War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Mi-35M

2021-12-03T21:16:32Z

U110831842: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Russian attack helicopter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = April Fools event helicopter
| link-1 = Mi-35 (April Fools)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = Mi-24 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mi_35m
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian attack helicopter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 1,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 275 || 259 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
! Upgraded
| 323 || 300
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Heli-Armour}}
''Examine the survivability of the helicopter. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical systems.''

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Heli-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Heli-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* A choice between four presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (450 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (450 rpg) + HIRSS
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (450 rpg) + HIRSS + 192 x countermeasures
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (450 rpg) + HIRSS + 192 x countermeasures + IRCM

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Heli-Suspended}}

{{main|9M39 Igla|9M114 Shturm|9M120 Ataka|S-8KO|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 8 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 8 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 8 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 8 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x 9M120 Ataka missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 8 x 9M114 Shturm missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 8 x 9M120 Ataka missiles

== Usage in battles ==

The {{PAGENAME}} is very good at long-range sniping in tank realistic battles. While playing the distance game, it is important to make sure the chopper does not stay stationary when picking out and shooting at targets or else the {{PAGENAME}} will become an easy target. On the other hand, in air battles, the {{PAGENAME}} is amazing at sniping enemy helicopters within a 5 km range.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great missile speed (ATAKA missiles) making it easy to use and aim
* Great 23 mm cannon damage
* IRCM and Flares making it practically immune to enemy AAMs
* Igla AAMs, flare and IRCM resistant and good against enemy jet aircraft

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo reserve on 23 mm
* Lower speed than the Mi-24

== History ==

The Mi-35M is a modern utility combat helicopter of the Russian army, manufactured by Rostvertol helicopter company. At the moment, the Mi-35M is the most modern modification of the Mi-24 series. During its versatile service in Afghanistan, India, and other locations, the "Hind" performed well but had few vital flaws. A modernized version, titled Mi-35, underwent specific improvements. The helicopter gained new more powerful engines, the metal rotor was replaced by a composite one, the 3-bladed anti-torque rotor was replaced by an X-shaped composite one. The Mi-35M was given fixed landing gear and new shorter wings with only four weaponry mounting points. The weapon itself has also been updated: A 4-barreled 50.cal machine gun in the chin-mounted rotating turret is now replaced by a twin-barreled 23-mm GSh-23L autocannon. Mounted weaponry now consists of two types of ATGMs, modern air-to-ground unguided rockets, 23mm cannon pods, and other changes. The Mi-35M is currently in service in the Russian Air Forces, and other nations. Russian and Iraqi Mi-35M-s fought in recent actions in Syria.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5751-development-mi-35m-up-to-date-hind-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=helicopter&vehicleClass=attack_helicopter&vehicle=mi_35m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper001.jpg
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper002.jpg
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper003.jpg
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper004.jpg
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper005.jpg
File:Mi-35M WTWallpaper006.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|lTR8bhL4BUc|'''The Mi-24 Family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:25 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|W6WWooehhFw|'''The Shooting Range #145''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:32 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|hNnQ8_7BfP4|'''AH-1Z vs {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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 helicopter;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5751-development-mi-35m-up-to-date-hind-en|[Devblog] Mi-35M: Up-to-date "Hind"]]

{{AirManufacturer Mil}}
{{USSR helicopters}}

RBT-5

2021-10-25T16:14:19Z

U110831842: It's available in the Direct Hit trophy as well.

{{Specs-Card
|code=ussr_rbt_5
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=RBT-5
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was available as a prize during the 2016 "Thunder League" eSports tournament as a giveaway prize for watching the Twitch stream, later every Dog-Tag owner who voted for Team Dislike earned one due to the "Champion" prize. It is currently available through the [[War Thunder Market]] for individual sale or through the "Project-X" and "Direct Hit" trophies.

The RBT-5 is a regular [[BT-5]] with the mounts to hold two 250 kg TT-250 torpedoes modified as rockets. The large calibre rockets prove hard to aim, but a real dealer to anything it hits.

This tank is quite unique. It has virtually no armour, weights only 11,5 tons and has a massive 400 HP engine (442 HP fully upgraded), giving it up to 38 HP/Ton ratio. This paired with excellent Christie suspension allows it to drive like a race car among tanks. Gun is an adequate 45mm 20-K cannon with decent penetration and quick reload.

Do remember: the RBT-5's two rockets are quite apart from each other, and that should be taken into account when aiming. The first rocket to be fired is the one on the left side of the turret.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 13 mm (62°) ''Front glacis'' 20 mm (18°) ''Driver port'' 30 mm (62°) ''Lower glacis'' 40 mm (13°) ''Plate joint''|| 15 mm (1°) || 13 mm (0-59°)|| 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm (11-43°) ''Gun mantlet'' 15 mm ''Turret front'' || 15 + 15 mm || 15 mm || 10 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes'''

* Tracks and suspension wheel are both 15 mm thick.
* Rocket mounts provide additional spaced armour of 15 mm on the turret sides.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=566|rbMinHp=323}}

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|20-K (45 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20-K (45 mm)|45 mm 20-K]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 86 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 15.2 || 21.1 || 25.6 || 28.3 || 30.1 || rowspan="2" | 3.77 || rowspan="2" | 3.33 || rowspan="2" | 3.07 || rowspan="2" | 2.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 9.5 || 11.2 || 13.6 || 15.0 || 16.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 70 || 68 || 59 || 50 || 42 || 35
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 73 || 71 || 62 || 52 || 44 || 37
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 760 || 1.43 || 1.2 || 9 || 29.26 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 757 || 1.43 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_BT-5.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the BT-5]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''86''' || 72 ''(+14)''|| 57 ''(+29)'' || 43 ''(+43)'' || 29 ''(+57)'' || 15 ''(+71)''|| 1 ''(+85)''|| No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 29 ''(+57)'' shells

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|TT-250}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[TT-250]] tank torpedo
|-
! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| 2 || +9°/+50° || N/A
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| TT-250 || Rocket || 101 || 101 || 101 || 101 || 101 || 101
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Range (m)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| TT-250 || Rocket || 135 || 6,500 || 250 || 0 || 0.1 || 130,000 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|DT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[DT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm DT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,890 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The RBT-5 is really flexible when it comes to the usage, as it has great mobility and firepower, which is pretty much all you need for a good tank. Given its great 53 km/h top speed, it is good to use the RBT-5 as a point-capping tank at the start of the match. It is better to travel on-road to fully utilise its speed to get to the point before the enemies do. Another good tactic is to manoeuvre to the flank of the frontline / point and attack from the side. Its speed makes it possible to go the furthest with the shortest time, surprising the enemies.

Once capped, the player can either quickly ambush behind a nearby cover waiting for the enemy to re-cap it, or just drive around the battlefield and help the teammates. Its 70 mm penetration and 29 g TNT will one-shot pretty much anything around its BR. If not, the 3 second reload allows it to finish them off easily. A sudden, close encounter is a hard test to the player's skills because the RBT-5 isn't very good at turning as its tracks are quite long and narrow. Its turret traverse of around 11 deg/sec is certainly not the best. Thus those two factors can sometimes cause the death to the RBT-5 so the player must respond fast and accurate.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

* [[Pz.II (Disambiguation)|Pz.IIs]]: Although not as fast as the RBT-5, the Pz.IIs still have an average speed of around 40km/h. Also they are equipped with a deadly 20mm autocannon that will punch holes on the RBT-5 with ease, and their rate of fire can quickly kill multiple crew. The RBT-5 has thin armour protecting only 3 crew, making it extremely vulnerable to those autocannons.

* [[Sd.Kfz.234/2|Sd.Kfz.234 series]]: These wheeled vehicles all have scary on-road speed of more than 60 km/h, so in any map with roads connecting to the points they can always get there first and set up an ambush. However, these vehicles are wheeled meaning they cannot turn in place, they are rather sluggish when trying to turn, and they have either slow turret traverse or no turret at all so the player can use this to their advantage. Wiggle / circle around them to avoid their guns and force then to turn, then aim carefully and immobile them. Note that the DT machine gun on the RBT-5 only has 10 mm penetration at most, making it almost impossible to go through their armour and kill any crew, so don't think of destroying these wheeled tanks with the MG.

* [[M8 Greyhound]], [[M3 Stuart (Family)|M3 Stuarts]]: These vehicles are equally fast, and the M8 can outrun the RBT-5 if it's travelling on road, allowing them to get to the point before the RBT-5 does. Therefore if America is on the other side the player might want to change their tactic and not to rush the point since low tier battles are always filled with fast tanks. The M8 has a roof-mounted .50 cal MG which easily tears the RBT-5's armour apart and kills the crew inside. Also most of them have a vertical stabiliser that works at low speed, so avoid firing on the move with them.

* [[B1 bis]]: A heavily armoured tank for its BR, but do not panic when you see it. Don't fire at a distance unless you are directly aiming at its side armour. The best option is to try and get as close to it as possible (point-blank range is ideal) and shoot straight at its side. However sometimes due to a variety of reasons the player might be unable to flank it and has to face it frontally. If that is the case, shoot the rather vertical driver's compartment and there's a great chance of penetration, killing the driver and the commander (which is also the gunner for the turret). Or, shoot between the two guns on the turret to kill the commander / gunner. Or, shoot at the near-vertical part of the curved gun mantlet of the big gun.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 45mm 20-K gun offers great penetration
* 20-K gun offers a good rate of fire
* The BR-240 APHEBC rounds deals the best damage and spalling at its rank, allowing for impressive post-penetration damage
* Fast tank, with a good acceleration and good overall mobility
* Front armour, although very thin, may bounce shells thanks to the decent sloping of the glacis
* Very powerful rockets, can even instantly destroy a Maus, allowing the RBT-5 to handle even formidable foes

'''Cons:'''

* Equipped with only 2 rockets
* Rockets are set at a fixed angle which further complicates aiming, does not allow for zeroing targets
* Armour can only cope with rifle caliber rounds, could also deflect a few heavy machine gun rounds
* Very vulnerable to quick-firing autocannons like the German 20 mm or the TShN
* Terrible crew arrangement, a well-placed, penetrating shot will automatically take out the crew
* Rockets may overshoot at close range, due to the affixed nature of the mounting

== History ==

===Development===
The '''BT''', or ''Bystrokhodny tank'', was the forerunner to the [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]]. The tank's name translates to "high-speed tank" and it lived up to that expectation. The BT series of tank's origin lays with an American Racing enthusiast named Walter Christie, also a prolific automotive designer. When the U.S. Army Ordnance Bureau repeatedly declined to produce Christie's designs, he becomes so frustrated with them for turning their interests away from a tracked vehicle able to go 60 miles per hour, so he turned to other countries such as Great Britain, Poland, and the Soviet Union. The Soviet's were eager to purchase his designs and were able to receive two M1931 turret-less examples that were labeled as "agricultural tractors", as well as the license to build more of their own variants. The Soviets quickly produced working prototypes of Christie's tanks and made various changes and improvements at the KhPZ factory in Kharkov. The development of the Christie suspension on the tank would become the BT-2 light tank. Further development would improve the BT-2 design as the BT-5, released sometime in 1935.

===Design===
The Christie design was based on the concept of "convertible tanks" which was to reduce the wear of tank tracks as they were quite unreliable at the time. The tracks could be removed and instead the vehicle would run on a chain drive to allow the tank to reach high-speed on roads with just the wheels that could be steered by pivoting the front road wheels. The conversion took about 30 minutes to complete. The Soviets saw the "convertible tank" feature of the Christie design to be of little use due to the lack of paved road in the Soviet Union, which was necessary for the use of the wheel conversion. The conversion also added unnecessary complexity and weight, so this was removed from later Soviet tank designs.

The primary changes from the BT-2 to the [[BT-5|BT-5]] was its new larger cylindrical shaped turret and more powerful 45 mm 20-K cannon. The new turret was capable of housing radio equipment and gave crew more freedom to move around. The BT-5 was slightly heavier then the BT-2, but the armour was left unchanged. The 12 cylinder M5 power-plant that was based off an American Liberty aircraft engine that was adapted for use with the BT series. It allowed the tank to travel up to impressive speeds. Several variants of the BT-5 were constructed that included features such as flamethrowers, 76.2mm cannon, and a snorkel to aid in fording waterways. Projects in extending the BT's role in other jobs also took place, such as the RBT-5, which is a rocket launcher artillery variant that mounts two large 420 mm tank torpedoes on the turret, but this did not past prototypes. During its development, it was also slowly replaced by the improved [[BT-7]] model being produced form 1935 onward. A reported 1,884 BT-5 light tanks were produced from 1932 to 1941.

===Combat usage===
The BT tanks were meant to be a cavalry tank, and at the time of their introduction they were considered some of the finest tanks against other countries' tanks. They had great mobility of all available tanks, and its 45 mm gun could perform very well in combat. The only drawbacks of the design was its light armour and its gasoline engine, which caused the design to be rather flammable to improvised incendiary weapons. The BT-5's most notable combat service came against the Japanese at Khalkhin Gol. The tactics of Soviet Marshal Georgi Zhukov and the performance of his BT-5 and BT-7 tanks led to a decisive victory. It was during this battle that the BT tendency to catch fire was found, but its performance was positive against the inferior Japanese armoured forces.

During the Spanish civil war, a force of BT-5s fought with the Republican forces and performed quite well against its inferior German and Italian opponents, whom deployed lightly armoured tanks with machine guns as their armament. With the outbreak of World War II, the BT-5 was deployed against Poland and aided in the defense of Russia from the invading German army in Operation Barbarossa, though was of little use against the better German [[Pz.III F|Panzer IIIs]] and [[Pz.IV F1|Panzer IVs]]. The BT-5 saw service through to the end of the war, where it participated alongside BT-7s and more modern Soviet tanks against Japanese-controlled Manchuria in August 1945.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_rbt_5 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|ly9JS6errQQ|'''Best secondary armaments''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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 vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [http://warthunder.pro/en/league Thunder League Tournament]

{{USSR light tanks}}
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}

Pe-8

2021-10-05T16:59:30Z

U110831842: Minor edit to prasing in Ground RB

{{Specs-Card
|code=pe-8_m82
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]].

The Petlyakov {{PAGENAME}} was an early design Soviet heavy bomber which debuted in 1936. This monster of a bomber was the only four-engine bomber produced by the Soviet Union during World War II. Though impressive as it was, it was only produced in limited numbers and was reserved for special occasions called "morale raids" to encourage and raise the spirits of the Soviet population by hitting important German targets deep behind enemy lines to include bombing Berlin in mid-1941. Other prime targets included the nighttime bombing of factories, German airfields and rail yards. As such an important aircraft to the Soviet people, it became a priority target for the German Luftwaffe pilots to go after. By 1944 all remaining {{PAGENAME}}s were removed from service but were retrofitted for other jobs such as VIP transport and operations up into the arctic circle.

The {{PAGENAME}} though a large and tempting target, it is not without its merits. The huge bomber has a nose gunner, tail gunner, rear-facing dorsal turret and two rear-facing underwing gun pods. Attacking this aircraft especially from the rear whether above, below or directly from the rear is a bad choice as, like with the [[BV 238]], there are many defensive guns which can hit and hit hard. These defensive weapons are critical to protecting the bomber against inbound enemy fighter especially because of the bomb payload which it can carry. Options can range between 2,000 and 5,000 kg bomb loads with as many as 40 x 50 kg or 100 kg bombs, or fewer but heavier bombs such as 6 x 500 kg bombs or a single massive 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb.

It is easy to see why the {{PAGENAME}} would be a prime target to eliminate as if left unchecked, it could easily wipe out the enemy bases without flinching and move onto the next. Other payload options are useful for carpet bombing areas where clusters of lighter vehicles or fixed anti-aircraft targets may sit. Fleet vessels are not to discount this bomber as it has the means to destroy ships with its accurate bomb site, pending the pilot slowing the aircraft down enough to let the bombardier line up the target and release the necessary ordnance. For the pilot of the {{PAGENAME}}, fly high and drop as much as you can on the targets, as a fighter trying to take out the {{PAGENAME}} set up your run so that in the event you lose control of your aircraft, it has a good chance of ramming the bomber causing it to crash as this aircraft has a good propensity to soak up bullets.

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


The Pe-8 has poor flight characteristics: the plane is very heavy for its engines and thus is slow. This limits its top speed as well as its climb rate. The wings being massive, the turn radius is large and the bomber's manoeuvrability is mediocre. Combined with a short tail, this creates instability and causes the Pe-8 to wobble when changing directions. The bomber usually compresses and wobbles after doing sharp turns, which can be very lethal at low altitude. It can take the pilot a certain time to regain control of the bomber. When engaged in a steep dive, the same phenomenon (compressing and wobbling) takes place, restricting it only to a level bombing role.

Note for new Pe-8 pilots - Since this plane's control surfaces are huge and rotate very slowly, they will have lots of inertia: after you release a keyboard button for rolling, the ailerons will keep deflecting for a second or two before stopping, which is unlike the controls of smaller aircraft where the control surfaces stop deflecting immediately as soon as you release the button. Therefore it is a good practice to release the button a second before the Pe-8 is at an optimal position, as the control surfaces' inertia will do the job after letting go the keyboard input.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 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
| 402 || 387 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.9 || 37.6 || 4.9 || 4.9 || rowspan="2" | 1,500
|-
! Upgraded
| 445 || 422 || 35.1 || 36.0 || 10.2 || 7.2
|-
|}

==== Details ====
[[File:Pe-8 lunarrainbow 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|]]
{| 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}} || 460 || 434 || 280 || ~4 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 320 || < 350 || < 380 || > 341
|-
|}

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


The Pe-8 has a durable airframe, meaning the bomber can take some damage, still complete its mission and make it home. Even if its fuel tanks are self-sealing, fires tend to be devastating for the structural integrity of the wings.

;Armour plates

* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind copilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate for underwing nacelle gunners x 2
* No armour glazing

;Critical components

* The pilot and the controls are located in front of the aircraft
* Engines and fuel tanks located throughout the wings
* Fuel tanks are self-sealing

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
[[File:Pe-8 *jermster 91 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|]]
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)|FAB-100sv (100 kg)|FAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500sv (500 kg)|FAB-1000 (1,000 kg)}}
{{main|FAB-5000 (5,000 kg)}}

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

* 40 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 40 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 12 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg FAB-500sv bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x 1,000 kg FAB-1000 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 1 x 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb (5,000 kg total)

The Pe-8 can carry the FAB-5000 bomb, the largest bomb in-game, with over 5 tons of TNT equivalent, which proves extremely deadly in ground RB and naval battles. The 40 x 100 kg bombs loadout is suitable for carpet bombing against columns of vehicles and occasionally base bombing while the 4 x 1000 kg bombs loadout is best suited for destroying bases and airfields. The stock payload of 40 x 50 kg bombs has very little efficiency against ground targets due to lack of explosive power and is ill-suited for base bombing.

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|ShVAK (20 mm)|Berezin UB (12.7 mm)|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, dorsal turret (200 rpg)
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, tail turret (230 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, 2 x engine nacelle turrets (200 rpg)
* 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, nose turret (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

The rear-facing 20 mm ShVAK cannon turrets are quite accurate and easy to aim, they will deal with any enemy fighter daring to come close. The 12.7 mm Berezin MGs in the engine nacelle turrets provide extra coverage from behind. While the defensive armament can be powerful, it is still ridden with weaknesses: the turrets lack any kind of armour, so your gunners can be knocked out easily and each turret has a low ammo count, resulting in frequent reloads that essentially leave you defenceless. The frontal 7.62 mm ShKAS MGs lack power to deal with fighters flying towards the Pe-8 head-on. Aircraft coming from high altitude can also avoid defensive firepower by exploiting their dead angles.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:Pe-8 the interceptor 002.jpg|450px|thumb|right|]]

The Pe-8, as mentioned earlier, is in essence a Soviet Death Star (a.k.a Tu-4 at a lower tier). It both boasts a very effective cannon armament and a high bomb load, able to kill two bases in one pass. Its 5,000-kilo bomb is especially useful in Ground Battles as a "tactical nuke" of sorts, able to wipe out large concentrations of enemy tanks.

However, the FAB-5000's practicality ends there. In Air Battles, the FAB-5000 is woefully overpowered against most targets and makes it inferior to most of the plane's other bomb loadout combinations. In addition, it peculiarly does less damage against an airfield than the 4 x 1,000 kg payload, further decreasing its usefulness. Instead, use the other payloads. The stock payload of 40 x 100 kg bombs, while difficult to aim, can still be used to base bomb, simply drop 12 on a base to destroy it (remember that the first 16 are pylon mounted meaning they drop in pairs, so the first base will require only 6 presses of the bomb release button). Keep using this payload for base bombing until you unlock the 4 x 1,000 kg modification, as all the other payloads yield less damage. You can use your bombs to destroy ground targets as well, however, be sure to be high enough or use a timer so that the bomb's splash damage doesn't kill you.

Try to side climb around the main battle when going after bases, though your defensive armament is powerful, you will be an easy target for experienced players, heavy fighters, and groups of fighters that encounter you. If you see an enemy, always turn the plane to make sure the rear cannon-armed guns face the pursuer so you can focus as much of your defensive firepower on them as possible while also increasing the time you can put your guns on the target. Make sure to fire in bursts as your guns will jam if fired for too long.

===Ground RB===
In Ground Realistic mode, the Pe-8 can be used as a CAS aircraft to a devastating effect. If there are no fighter aircraft or few SPAA, try to find the largest group of enemies and drop the FAB-5000 as fast as you can. This usually results in 1-2 kills, but can easily net many more. Try to spawn early game, as there will be less fighter aircraft and SPAA. Let it be noted that there is a certain terror from seeing a FAB-5000 slam into the ground next to your tank that is not easily replicated elsewhere in War Thunder.

===Naval Battles===
In Naval Battles, the Pe-8's FAB-5000 is capable of destroying any ship. Due to its huge explosive mass, the FAB-5000 is able to create a massive shockwave from underwater explosion that can cause an ammunition detonation to nearby ships (~ 50 m from explosion radius), this means it does not require a direct hit to deal a crippling blow to the enemy.

However, delivering the FAB-5000 to the targets can be a bit tricky as anti-aircraft fire in Naval battles is much more accurate, hard-hitting, and plentiful. One would try to compensate for this by flying high up, but you will find that it is hard to aim the FAB-5000 from these altitudes. Thus, it is more effective to bring the Pe-8 to higher-tier battles with less manoeuvrable, usually slower ships.

To drop the bomb accurately, start by set the bomb fuse to 1 second to ensure that the enemy will not getting away from the explosion radius, then fly up to an altitude of at least 1,800 m to avoid most of short range AA barrages (around 2,500-3,000 m is a suitable altitude for accurate and relatively safe drop), select an isolated or a slow target which has a few escorts, then approach them. Make sure to watch the long range flak barrages while flying to ensure that they will not hit you, while getting close. Take a look at the water trail leave behind the target to get an idea of their trajectory and speed. Then aim the bomb sight, make a compensation and drop the bomb. You can use the bomb tracking camera to see where the bomb dropped and adjust your aim for the next drop in case the shockwave wasn't able to kill the target.

====Counter-tactics====

When pursuing the Pe-8, try to go for a head-on - nearly all the time there is critical damage and "pilot snipes" to down the aircraft - with the added bonus that the front is the least defended area of the Pe-8. Use your mobility to do so. When in a not so optimal position, try to come up at a angle above the Pe-8 - with a sharp enough angle, you will stop the 12.7 mm MGs from reaching you, and with a bit of luck, you will make it past the single 20 defending the plane.

=== 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
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:Pe-8 the interceptor 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|Inbound bogie as seen by the nose gunner somewhere over the Eastern Front.]]

'''Pros:'''

* Good payload option for various mission types, including a massive bomb
* Powerful defensive armament
* Durable airframe, can take some damage and make it home
* Can resist being uptiered for a while, possible to bring in tier IV matches

'''Cons:'''

* Poor flight performance
** Large, heavy, and slow
** Poor climb rate, top speed and manoeuvrability (large turn radius, wobbling effect)
* Prone to devastating fires
* Stock payload is mediocre
* Defensive armament is poorly protected
* Almost no defensive capability against enemy planes attacking from the front or right from above
* In mixed ground battles, the very large blast radius of the FAB-5000 bomb can easily cause accidental teamkill.

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=pe-8_m82 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:Pe-8 hammer 91 001.jpg
Image:Pe-8 *jermster 91 002.jpg
Image:Pe-8 hammer 91 002.jpg
Image:Pe-8 the interceptor 003.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|ZRRbMZ12LHQ|'''The Shooting Range #241''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:34 discusses the Pe-8.}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Boeing [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]] Flying Fortress
* Messerschmit [[Me 264]]
* Short [[Stirling B Mk I|Stirling]]
* Nakajima [[G5N1|G5N]]
* Piaggio [[P.108B serie 1|P.108]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/272434-petlyakov-pe-8-m-82a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Petlyakov}}
{{USSR bombers}}