War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

F-5C

2022-09-30T10:39:22Z

U101714241: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-5c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 001.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 002.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 003.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 004.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 005.jpg}}
|store=10174
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The F-5C is generally an all-round good fighter. It's not the fastest plane and not the most manoeuvrable, but the combination of its decent speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability make it a joy to fly and fight in.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,429 || 1,421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 28.2 || 112.7 || 99.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,460 || 1,443 || 26.9 || 27.0 || 159.1 || 133.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 926 || 560 || 555 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J85-GE-13 || 2
| colspan="2" | 4,051 kg || colspan="3" | 366 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel
|-
| 271 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 4,580 kg || 4,992 kg || 5,463 kg || 5,814 kg || 9,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 960 kgf || 1,426 kgf
| 0.62 || 0.57 || 0.52 || 0.49 || 0.32
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,200 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 2,459 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.07 || 0.99 || 0.90 || 0.85 || 0.55
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 6.35 mm Steel - Below cockpit
* 6.35 mm Steel - Below engines
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in fuselage)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M39A2 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-12B Bullpup|AIM-9E Sidewinder|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|BLU-1 incendiary}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
* 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-5E_(China).png]]</div>
|-
! 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs
| || || 6 || 6 || 6 || ||
|-
! 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! BLU-1 incendiary bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
| || 19 || 19 || || 19 || 19 ||
|-
! Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
| || 4 || || || || 4 ||
|-
! AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
| 1 || || || || || || 1
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


In air RB, the F-5C can be played as both a support and offensive plane. In medium range engagements, it plays well as a support fighter, either baiting enemies to use up missiles with the large amount of flares/chaff or launching missiles at enemies who are chasing friendly aircraft to give a chance to let your teammate get in a better position. In close range engagements, with some effort you can stay on the tail of the enemy, if possible making the enemy pull as many manoeuvres as possible to slow them down so you can get a short burst from the respectable 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose. Due to the plane's characteristics, overshooting an enemy won't be the end of a dogfight, the F-5C is able bleed enough speed in a quick turn to get right back on the enemy if they don't take advantage of the overshoot or if they are going too slow to be able to make any quick counterattack.

In mixed ground battles (RB), the F-5C is able to function as a light strike aircraft, while also being able to maintain air supremacy. The F-5C's versatile loadout of air-to-ground ordnance allows the player to choose what range they want to do air support, for example the 4 x AGM-12B loadout is great for medium range engagements against enemy ground units.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Small size makes for a harder target to hit
* Has countermeasures
* Guns are effective
* Good turn rate
* Wide variety of weapon loadouts
* Engine never over heats

'''Cons:'''

* Only two fairly weak AIM-9Es air-to-air missiles
* No radar
* Below average top speed
* No CCIP or CCRP for guns, rockets, or bombs, limiting its ground attack potential

== History ==

In 1965, after the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the US government decided to send troops to South Vietnam to counter the threat of North Vietnamese forces. At that time, many tactical wings of USAF were sent to Thailand and South Vietnam for Operation Rolling Thunder, as well as to support the South Vietnam Army in countering the Viet Cong forces in the South Vietnam. In the meantime, many countries were reluctant to purchase the F-5, as it hadn't yet been adopted by the USAF. Thus, the USAF decided to let Colonel Frank Emory lead a special provisional squadron named 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to take the new F-5 fighters into the Vietnam War, an excellent chance to prove that F-5 could do its job well in regional conflicts: this combat evaluation project was named "Skoshi Tiger".

[[File:Skoshi Tiger welcome banner AFHRA.png|left|thumb|343x343px|The welcome banner of F-5C Skoshi Tiger in Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam.]]
To extend the combat capability of the Skoshi Tiger, Northrop made some modifications to the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, such as an external fixed refuelling probe on the left side of the forward fuselage that could receive fuel from a KC-135 tanker to extend the combat radius for some long-range missions. The total weight of the Skoshi Tiger's in-flight refuelling system was 85 pounds, but it could be removed if necessary. To improve the survivability of the Skoshi Tiger against enemy ground fire, two 1/4 inch-thick face-hardened steel armour plates were mounted externally on the fuselage, the function of the front plate was to protect the pilot and control mechanisms, and the aft plate protected vital hydraulic and control areas near the tail section, which added 236 pounds to the overall weight, there were five jettison-able pylons in total under the wings and fuselage like the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, other improvements such as better throttle linkage for improved afterburner modulation and the deletion of the rudder limiter were also implemented on the Skoshi Tiger.

The official name of "Skoshi Tiger" is F-5C. Five F-5A-15 and seven F-5A-20 originally destined to allied countries were withdrawn and sent to 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron after received those modifications. Some sources claim that USAF wanted 200 F-5 fighters which could be used in Vietnam War, in which the Skoshi Tiger program would be divided into three parts, and 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first part who were sent to Bien Hoa AFB to attack the ground targets in South Vietnam.

On 23rd October 1965, Skoshi Tigers of 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron finally arrived at Bien Hoa AFB and started their combat evaluation missions. In their first combat evaluation mission on the same day, two Skoshi Tigers each carried four 500-pound bombs and 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition to strike a Viet Cong concentration, they made five bomb runs and two strafing passes over the target, luckily these two F-5C Skoshi Tigers didn't encounter any anti-air fire in the combat zone at that time. The squadron worked as an independent combat unit until it was attached to the Bien Hoa AFB-based 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing which the latter was equipped with North American F-100D and F-100F Super Sabre fighter.

Through the end of December 1965, F-5C Skoshi Tigers usually flew their combat missions within 40 miles of their home base, and the only loss happened on 16th December 1965 due to the enemy's ground fire. By the end of the month, Skoshi Tigers had flown 1,531 sorties and finished 496 missions in total, they spent 3,110,886 pounds of ordnance against Viet Cong targets and claimed to destroy 1,377 structures with another 1,292 damaged in their Phase I combat evaluation test missions.

After that, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Da Nang Forward Base for their Phase II combat evaluation test missions, which would test if F-5C Skoshi Tigers could survive in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also providing a wonderful chance for Skoshi Tigers to prove their air combat capability by destroying any North Vietnamese aircraft in the air. However, because the combat operations near North Vietnam were forbidden by the order of the president, Skoshi Tigers lost their chance against the enemy's MiG fighters, so they changed their targets to Viet Cong troops in Laos, and air-refuelling were needed for these combat missions in Laos. From the start of the Phase II combat evaluation on 3rd January 1966 to their end on the 30th, Skoshi Tigers flew almost 400 sorties and successfully destroyed six bridges.

The Phase III combat evaluation tests started on 2nd February 1966 when the Skoshi Tigers returned to Bien Hoa AFB, and their primary mission was to support the third Army Corps. During these days (the duration of the Phase III combat test, depending on different source was 10 to 21 days), Skoshi Tigers made 348 combat sorties, the combat load carried by the Skoshi Tigers during this phase averaged 2,603 lbs per sortie.

Though the original plan was scheduled that the Skoshi Tiger program would be ended after the end of Phase III combat missions, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron returned to Da Nang AFB on 20th February 1966 again because USAF still wanted to find chances to test the true survivability of F-5C fighters in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also they wanted a chance to prove that F-5C fighters could counter any Communist MiG fighters, so the original Skoshi Tiger program was extended to Phase IV at that time. During the first week, because of bad weather conditions, F-5C fighters were driven away from Laos, but since the weather got better on 1st March 1966, they obtained permission to conduct their combat test missions on the borders of North Vietnam and South Vietnam for the first time. The Skoshi Tigers not only did ground attack role but some of them also carried two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to perform air escort missions for allied aircraft, they logged 176 combat sorties on 45 missions over North Vietnam and Laos area, also they spent 5,923 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 543 M117 750 lb bombs during these combat missions until 10th March 1966.

On 8th March 1966, the Skoshi Tiger program was finally ended, but another squadron called 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was established at Bien Hoa AFB soon after (some sources suggest that they just changed their name from the original 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to the new 10th Fighter Commando Squadron). Seven additional F-5 fighters without air-refuelling equipment were assigned to the new squadron which increased the total amount of aircraft to 18. Some sources say that 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was assigned to 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing of USAF at Bien Hoa AFB until 17th April 1967 and their aircraft and equipment were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, but another source claimed that the reason that these F-5 fighters removed their air-refuelling equipment was because the Republic of Vietnam Air Force lacked tankers at that time, also Americans didn't want them to invade the North Vietnam area without a permit, which means it was assigned to Republic of Vietnam Air Force at that time. At that time, Skoshi Tiger's name was retained by the pilots of the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, also some pilots decided to paint tiger stripes on their flight helmet.

Since the new 57 mm anti-air gun had been introduced into the North Vietnam Army by the end of 1966, the NVA finally found their approach to fight against the F-5C Skoshi Tiger formations at medium to high altitudes. From 8th March 1967 to 17th April 1967, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron conducted 7,321 combat sorties, and 7,537 hours had been flown, including close air support and against missions enemy supply routes. A large amount of munitions had been expended by Skoshi Tigers for these combat missions, including 9,777 napalm canisters, 875 CBU bombs, and 778,566 20 mm rounds, and eight aircraft had been lost, including six aircraft due to ground fire and two aircraft due to engine failure. Seventeen aircraft had received battle damage.

In October 1966, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron received a new mission at Bien Hoa AFB: to train new Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots to fly the F-5 fighters for combat missions, and maintenance personnel of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force were trained to maintain the F-5 fighters. At last, twelve remaining F-5A and F-5C fighters were turned over to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force at Bien Hoa AFB on 17th April 1967 from the deactivation of the USAF squadron.

[[File:F-5 fighter jet of NVA.png|thumb|356x356px|F-5 fighter in NVA service]]
Like their American ally, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force also used their F-5 fighters in close air support and supply route missions in the South Vietnam area, which helped the Republic of Vietnam Army a lot in many campaigns. From 1974 to 1975, the North Vietnam Army launched huge offensives from all directions into the Republic of Vietnam, which destroyed many Republic of Vietnam Army forces while occupying many of the Republic of Vietnam's territories, though in many cases, F-5 fighters, A-1 attackers, A-37 attackers and Armed helicopters successfully helped the allied army break the enemy's offensive or carry out retreat operations. However, as the North Vietnamese army gradually occupied the territories of South Vietnam, many Air Force bases were captured by the North Vietnamese army, and F-5 fighters that had not yet taken off or were damaged were captured by North Vietnamese army too. Because of the risk that the US government would send their Combat Forces back to Vietnam, the senior commander of North Vietnam Forces didn't want to use their MiG fighters during these invasion operations, therefore, some of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots who surrendered before were ordered to re-fly their F-5 fighters to attack the positions of the South Vietnamese army, even one time a F-5 fighter dropped a bomb on the square of the presidential palace in Saigon.

As the Vietnam War was finally ended in 1975, the new Vietnam government decided to transfer some American military equipment, such as F-5 fighters, A-37 attackers, and UH-1 helicopters, to the Soviet Union and China in exchange for more support. In China, the captured F-5A Freedom Fighter sent by the Vietnam government was tested with their own J-6 fighter, and it was found that the air combat performance of F-5A fighter not only could completely match their own J-6 fighter, but it also had much better ground attack capability, apart from that, the manufacturing process, aerodynamic design, airborne equipment and other parts of the F-5A fighter also had left a deep impression on Chinese aircraft engineers.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-5c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7166-development-top-gun-day-premium-f-5c-in-red-menace-camo-for-pre-order-en|[Devblog] Top Gun Day: Premium F-5C in Red Menace camo for pre-order!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

Hs 129 B-3

2021-08-17T03:57:29Z

U101714241: /* Description */

{{About
| about = German strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hs 129 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hs-129b-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]].

The Hs 129 is a pure ground attack aircraft, designed mostly to take out tanks and armoured vehicles. The anti-tank gun [[KwK 40 (75 mm)|PaK 40]] is capable of knocking out medium tanks, while the 7.92 mm LMGs can destroy armoured cars and mobile AAAs. The plane is both slow and sluggish, meaning that it practically has to go after ground targets, but the armament and armour somewhat compensate for that and enable the plane to take out nearly all ground targets except pillboxes and heavy tanks.

The plane is very heavy, which makes it nearly impossible to take out fighters. Even most medium bombers are more manoeuvrable; however, the plane is heavily armoured, so it can last a while even under heavy fire, even to such a degree that some planes run out of ammunition before taking out a Henschel.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,550 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 421 || 404 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.4 || 31.3 || 5.9 || 5.9 || rowspan="2" | 331
|-
! Upgraded
| 466 || 439 || 26.5 || 27.9 || 11.2 || 8.3
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 287 || 252 || 190 || ~10 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 320 || < 320 || < 300 || > 280
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,550 m || 1,300 hp || 1,530 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 5 mm Steel - Oil cooler covers
* 5 mm Steel - Lower engine cowl protection
* 2 mm Steel - Cockpit side plates
* 12 mm Steel - Cockpit back plate, floor, and front plates
* 75 mm Bulletproof glass

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
[[File:Hs-129 B-3 destroying a ground vehicle.png|thumb|Hs-129 B-3 destroying a ground vehicle with its 75 mm BK 7.5 cannon]]
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|BK 7.5 (75 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 75 mm BK 7.5 cannon, chin-mounted (13 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, cheek-mounted (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

The two machine guns are arranged on each side of the fuselage. The 75 mm cannon is mounted to the underside of the fuselage. When aiming do not use the crosshair, instead, to be more precise with your shots, take the diameter of the aiming circle and put the length under the circle. This should provide the most accurate shot as that spot is a rough estimation of where your shot will land.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:Cockpit_Hs129B.jpg|x400px|thumbnail|right|The Hs 129 B's instrument panel.]]

The Hs 129 B-3 is capable of destroying most mission-relevant ground targets. Tanks of all sorts, as well as light pillboxes, can be destroyed in one hit, provided armour piercing ammunition is used. Thanks to the 13 shells available, this can make a single Hs 129 B-3 a game-changing aircraft.

The Hs 129, however, does have major drawbacks. Its engines are weak which results in poor top speed, acceleration and climb rate. This, combined with the armour of nearly one-ton weight, makes it perform poorly in air combat and very vulnerable to attacks of enemy fighters. This, however, goes so far that sometimes enemy pilots underestimate the Hs 129 and overshoot it after a tight turn, which gives the Hs 129 pilot a moderate chance of defending himself.

In simulator battles, it is ''highly advisable'' to climb to at least 600 meters, level, and build speed (energy) before turning and returning for another attack. When spawning, it is still recommended to climb to 1000 meters above ground and use the scope to spot enemy ground vehicles in simulator battles. If there are possible enemies in the area, lose altitude, and fly away from the enemy to take a different path.

Do not attempt to make quick adjustments when aiming in a dive. Pull up, and try again. The AI tanks will go nowhere. Use 'universal belts' to help aim the main tank gun. It is not recommended to use tracers. The plane needs one major virtue to produce desirable results: patience.

The plane may sound very weak but, every tool in the box has a specific purpose: the Hs 129 B-3 is designed to win through objective destruction.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[Yak-2 KABB]]: Do not think that the {{PAGENAME}} can confidently out maneuver this plane just because it is twin-engined. The Yak-2 has an amazing turn rate for a heavy fighter, thus the {{PAGENAME}} must avoid turning with it, if not dogfighting with it in general. It bears a pair of ShVAK cannons that can easily damage vital parts like engine or cooling systems. It has green camo, greatly resembling an Me 410 but with an H-tail like a Bf 110's.

[[ZSD63]]: A dangerous SPAA to go up against in Tank Realistic Battles. Though it is hard to identify specific SPAA vehicles on the ground (especially when they are shooting tracers at the plane), if a ZSD63 is identified, avoid it at all costs and '''do not''' attempt head-ons with it, ever. It can easily snap a wing off by casually putting a short burst in the {{PAGENAME}}'s flight path. Don't even get close to it unless it is busy shooting someone else. Even the {{PAGENAME}}'s mighty 75mm cannon cannot effectively damage it as its hull is overall quite empty, causing your shells to do little to no damage. Some identifying features of the ZSD63 is its rather boxy and tall hull with a geometric turret sitting at the back, slightly similar to a Wirbelwind's. The firing manner is also distinctive: the sound and green tracers are very rapid, much like a buzz saw, but then it will remain silent for half a minute reloading. Note that an experienced ZSD player will hold its fire or shoot in single salvos with long halts between, making it look like that it's reloading.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The combination of the 7.92 mm machine guns and the 75 mm anti-tank gun can make short work of armoured columns
* Can be quite profitable in Air RB when used right, as destroying tanks nets you quite a high score
* A shot from the 75 mm gun can tear an aircraft apart when firing High Explosive rounds
* Extremely effective in tank realistic battles with air superiority. The 75 mm can take out even the most heavily armoured Allied tanks
* The 7.92 mm machine guns allow for engaging unarmoured targets without wasting 75 mm ammunition
* Can take a fair amount of punishment
* Quite a stable gun platform
* Default ammunition for 75 mm gun is made up of only AP shells, unlike similar aircraft

'''Cons:'''

* Extremely slow from underpowered engines
* Terrible climb rate
* Not particularly manoeuvrable
* Poor energy retention
* Damage to engines can lose enough power to the extent that the plane simply falls out of the sky
* No defensive armament translates to a "sitting duck" in some combat situations, especially without friendly fighters in the air
* Cockpit has very thin armour that leaves pilot vulnerable to most enemy projectiles
* The gun has large horizontal dropoff (if you dive at a higher angle, the shots will land nearer to the crosshair)
* 75 mm cannon is rather inaccurate when stock
* Has only 13 rounds for the 75 mm cannon

== History ==


Produced in 1944, the B-3 variant of the Henschel Hs 129 was installed with the 7.5 cm BK 7,5 cannon, a lighter version of the PaK 40 which already been tested on the Junkers Ju 88. The 7.5 cm BK 7,5 had 12 rounds in a rotary magazine. The gun was fully automatic, with a newly designed hydraulic recoil dampening system and a more aerodynamic muzzle brake. The gun pod had a circular port to let the cartridges eject after firing. The 7.5 cm BK 7,5 was the most powerful forward-firing weapon ever fitted to a production aircraft at the time. It can theatrically destroy any armoured target it found. Only 25 units of the Hs 129 B-3 were produced.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=hs-129b-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|VHJN6ZWOmnY|'''The bane of tanks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 3:12 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[Ki-109]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2689--en|[Ugly Ducklings] - Hs 129]]

{{AirManufacturer Henschel}}
{{Germany strike aircraft}}

Hs 129 B-3

2021-08-17T03:57:04Z

U101714241: /* Description */

{{About
| about = German strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hs 129 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hs-129b-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]].

The Hs 129 is a pure ground attack aircraft, AND IT IS BAD designed mostly to take out tanks and armoured vehicles. The anti-tank gun [[KwK 40 (75 mm)|PaK 40]] is capable of knocking out medium tanks, while the 7.92 mm LMGs can destroy armoured cars and mobile AAAs. The plane is both slow and sluggish, meaning that it practically has to go after ground targets, but the armament and armour somewhat compensate for that and enable the plane to take out nearly all ground targets except pillboxes and heavy tanks.

The plane is very heavy, which makes it nearly impossible to take out fighters. Even most medium bombers are more manoeuvrable; however, the plane is heavily armoured, so it can last a while even under heavy fire, even to such a degree that some planes run out of ammunition before taking out a Henschel.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,550 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 421 || 404 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.4 || 31.3 || 5.9 || 5.9 || rowspan="2" | 331
|-
! Upgraded
| 466 || 439 || 26.5 || 27.9 || 11.2 || 8.3
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 287 || 252 || 190 || ~10 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 320 || < 320 || < 300 || > 280
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,550 m || 1,300 hp || 1,530 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 5 mm Steel - Oil cooler covers
* 5 mm Steel - Lower engine cowl protection
* 2 mm Steel - Cockpit side plates
* 12 mm Steel - Cockpit back plate, floor, and front plates
* 75 mm Bulletproof glass

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
[[File:Hs-129 B-3 destroying a ground vehicle.png|thumb|Hs-129 B-3 destroying a ground vehicle with its 75 mm BK 7.5 cannon]]
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|BK 7.5 (75 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 75 mm BK 7.5 cannon, chin-mounted (13 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, cheek-mounted (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

The two machine guns are arranged on each side of the fuselage. The 75 mm cannon is mounted to the underside of the fuselage. When aiming do not use the crosshair, instead, to be more precise with your shots, take the diameter of the aiming circle and put the length under the circle. This should provide the most accurate shot as that spot is a rough estimation of where your shot will land.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:Cockpit_Hs129B.jpg|x400px|thumbnail|right|The Hs 129 B's instrument panel.]]

The Hs 129 B-3 is capable of destroying most mission-relevant ground targets. Tanks of all sorts, as well as light pillboxes, can be destroyed in one hit, provided armour piercing ammunition is used. Thanks to the 13 shells available, this can make a single Hs 129 B-3 a game-changing aircraft.

The Hs 129, however, does have major drawbacks. Its engines are weak which results in poor top speed, acceleration and climb rate. This, combined with the armour of nearly one-ton weight, makes it perform poorly in air combat and very vulnerable to attacks of enemy fighters. This, however, goes so far that sometimes enemy pilots underestimate the Hs 129 and overshoot it after a tight turn, which gives the Hs 129 pilot a moderate chance of defending himself.

In simulator battles, it is ''highly advisable'' to climb to at least 600 meters, level, and build speed (energy) before turning and returning for another attack. When spawning, it is still recommended to climb to 1000 meters above ground and use the scope to spot enemy ground vehicles in simulator battles. If there are possible enemies in the area, lose altitude, and fly away from the enemy to take a different path.

Do not attempt to make quick adjustments when aiming in a dive. Pull up, and try again. The AI tanks will go nowhere. Use 'universal belts' to help aim the main tank gun. It is not recommended to use tracers. The plane needs one major virtue to produce desirable results: patience.

The plane may sound very weak but, every tool in the box has a specific purpose: the Hs 129 B-3 is designed to win through objective destruction.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[Yak-2 KABB]]: Do not think that the {{PAGENAME}} can confidently out maneuver this plane just because it is twin-engined. The Yak-2 has an amazing turn rate for a heavy fighter, thus the {{PAGENAME}} must avoid turning with it, if not dogfighting with it in general. It bears a pair of ShVAK cannons that can easily damage vital parts like engine or cooling systems. It has green camo, greatly resembling an Me 410 but with an H-tail like a Bf 110's.

[[ZSD63]]: A dangerous SPAA to go up against in Tank Realistic Battles. Though it is hard to identify specific SPAA vehicles on the ground (especially when they are shooting tracers at the plane), if a ZSD63 is identified, avoid it at all costs and '''do not''' attempt head-ons with it, ever. It can easily snap a wing off by casually putting a short burst in the {{PAGENAME}}'s flight path. Don't even get close to it unless it is busy shooting someone else. Even the {{PAGENAME}}'s mighty 75mm cannon cannot effectively damage it as its hull is overall quite empty, causing your shells to do little to no damage. Some identifying features of the ZSD63 is its rather boxy and tall hull with a geometric turret sitting at the back, slightly similar to a Wirbelwind's. The firing manner is also distinctive: the sound and green tracers are very rapid, much like a buzz saw, but then it will remain silent for half a minute reloading. Note that an experienced ZSD player will hold its fire or shoot in single salvos with long halts between, making it look like that it's reloading.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The combination of the 7.92 mm machine guns and the 75 mm anti-tank gun can make short work of armoured columns
* Can be quite profitable in Air RB when used right, as destroying tanks nets you quite a high score
* A shot from the 75 mm gun can tear an aircraft apart when firing High Explosive rounds
* Extremely effective in tank realistic battles with air superiority. The 75 mm can take out even the most heavily armoured Allied tanks
* The 7.92 mm machine guns allow for engaging unarmoured targets without wasting 75 mm ammunition
* Can take a fair amount of punishment
* Quite a stable gun platform
* Default ammunition for 75 mm gun is made up of only AP shells, unlike similar aircraft

'''Cons:'''

* Extremely slow from underpowered engines
* Terrible climb rate
* Not particularly manoeuvrable
* Poor energy retention
* Damage to engines can lose enough power to the extent that the plane simply falls out of the sky
* No defensive armament translates to a "sitting duck" in some combat situations, especially without friendly fighters in the air
* Cockpit has very thin armour that leaves pilot vulnerable to most enemy projectiles
* The gun has large horizontal dropoff (if you dive at a higher angle, the shots will land nearer to the crosshair)
* 75 mm cannon is rather inaccurate when stock
* Has only 13 rounds for the 75 mm cannon

== History ==


Produced in 1944, the B-3 variant of the Henschel Hs 129 was installed with the 7.5 cm BK 7,5 cannon, a lighter version of the PaK 40 which already been tested on the Junkers Ju 88. The 7.5 cm BK 7,5 had 12 rounds in a rotary magazine. The gun was fully automatic, with a newly designed hydraulic recoil dampening system and a more aerodynamic muzzle brake. The gun pod had a circular port to let the cartridges eject after firing. The 7.5 cm BK 7,5 was the most powerful forward-firing weapon ever fitted to a production aircraft at the time. It can theatrically destroy any armoured target it found. Only 25 units of the Hs 129 B-3 were produced.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=hs-129b-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|VHJN6ZWOmnY|'''The bane of tanks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 3:12 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[Ki-109]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2689--en|[Ugly Ducklings] - Hs 129]]

{{AirManufacturer Henschel}}
{{Germany strike aircraft}}