PT-71

PT-71

PT-103

PT-314

PT-71

PT-103

PT-314

USA

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.0	2.0	2.0

Class:

Motor torpedo boat

Boat

Research:11 000

Purchase:22 000

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Description

The Higgins 78 ft PT-71 is a rank II American motor torpedo boat with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X" as part of the fleet closed beta test.

General info

Survivability and armour

The PT-71 has the following structural layout:

• Hull: 40 mm, wood
• Superstructure: 15 mm, wood

Having a centralized crew of only 12, all its components packed together with no room to spare, and no armour to protect them, this is not a ship that can take very much damage.

Mobility

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode	Upgrade Status	Maximum Speed (km/h)		Turn Time (s)	Turn Radius (m)
		Forward	Reverse
AB	Stock	76	17
	Upgraded	104	23
RB/SB	Stock	63	14
	Upgraded	74	16

The PT-71 is a very mobile ship and boasts an excellent speed of 74 kph, able to keep up with all but the fastest of Russian MTBs. The PT-71 has a displacement of 49 tons.

Armament

Primary armament

The four 12.7 mm AN-M2 machine guns, suited for close to mid range engagements, have a great density and rate of fire, dealing out plenty of damage. Even though the ship has no dedicated AA, the primary armament does better than fine against air targets, especially when the APIT belts are selected.

Secondary armament

Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control Select secondary weapon. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.

Torpedo armament

Torpedo launchers are standard equipment on many ships and boats. Torpedoes are a significant 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. If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.

Usage in battles

The 78 ft PT-71 is a great vehicle for its BR, owing mostly to its armament, which will make relatively quick work of most opponents you will face. However, its main advantage as opposed to similar boats within the US tech tree is the excellent positioning of its primary armament. They benefit from a great vantage point, and can both be fired directly forward, something lacking among American MTBs of Rank I. This is especially helpful for novice players who are still getting used to adjusting fire when shooting to the side. The 20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II also packs a good punch, and, considering its positioning, has a decent field of coverage as well.

You don't need to worry too much about your ship's vulnerability when dealing with other small boats as most of them do not possess armament that can take you out quickly. When going up against bigger ships, using your speed, zig-zagging, and taking advantage of landforms are crucial, especially when using torpedoes. All in all, the 78 ft PT-71 is a versatile boat that is not lacking in any department except for armour (but this is the standard at the rank), and it is a good boat for those just getting into Naval Battles.

Modules

Tier	Seakeeping	Unsinkability		Firepower
I	Dry-Docking	Tool Set		.50 AP belt	20 mm HE
II	Rudder Replacement	Fire Protection System	Smokescreen	.50 APIT belt	20 mm AP	Auxiliary Armament Targeting
III	Propeller Replacement					Primary Armament Targeting
IV	Engine Maintenance	New Pumps		Artillery Support

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good rate of fire as well as damage output
• Guns face no obstructions (other than each other)
• Equipped with four torpedoes
• Good speed

Cons:

• No armour (though this is standard for the rank)
• Small boat means all components are packed closely together, a big hit anywhere on the ship can be deadly

History

PT-71 was laid down on December 2, 1941 by Higgins Industries, in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was launched on May 4, 1942, and was completed on July 20, 1942. It was commissioned on April 27, 1943 as the USS PT-71, and it was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron FOUR (MTBRon 4) under the command of Lt. Comdr. William C. Specht, USN. MTBRon 4 was the training squadron for motor torpedo boat crews, based at MTB Squadrons Training Center, at Melville, Rhode Island.

PT-71 was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN (MTBRon 16) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Russell H. Smith, USN, on January 20, 1943. MTBRon saw action during the Aleutian Campaign.

On March 13, 1943 PT-71 was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SEVENTEEN (MTBRon 17) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Russell B. Allen, USN. MTBRon 17 was assigned to the Hawaiian Sea Frontier. On April 16, 1943 the PT-71 was transferred back to MTBRon 4.

On March 18, 1944 the ship was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWO - (MTBRon 2) under the command of Comdr. John D. Bulkeley, USN. MTBRon 2 was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services, and was located in the English Channel. Between May and October of 1944 the squadron carried out 20 missions, landing supplies and personnel in enemy occupied territory. On October 11, 1945 PT-71 was struck from the Naval Register. It was stripped and destroyed on October 21, 1945 at Samar, in the Philippines.

PT-71 had a displacement of 56 t, a length of 71 ft, a beam of 20 ft 8 in, and a draft of 5 ft 3 in. It was powered by three 1,500 shp Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines, and had three shafts. The armament consisted of four 21" torpedoes, one 40mm mount, and two twin .50 cal. machine guns. The crew complement was 17 sailors and officers, and it had a maximum speed of 40 knots.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to 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

Bibliography

• Radigan, Joseph M. PT-71. NavSource Naval History. http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05071.htm