the opportunity to acquire this wonderful machine.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Manufacturer: Torpedo-Werke AG ("Torpedo")
• Model: 20 (also marketed as "Torpedo TW" in Germany)
• Class: Portable
• Color: Light grey-green body with green and dark grey keys
• Serial Number: 995518
• Manufacture date: 1958
• Production location: Frankfurt am Main, West Germany
• Typeface: Elite (Standard)
• Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
• Shift system: Segment shift
• Ribbon spool type: Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755)
• Weight: 4.85 kg (10.7 lbs) without hard case; 6.45 kg (14.2 lbs) in hard case
• Dimensions: 31cm  x  32.5cm  x  13.5cm  (12.2"  x  12.8"  x  5.3")

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