Sparviero
Contents
Description
The Sparviero-class, Sparviero (P 420) is a premium gift rank IV Italian motor gun boat with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Starfighters".
General info
Survivability and armour
The Sparviero's crew is protected by 8 mm of armour around the hull, and 3 mm of armour around the superstructure. This lacklustre armour isn't substantial enough to protect the ship from constant damage from machine guns or auto cannons. The gun in particular is extremely easy to disable thanks to its size and position on the ship. The Sparviero has the best chance for survival when it is on a flanking rout using its high speed to avoid frontal engagements. The gunboat also lacks anti-aircraft guns controlled by AI to defend against planes, but that can be countered by loading the variable time shell and shooting manually at aircraft.
Mobility
Mobility Characteristics | |||
---|---|---|---|
Game Mode | Upgrade Status | Maximum Speed (km/h) | |
Forward | Reverse | ||
AB | |||
Upgraded | 124 | 27 | |
RB/SB | |||
Upgraded | 93 | 20 |
The Sparviero is one of the few ships equipped with a hydrofoil, allowing the gun boat to reach a high speed of 93 km/h when raised out of the water, but while out of the water the ship becomes difficult to manoeuvre in tight environments. In contrast, the Sparviero can only move 20 km/h in reverse, but the hull will remain in the water. While the ship's hull is submerged, the hydrofoils pose a risk of ramming parts of the environment, such as reefs and land under shallow water, so it is recommended to learn what positions might pose a threat to beaching the boat.
Modifications and economy
Armament
Primary armament
Sparviero is equipped with the amazing 76 mm/62 OTO-Melara Compact automatic gun in a single turret on the bow of the boat right before the bridge. The 76 mm gun comes stocked with HE-MOM, SAPOM, and HE-MOM with a variable time fuse. Both HE-MOM shells have 15 mm of pen at any range with an explosive mass of 750 g, while the SAPOM can pen 60 mm at a range of 100 m with an explosive mass of 455 g. The best loadout for the Sparviero is half a loadout (or more) or SAPOM, while the rest is dedicated to HE-MOM with variable time fuse. Both HE shells do the same damage towards ships, so it is more desirable to bring the more versatile shell that can also be used against aircraft.
Usage in battles
Being one of the fastest boats in naval forces, the Sparviero excels in rushing advantageous positions to defend capture points and flank enemy routes. The gunboat shouldn't be used for contesting points directly due to its weak crew size, and protection unless the area has already been cleared. The largest threat to the Sparviero are similar hydrofoils and faster patrol boats such as the PG 02, and the PT-811 which can contest the Sparviero from reaching flanking spots, using their superior speed and firepower. Similarly tiered destroyers such as the Clemson also pose a threat because their main armaments can hull break the smaller gunboat.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Amazing speed
- Effective cannon
- Access to a radar
- Talisman
Cons:
- Low crew count
- Inadequate armour
- Lacklustre firing angles (blind spot at the rear of the ship)
- Awkward mobility
History
The Sparviero-class was designed in Italy to be a fast attack craft in 1970. 7 ships of the class were produced, with the Sparviero being later decommissioned in 1991.
Devblog
During the 1960s, the Alinavi consortium developed a hydrofoil attack craft on the basis of the PGH-2 Tucumcari design, previously built by Boeing. In the early 1970s, a prototype was ordered for construction, receiving the name "Sparviero". The Sparvieros served faithfully with the Italian Navy until early in 2000 before being finally decommissioned.
Media
- Skins
- Images
- Videos
See also
External links
Italy boats | |
---|---|
Motor torpedo boats | MC-490 · Freccia P-493 · MAS 555 · MAS 561 · MAS 569 |
MS-15 · MS-53 · MS-472 · Stefano Turr · VAS 201 · GIS 811 · MS 444 · MC 485 | |
Motor gun boats | MAS 441 · MS-473 · MV-611 · Alano · Sparviero |
Motor torpedo gun boats | Saetta P-494 |
Gunboats | Albatros · Alcione |
Italy premium ships | |
---|---|
Motor torpedo boats | Freccia P-493 · MAS 569 · MS 444 · MC 485 |
Motor gun boats | Sparviero |
Sub-chasers | Folaga |
Destroyers | RN Aquilone · RN Aviere · RN Geniere · RN Tigre · Geniere |
Heavy cruisers | RN Pola |
Battleships | RN Leonardo da Vinci |