Launched on October 28, 1942, completed and commissioned March 9, 1943, and deployed in the 5th Motor Torpedo Squadron, the MS-53 is one of the CRDA 60t motor torpedo boats from the 2nd Series of construction of its type. The MS-53 participated near Sicily in operations against Allied ships, performed several combat operations against other ships and small boats such as PT boats. After the armistice, she took part in special operations, but eventually due to bad weather in Termoli while in port she was taken to land by the tide, severely damaged the hull. She was later repaired, however was less efficient than before. At the end of the war, she was given to Russia under the peace treaty in 1947, but the Russian Navy did not accept her and she was sent back to the Italian Navy only to be decommissioned and scrapped 1 July 1950.
The MS-53 was introduced with the Italian Naval Tech tree in Update "Starfighters". It has good combat and movement capabilities. The armament consists of two single 20 mm Breda cannons that are quite strong and capable of damaging enough enemy boats you will find. The most powerful armament you have are 4 torpedoes, specifically 2 x 533 mm torpedoes and 2 x 450 mm torpedoes perfect for destroying enemies in one shot and have a good range. The last armament you have are the depth charges placed in the back of the boat, though they are very difficult to use due to needing to approach closer to the enemy and only having 12 depth charges. For the ship's manoeuvrability, the ship's three engines manages to reach a good speed and manoeuvre very well. Utilize the manoeuvrability to set up ambushes by popping out and back into cover, as the MS-53's low survivability mean it can't take many hits that it could otherwise dish out with its armament.
Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
API-T/HEFI-T | 38 | 36 | 29 | 23 | 20 | 18 | |
API-T/API-T/API-T/HEFI-T | 38 | 36 | 29 | 23 | 20 | 18 | |
HEFI-T/HEFI-T/HEFI-T/API-T | 38 | 36 | 29 | 23 | 20 | 18 |
2 × 450 mm steam turbined W.200/450X5,75 torpedo
2 × 450 mm steam turbined W.200/450X5,75 torpedo
12 × B TG depth charge