We present the most widely produced Soviet boat of the Second World War – the G-5 motor torpedo boat.
Development of the G-5 torpedo boat began way back in 1928, under the direction of the famous aircraft designer Tupolev. This small and nimble vessel was created to combat large enemy ships. Her main role was to approach the enemy ship, fire off two torpedoes and quickly retreat before the enemy’s deck artillery turns you into a pile of duralumin and wood splinters.
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The G-5 was equipped with two AM-34 aircraft engines designated GAM-34 and specially adapted for use on naval vessels. In general, these engines were in extremely high demand in the pre-war Soviet period – War Thunder players will already be familiar with them from the TB-3 and MBR-2 airplanes. Practically identical engines were placed in the SMK tanks and the experimental SU-100Y SPG. A powertrain of two of these engines allowed the boat to reach 51 knots (over 94 km/h). The boat was a little over 19 meters long and had a crew of just 6. It had no artillery armament save for a DShK machine gun. The little G-5’s main firepower was in two 53-38 caliber 533 mm torpedoes in dropping torpedo racks. These torpedoes were not launched forward, but were released from the rear of the G-5 in the direction of the boat’s travel instead. To get out of the way of her own torpedoes, the boat had to immediately change course after releasing them.
Over 300 G-5 boats were made. The boat turned out to be not particularly effective at combating enemy vessels, but was widely used as a support boat and landing craft during the Second World War. Officers and seamen who served aboard G-5 boats received a number of awards for bravery and valor, including Hero of the Soviet Union Star Medals.
In War Thunder, the G-5 torpedo boat is a reserve vessel in the USSR naval tech tree. This small vessel is very vulnerable to enemy fire, and the G-5’s armament is insufficient for destroying other craft quickly and efficiently. But that isn’t essential. What is essential is moving around quickly and getting direct torpedo hits! After all, the very same torpedoes are used on the Project 183 boat, which we’ve already described to you, these torpedoes can take out any foe on the battlefield – never mind the tiny “contemporaries” of the G-5 in rank I battles.
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Very soon, the dangerous little G-5 will rush into battle in the oceanic expanses of War Thunder. She will be available to all participants in the naval warfare closed beta test. Come and enlist in naval battles now!
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