Difference between revisions of "LS 3"

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(Torpedo armament: Added torpedo armament)
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* 2 x 450 mm LT 1A/1 torpedoes
 
* 2 x 450 mm LT 1A/1 torpedoes
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The LS 3 can carry two 450 mm torpedoes, housed inside the vessel. These torpedoes are highly adequate against any large, slow vessels the LS 3 might face at it's BR. However, the torpedoes are extremely short-ranged when stock, with a range of just two kilometres. Their speed of 74 km/h is also relatively average for a torpedo of it's size. The "Torpedo Mode" modification should be considered as it increases the range to six kilometres at the cost of speed; this will allow the LS 3's torpedoes to hit far-away targets. With a decent 250-kilogram warhead, the torpedoes will be able to destroy most destroyer-sized vessels with a single hit.
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Fleet-Additional}}
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{{Specs-Fleet-Additional}}<!-- 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.
''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.''
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If there is no additional armament, remove this section. -->
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==

Revision as of 15:34, 30 December 2020

Rank VI Israel | Premium | Golden Eagles
Merkava Mk.2D Pack
LS 3
germ_ls_class.png
GarageImage LS 3.jpg
LS 3
Research:Free
Purchase:Free
Show in game

Description

GarageImage LS 3.jpg


The LS 3 is a rank I German motor torpedo boat 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

Armourfront / side / back
Hull5 mm (steel)
Superstructure2 mm (steel)
Number of section3
Displacement12 t
Crew7 people

Survivability is taking advantage of its small size and manoeuvrability, and being extremely tactical in attack vectors. Avoid engagement as long as possible then strike fast and hard. While it can take a good deal of damage from rounds up to 40 mm, it is big guns with HE rounds found at BR 2.0 that are your greatest threat. The vulnerability in this unarmoured tub is the side, limit exposure as much as possible. Hits on the bow or stern are manageable, minimal crew loss, giving you more time to press your attack. Damage is repaired fast and dries out faster. Again, avoid exposing your side to big cannons as they are often a 1 shot fatality!

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB104 / 30 km/h
RB74 / 22 km/h

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 duck between islands and pounce on targets when they don't expect you. In open water it can do well by evasive weaving and use of smoke screens. Its turret is 360° azimuth by 90° elevation freeing you to manoeuvre any way you need for perfect attack.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
ABfree
RBfree
Total cost of modifications3 510 Rp icon.png
157 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew trainingfree
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces10 Ge icon.png
Research Aces80 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 100 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
440 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
810 Rp icon.png
Cost:
35 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 Sl icon.png
35 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Mods tank ammo.png
15 mm HEIT belts
Research:
440 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
15 mm APIT belts
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 Sl icon.png
35 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods ship art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

Turret15 mm MG 151 machine gun
Ammunition2000 rounds
Belt capacity600 rounds
Fire rate700 shots/min
Vertical guidance-30° / 80°
Main article: MG 151 (15 mm)
  • 1 x 15 mm MG 151 cannon (2 x 600 rounds)

The 15 mm MG 151 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 aircraft's in its BR in seconds. However, this cannon overheats easily, so never keep firing for too long. At range fire short half second bursts. Like the AN/M2 MG, this gun has large belt capacity and long reloading time.

Torpedo armament

Main article: LT 1A/1 (450 mm)
  • 2 x 450 mm LT 1A/1 torpedoes

The LS 3 can carry two 450 mm torpedoes, housed inside the vessel. These torpedoes are highly adequate against any large, slow vessels the LS 3 might face at it's BR. However, the torpedoes are extremely short-ranged when stock, with a range of just two kilometres. Their speed of 74 km/h is also relatively average for a torpedo of it's size. The "Torpedo Mode" modification should be considered as it increases the range to six kilometres at the cost of speed; this will allow the LS 3's torpedoes to hit far-away targets. With a decent 250-kilogram warhead, the torpedoes will be able to destroy most destroyer-sized vessels with a single hit.

Additional armament

Setup 12 x 450 mm LT 1A/1 torpedo

Usage in battles

The LS 3 is arguably the best overall reserve unit in-game. While it only possesses a single 15 mm cannon it is also one of the best weapons in-game (as it was the same gun mounted on the rank IV VS-10) mounted high on a full 360° rotation turret with a gracious 80° elevation and whopping 30° depression with no blind spots or dead zone. In short, the gun has better coverage than 2, or even 3 guns on other boats, and the bonus is the best AP round of its class. Combine its high top speed, two 450 mm torpedoes, and artillery strike call it is capable of hitting well above its weight class.

Success in-game is using the MG 151 correctly. Trigger discipline is absolutely necessary as the gun can overheat very fast and ruin your sortie right there; use 1/2 second bursts unless point blank kill strike. As the MG heats up its precision falls. Up to 1/4 hot is pin point, as it gets 1/2 hot round the rounds start spreading and over that you can see rounds fly everywhere. Range wise one can hit targets at 1700 m with cold barrel and do minor damage. Best is to be less than 800 m were the accuracy and power rip your targets apart. While default Universal ammo is perfectly fine, the API-T belt is 25% better (only swaps one HEF for API-T) You will be paying for reloads often, so best is to always have Default as one of your game loads and AP-I as other in case you forgot to restock ammo. Again, keep the MG cool, short bursts unless point blank.

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 cover hopping and flanking capture points. Use its speed to sneak in to capture points and rush at vessels not paying attention. 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 then hide behind an island, selectively engaging enemies that come into the line of sight. Don't forget your smoke and artillery! Both incredibly useful tools to prevent enemies from hitting you. Although a really small target, large cannon (50 mm+) ships have a good chance at hitting you well outside your guns range. Significant threats are the Japanese dual 40 mm Type 91 AA and Bofors 40 mm, and at closer range a battery of 20 mm's, like on a PC-451 or S-100. The sides of the LS are the most vulnerable, so facing directly at the enemy as much as possible.

Modules

Tier Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
I Dry-Docking Tool Set 15 mm HEIT belts
II Rudder Replacement Fire Protection System Smokescreen 15 mm APIT belts
III Propeller Replacement Primary Armament Targeting
IV Engine Maintenance New Pumps Torpedo Mode Artillery Support

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 15 mm MG 151 cannon, which is hilariously effective even against rank III and some rank IV boats
  • 360° turret with 90° elevation arc.
  • 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
  • With careful manoeuvring, it can sneak towards and destroy larger vessel with torpedoes

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 1930s, the German navy considered small (12.5 m long), fast torpedo boats launched from carrier ships as tactically viable ideas. Two boats of the class called Light (or Midget) 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 not an insane choice given Dornier's well known history of making seaplanes.

At the time the desired engines (Daimer-Benz Maybachs) were not available thus forced to used less powerful Jumo 205 Diesels, and neither were the torpedoes. Instead of torpedo boats 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 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 October 10th, 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 15 mm cannon, not 20 mm (but the MG 151 was interchangeable, so would be easy to upgrade to 20 mm MG151/20).

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

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


Germany boats
Motor torpedo boats  LS 3 · LS 4 Esau · KM-5 · VS-10
  S-38 · S-38b · S-100 · S-100 (1944) · S-204 Lang · S-701
  R-301
  V-990
  Jaguar · Hugin · Pfeil
Motor gun boats  R-41 · R-130 · Krischan der Große
Motor torpedo gun boats  Albatros · Bussard · MZ1 · Pr. 206
Minelayers  VS-8