Difference between revisions of "MTB Vosper"

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(Armament: links)
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If necessary, use a graphic template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.-->
 
If necessary, use a graphic template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.-->
  
Being constructed out of wood, the Vosper 1 has no armour and therefore must rely on manoeuvrability to survive. Areas to note is the engines located in the stern and the ammunition storage at the bow which makes it vulnerable to explosions. The crew consists of 10 men.
+
Vosper 1 series has the following armour layout:
[[File:X-RayImage StarboardView Vosper1.png|thumb|none|Profile image of the Vosper 1 with x-ray enabled showing various internals. The engine bay lies in the stern with ammunition storage sitting under the bridge at the bow.]]
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 +
* [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II]] gunshield: 12.7 mm hardened armour
 +
* Hull: 24 mm, wood
 +
* Superstructure: 15 mm, wood
 +
 
 +
[[File:X-RayImage StarboardView Vosper1.png|thumb|Vosper 1 series internals (starboard side). Note the ammo storages below the bridge.]]
 +
 
 +
Any gun in the game will easily be able to penetrate anywhere on the boat, including the gunshield, at practically any range. Vosper 1 series can also be hull-broken by any gun larger than 4 inches (102 mm). Luckily though, at her battle rating, the only gun that can hull-break Vosper 1 series is the [[8cwt QF Mk I (114 mm)]], found on {{Specs-Link|uk_dark_class}}. These are traits of the vast majority of boats in tier I and II though, so they aren't really a disadvantage.
 +
 
 +
The hull is split into three compartments. The first compartment starts at the bow and ends just in front of the forward gun mounts. The second starts at the forward gun mounts and ends in front of the engines. The third starts at the engines and ends at the stern. Overall, with a crew complement of 10, survivability is average.
 +
 
 +
Of note are the ammo storages located just underneath the bridge. Destroying these will also destroy the rest of the boat. In practice, though, this almost never happens, since most guns at this battle rating are either machine guns or low-calibre autocannons which require a large number of hits to destroy the ammo storages. It's both faster and easier to just target the hull compartments and knock out the crew.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== 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.-->
 
<!--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.-->
  
As with any MTB the Vosper 1 is a fast craft being able to reach up to speeds at 64 km/h and then up to a further 104 km/h when fully upgraded. The time it takes to reach maximum speed of 104 km/h is 13.74 seconds and the time it takes to come to a complete halt is 15.49 seconds. Reverse speed goes up to 36 km/h once upgraded.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Mobility Characteristics'''
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Game Mode
 +
! rowspan="2" | Upgrade Status
 +
! colspan="2" | Maximum Speed (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Turn Time (s)|Time needed to complete a 360° turn at maximum speed}}
 +
! rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Turn Radius (m)|At maximum speed}}
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="1" | Forward
 +
! rowspan="1" | Reverse
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|AB|Arcade Battles}}
 +
| {{Annotation|Stock|All modifications removed}} || 76 || 27 || ~19.43 || ~37.80
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|Upgraded|All modifications installed}} || 105 || 37 || ~12.61 || ~22.86
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}/{{Annotation|SB|Simulator Battles}}
 +
| {{Annotation|Stock|All modifications removed}} || 64 || 22 || ~21.92 || ~43.61
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|Upgraded|All modifications installed}} || 74 || 26 || ~17.84 || ~34.70
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
When moving, Vosper 1 series will very slowly drift to starboard without any player input. Also, when moving at high speeds, the bow will lift up slightly, though this doesn't inhibit the forward gun mounts from firing.
  
 
== Armament ==
 
== Armament ==
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Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.-->
 
Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.-->
  
[[File:Vosper1 Centre CloseUpImage.png|thumb|x200px|right|Close shot of the Vosper 1 showing the turret placement. Note that the two turrets behind the bridge are offset to prevent obstructing from each another. This shot also shows the two angled torpedo tubes on the hull sides.]]
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[[File:Vosper1 Centre CloseUpImage.png|thumb|x200px|right|Close-up shot of the Vosper 1 series showing gun mount placements. The two mounts behind the bridge are staggered to not obstruct each other when firing to the side.]]
Like the MTB-1, the Vosper 1 carries the same primary armament of eight 7.72 Lewis guns. However the largest difference is that is divided among four separate turrets with two guns each. Two turrets sit at the bow and the other two at the centre of the vessel just behind the bridge. With more crew manning the guns reload time takes ~9.5 seconds. The guns ammunition capacity sits at 960 with 7760 in storage.
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 +
In her main armament group, Vosper 1 series has four twin 7.72 mm Lewis machinegun 1916 mounts, two on each wing in front of the bridge and two staggered behind the bridge, for a total of 8 guns. For each mount, there are 1,940 rounds of ammunition available, 970 rounds per gun, for a total of 7760 rounds. All of the mounts traverse horizontally at a rate of 75°/s and vertically at a rate of 75°/s. Each gun has a magazine capacity of 97 rounds and has a rate of fire of 550 rounds/min. With a stock crew, the guns can be reloaded in 10.4 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 8 seconds. Their maximum range against surface targets is roughly 1.6 km.
 +
 
 +
{{Notice|Turrets are named sequentially, clockwise, starting at the bow}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="8" | '''Guidance for the Main Gun Turrets'''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.1 Turret (front-right)
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.2 Turret (back-right)
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.1 Turret (back-left)
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.2 Turret (front-left)
 +
|-
 +
! Horizontal !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Vertical
 +
|-
 +
| ±180° || -7°/+70° || ±180° || -10°/+70° || ±180° || -10°/+70° || ±180° || -7°/+70°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
There are three choices of ammunition available:
  
Being a light machine gun, the 7.7 calibre has relatively low range and power which is compensated by the amount of guns therefore it relies of volume of fire rather than stopping power. The general range that you should engage targets is within 1 km to maximise it's effectiveness and to avoid being out ranged by more powerful machine guns.
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* Universal: {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}/{{Annotation|T|Tracer}}/{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}/{{Annotation|T|Tracer}}
 +
 
 +
* 7.7 mm AP belt: {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}/{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}/{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}/{{Annotation|T|Tracer}}
 +
 
 +
* 7.7 mm API belt: {{Annotation|IT|Incendiary tracer}}/{{Annotation|IT|Incendiary tracer}}/{{Annotation|IT|Incendiary tracer}}/{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="7" | '''Penetration Statistics'''
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 +
|-
 +
| Universal || 20 || 19 || 16 || 13 || 11 || 10
 +
|-
 +
| 7.7 mm AP belt || 20 || 19 || 16 || 13 || 11 || 10
 +
|-
 +
| 7.7 mm API belt || 20 || 19 || 16 || 13 || 11 || 10
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Torpedo armament ===
 
=== Torpedo armament ===
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If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.-->
 
If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.-->
  
Torpedo armaments consists of two 533mm Mk.VIII torpedoes with a range of 4.57 km at speed of 84 km/h. Each torpedo sits at bulwarks and are angled slightly so captains would need to rely on manoeuvring to aim them at longer ranges.
+
Vosper 1 series has two torpedo tubes, one on each side, and can carry two 533 mm Mk.VIII torpedoes. The torpedo tubes are pointed forwards but are angled outwards on each side and are fixed, requiring the boat to be turned in order to aim them.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="9" | '''Torpedo Characteristics'''
 +
|-
 +
! Torpedo Mode !! Mass (kg) !! Maximum speed in water (km/h) !! Travel distance (km) !! Depth stroke (m) !! Arming distance (m) !! Explosive type !! Explosive mass (kg) !! TNT equivalent (kg)
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|No|"Torpedo Mode" modification uninstalled}} || 1566 || 84 || 4.57 || 1 || 50 || TNT || 327 || 327
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|Yes|"Torpedo Mode" modification installed}} || 1566 || 76 || 6.40 || 1 || 50 || TNT || 327 || 327
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The Torpedo Mode modification is available as a tier IV modification. Installing it has the following changes:
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="2" | '''Torpedo Mode Specification Changes'''
 +
|-
 +
! Max Distance (m)
 +
! Max Speed (m/s)
 +
|-
 +
| +1830 || -1
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!--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).-->
 
<!--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).-->
  
Those who have piloted the MTB-1 should utilise the Vosper 1 in the same manner. Despite appearances the Vosper 1 is functionally similar with the only noteworthy differences in that the Vosper 1 has slightly faster torpedoes and shorter reload times for it's primary armaments. With no armour and high speed it is best suited to capturing points and ambushing larger ships with torpedoes or backing allied ships with smokescreen and anti-air cover as the low calibre of 7.72 Lewis guns is still effective on aircraft.
+
Like the {{Specs-Link|uk_mtb_1series}} that comes directly before it on the tech tree, Vosper 1 series' main armament consists only of low-calibre machine guns, although this is somewhat alleviated by the fact that she has eight such guns. Still, the guns are limited by their low maximum range of 1.6 km. Unlike MTB-1 1 series though, Vosper 1 series can only bring all eight guns to target in very small ~7.5° arc about 60° to port (i.e. roughly the 10 o'clock position). In general, though, only four or six of the eight guns will ever be on target at the same time. Even so, six guns are enough to destroy most targets at this tier without needing to reload. With only four of eight guns though, the guns will have to be reloaded at least once in order to destroy most targets, so engagements either directly in front of or directly behind the boat, where only two of the gun mounts can be brought to bear, are undesirable.
 +
 
 +
With a magazine size of 97 rounds per gun and a rate of fire of 550 rpm, the guns can fire for 10.58 seconds, very good compared to most other machine guns but not the best. Compared to the quadruple mounts on MTB-1 1 series, the twin mounts on Vosper 1 series can be reloaded much quicker, between 8 and 10.4 seconds depending on the crew, which puts it above the reload of the twin [[AN-M2 (12.7 mm)]] mounts that many US boats have. Nevertheless, this reload is still quite long. Because of this, it's always better to empty the magazines after each engagement so that the maximum amount of ammunition is available for the next engagement.  
  
Captains should generally avoid engaging enemy crafts longer than 1.5 km as the 7.7 calibre of the Lewis guns can be out ranged by larger calibres like the American .50 Cal or Russian 12.7 mm. Therefore it is recommended to attack in ranges less than 1 km in order to take advantage of the volume of fire whilst still retaining penetrative power. The torpedoes are also quite fast with good range which is useful against larger, slow moving vessels at distance.
+
;Ammunition Choices
 +
 
 +
The best ammunition choice is the 7.7 mm AP belt since it has the highest ratio of AP to T rounds. While the 7.7 mm API belt may look tempting because of the incendiary tracer rounds, the IT rounds are actually stopped by most wooden hulls and rarely start fires, if ever. This belt is the best to use against aircraft, though with such a long reload to switch to it and such a minuscule difference in damage, there isn't much of a point in using it for that role either.
 +
 
 +
;Torpedoes
 +
 
 +
The Mk.VIII torpedoes are a decent torpedo with above-average top speeds and warhead size. Its maximum range is more of less average compared to other torpedoes at this tier.
 +
 
 +
The Torpedo Mode modification should never be installed. The higher maximum speed is much more valuable against the fast-moving boats of tier I and II, and the 4.57 km maximum range with the Torpedo Mode modification installed is more than enough for the small maps.
 +
 
 +
===Modules===
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! Tier
 +
! colspan="2" | Seakeeping
 +
! colspan="2" | Unsinkability
 +
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Dry-Docking ||
 +
| Tool Set ||
 +
| 7.7 mm AP belt ||
 +
|-
 +
| II
 +
|  || Rudder Replacement
 +
| Fire Protection System || Smokescreen
 +
| 7.7 mm API belt ||
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Propeller Replacement ||
 +
|  ||
 +
| Primary Armament Targeting ||
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
|  || Engine Maintenance
 +
| New Pumps ||
 +
| Artillery Support || Torpedo Mode
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Fast
+
* Good manoeuvrability
* Four turrets give good fire coverage
+
* Large number of guns
* Torpedoes have long range with good speeds of 84 km/h
+
* Decent reload
* Better reload time than the previous version
+
* Good torpedoes, above-average maximum speed and TNT equivalence
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* No armour
+
* Main armament consists of low-calibre machine guns, low damage output per gun
* Primary armaments of the 7.7 Lewis guns are rather ineffective at ranges longer than 1.5 km
+
* Main armament has a small maximum range, ~1.6 km
* Lack of penetration even with the API-T belt
+
* Not all gun mounts can be on target at once, one or more of the mounts will be blocked at most angles
  
 
== History ==
 
== 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: <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.''
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<!--''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.''-->
 +
 
 +
In the 1930s, the Admiralty tried to reestablish the coastal boat flotillas it once had during the first World War. British boatbuilding company Vosper & Company vied for the contract but lost both times in 1935 and 1936, the contract to build the first coastal boats since WWI going instead to the British Power Boat Company. Vospers continued in their effort to receive a contract from the Admiralty for their boats but to no avail. At the time, though, the Admiralty had unofficially suggested that future contracts would only be awarded for boats that were able to reach 40 knots and that were armed with two 21-inch torpedoes as well as light anti-aircraft guns. With these specifications, Vospers took the risk and preemptively began development on a new motor torpedo boat.
 +
 
 +
In 1937, Vospers completed their prototype. It was 69.5 feet long and had a hard chine hull design, like many boats at the time, which produced hydrodynamic lift at high speeds, lifting the hull out of the water to reduce drag. It was powered by three petrol engines from Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini, each driving a single shaft, together producing 3,600 bhp. The prototype displaced 33 tons, and, in internal trials, it reached 43.7 knots loaded and 47.8 knots unloaded. The torpedoes were mounted on either side of the bridge, pointed forwards and angled outwards. This torpedo placement was uncommon at the time but would become the standard placement on Allied motor torpedo boats during WWII. For its gun armament, Vospers experimented with various combinations of 0.303 calibre machine guns, 0.50 calibre machine guns, and a 20 mm autocannon. The prototype went on trials for the Admiralty in 1938, after which it was purchased and designated MTB 102. In 1939, MTB 102 went on trials against a competing design by British Power Boat Co., where it won, and its design was selected to be the newest line of Coastal Forces motor torpedo boats.
 +
 
 +
The boats built following MTB 102 all shared its design, although the hull was lengthened to 70 feet. In 1940, with the entrance of Italy into WWII, engines from Isotta Fraschini could no longer be obtained and subsequent boats had to be fitted with much weaker petrol engines (1,800 bhp total) from American manufacturer Hall Scott as a stopgap measure until they could be upgraded with more powerful petrol engines from Packard, though this wasn't until 1941. In total, 28 of the 32 planned 70 ft Vosper MTBs were completed:
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 20-23: Ordered 15th August 1938, all completed by December 1939. MTBs 20, 21, and 23 were sent to the Romanian Navy. MTB 22 was part of 4th MTB Flotilla and survived to the end of the war.
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 29-30: Ordered on 8th September 1938, all completed by July 1940. Both were part of 4th MTB Flotilla. MTB 29 was lost in a collision with a German E-boat on 6th October 1942, and MTB 30 struck a mine on 18th December 1942.
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 31-40: Ordered on 27th September 1939, 6 completed by May 1941. MTBs 33, 37, 39, and 40 were bombed by German aircraft before completion between 1940 and 1941. The completed boats survived to the end of the war.
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 57-66: Ordered on 26th February 1940, all completed by April 1942. MTB 61 was stranded during an attack on 9th May 1943, and MTBs 63 and 64 were lost after collisions with friendly MTBs on 2nd April 1943. The remaining boats were sold in 1944.
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 69-70: Ordered in April 1940, both completed by June 1940. Both only received two engines. Both served with HMS Beehive at Felixstowe and survived to the end of the war.
 +
 
 +
* MTBs 218-221: Ordered on 7th December 1940, all completed by September 1941. MTBs 218 struck a mine on 18th August 1942, and MTB 220 was sunk by German E-boats on 13th May 1942. MTBs 219 and 221 survived to the end of the war. MTB 221 was sold in 1945.
 +
 
 +
Modifications to the original 70 ft Vosper MTB design would lead to the development of the 72 ft Vosper MTB and 73 ft Vosper MTB.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as 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.''-->
 +
 
 +
<div class="portale" align="center">
 +
{| class="catlist" frame="box" style="background: #efefef;" align="center"
 +
|<span style="white-space:nowrap;">[[File:GEN_LIVE_WT_1_HPL.jpg|510px|link=https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=britain&vehicleType=ship&vehicleClass=torpedo_boat&vehicle=uk_mtb_vosper_1series|]]</span> ||
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
</div>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
  
* [[Vosper 2 series]] - Sister ship with front pair of Lewis machine gun armaments replaced with a 20 mm autocannon and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
+
* {{Specs-Link|uk_mtb_vosper_2series}}
 +
* {{Specs-Link|uk_mtb_1series}}
 +
* {{Specs-Link|uk_mtb_2series}}
  
 
== 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 ship;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on ship;''
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.ww2ships.com/britain/gb-sc-002-b.shtml ww2ships.com - 70' Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat]
 +
* [https://www.unithistories.com/units_british/RN_MTBs.html#MTB_Boats unithistories.com - Royal Navy Coastal Forces 1940-1945]
 +
* [http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLosses3Coastal.htm naval-history.net - British vessels lost at sea in World War 2 - MGB, MTB, SGB, ML, etc] - originally published in British Vessels Lost at Sea, 1935-45, His Majesty's Stationary Office, 1947
 +
* [http://www.harwichanddovercourt.co.uk/warships/torpedo-boats/ harwichanddovercourt.co.uk - Torpedo Boats - World War 2]
 +
* [https://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=640 uboat.net - Vosper 70 feet-type class]
  
 
{{Britain boats}}
 
{{Britain boats}}

Revision as of 12:58, 25 March 2020

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
uk_mtb_vosper_1series.png
MTB Vosper
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage MTB Vosper.jpg


The MTB Vosper 1 series is a rank I British motor torpedo boat with a battle rating of 1.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea" as part of the British fleet closed beta test.

General info

Survivability and armour

Vosper 1 series has the following armour layout:

  • 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II gunshield: 12.7 mm hardened armour
  • Hull: 24 mm, wood
  • Superstructure: 15 mm, wood
Vosper 1 series internals (starboard side). Note the ammo storages below the bridge.

Any gun in the game will easily be able to penetrate anywhere on the boat, including the gunshield, at practically any range. Vosper 1 series can also be hull-broken by any gun larger than 4 inches (102 mm). Luckily though, at her battle rating, the only gun that can hull-break Vosper 1 series is the 8cwt QF Mk I (114 mm), found on Dark Adventurer. These are traits of the vast majority of boats in tier I and II though, so they aren't really a disadvantage.

The hull is split into three compartments. The first compartment starts at the bow and ends just in front of the forward gun mounts. The second starts at the forward gun mounts and ends in front of the engines. The third starts at the engines and ends at the stern. Overall, with a crew complement of 10, survivability is average.

Of note are the ammo storages located just underneath the bridge. Destroying these will also destroy the rest of the boat. In practice, though, this almost never happens, since most guns at this battle rating are either machine guns or low-calibre autocannons which require a large number of hits to destroy the ammo storages. It's both faster and easier to just target the hull compartments and knock out the crew.

Mobility

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock 76 27 ~19.43 ~37.80
Upgraded 105 37 ~12.61 ~22.86
RB/SB Stock 64 22 ~21.92 ~43.61
Upgraded 74 26 ~17.84 ~34.70

When moving, Vosper 1 series will very slowly drift to starboard without any player input. Also, when moving at high speeds, the bow will lift up slightly, though this doesn't inhibit the forward gun mounts from firing.

Armament

Primary armament

Main article: Lewis 1916 (7.72 mm)
Close-up shot of the Vosper 1 series showing gun mount placements. The two mounts behind the bridge are staggered to not obstruct each other when firing to the side.

In her main armament group, Vosper 1 series has four twin 7.72 mm Lewis machinegun 1916 mounts, two on each wing in front of the bridge and two staggered behind the bridge, for a total of 8 guns. For each mount, there are 1,940 rounds of ammunition available, 970 rounds per gun, for a total of 7760 rounds. All of the mounts traverse horizontally at a rate of 75°/s and vertically at a rate of 75°/s. Each gun has a magazine capacity of 97 rounds and has a rate of fire of 550 rounds/min. With a stock crew, the guns can be reloaded in 10.4 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 8 seconds. Their maximum range against surface targets is roughly 1.6 km.

Msg-info.png Turrets are named sequentially, clockwise, starting at the bow
Guidance for the Main Gun Turrets
No.1 Turret (front-right) No.2 Turret (back-right) No.1 Turret (back-left) No.2 Turret (front-left)
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical
±180° -7°/+70° ±180° -10°/+70° ±180° -10°/+70° ±180° -7°/+70°

There are three choices of ammunition available:

  • Universal: AP/T/AP/T
  • 7.7 mm AP belt: AP/AP/AP/T
  • 7.7 mm API belt: IT/IT/IT/AP
Penetration Statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Universal 20 19 16 13 11 10
7.7 mm AP belt 20 19 16 13 11 10
7.7 mm API belt 20 19 16 13 11 10

Torpedo armament

Main article: Mk.VIII (533 mm)

Vosper 1 series has two torpedo tubes, one on each side, and can carry two 533 mm Mk.VIII torpedoes. The torpedo tubes are pointed forwards but are angled outwards on each side and are fixed, requiring the boat to be turned in order to aim them.

Torpedo Characteristics
Torpedo Mode Mass (kg) Maximum speed in water (km/h) Travel distance (km) Depth stroke (m) Arming distance (m) Explosive type Explosive mass (kg) TNT equivalent (kg)
No 1566 84 4.57 1 50 TNT 327 327
Yes 1566 76 6.40 1 50 TNT 327 327

The Torpedo Mode modification is available as a tier IV modification. Installing it has the following changes:

Torpedo Mode Specification Changes
Max Distance (m) Max Speed (m/s)
+1830 -1

Usage in battles

Like the MTB-1(1) that comes directly before it on the tech tree, Vosper 1 series' main armament consists only of low-calibre machine guns, although this is somewhat alleviated by the fact that she has eight such guns. Still, the guns are limited by their low maximum range of 1.6 km. Unlike MTB-1 1 series though, Vosper 1 series can only bring all eight guns to target in very small ~7.5° arc about 60° to port (i.e. roughly the 10 o'clock position). In general, though, only four or six of the eight guns will ever be on target at the same time. Even so, six guns are enough to destroy most targets at this tier without needing to reload. With only four of eight guns though, the guns will have to be reloaded at least once in order to destroy most targets, so engagements either directly in front of or directly behind the boat, where only two of the gun mounts can be brought to bear, are undesirable.

With a magazine size of 97 rounds per gun and a rate of fire of 550 rpm, the guns can fire for 10.58 seconds, very good compared to most other machine guns but not the best. Compared to the quadruple mounts on MTB-1 1 series, the twin mounts on Vosper 1 series can be reloaded much quicker, between 8 and 10.4 seconds depending on the crew, which puts it above the reload of the twin AN-M2 (12.7 mm) mounts that many US boats have. Nevertheless, this reload is still quite long. Because of this, it's always better to empty the magazines after each engagement so that the maximum amount of ammunition is available for the next engagement.

Ammunition Choices

The best ammunition choice is the 7.7 mm AP belt since it has the highest ratio of AP to T rounds. While the 7.7 mm API belt may look tempting because of the incendiary tracer rounds, the IT rounds are actually stopped by most wooden hulls and rarely start fires, if ever. This belt is the best to use against aircraft, though with such a long reload to switch to it and such a minuscule difference in damage, there isn't much of a point in using it for that role either.

Torpedoes

The Mk.VIII torpedoes are a decent torpedo with above-average top speeds and warhead size. Its maximum range is more of less average compared to other torpedoes at this tier.

The Torpedo Mode modification should never be installed. The higher maximum speed is much more valuable against the fast-moving boats of tier I and II, and the 4.57 km maximum range with the Torpedo Mode modification installed is more than enough for the small maps.

Modules

Tier Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
I Dry-Docking Tool Set 7.7 mm AP belt
II Rudder Replacement Fire Protection System Smokescreen 7.7 mm API belt
III Propeller Replacement Primary Armament Targeting
IV Engine Maintenance New Pumps Artillery Support Torpedo Mode

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good manoeuvrability
  • Large number of guns
  • Decent reload
  • Good torpedoes, above-average maximum speed and TNT equivalence

Cons:

  • Main armament consists of low-calibre machine guns, low damage output per gun
  • Main armament has a small maximum range, ~1.6 km
  • Not all gun mounts can be on target at once, one or more of the mounts will be blocked at most angles

History

In the 1930s, the Admiralty tried to reestablish the coastal boat flotillas it once had during the first World War. British boatbuilding company Vosper & Company vied for the contract but lost both times in 1935 and 1936, the contract to build the first coastal boats since WWI going instead to the British Power Boat Company. Vospers continued in their effort to receive a contract from the Admiralty for their boats but to no avail. At the time, though, the Admiralty had unofficially suggested that future contracts would only be awarded for boats that were able to reach 40 knots and that were armed with two 21-inch torpedoes as well as light anti-aircraft guns. With these specifications, Vospers took the risk and preemptively began development on a new motor torpedo boat.

In 1937, Vospers completed their prototype. It was 69.5 feet long and had a hard chine hull design, like many boats at the time, which produced hydrodynamic lift at high speeds, lifting the hull out of the water to reduce drag. It was powered by three petrol engines from Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini, each driving a single shaft, together producing 3,600 bhp. The prototype displaced 33 tons, and, in internal trials, it reached 43.7 knots loaded and 47.8 knots unloaded. The torpedoes were mounted on either side of the bridge, pointed forwards and angled outwards. This torpedo placement was uncommon at the time but would become the standard placement on Allied motor torpedo boats during WWII. For its gun armament, Vospers experimented with various combinations of 0.303 calibre machine guns, 0.50 calibre machine guns, and a 20 mm autocannon. The prototype went on trials for the Admiralty in 1938, after which it was purchased and designated MTB 102. In 1939, MTB 102 went on trials against a competing design by British Power Boat Co., where it won, and its design was selected to be the newest line of Coastal Forces motor torpedo boats.

The boats built following MTB 102 all shared its design, although the hull was lengthened to 70 feet. In 1940, with the entrance of Italy into WWII, engines from Isotta Fraschini could no longer be obtained and subsequent boats had to be fitted with much weaker petrol engines (1,800 bhp total) from American manufacturer Hall Scott as a stopgap measure until they could be upgraded with more powerful petrol engines from Packard, though this wasn't until 1941. In total, 28 of the 32 planned 70 ft Vosper MTBs were completed:

  • MTBs 20-23: Ordered 15th August 1938, all completed by December 1939. MTBs 20, 21, and 23 were sent to the Romanian Navy. MTB 22 was part of 4th MTB Flotilla and survived to the end of the war.
  • MTBs 29-30: Ordered on 8th September 1938, all completed by July 1940. Both were part of 4th MTB Flotilla. MTB 29 was lost in a collision with a German E-boat on 6th October 1942, and MTB 30 struck a mine on 18th December 1942.
  • MTBs 31-40: Ordered on 27th September 1939, 6 completed by May 1941. MTBs 33, 37, 39, and 40 were bombed by German aircraft before completion between 1940 and 1941. The completed boats survived to the end of the war.
  • MTBs 57-66: Ordered on 26th February 1940, all completed by April 1942. MTB 61 was stranded during an attack on 9th May 1943, and MTBs 63 and 64 were lost after collisions with friendly MTBs on 2nd April 1943. The remaining boats were sold in 1944.
  • MTBs 69-70: Ordered in April 1940, both completed by June 1940. Both only received two engines. Both served with HMS Beehive at Felixstowe and survived to the end of the war.
  • MTBs 218-221: Ordered on 7th December 1940, all completed by September 1941. MTBs 218 struck a mine on 18th August 1942, and MTB 220 was sunk by German E-boats on 13th May 1942. MTBs 219 and 221 survived to the end of the war. MTB 221 was sold in 1945.

Modifications to the original 70 ft Vosper MTB design would lead to the development of the 72 ft Vosper MTB and 73 ft Vosper MTB.

Media

GEN LIVE WT 1 HPL.jpg

See also

External links


Britain boats
Motor torpedo boats  Brave Borderer · Dark Aggressor · Dark Aggressor TD · Fairmile D (617) · Fairmile D (697) · Fairmile D (5001) · HMS Gay Archer
  MTB-1(1) · MTB-1(2) · MTB Vosper · MTB Vosper(2) · MTB-422
Motor gun boats  Dark Adventurer · Fairmile A (ML100) · Fairmile B (ML345) · Fairmile C (312) · Fairmile C (332) · Fairmile D (601) · Fairmile H LCS(L)(2)
  HMAS Arrow · HMAS Fremantle · MGB-61 · MGB-75 · ML 1383 · SGB Grey Fox · SGB Grey Goose
Gunboats  HMS Spey