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| − | {{Specs-Card | + | {{Specs-Card|code=ussr_pr_123bis}} |
| − | |code=he51b_2w | |
| − | |market=He 51 B-2/H
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| − | }}
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| − | {{About
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| − | | about = German hydroplane '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| − | | usage = other versions
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| − | | link = He 51 (Family)
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| − | }} | |
| | | | |
| | == Description == | | == Description == |
| − | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | + | <!--''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship’s creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot. If a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them understand which ship is being discussed.''--> |
| − | [[File:GarageImage_He_51_B-2_H.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | + | [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] |
| | {{break}} | | {{break}} |
| − | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German hydroplane fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet motor torpedo boat {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] when the Soviet fleet was implemented into the game. |
| − | | |
| − | The Heinkel H 51 was one of the first aircraft which the German Luftwaffe (still operating in secrecy) tasked to be built. Brothers and talented aircraft designers Walter and Seigfried Günter were working for Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in 1931 when they developed the design for an advanced trainer biplane which was designated He 49. Though touted as a trainer, the aircraft had been designed as a fighter and with a few minor conversions, could be an operational fighter aircraft. After several iterations, the Luftwaffe ordered this aircraft into production as the He 51 in 1933.
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| − | | |
| − | Currently in service with Germany was the older Arado Ar 65 biplane which the He 51 was slated to replace, unfortunately by the time the He 51 A rolled off the production lines, it was already outdated, however, it wasn’t until after 150 were built that important modifications were made which resulted in the upgraded He 51 B. Of the 450 B variants built, 46 of them were modified by replacing the fixed landing gear with floats to allow the fighter to land on water. Later another 100 were built as the He 51 C variant which was configured as a light ground-attack aircraft.
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| − | | |
| − | Used initially in the Spanish Civil War, the He 51 showed to dominate over older biplanes, however, the advantage was short-lived as modern Soviet fighters and bombers arrived and the He 51 could no longer keep up with them. Operations for the He 51 converted to night fighting, however not long after that it was designated solely for ground attack operations. Though not seen as a fantastic aircraft, behind the scenes it had set the stage for the Luftwaffe years later when close support tactics were developed by Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen while flying a He 51.
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| − | | |
| − | When paired up against other reserve fighters in the game, the He 51 can hold its own, though it will not win any speed records, nor will its machine guns out fire some of the early Soviet fighters, however, there is a place for the {{PAGENAME}}. Diving straight into a cluster of fighters rolling around with each other is not the best tactic, it is better to pick a target and go after it, however, if cornered, the slower speed and manoeuvrability of the He 51 can get it out of tight spaces and potentially down a few enemy aircraft in the process. With two 7 mm machine guns, tracer rounds work best against early aircraft, especially those which are fabric covered and have non-sealing fuel tanks. Though the pilot may find themselves up-tiered against mono-wing aircraft of faster speeds, the {{PAGENAME}} can quickly turn the tables and put the faster enemy fighter on the receiving end of a stream of bullets, and only a few hits are enough to hobble the enemy aircraft allowing the Heinkel to catch up and finish the job.
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| | | | |
| | == General info == | | == General info == |
| − | === Flight performance ===
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| − | ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
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| − |
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="8" | Characteristics
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
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| − | |-
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| − | ! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
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| − | |-
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| − | | ??? || ??? || {{Specs|ceiling}} || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || 190
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
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| − | |-
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| − | ! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
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| − | |-
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| − | | 325 || 315 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 15.5 || 16.0 || 19.6 || 17.2 || 190
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| − | |-
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| − | |}
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| − |
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| − | ==== Details ====
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="5" | Features
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| − | |-
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| − | ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
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| − | |-
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| − | | ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ -->
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| − | |-
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| − | |}
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| − |
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="5" | Limits
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| − | |-
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G
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| − | |-
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| − | ! + !! -
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| − | |-
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| − | | {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 520 || ~10 || ~4
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| − | |-
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| − | |}
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| − |
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
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| − | |-
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| − | ! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! Rudder<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! Elevators<br>(km/h)
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| − | ! Radiator<br>(km/h)
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| − | |-
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| − | | < 180 || < 300 || < 300 || > 190
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| − | |-
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| − | |}
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| − |
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
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| − | |-
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| − | ! colspan="3" | Setting 1
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| − | |-
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| − | ! Optimal altitude
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| − | ! 100% Engine power
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| − | ! WEP Engine power
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| − | |-
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| − | | 0 m || 750 hp || N/A
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| − | |-
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| − | |}
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| − |
| |
| | === Survivability and armour === | | === Survivability and armour === |
| − | <!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''--> | + | <!-- Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armament separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Tips for preserving survivability should be saved for the "Use in battle" section. |
| | | | |
| − | * No armour plating
| + | If necessary, use a graphic template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour. -->[[File:Pr123bis.png|thumb|X-Ray view of the Pr. 123bis showing key components that are prone to be damaged when taking enemy fire.]] |
| − | * No armour glazing
| + | The Pr. 123bis doesn't have any armour in the game. When under fire, it is almost certain that an opponent will disable your engines and/or set you on fire (see image on the right). However, you will very rarely be destroyed due to an ammunition explosion. |
| − | * All critical components located in front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
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| | | | |
| − | Like many biplanes before and contemporaries of the {{PAGENAME}}, armour was not an option, survival was based on the pilot’s grit. Armour added weight, weight the early biplanes could not afford to carry and still be a viable fighter. Flying in open cockpit and fabric-covered aircraft, the only protection the pilot had was to place his engine between him and his enemy, otherwise, the pilot was vulnerable. Typically aircraft like this have the engine at the nose of the aircraft, followed by the fuel tank and then the cockpit, all three critical components relatively crammed together. The pilot’s toolbox had to contain situational awareness as he needed to know where the enemy was around him. Tracer rounds could easily ignite the fabric-covered aircraft or large fuel tanks, so it was imperative the pilot was the attacker, not the one being attacked and knowing where the enemies are at can help avoid getting shot at.
| + | === Mobility === |
| | + | <!-- Write about the ship’s mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward speed and reverse speed. --> |
| | + | The Pr. 123bis can reach speeds over 120 km/h in AB and around 90 km/h in RB and SB. Backwards, the Pr. 123bis can reach -45km/h, so there should be no trouble reaching strategic points first or at the same time as the lighter boats. The Pr. 123bis turns very quickly, a tactic which should be used to flank opponents and destroy them with machine guns. Lastly, it is unwise to come to a full stop, due to the fact the ship becomes a "sitting duck", easy to pick off by enemy ships or aircraft. |
| | | | |
| − | == Armaments == | + | == Armament == |
| − | === Offensive armament === | + | === Primary armament === |
| − | <!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' --> | + | {{main|DShK (12.7 mm)}} |
| − | {{main|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}} | + | <!--Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. |
| | | | |
| − | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
| + | Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.--> |
| − | * 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
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| | | | |
| − | When comparing offensive armament between reserve aircraft, the {{PAGENAME}} is on par with most nations, however, it lacks when compared to aircraft from France, Great Britain or the Soviet Union and to some extent the United States and their use of a heavy machine gun. The He 51 found itself between two great wars and to some extent was a fossil in regards to its armament. For a light biplane fighter, the {{PAGENAME}} only sported two 7.92 mm machine guns with a few options of ammunition types available for use.
| + | Primary armament composes of two, dual mounted [[DShK (12.7 mm)|DShK]] heavy machine gun turrets with one located at the stern and the other at the centre of the vessel just above and behind the bridge. Note that the turret at the stern is obstructed when pointed towards the bow due to the other turret therefore somewhat restricting fire coverage. The turret just behind the bridge has near 360° though it is slightly obstructed by the mast when pointing towards the bow. |
| | | | |
| − | Some of the reserve aircraft the {{PAGENAME}} will face utilise a heavy machine gun, up to 4 x 7 mm machine guns and a couple of premium versions even pack on a massive (massive for a reserve aircraft) 20 mm autocannon. Though coming in at a severe weapons disadvantage in some instances, the {{PAGENAME}} can still dominate a match and come out the king of the hill. While the two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns may seem insufficient, they do a job and they do it well, though it may take a bit of practice to land the bullets where they will do the most damage.
| + | The DShK 12.7 mm guns provide good firepower and rate of fire against similarly sized ships and somewhat larger ships thanks to its heavy calibre. They have an ammunition capacity of 1,000 rounds with reloads taking ~4.7 seconds. Available belts to research include the high explosive incendiary (HEI) and armour piercing incendiary tracer (APIT) rounds. |
| | | | |
| − | Default ammunition what every pilot starts out with, though not the best it will cause critical hits and down enemy aircraft, though it may take a bit more patience and a few more rounds. When available to upgrade the ammunition belt modules, two other choices come into play which will allow the pilot to change tactics and fight more on their terms. Tracer ammunition is a fantastic choice for use against early biplane and monoplane fighters, especially since most of these aircraft are covered in fabric (as opposed to later aircraft covered in metal skin) and most if not all of the early fuel tanks are not self-sealing or do not vent exhaust gasses into the fuel tanks to stave off potential fireballs.
| + | === Torpedo armament === |
| | + | {{main|45-36NU (450 mm)}} |
| | + | <!--Many ships are armed with torpedo launchers, and for some vessels such as boats, torpedoes are an extremely important means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc. |
| | | | |
| − | Tracer rounds, though do little impact damage, their powerful punch comes from igniting aircraft on fire causing the enemy to fall to the earth in a flaming heap. One huge disadvantage to the tracer rounds is that it lets everyone know where you are with the bright coloured rounds flying through the air. To combat this, some pilots will switch stealth rounds, which just means that this belt is without any tracer rounds. Two advantages here are first, the removal of the tracer round adds in another damage round and secondly, there are no tracer rounds to give away your position, especially if your first shots don’t land where you want them to, enemy pilots will need to spend precious seconds looking around to find where the shots came from before reacting or they may react blindly and to your advantage. One challenge with stealth rounds is they are more difficult to tell where they are landing especially with distance shots and will take practice to know where they are hitting, though when used in close, they are easier to track and pack in a surprise for the enemy pilot they may not be able to recover from.
| + | If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.--> |
| | | | |
| − | === Suspended armament ===
| + | The Pr. 123bis carries two 450 mm wet-heating 45-36NU torpedoes. They have a range of 3 km at a speed of 78 km/h or a range of 6 km at 73 km/h with the Torpedo Mode module installed. They are placed at the bow of the boat and fired out already at speed, so you can surprise your opponents with your torpedoes, unlike early American boats, which simply throw the torpedoes to their sides. |
| − | <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
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| − | {{main|SD10C (10 kg)}}
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| | | | |
| − | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| + | ''Be careful with your torpedoes!'' Due to torpedoes being fired out of their tubes at an upwards angle, this means that your torpedoes might over-shoot (literally) any boats which are passing right in front of the Pr. 123bis. |
| − | * Without load
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| − | * 6 x 10 kg SD10C bombs (60 kg total)
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| | | | |
| − | Early versions of the He 51 were not outfitted with bombs, it wasn’t later in the aircraft’s service it was deemed unacceptable as a fighter and was repurposed as a close support aircraft, not only able to use its machine guns to destroy ground targets but also being outfitted with six 10 kg bomb. At first one might think this is the equivalent of just throwing hand grenades out the cockpit, but this isn’t so. While these are not 50 kg or 100 kg bombs which will do significantly more damage against ground targets, the {{PAGENAME}} can still find success in bombing light targets, especially open-top trucks and anti-aircraft artillery. The first and second pass can be used for dropping the bombs on target and subsequent passes can utilise the machine guns to clean up. The {{PAGENAME}} has had a successful history of close support, even with a significant loss of aircraft in this role, tactics derived from its missions later became Luftwaffe doctrine for close-air-support and dive-bombing roles during World War II.
| + | === Special armament === |
| | + | {{main|BM-1 small depth charge}} |
| | + | <!-- Depth charges, mines, rocket launchers and missiles are also effective in skilled hands and can be an unexpected surprise for an opponent. Evaluate the ammunition of this type of armament and rate its performance in combat. --> |
| | + | The Pr. 123bis can carry 6x BB-1 depth charges, which can be used as timed mines to damage/destroy tougher enemies. You can place depth charges around a capture point if you get there first, or in front of an enemy. |
| | | | |
| − | While hunting ground targets, it can become really easy for the pilot to have tunnel vision, only focusing on what is one the ground and destroying it. The pilot must also pay attention to their surroundings in the air to ensure an enemy fighter does not sneak into the air space and pounce on the ground pounder, if necessary the {{PAGENAME}} can covert from ground attack to air defence and attack, if successfully neutralizing the enemy fighter, the {{PAGENAME}} can then return to picking off ground targets.
| + | ''Remember'' to set your Depth Charge activation time before battle, if you carry depth charges. The default option of 3 seconds is too short to be useful, so it is advised to set it to something between 5-8 seconds to keep your options open. |
| | | | |
| | == Usage in battles == | | == Usage in battles == |
| − | ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
| + | <!-- Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don’t get try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB). --> |
| | + | The Pr. 123bis is one of the first Russian boats that get decent firepower, which can destroy its opponents very quickly. Moreover, it gets two torpedoes, which are fired forwards at speed (can be an advantage, but also a disadvantage). All of that weaponry is placed on a motor boat which can reach very high speeds. It's a boat that will help you grind out USSR rank I fleet. |
| | | | |
| − | === Manual Engine Control ===
| + | The Pr. 123bis strikes a balance between speed and weaponry. At its low battle rating, the two dual 12.7 mm machine guns reliably destroy all light boats, experiencing difficulty only in a full up-tier. For the most part, the Pr. 123bis should be used as a flanker. Your machine guns destroy compartments with 3-5 bursts, and if you get the first shot on most of your opponents, they are most likely going to die very soon after. However, if you meet tougher opponents, it is viable to simply cross the map around the flank, (ignoring the lighter boats) while the opponents are focused on their front, and fire your torpedoes at their sides (best done when up close and personal). |
| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | As a rule of thumb, you should never remain stationary. The Pr. 123bis doesn't have any armour, and all other boats at its battle rating can kill it, so to make it much more difficult for the opponents, try to stay at your top speed and avoid head-on encounters. Although, you can still handle some threats from the sides because your guns' rotation speeds are very fast. |
| − | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements
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| − | |-
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch
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| − | ! colspan="3" | Radiator
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
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| − | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
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| − | |-
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| − | ! Oil !! Water !! Type
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| − | |-
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| − | | Controllable || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Combined || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |}
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| | | | |
| | === Modules === | | === Modules === |
| | {| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" |
| | ! Tier | | ! Tier |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Flight performance | + | ! colspan="2" | Seakeeping |
| − | ! Survivability | + | ! colspan="2" | Unsinkability |
| − | ! Weaponry | + | ! colspan="2" | Firepower |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | I | | | I |
| − | | Fuselage repair | + | | Dry-Docking |
| − | | Radiator | + | | |
| | + | | Tool Set |
| | + | | |
| | + | | 12.7 mm HE belts |
| | | | | | |
| − | | Offensive 7 mm
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | II | | | II |
| | | | | | |
| − | | Compressor | + | | Rudder Replacement |
| − | | Airframe | + | | Fire Protection System |
| | + | | Smokescreen |
| | + | | 12.7 mm APIT belts |
| | | | | | |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | III | | | III |
| − | | Wings repair | + | | Propeller Replacement |
| − | | Engine
| |
| | | | | | |
| − | | New 7 mm MGs | + | | |
| | + | | |
| | + | | Primary Armament Targeting |
| | + | | Depth Charges |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | IV | | | IV |
| | | | | | |
| | + | | Engine Maintenance |
| | + | | New Pumps |
| | | | | | |
| − | | Cover | + | | Artillery Support |
| − | | | + | | Torpedo Mode |
| − | |-
| |
| − | ! colspan="5" |This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |} | | |} |
| | | | |
| | === Pros and cons === | | === Pros and cons === |
| − | ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
| + | <!-- Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective". --> |
| | | | |
| | '''Pros:''' | | '''Pros:''' |
| | | | |
| − | * Very manoeuvrable | + | * Decent firepower, with effective turret placement |
| − | * Bomb load option allows for ground attack
| + | * Quick turret rotation speeds |
| − | * Weaponry is good enough for most uses
| + | * Great mobility and speed |
| − | * Often underestimated by enemy pilots, allowing you to take them by surprise
| + | * Torpedoes fired forward at speed |
| − | * Improved fuel capacity over predecessors | |
| − | * Good speed by biplane standards | |
| − | * Has floats, can take off and land on water | |
| | | | |
| | '''Cons:''' | | '''Cons:''' |
| | | | |
| − | * Susceptible to tracer fire, fabric-covered and non-sealing fuel tanks | + | * Enemies can easily destroy the ship |
| − | * Slow in comparison to other reserve aircraft | + | * Only 2 torpedoes, which fire forwards |
| − | * No armour or protection at all
| |
| − | * Open exposed cockpit
| |
| − | * Carrying bombs reduce roll rate speed
| |
| − | * Smallest calibre machine guns to work with
| |
| − | * Poor forward visibility (simulator battles)
| |
| | | | |
| | == History == | | == History == |
| − | <!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
| + | ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.'' |
| − | === History and development ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | In the early 1930s, the most advanced biplane aircraft in Germany was the Arado Ar 65, though it was quickly becoming obsolete. The German Luftwaffe, operating in secrecy against resolutions set after World War I, did not want to fall behind in technology. Though military aircraft and vehicles could not be built, trainer and transport aircraft were designed and built but had a hidden dual purpose which would allow them to easily be converted into fighters and bombers. Heinkel Flugzeugwerke was one such aircraft manufacturer which was designing what was to be the Ar 65’s replacement. Günter brothers, Walter and Seigfried were the lead designers on a new biplane design in 1931 which labelled as an "advanced trainer", would easily be converted into a fighter when necessary. Early prototypes were designated He 49 with several variants resultant of modifications and upgrades performed to address shortcomings found during testing.
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| − | | |
| − | In 1933, the Luftwaffe ordered the He 49 (now designated He 51) into pre-production. The design of the aircraft is relatively simple, all-metal frame construction with a fabric covering. Like many early aircraft, it was powered by a v-12 engine, this one a glycol-cooled (ram air radiator) BMW VI engine and two 7.92 mm machine guns mounted in the upper fuselage/cowl of the aircraft allowing the pilot to point the aircraft where he wanted to shoot and then fire without having to make any considerations for convergence, with the exception of bullet drop over longer distances, however, when fired up close, the guns did considerable damage.
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| − | By the time the aircraft was rolling off the production lines in 1935, the He 51 A was already considered outdated which goes to show how fast technology was developing during these years. Modifications were made to the aircraft and the next in line production variant the He 51 B was produced in greater numbers and enjoyed early air superiority in the Spanish Civil War, only until modern Soviet fighters and bombers showed up.
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| − | Seeing that the He 51 B was no longer a capable fighter even as a short stint as a night fighter, it was quickly modified and the final production variant, the He 51 C rolled out as a dedicated ground-attack variant. The He 51 C was a very capable ground-attack fighter, coupled with its extreme manoeuvrability and slow loiter speed, the aircraft could attack a ground target and within a few seconds could have the plane turned around and be attacking again before any ground defences had the chance to regroup and retaliate. Towards the end of the Spanish Civil War, losses of the He 51 were starting to mount up as anti-air technology was catching up and more and more of the slower biplane were picked off from ground weapons.
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| − | It was during this time when World War I ace pilot Wolfram von Richthofen flew the He 51 in a ground attack role, through this process, he refined and honed his skills as a close support fighter. The tactics he learned through trial and error became invaluable later on during World War II when as a Field Marshal, he passed on these tactics and how to effectively dive bomb with aircraft. Though only 55 aircraft survived front-line service through 1938, they continued to be of use through the first few years of World War II as the aircraft they were originally designed to be, advanced trainers.
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| − | === In-game description ===
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| − | Heinkel He 51 B-2 single-engine floatplane fighter
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| − | In March 1935, Germany officially refused to comply with the Treaty of Versailles clause that restricted the country's military power. And although June 18, 1935 saw the signing of a naval treaty between Germany and Great Britain which stated that the number of Kriegsmarine ships could not exceed 35% of the Royal Navy's combined strength, the path to the German fleet's quick growth was open. An adequate buildup of naval aviation was immediately required. So, E. Heinkel's suggestion to create a floatplane fighter based on the He 51 was received with favour at the Kriegsmarine Headquarters. It was planned that, if necessary, seaplane tenders could be equipped with such fighters to provide air cover for Kriegsmarine ships at sea and at unfitted anchoring positions.
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| − | The Heinkel Flugzeugwerke designers had already laid considerable groundwork for the He 49 V2 floatplane fighter, so the He 51's assembly progressed very quickly. The second prototype fighter was mounted on two single-step, all-metal floats and was designated the He 51w. One production He 51 A-1 fighter was converted into the second prototype He 51 floatplane. After it was equipped with floats, it was designated the He 51 A-2. Its armament and airborne equipment were similar to the land version.
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| − | The floatplane fighter passed its tests quickly and showed no problems. The Heinkel company received an order for eight hydroplanes, and a second order for 30 machines followed. By that time, only aircraft of the "B" version were being released, so production floatplane fighters came to be designated as He 51 B-2. Planes of this variant were equipped with underwing bomb racks to suspend six 10 kg fragmentation bombs.
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| − | 1.Ku.J.St./136, the only Navy fighter squadron that still had a dozen rather obsolete HD 38d aircraft in service, was rearmed with He 51 B-2s in the first half of 1936 and expanded into the I./JG136 Fighter Wing, comprising three squadrons. A combined total of 38 He 51B-2 floatplane fighters entered service with the 1st and 2nd squadrons of Coastal Fighter Group (Kustenjagdgruppe) 136, based in Kiel-Holtenau and Jever.
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| | == Media == | | == Media == |
| − | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | + | ''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.'' |
| | | | |
| | == See also == | | == See also == |
| − | <!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
| + | ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' |
| − | * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;'' | + | |
| − | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''--> | + | * ''reference to the series of the ship;'' |
| − | ;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
| + | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' |
| − | * Fiat [[CR.32 (Family)|CR.32]]
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| − | * Gloster [[Gladiator (Family)|Gladiator]]
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| − | * Polikarpov [[I-15 (Family)|I-15]]
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| − | * Kawasaki [[Ki-10 (Family)|Ki-10]]
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| | | | |
| | == External links == | | == External links == |
| | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
| | + | |
| | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' |
| − | * ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;'' | + | * ''encyclopedia page on ship;'' |
| | * ''other literature.'' | | * ''other literature.'' |
| | | | |
| − | {{AirManufacturer Heinkel}} | + | {{USSR boats}} |
| − | {{Germany fighters}}
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| − | {{Germany premium aircraft}}
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Pr.123-bis
Research:14 000 
Purchase:32 000 
Description
The Pr.123-bis is a rank II Soviet motor torpedo boat
with a battle rating of 2.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.79 "Project X" when the Soviet fleet was implemented into the game.
General info
Survivability and armour
X-Ray view of the Pr. 123bis showing key components that are prone to be damaged when taking enemy fire.
The Pr. 123bis doesn't have any armour in the game. When under fire, it is almost certain that an opponent will disable your engines and/or set you on fire (see image on the right). However, you will very rarely be destroyed due to an ammunition explosion.
Mobility
The Pr. 123bis can reach speeds over 120 km/h in AB and around 90 km/h in RB and SB. Backwards, the Pr. 123bis can reach -45km/h, so there should be no trouble reaching strategic points first or at the same time as the lighter boats. The Pr. 123bis turns very quickly, a tactic which should be used to flank opponents and destroy them with machine guns. Lastly, it is unwise to come to a full stop, due to the fact the ship becomes a "sitting duck", easy to pick off by enemy ships or aircraft.
Armament
Primary armament
Primary armament composes of two, dual mounted DShK heavy machine gun turrets with one located at the stern and the other at the centre of the vessel just above and behind the bridge. Note that the turret at the stern is obstructed when pointed towards the bow due to the other turret therefore somewhat restricting fire coverage. The turret just behind the bridge has near 360° though it is slightly obstructed by the mast when pointing towards the bow.
The DShK 12.7 mm guns provide good firepower and rate of fire against similarly sized ships and somewhat larger ships thanks to its heavy calibre. They have an ammunition capacity of 1,000 rounds with reloads taking ~4.7 seconds. Available belts to research include the high explosive incendiary (HEI) and armour piercing incendiary tracer (APIT) rounds.
Torpedo armament
The Pr. 123bis carries two 450 mm wet-heating 45-36NU torpedoes. They have a range of 3 km at a speed of 78 km/h or a range of 6 km at 73 km/h with the Torpedo Mode module installed. They are placed at the bow of the boat and fired out already at speed, so you can surprise your opponents with your torpedoes, unlike early American boats, which simply throw the torpedoes to their sides.
Be careful with your torpedoes! Due to torpedoes being fired out of their tubes at an upwards angle, this means that your torpedoes might over-shoot (literally) any boats which are passing right in front of the Pr. 123bis.
Special armament
The Pr. 123bis can carry 6x BB-1 depth charges, which can be used as timed mines to damage/destroy tougher enemies. You can place depth charges around a capture point if you get there first, or in front of an enemy.
Remember to set your Depth Charge activation time before battle, if you carry depth charges. The default option of 3 seconds is too short to be useful, so it is advised to set it to something between 5-8 seconds to keep your options open.
Usage in battles
The Pr. 123bis is one of the first Russian boats that get decent firepower, which can destroy its opponents very quickly. Moreover, it gets two torpedoes, which are fired forwards at speed (can be an advantage, but also a disadvantage). All of that weaponry is placed on a motor boat which can reach very high speeds. It's a boat that will help you grind out USSR rank I fleet.
The Pr. 123bis strikes a balance between speed and weaponry. At its low battle rating, the two dual 12.7 mm machine guns reliably destroy all light boats, experiencing difficulty only in a full up-tier. For the most part, the Pr. 123bis should be used as a flanker. Your machine guns destroy compartments with 3-5 bursts, and if you get the first shot on most of your opponents, they are most likely going to die very soon after. However, if you meet tougher opponents, it is viable to simply cross the map around the flank, (ignoring the lighter boats) while the opponents are focused on their front, and fire your torpedoes at their sides (best done when up close and personal).
As a rule of thumb, you should never remain stationary. The Pr. 123bis doesn't have any armour, and all other boats at its battle rating can kill it, so to make it much more difficult for the opponents, try to stay at your top speed and avoid head-on encounters. Although, you can still handle some threats from the sides because your guns' rotation speeds are very fast.
Modules
| Tier
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Seakeeping
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Unsinkability
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Firepower
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| I
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Dry-Docking
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Tool Set
|
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12.7 mm HE belts
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| II
|
|
Rudder Replacement
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Fire Protection System
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Smokescreen
|
12.7 mm APIT belts
|
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| III
|
Propeller Replacement
|
|
|
|
Primary Armament Targeting
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Depth Charges
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| IV
|
|
Engine Maintenance
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New Pumps
|
|
Artillery Support
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Torpedo Mode
|
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Decent firepower, with effective turret placement
- Quick turret rotation speeds
- Great mobility and speed
- Torpedoes fired forward at speed
Cons:
- Enemies can easily destroy the ship
- Only 2 torpedoes, which fire forwards
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.
Media
An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the ship;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- encyclopedia page on ship;
- other literature.
