LS 3

LS 3

Z25

S-38

LS 3

Z25

S-38

Germany

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.0	1.0	1.0

Class:

Motor torpedo boat

Boat

Research:Free

Purchase:Free

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Description

The LS 3 is a reserve rank I German destroyer with a battle rating of 1.0 (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

It can take a good deal of punishment before being sunk, the big caveat is big guns with HE found on BR 2.0 and up  There is no armor on this tub, so pointing your boat at the enemy will limit damage to just the bow, give you a few more seconds before fatal damage.  Likewise alternative is keeping your rear to enemy, limiting damage to just that zone.  Crew size is small; the advice also preserves the few crewmen on board.  Remember the big guns I mention before? One hit in side is usually fatal, so avoid exposing your side to them!

Mobility

The LS 3 is an exceedingly capable boat, it can accelerate and decelerate very quickly and turn sharply.  Top speed is very good, in the top 10 of fastest boats in game (excluding hydrofoils). Those qualities will offer a distinct advantage in tiny island maps were one can quickly approach targets behind cover of the islands.  In open water it can do well by evasive weaving and use of smoke screens.

Armament

Primary armament

• One 15 mm MG 151/15 cannon (1200 rounds)

The 15 mm MG 151/15 can be deadly in proper hands. It has an insane fire rate of 750 rates per minute, which means it can take small boats and aircrafts in its BR in seconds. However, this cannon overheats easily, so never keep firing for too long. Like the AN/M2 MG, this gun has large belt capacity and long reloading time.

Torpedo armament

• Two 450 mm LT 1A/1 torpedoes

Usage in battles

The LS3 is one of the better reserve vessels, with a fairly flexible main armament, providing a 360-degree firing arc without any elevation limitations owing to its elevated position. While it only possesses a single gun, it is capable of hitting well above its weight class when used correctly. Because of its small size and similarly small crew complement, it is recommended to not engage in direct confrontations against large surface combatants, especially at range. Its single autocannon is difficult to land hits at moving targets at range, and its small size makes medium calibre AA guns incredibly deadly against the LS 3. Vessels like the 80 ft Nasty and later R-boats are to be avoided due to the presence of a large autocannon.

What it lacks in the protection area it makes up in mobility. The LS 3 is second to only the G-5 in terms of speed. This in tandem with its incredibly tight turning circle and slim profile, makes the LS 3 very well suited for flanking capture points. Use its speed to sneak in to capture points and rush at vessels that may be occupying it. Its high top speed also makes it useful to rush cap points at the beginning of a match. That being said, be careful not to overextend, or you will find yourself overwhelmed very quickly. Instead, use its superior speed to be the first to reach a capture point, and hide behind an island, selectively engaging enemies that come into the line of sight or attempt to contest the point.

Trigger discipline is absolutely necessary when sailing the LS 3, as the gun can overheat to offset its high ammo capacity. Avoid firing in more than 2-second bursts when engaging at the effective range, and be sure to watch the gun heat when engaging at close range. In the event of an overheat, you will have to load the gun again, costing time which is crucial in the knife fights this vessel is best suited for. To maximize the chance of a kill in a single burst, be sure to rake up and down the entire length of an enemy vessel if it shows its broadside. This is advisable in any PT boat, but especially to the LS 3 due to the gun overheating. Use universal belts for the high explosive rounds.

To take advantage of the vessel’s short beam, engage head-on when possible, and tack to port and starboard erratically to throw off aim. This also helps with aiming as you no longer have to worry about having to compensate for the movement of your own vessel. Avoid firing while broadside, as this, unnecessarily exposes the entire side of the vessel and your crew, and the lack of additional guns makes such a manoeuvre pointless.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Decently powerful MG 151 15mm cannon
• High top speed can make it difficult to lead and destroy
• Very good manoeuvrability, can change direction quickly
• High ammo capacity, able to outlast contemporaries in a firefight with good trigger discipline
• Relatively high rate of fire

Cons:

• Gun is capable of overheating, limits the usefulness of high ammo capacity
• Very fragile, incredibly vulnerable to 37 mm and 40 mm fire
• Elevated gun position makes it vulnerable to damage
• Single gun eliminates almost all offensive capability if disabled
• Long reload time
• Low ammo count overall; limited to two magazines

History

Leicht-S-Boot (Light-Torpedo boat, or Midget torpedo boat)

In the mid 1930’s the German navy decided small (12.5m long), fast torpedo boats launched from carrier ships were considered as tactically viable ideas.  Two boats of the class called Midget, or Light, Torpedo boat were built, the first (LS 1) was made of wood, while the second (LS 2) was all aluminum built by Dornier Flugzeugwerke.   Yes, this is the same Dornier of the famed Do 17, Do 217, and Do 335 aircraft, but Dornier had a well known history of making seaplanes so this was not a bizarre choice.

At the time the desired engines were not available being forced to used less powerful Jumo 205 Diesels, and neither were the torpedoes.  Instead of torpedo boat they became minelayers, and combined with other issues resulted in disappointing performance and the idea was put on hold at start of war in Europe.   

The next year the idea was revisited, this time Dornier’s all metal boat was chosen, Daimler-Benz MB 507 light Diesel engines and so were the 45 cm torpedoes.  In addition a new MG 151 15mm cannon was installed in a turret on the roof.  Two were built, the LS 3 (delivered on the 14.10.1940) and LS 4.  There is a deviation from historical and game at this point, as the records indicate the LS 3 carried 4 mines, not torpedoes, and the LS 4 would also have 15mm cannon (but would be easy to upgrade to MG151/20 20mm later on).

Over the years a total of 12 LS was built, with both Jumo 205 and Daimler-Benz MB 507, the latter carrying torpedoes.  Surviving combat records place operations in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea areas.  Fate of the boats is lost, but it seems that at least one, LS 12, was captured and used by the Soviets after war.

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

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