MPK-163
Contents
Description
The Pr.122bis (MPK-163) is a rank II Soviet sub-chaser with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.79 "Project X" along with the initial Soviet naval tree.
General info
Survivability and armour
MPK-163 has the following structural layout:
- Hull: 8 mm, steel
- Superstructure: 4 mm, steel
Armour on this ship is largely non-existent. The only armour to be found is on the gun turrets, and maxes out at 12 mm, meaning anything larger than 7.7 mm in calibre will punch through at nearly any range. The crew is thankfully plentiful and well-spaced throughout the ship, meaning you can tank a couple of hits before a total crew loss is observed. Engines are easily damaged and have a tendency to lead to fires aboard the ship. Ammunition stowage is decently protected, though remains vulnerable.
Mobility
Straight-line speed is excellent when spaded; this vessel is capable of reaching 71 km/h in Arcade Battles, easily capable of outrunning stock S-boats. For its size, the boat is extremely fast and somewhat manoeuvrable, however like its predecessor, the length of the boat makes it difficult to navigate in shallow waters or tight corridors, and stopping distance is also an issue.
| Mobility Characteristics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Mode | Upgrade Status | Maximum Speed (km/h) | |
| Forward | Reverse | ||
| AB | |||
| Upgraded | 82 | 49 | |
| RB/SB | |||
| Upgraded | 54 | 32 | |
Modifications and economy
| Seakeeping | Unsinkability | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armament
Primary armament
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: {{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.
Secondary armament
The secondary gun is a 37 mm 70-K gun with a high rate of fire for its calibre and is most effective as an AA gun, and should be left as one unless pesky patrol boats manage to surpass your large primary, then switch to this gun to take care of them quickly, as this gun has an exquisite firing arc on your boat and a good turn rate. It really isn't effective against other sub-chasers of your size.
Anti-aircraft armament
An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control Select anti-aircraft weapons. 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. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.
Additional armament
Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.
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 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).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast for a ship of its size
- Effective cannon
- Good secondaries and AA guns for its battle rating
- Lots of spaced-out crew
- Surprisingly good flanker with its heavy weapons and decent speed
Cons:
- Reload on the main cannon is mediocre at best
- Large target
- Poor steering
- Has a habit of igniting easily
History
The Pr. 122bis, MPK-163 was a ship of the Pr. 122bis class (NATO designation: Kronshtadt class) with modified main armament. Commissioned in the 1950s, the Kronshtadt class served as border patrol vessels and were also capable of anti-submarine duties. MPK-163 was a unique member of the Pr. 122bis class armed with one less 37 mm 70-K autocannon - her counterpart, the Pr. 122bis, can be found in the Soviet coastal forces tech tree as a gift premium vessel.
In the late 1940s, the Pr. 122bis or Kronshtadt class were developed as a 300-ton displacement small submarine chaser class for the Soviet Union’s fleet, though they were substantially larger than wartime ship classes such as the MO-4 and OD-200 classes. The ships displaced 325 tons full load and had a crew of 50, though the MPK-163 had two more crew members and displaced 380 tons full load. Standard vessels were powered by three 1200 hp diesel engines, though the MPK-163 had the centre diesel engine exchanged for a 1000 hp gas turbine engine. This addition resulted in the fitting of a second funnel behind the first one, giving the ship it’s unique appearance compared to other vessels of its class.
The MPK-163 was also equipped with an 85 mm main cannon and three dual DShK heavy machine gun mounts. It also equipped a single 37 mm 70-K anti-aircraft cannon, which differed from the other ships of the class as the Pr. 122bis ships carried two 70-K AA guns. As a submarine chaser, the MPK-163 was capable of fitting depth charges or naval mines. In total, 236 Pr. 122bis vessels were produced, though the MPK-163 is a unique vessel among the Pr. 122bis class. The MPK-163 entered service in December of 1955 as the last ship in the Pr. 122 class with hull number 673; after 14 years of service, it was retired in April of 1970.
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
| USSR sub-chasers | |
|---|---|
| Pr. 122 | MPK pr.122A · MPK Pr.122bis |
| Pr. 163 | MPK-163 |
| Pr. 201 | MPK Pr.201K · MPK Pr.201M |
| Pr. 204 | MPK Pr.204 |
