Difference between revisions of "Fairmile B (ML345)"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Visual (beta)Wikitext
(→‎History: Was very curious about the rockets and launchers, so I looked it up and edited this to help others out :))
(Survivability and armour; Mobility (blank table only); Armament)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
−
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a rank {{specs|rank}} British motor gunboat {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea"]] as part of the British fleet closed beta test.
+
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a rank {{specs|rank}} British motor gun boat {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea"]] as part of the British fleet closed beta test.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 12: Line 12:
  
 
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.-->
−
The Fairmile B (ML345) has very little armour with similar construction to the previous gunboats in the family, the [[Fairmile A (ML100)]]. The engines, fuel tanks and ammunition racks are easy targets, as they are located in the front, rear and centre of the hull, making fires a considerable risk.
 
  
−
The Fairmile B (ML345) has a crew of 18, making it comparable with other gunboats such as the Soviet [[Pr.1124 (1940)]] and the [[Elco 77 ft PT-59|American Elco 77 ft PT-59]]. It is advisable to keep some distance from smaller ships as flanks from faster vessels can result in the defenceless hull sides being compromised.
+
[[File:Fairmile_B_(ML345)_internals.png|thumb|Fairmile A (ML100) internals (starboard side).]]
 +
 
 +
Fairmile B (ML345) has the following armour layout:
 +
 
 +
* [[3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)|47 mm 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss]] gunshield: 8 mm, anti-fragmentation armour
 +
* [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II (single)]] gunshield: 12.7 mm, hardened armour
 +
* [[Oerlikon Mk.V (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V (twin)]] gunshield: 12.7 mm, hardened armour
 +
* Hull: 28 mm, wood
 +
* Superstructure: 15 mm, wood
 +
 
 +
Any gun in the game is able to penetrate anywhere on the boat, including the gunshields, at practically any range.
 +
 
 +
Fairmile B (ML345) can be hull-broken by any gun with a diameter greater than 4 inches (102 mm). Generally, hull-break triggers when a capable gun hits and destroys any hull compartment with HE, resulting in the instant destruction of the rest of the boat. At Fairmile B (ML345)'s battle rating, the only guns capable of hull-breaking her are the [[8cwt QF Mk I (114 mm)|8cwt QF Mk I]] (found on {{Specs-Link|uk_dark_class}}) and the [[10.5 cm SK C/32 (105 mm)|10.5 cm SK C/32]] (found on {{Specs-Link|germ_artilleriefahrprahm_typ_d3}}. The ability to be hull-broken by guns larger than 4 inches is a trait that applies to the vast majority of boats in tier 1 and 2, so in that respect, Fairmile B (ML345)) isn't better or worse than most other boats.
 +
 
 +
Fairmile B (ML345)'s hull is split into four compartments. The first compartment starts at the bow and ends in front of the bridge, just aft of the pumps. The second starts at the bridge and ends at the funnel. The third starts at the funnels and ends in front of the aft twin 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V mount. The fourth starts at that gun mount and ends at the stern. With a crew complement of 18, overall survivability is average.
 +
 
 +
Fairmile B (ML345) has two ammunition storages. The first is located in the bow, below and in front of the fore 47 mm 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss cannon; it is emptied when there is only one round of ammunition remaining for that gun. The other ammunition storage is located in the stern, just above the waterline in front of the steering gear; it is emptied when the only remaining ammunition for the secondary gun mounts are in the guns themselves (i.e. the ammunition counter reads "x/0"). Destroying either ammunition storage will instantly destroy the rest of the boat.
  
 
=== 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.-->
  
−
The Fairmile B (ML345) has a top cruising speed of around 37 kp/h. The turn rate is similar to other vessels of similar size but takes over 10 seconds to complete turns. The reverse speed is up to 14 kp/h.
+
{| 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}} || _ || _ || ~_ || ~_
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|Upgraded|All modifications installed}} || _ || _ || ~_ || ~_
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}/{{Annotation|SB|Simulator Battles}}
 +
| {{Annotation|Stock|All modifications removed}} || _ || _ || ~_ || ~_
 +
|-
 +
| {{Annotation|Upgraded|All modifications installed}} || _ || _ || ~_ || ~_
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Fairmile B (ML345) has a displacement of 65 tons.
  
 
== Armament ==
 
== Armament ==
Line 26: Line 65:
 
{{main|3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)}}
 
{{main|3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)}}
  
−
The main firepower of the Fairmile B (ML345) is the [[3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)|3 pounder QF Hotchkiss]] cannon. Lacking in fire rate, it does serious damage against smaller boats it may encounter with the large explosive power yet fails to do any significant damage to vessels similar to its own size or larger. It can carry High Explosive, Armour Piercing and Universal rounds, which make for reliable defence.
+
For her primary armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has one 47 mm 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss cannon in a single mount, mounted centreline on the bow. It has 300 rounds of ammunition available for it. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 40°/s and vertically at a rate of 25°/s. The gun is single-shot and has a nominal rate of fire of 30 rounds/min. With a stock crew, it can be reloaded in 2.6 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 2 seconds.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="2" | '''Guidance for the Primary Gun Turret'''
 +
|-
 +
! Horizontal !! Vertical
 +
|-
 +
| ±180° || -10°/+70°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
There is only one choice of ammunition available:
 +
 
 +
* 3 pdr Mk.2 HE
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | '''Penetration Statistics'''
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" | Type
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 +
|-
 +
! 100 m !! 1,000 !! 2,000 m !! 3,000 m !! 4,000 m !! 5,000 m
 +
|-
 +
| 3 pdr Mk.2 HE || {{Annotation|HE|High-explosive}} || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="12" | '''Shell Details'''
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" | Type
 +
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Type
 +
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (kg)
 +
! rowspan="2" | TNT Equivalent (kg)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Delay (m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Fuse Sensitivity (mm)
 +
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 +
|-
 +
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| 3 pdr Mk.2 HE || {{Annotation|HE|High-explosive}} || 1.5 || 517 || TNT || 0.217 || 0.217 || 0.15 || N/A || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
=== Secondary armament ===
Line 32: Line 117:
 
{{main|Oerlikon Mark V (20 mm)|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}}
 
{{main|Oerlikon Mark V (20 mm)|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}}
  
−
In addition to the [[3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)|3 pounder QF Hotchkiss]] cannon, the Fairmile B (ML345) also features two 20 mm Oerlikon cannon turrets. One a [[Oerlikon Mark V (20 mm)|Mark V]] and one a [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|Mark II]], with 4,080 and 2,040 rounds respectively.
+
For her secondary armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has one 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II cannon and two 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V cannons.
 +
 
 +
The one 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II cannon is fitted in a single mount, mounted centreline amidships behind the funnel. It has 2,040 rounds of ammunition available. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 75°/s and vertically at a rate of 75°/s. The gun has a belt capacity of 60 rounds and has a rate of fire of 450 rounds/min. With a stock crew, it can be reloaded in 4 seconds; with an aced crew, it can be reloaded in 2 seconds. Its maximum range against surface targets is roughly 2.1 km.
 +
 
 +
The two 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V cannons are fitted in a twin mount, mounted centreline aft. It has 4,080 rounds of ammunition available, 2,040 rounds per gun. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 65°/s and vertically at a rate of 65°/s. Each gun has a magazine capacity of 60 rounds and has a stated rate of fire of 450 rounds/min, though in actuality, the gun on the gunner's right side has a slightly greater rate of fire, around 485 rounds/min. With a stock crew, the guns can be reloaded in 8 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 4 seconds. Their maximum range against surface targets is roughly 2.1 km.
 +
 
 +
{{Notice|Turrets are named sequentially, clockwise, starting at the bow}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="65%"
 +
! colspan="8" | '''Guidance for the Secondary Gun Turrets'''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.1 Turret (1x [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]])
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.2 Turret (2x [[Oerlikon Mk.V (20 mm)]])
 +
|-
 +
! Horizontal !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Vertical
 +
|-
 +
| ±147° || -5°/+60° || ±140° || -4°/+62°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
All armament in the secondary armament group share the same ammunition choices, of which there are three:
 +
 
 +
* Universal: {{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
 +
 
 +
* 20 mm HE: {{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
 +
 
 +
* 20 mm AP: {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
 +
 
 +
{| 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 || 39 || 36 || 29 || 23 || 20 || 17
 +
|-
 +
| 20 mm HE || 39 || 36 || 29 || 23 || 20 || 17
 +
|-
 +
| 20 mm AP || 39 || 36 || 29 || 23 || 20 || 17
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
Line 38: Line 165:
 
<!--''An important part of the ship’s armament responsible for air raid defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship’s anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets.''-->
 
<!--''An important part of the ship’s armament responsible for air raid defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship’s anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets.''-->
  
−
The {{PAGENAME}} has two auxiliary dual-mount 7.72 mm [[Lewis 1916 (7.72 mm)|Lewis 1916]] machine guns located above the bridge. These machine guns can possibly be used against strafing aircraft, however, they are in a perfect position to eliminate lighter boats with persistent fire.
+
For her anti-aircraft armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has four 7.72 mm Lewis 1916 machineguns in two twin mounts, one on either side of the bridge. For each mount, there are 3,880 rounds of ammunition available, 1,940 rounds per gun, for a total of 7,760 rounds. There are no stated horizontal or vertical traverse rates given in-game, but the mounts handle very similarly, if not exactly, to other twin and quadruple 7.72 mm Lewis 1916 machinegun mounts which can all 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 18.2 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 14 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" width="65%"
 +
! colspan="8" | '''Guidance for the Anti-Aircraft Gun Turrets'''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.1 Turret (starboard)
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" | No.2 Turret (port)
 +
|-
 +
! Horizontal !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Vertical
 +
|-
 +
| -30°/+45°|| -5°/+50° ||  -45°/+30°° || -5°/+50°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
There are three choices of ammunition available:
 +
 
 +
* 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
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Special armament ===
 
=== Special armament ===
 
<!--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.-->
 
<!--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.-->
−
{{main|Mk.VII depth charge}}
+
{{main|Mk.VII depth charge|Y-gun Mk.VII depth charge}}
 +
 
 +
[[File:Fairmile_B_(ML345)_DCs.png|thumb|Mk.VII depth charges numbered 1-14 according to their drop order (click to expand).]]
 +
 
 +
Fairmile A (ML100) can carry up to 14 Mk.VII depth charges and 6 Y-gun Mk.VII depth charges.
 +
 
 +
The 14 Mk.VII depth charges are mounted along the sides of the boat, 7 on either side with 3 in front of the aft gun mount and 4 behind. The depth charges are dropped one at a time in this order (see the image): foremost to aftmost, alternating port and starboard sides, starting with the foremost depth charge on the port side.
 +
 
 +
The 6 Y-gun Mk.VII depth charges are fired from a Y-gun depth charge thrower mounted in front of the aft gun mount. Aside from the 2 already on the Y-gun, there are an additional 4 depth charges stored just aft of the Y-gun, 2 per side; these lack a visual model but can still be damaged. In the [[Hangar user interface|hangar]] X-ray view, all 4 are viewable; however, in battle, the forward pair is missing. The aft pair disappears when there is only one depth charge remaining for their respective sides. The Y-gun has one arm pointed to either side and will fire either the port or starboard depth charge depending on the direction the player is currently looking.
 +
 
 +
Before spawning, the detonation time delay can be set anywhere between 3 seconds and 10 seconds.
  
−
[[Mk.VII depth charge|Mk.VII Depth charges]] make little difference to the manoeuvrability of the vessel, but can be effective when used against larger ships such as destroyers and frigates.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="4" | '''Depth Charge Characteristics'''
 +
|-
 +
! Mass (kg)
 +
! Explosive Type
 +
! Explosive Mass (kg)
 +
! TNT Equivalent (kg)
 +
|-
 +
| 196 || TNT || 130 || 130
 +
|}
  
 
== 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).-->
 +
 
The Fairmile B (ML345) is a capable vessel when used appropriately and the right targets are prioritised. Ships of equal size using large guns with a slow rate of fire are easy targets for the Fairmile B to target. Ships with multiple guns and a rapid rate of fire should be avoided as these will target the vulnerable hull of the Fairmile B, resulting in fires or sinking.
 
The Fairmile B (ML345) is a capable vessel when used appropriately and the right targets are prioritised. Ships of equal size using large guns with a slow rate of fire are easy targets for the Fairmile B to target. Ships with multiple guns and a rapid rate of fire should be avoided as these will target the vulnerable hull of the Fairmile B, resulting in fires or sinking.
  

Revision as of 04:44, 20 May 2020

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Fairmile B (ML345)
uk_fairmile_b_ml345.png
Fairmile B (ML345)
Britain flag.png Britain
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.0 2.0 2.0
Class:
Research:9 200 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Fairmile B (ML345).jpg


The Fairmile B (ML345) is a rank II British motor gun boat with a battle rating of 2.0 (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

Fairmile A (ML100) internals (starboard side).

Fairmile B (ML345) has the following armour layout:

Any gun in the game is able to penetrate anywhere on the boat, including the gunshields, at practically any range.

Fairmile B (ML345) can be hull-broken by any gun with a diameter greater than 4 inches (102 mm). Generally, hull-break triggers when a capable gun hits and destroys any hull compartment with HE, resulting in the instant destruction of the rest of the boat. At Fairmile B (ML345)'s battle rating, the only guns capable of hull-breaking her are the 8cwt QF Mk I (found on Dark Adventurer) and the 10.5 cm SK C/32 (found on AF D3. The ability to be hull-broken by guns larger than 4 inches is a trait that applies to the vast majority of boats in tier 1 and 2, so in that respect, Fairmile B (ML345)) isn't better or worse than most other boats.

Fairmile B (ML345)'s hull is split into four compartments. The first compartment starts at the bow and ends in front of the bridge, just aft of the pumps. The second starts at the bridge and ends at the funnel. The third starts at the funnels and ends in front of the aft twin 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V mount. The fourth starts at that gun mount and ends at the stern. With a crew complement of 18, overall survivability is average.

Fairmile B (ML345) has two ammunition storages. The first is located in the bow, below and in front of the fore 47 mm 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss cannon; it is emptied when there is only one round of ammunition remaining for that gun. The other ammunition storage is located in the stern, just above the waterline in front of the steering gear; it is emptied when the only remaining ammunition for the secondary gun mounts are in the guns themselves (i.e. the ammunition counter reads "x/0"). Destroying either ammunition storage will instantly destroy the rest of the boat.

Mobility

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock _ _ ~_ ~_
Upgraded _ _ ~_ ~_
RB/SB Stock _ _ ~_ ~_
Upgraded _ _ ~_ ~_

Fairmile B (ML345) has a displacement of 65 tons.

Armament

Primary armament

Main article: 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss (47 mm)

For her primary armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has one 47 mm 3 pdr QF Hotchkiss cannon in a single mount, mounted centreline on the bow. It has 300 rounds of ammunition available for it. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 40°/s and vertically at a rate of 25°/s. The gun is single-shot and has a nominal rate of fire of 30 rounds/min. With a stock crew, it can be reloaded in 2.6 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 2 seconds.

Guidance for the Primary Gun Turret
Horizontal Vertical
±180° -10°/+70°

There is only one choice of ammunition available:

  • 3 pdr Mk.2 HE
Penetration Statistics
Ammunition Type Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
100 m 1,000 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m
3 pdr Mk.2 HE HE 6 6 6 6 6 6
Shell Details
Ammunition Type Projectile Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Explosive Type Explosive Mass (kg) TNT Equivalent (kg) Fuse Delay (m) Fuse Sensitivity (mm) Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
3 pdr Mk.2 HE HE 1.5 517 TNT 0.217 0.217 0.15 N/A 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

Main articles: Oerlikon Mark V (20 mm), Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)

For her secondary armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has one 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II cannon and two 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V cannons.

The one 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II cannon is fitted in a single mount, mounted centreline amidships behind the funnel. It has 2,040 rounds of ammunition available. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 75°/s and vertically at a rate of 75°/s. The gun has a belt capacity of 60 rounds and has a rate of fire of 450 rounds/min. With a stock crew, it can be reloaded in 4 seconds; with an aced crew, it can be reloaded in 2 seconds. Its maximum range against surface targets is roughly 2.1 km.

The two 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.V cannons are fitted in a twin mount, mounted centreline aft. It has 4,080 rounds of ammunition available, 2,040 rounds per gun. The mount can traverse horizontally at a rate of 65°/s and vertically at a rate of 65°/s. Each gun has a magazine capacity of 60 rounds and has a stated rate of fire of 450 rounds/min, though in actuality, the gun on the gunner's right side has a slightly greater rate of fire, around 485 rounds/min. With a stock crew, the guns can be reloaded in 8 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 4 seconds. Their maximum range against surface targets is roughly 2.1 km.

Msg-info.png Turrets are named sequentially, clockwise, starting at the bow
Guidance for the Secondary Gun Turrets
No.1 Turret (1x Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)) No.2 Turret (2x Oerlikon Mk.V (20 mm))
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical
±147° -5°/+60° ±140° -4°/+62°

All armament in the secondary armament group share the same ammunition choices, of which there are three:

  • Universal: HEF-T/HEF-I/AP-T
  • 20 mm HE: HEF-T/HEF-I/AP-T/HEF-I
  • 20 mm AP: AP-T/AP-T/AP-T/HEF-I
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 39 36 29 23 20 17
20 mm HE 39 36 29 23 20 17
20 mm AP 39 36 29 23 20 17

Anti-aircraft armament

Main article: Lewis 1916 (7.72 mm)

For her anti-aircraft armament, Fairmile B (ML345) has four 7.72 mm Lewis 1916 machineguns in two twin mounts, one on either side of the bridge. For each mount, there are 3,880 rounds of ammunition available, 1,940 rounds per gun, for a total of 7,760 rounds. There are no stated horizontal or vertical traverse rates given in-game, but the mounts handle very similarly, if not exactly, to other twin and quadruple 7.72 mm Lewis 1916 machinegun mounts which can all 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 18.2 seconds; with an aced crew, they can be reloaded in 14 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 Anti-Aircraft Gun Turrets
No.1 Turret (starboard) No.2 Turret (port)
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical
-30°/+45° -5°/+50° -45°/+30°° -5°/+50°

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

Special armament

Main articles: Mk.VII depth charge, Y-gun Mk.VII depth charge
Mk.VII depth charges numbered 1-14 according to their drop order (click to expand).

Fairmile A (ML100) can carry up to 14 Mk.VII depth charges and 6 Y-gun Mk.VII depth charges.

The 14 Mk.VII depth charges are mounted along the sides of the boat, 7 on either side with 3 in front of the aft gun mount and 4 behind. The depth charges are dropped one at a time in this order (see the image): foremost to aftmost, alternating port and starboard sides, starting with the foremost depth charge on the port side.

The 6 Y-gun Mk.VII depth charges are fired from a Y-gun depth charge thrower mounted in front of the aft gun mount. Aside from the 2 already on the Y-gun, there are an additional 4 depth charges stored just aft of the Y-gun, 2 per side; these lack a visual model but can still be damaged. In the hangar X-ray view, all 4 are viewable; however, in battle, the forward pair is missing. The aft pair disappears when there is only one depth charge remaining for their respective sides. The Y-gun has one arm pointed to either side and will fire either the port or starboard depth charge depending on the direction the player is currently looking.

Before spawning, the detonation time delay can be set anywhere between 3 seconds and 10 seconds.

Depth Charge Characteristics
Mass (kg) Explosive Type Explosive Mass (kg) TNT Equivalent (kg)
196 TNT 130 130

Usage in battles

The Fairmile B (ML345) is a capable vessel when used appropriately and the right targets are prioritised. Ships of equal size using large guns with a slow rate of fire are easy targets for the Fairmile B to target. Ships with multiple guns and a rapid rate of fire should be avoided as these will target the vulnerable hull of the Fairmile B, resulting in fires or sinking.

Engaging these boats should be at a distance and sailing at an angle will allow the gunners to also fire at the target, but these need to be toggled to target ships. Keeping the correct distance on the rangefinder is essential if shooting over long distances as there is some considerable drop off of the rounds.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • The 3 pounder is better placed compared to Fairmile A's location
  • Can equip a large number of depth charges
  • 20 mm cannons are more powerful than the 7.7 mm machine guns on previous models

Cons:

  • Lacks armour protection
  • Less maneuverable than similarly-sized vessels

History

The Fairmile B first left the production line in September 1940 and entered service shortly after.[1] These motor-launched boats served in many invasion operations, such as the D-Day landings at Normandy, and the St Nazaire Raid.[2]

Some Fairmile B vessels were designated as medical ships attached to marine invasion infantry units and underwent modifications to expand their sickbays to accommodate more casualties.[3]

The Fairmile B was operated by Commonwealth nations during and after the Second World War. Bermuda, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa used the Fairmile B, primarily as patrol boats.[4] The Fairmile B also served up to the 1980s with the Guardia di Finanza, an Italian naval gendarmerie.[5]

The rockets stowed alongside the bridge and the launchers forward of it are Mk 2 Rocket Flares and their projectors.[6]

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on ship;
  • other literature.


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

  1. ↑ Konstam, A. and Bryan, T., 2010. British Motor Gun Boat. Oxford: Osprey Publ.
  2. ↑ Wright, M., 2014. British And Commonwealth Warship Camouflage Of WWII. Seaforth Publishing, p.137.
  3. ↑ Lenton, H. and Colledge, J., 1973. Warships Of World War II. 2nd ed. I. Allan, pp.523–530.
  4. ↑ Seapower Centre, 2005. The Navy Contribution To Australian Maritime Operations. Canberra: Defence Publishing Service.
  5. ↑ oceania.pbworks.com. 2010. Oceania / Italian Financial Guard. [online] Available at: <http://oceania.pbworks.com/w/page/8465167/Italian%20Financial%20Guard> [Accessed 11 April 2020].
  6. ↑ John Lambert - Allied Coastal Forces of World War II: Volume I: Fairmile Designs & US Submarine Chasers Pen and Sword, 2018
Retrieved from "https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Fairmile_B_(ML345)&oldid=56661"