War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

M8 LAC (China)

2024-01-29T19:56:04Z

U122702998: more descrption and player insight

{{About
| about = light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|other
|usage-1 = other versions
|link-1 = M8 Greyhound (Family)
|usage-2 = other uses
|link-2 = M8 (Disambiguation)

}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_m8_greyhound
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''M8 Greyhound Light Armoured Car (M8 LAC)''' was an armoured car developed by Ford Motor Company during World War II and primarily used by U.S. and British forces in Europe and the Pacific from 1943 until the end of the war. Many of the vehicles were provided to other countries for limited service, notably through the lend-lease program established by the U.S. during World War II. A few of these vehicles, likely used by US Army/USMC were captured in Mainland China in 1949 which one of them is still on display in the Chinese military museum; while additional vehicles were supplied to ROCA after their retreat and were not used during combat, as well as served as police riot-suppression vehicle.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Chinese M8 LAC is identical to the [[M8 LAC]] used by the U.S. Army ground forces. The 37 mm anti-tank gun is essentially found in almost every light tank in the early ranks; therefore, it should be more than familiar to players of the U.S. ground forces in terms of playstyle. It has an M2HB Browning heavy machine gun mounted on the back of the turret, which can be highly valuable when fighting other light tanks and early aircraft esspecialy thanks to its speed and well equiped gun for its rank. However, given that it is an open-top vehicle, it is vulnerable to aircraft strafing; therefore, it is critical to pay attention when aircraft fly overhead during engagements.

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


This vehicle's intended design leaves us with only 12.7 mm of armour at a 59° angle slope at the front hull, Side hull is only protected with 9.5 mm. And the strongest part being the gun mantlet with 25 mm added to 19.1 mm of turret armour. As a result this vehicle is only protected against rifle-calibre MG fire, with the sides easily penetrated by heavy MG fire. Although this may prove an advantage when fighting against shells with delayed fuse. The crew is very tight, so one AP shell at the center could knock out everyone inside, but notice that there is a huge gap between the driving compartment and the fighting compartment, meaning it will absorb plenty of shells and saving the player from being destroyed quickly. There are some rounds stored at the turret, and at the vehicle's floor, bringing less rounds eliminates the rounds stored in the turret. Also keep in mind that it is an open top vehicle, making it vulnerable to artillery and aerial attacks.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret, gun mantlet)
* Structural steel (mudguard, storage boxes, gun breech)
* Wheels (tires)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 12.7 mm (59°) ''Upper Glacis'' 15.9 mm (29°) ''Lower Glacis'' 19.1 mm (44°) ''Upper Plate'' || 9.5 mm (17-19°) || 5-9.5 mm || 6.35 mm (0-6°)
|-
| Turret || 19.1 mm (conical) ''Turret front'' 25.4 mm (15°) + 19.1 mm (conical) ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 19.1 mm (conical) || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* The turret is open-topped, but the very front portion is covered by 6.35 mm
* Wheels are 10 mm thick
* Belly armour is 6.35 mm thick.
* The gun breech is 150 mm thick.
* Additional 4 mm mudguards and storage boxes cover most of the hull sides

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 129|rbMinHp= 97}}

While it has poor armour and survivability, the {{PAGENAME}} excels in terms of mobility. As a wheeled vehicle it reaches 60 km/h on road in arcade with stock modules and 40 km/h off road.

On realistic it reaches 38 km/h off road, and 55 km/h on road with 7 gears, it also has -12 km/h reverse speed on two reverse gears.

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M6 (37 mm)|37 mm M6]] || 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" | 80 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 4.55 || rowspan="2" | 4.03 || rowspan="2" | 3.71 || rowspan="2" | 3.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

The M8 LAC is armed with an [[M6 (37 mm)|37 mm M6]] cannon as its main armament. This is a small calibre fast-firing gun with a maximum penetration of 84 mm at 100 m (M51B1 shell), being able to penetrate almost all the opponents it will ever face. While it lacks the post-penetration damage to knock out most enemy vehicles, it can quickly finish them off with its fast reload. The penetration and trajectory drops a lot beyond 500 m. Note that the gun has a vertical stabiliser, giving the player a huge advantage in some cases, but keep in mind that the stabiliser only works when the tank is slower than 10 km/h.

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M6 (37 mm)/Ammunition|M74B1, M51B1}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks M8 LAC.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''80''' || 73 ''(+7)'' || 65 ''(+15)'' || 33 ''(+47)'' || 1 ''(+79)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* As they are modeled by rows of 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the row.
* Turret empty of shells (racks 1 & 2 emptied): 65 ''(+15)'' shells.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 400 (200) || 575 || -10°/+40° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,500 (250) || 500 || - || -
|-
|}

The two machine guns on the M8 LAC are the good old [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|.50 cal M2HB]] and the [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]. The roof-mounted .50 cal can traverse 360 degrees and has great depression & elevation, posting a big threat to any plane that is flying too close to the M8. It has an unbelievable penetration of 31 mm at 10 m, meaning it can easily penetrate plenty of lightly armoured vehicles and even the side of some medium tanks. The 7.62 mm MG, on the other hand, can only efficiently damage exposed crews due to its low penetration.

== Usage in battles ==


When using this vehicle keep in mind that you are virtually naked to every main gun, that means you should not expose yourself unnecessarily and not give the opponents a chance to shoot at you, coupled with the fact that the main gun can penetrate every other vehicle in its rank. Its excellent mobility gives this vehicle a very viable hit-and-run tactic. Ambush your opponent on your terms. After you destroy him, change your position again, find concealment or cover, use your fast reverse speed to your advantage, avoid one on one fights, and fair fights.

At the start of the match, the M8 is best used as a point-capturing vehicle. Find a road connecting to a point to unleash its scary 90 km/h on-road top speed, and it is likely to get to the point before the enemy can. Once the point is captured, quickly move away as there are likely to be artillery strikes, which can critically damage the M8.

After capturing a point, there are two good options (just examples, the player is free to play in their way). One is to hide at the side of the point, waiting for the enemy to recapture it. Use its small profile to set up a good ambush, and flank the enemy unexpectedly. The fast-firing gun will genuinely shine when attacking several enemies from the side or rear, allowing the player to knock out a surprising amount of enemies. Once the enemies are wiped out, quickly retake the point and ambush again. Note that the player might want to change their position as some enemies might try and revenge.

Another playstyle is the hit-and-run tactic, thanks to its great mobility and small profile. If careful enough, it can travel between points like a ghost without being noticed and flank the enemies. The stabilizer will help a lot as it gives the player the ability to fire first. If the first shell missed or didn't penetrate, it can even finish off the enemy with the .50 cal HMG alone.

'''Enemies worth noting''':

[[LVT (Family)]] - These amphibious tanks are well known for their huge hull size. Indeed, there is a huge space between the driving compartment and the fighting compartment that will absorb almost any incoming shells, and unfortunately, the M8's solid AP can't cope with this. If an M8 doesn't know where are the crew is located on an LVT, they will die due to not being able to knock out the crew effectively. Remember their crew location, and the M8 can easily take them out.

The driver is at the foremost part of the hull. Behind him, there is absolutely nothing, so you must avoid shooting there. Behind the empty space, the turret houses 2-3 crew members. Shoot there to disable its gun. And don't forget, at the very rear of the LVT, the two exposed machine gunners can be taken out with the .50 cal. Memorize those three main locations of the crew, and you can effectively destroy any LVT out there with your rapid reload. Also, if the angle isn't too large, the .50 can penetrate the LVT's weak armour.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The M51 shell has 84 mm penetration at 100 m, enough to penetrate common opponents like the [[Pz.II (Family)|Pz.II]], [[Pz.III B]] or [[Ha-Go (Family)|Ha-Go]], and the fast reload helps to precisely knock out the crew one by one
* The pintle-mounted heavy machine gun is very lethal against other similarly armoured vehicles (e.g. [[AS 42]], [[L3/33 CC|L3/33]]) and slow biplanes
* One of the fastest vehicles on road with a max speed of 90 km/h allows it to get to positions quickly
* Reverse speed of 12 km/h allows it to retreat from danger quickly
* Small profile makes ambushing/hiding easy

'''Cons:'''

* Wheeled vehicle, performs poorly off-road and cannot turn in place, and especially slow in desert maps like [[Sinai]] and snowy maps like [[Frozen Pass (Ground Forces)|Frozen Pass]]
* Virtually no armour, tight crew and open top make this vehicle very vulnerable to rapid-firing tanks like the [[Pz.II (Family)|Pz.II]], [[M13 MGMC|M13]] or strafing planes
* M6 cannon requires precision shots, as post-penetration effects are weak especially against the [[LVT(A)(1)|LVT(A)]] series which are super spacious
* Turret traverse is rather sluggish, might not get the gun on target sometimes
* Looks very similar to the American [[M8 Greyhound]], the lighter coloured camouflage can be hard to distinguish in [[Simulator Battles]]

== History ==


During World War 2, more than 1,000 M8 armoured cars were lend-leased to the Allies, including Free France and Brazil. After WW2, the US Foreign Military Assistance Program donated surplus cars to the United States Constabulary in various Western European and Asian nations. French Forces noted usage of this car, and during the Korean and Vietnam War, both Viet Cong and Chinese got their hands on it as well, but the Korean Army was the primary user, who then donated them to the Vietnamese. Belgium also used these cars as part of NATO, and in UN forces sent to peacekeeping operations in the Congo. M8s are still in service in Columbia, Guatemala, Peru, and Paraguay.

'''Chinese usage'''

The earliest record of M8 LAC in China, according to the vehicle (oddly without its 37 mm cannon) displayed at level B1 of Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution (中国人民革命军事博物馆; 军博), PLAGF captured a M8 Greyhound in mid-May 1949 when the forces captured Shanghai, claiming to be a Nationalist vehicle on the billboard (while the white stars on the vehicle indicated its likely true identity - USMC or US Army stationed in China between 1945-1949); according to the film screenshots from early-1950s, there were likely more than the one M8 LAC captured in varied sources shown in the movie.<ref>https://card.weibo.com/article/m/show/id/2309404644799239028981</ref>

On the Nationalist's side, after the loss of Mainland China where they have abandoned numbers of vehicles on the mainland, as part of the military replenish program to ROCA, it was recorded that numbers of equipment that scattered around Pacific islands were recovered and refurbished by ROCA, including 185 M8 LAC in 1950<ref>https://a2928796.pixnet.net/blog/post/556810678-1950%E5%B9%B4%E5%9C%8B%E8%BB%8D%E8%A3%9D%E7%94%B2%E5%85%B5%E5%8A%9B</ref>; these vehicles were used by ROCA and ROCMC until 1977 with no combat records. Ten of these vehicles were also transferred to the Armored Vehicle Squadron, Police Brigade, Taiwan Province Police Department (臺灣'''省警'''務處'''直'''屬警察大隊'''裝'''甲車中隊; '''省警直裝''') as riot-suppression vehicle in the early days retreat; these vehicles were used until 1999 and scrapped in Ordnance Research Development Center at Jiji Township, Nantou County.<ref>https://adonis1625.pixnet.net/blog/post/232813103</ref>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_m8_greyhound Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|RGeu2yLGeTU|'''Best armored cars''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:32 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|GCP_b025iYo|'''M8 LAC, Taiwanese , Tier-1, Armored Car / Light Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''}}

== See also ==


* [[M8 Greyhound (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://ww2db.com/vehicle_spec.php?q=410 <nowiki>[World War II Database]</nowiki> M8 Greyhound] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210515155845/https://ww2db.com/vehicle_spec.php?q=410 Web Archive])

{{TankManufacturer Ford}}
{{China light tanks}}
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]
<references />

Bf 109 B-1

2024-01-29T19:51:26Z

U122702998: added description to ammo and armorment

{{About
|about=German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other variants
|link=Bf 109 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=bf-109b_2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

In the early 1930s, a competition was held to replace the aging He 51 and other biplane fighters. Out of four designs, the Bf 109 was selected and would mark the beginning of the fabled Bf 109. At first, it was powered by a Rolls-Royce engine, but later developments switched out the engine for the Junkers Jumo. Although the Bf 109 A might be thought of by some as the first production variant of the 109, it was actually the Bf 109 B. The 109 A production run was abandoned because the planned version of the B variant would've included a 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub. However, cooling issues prevented the use of the cannon and instead another 7.92 mm machine gun was added. The Bf 109 B-1 would be powered by the Junkers Jumo 210D, and it propelled the 109 to speeds up to ~467 km/h (292 mph). It was far slower than the Merlin-powered Hawker Hurricane, and the 109 wouldn't receive a major engine upgrade until the Bf 109 D, which introduced the Daimler-Benz engines.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"|Update 1.49 (aka 1.70.1945) "Weapons of Victory"]]. Being the first production variant of the 109, the B-1 is quite lackluster when it comes to performance and armament. It lacks any cannons, and the Jumo engine only produces around 650 hp. With a maximum climb rate of only 10.2 m/s, players should practice side climbing to gain an altitude advantage over enemy aircraft. Many opponents will be in biplanes, and they will easily outturn the 109 in a dogfight. Thus, players should use its excellent structural limit of 790 km/h (493 mph) to make boom and zoom passes on enemy fighters. Also, the B-1 comes armed with only two 7.92 mm machine guns, so it will take many rounds to down an enemy aircraft but in AA battles it performs well. Targeting the pilot will be the best option to quickly and efficiently take down enemy aircraft.
== 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 4,000 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
| 443 || 434 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.9 || 23.7 || 7.6 || 7.6 || rowspan="2" | 210
|-
! Upgraded
| 486 || 465 || 21.1 || 22.0 || 13.2 || 10.2
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 387 || 371 || 250 || ~13 || 7
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 390 || < 450 || > 312
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,250 m || 670 hp || 704hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,200 m || 600 hp || 660 hp
|-
|}

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


Despite lacking in armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks, this aircraft is surprisingly resilient and can withstand significant damage. Although it is vulnerable to being hit, its design allows for it to absorb incoming rounds, particularly when facing head-on attacks or gunners on bombers. In battles against early tier aircraft such as biplanes, the bullets from their weapons are not as effective unless they are fired at close range or aimed at vital components. As most pilots at this level are new to the game, they may not be proficient in aiming their weapons, giving you an added advantage. To increase your chances of survival, it's essential to master good evasive manoeuvres. By doing so, you can out manoeuvre low-powered planes and make a narrow escape, thus saving your life. However, the engine is a vulnerable part of the aircraft, and you may have to lose it before losing any other vital component. Overall, despite its lack of armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks, this aircraft can be a formidable fighter in the right hands. It requires a skilled pilot who knows how to exploit its strengths and weaknesses to emerge victorious in battle.

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

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

{{main|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

When facing fighters that have a high tolerance for 7.92 mm rounds, it's crucial to adopt a specific strategy to take them down quickly. In this scenario, targeting the pilot becomes the best option as it can bring the enemy down with fewer rounds fired. This approach requires exceptional aiming skills and a quick trigger finger. However, it can be a game-changer when facing a tough opponent.

On the other hand, the Bf 109 B-1 does not fare well when engaging bombers. In this scenario, it's essential to aim for the engine or pilot to deal critical damage. The engine has a larger hit box, making it the preferable target. A well-placed shot can result in an engine or fuel tank fire, making it easier to take down the bomber.

When targeting the engines, it's important to note that propellers take some time to stop spinning. Firing all your rounds into a single engine can be misleading, and a few well-timed bursts should be enough to get the job done. Once you feel that an engine has taken enough damage, you can switch to the other engines to maximize your chances of success.

Another strategy when engaging bombers is to target the gunners. Taking them out can enable you to stay behind the bomber, targeting a specific area or engine. However, this approach requires exceptional aiming skills and can cost you valuable time if you miss your shots. It's best to target the gunners during your initial pass, and if you miss, switch to targeting the engine or pilot.

Overall, engaging fighters and bombers requires a different approach, and it's essential to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your aircraft and those of your opponents. With practice and experience, you can become an expert in taking down tough enemies, even with a weaker aircraft like the Bf 109 B-1.

'''Realistic Battles'''

The Bf 109 B-1 is a strong performer in Realistic Battles (RB), although it lacks the outstanding climb rate of later 109 models. Despite this, it still manages to get to altitude quickly and efficiently. Its biggest asset is its incredible high-speed turn, which allows it to cut inside the turning circles of other planes, particularly in a high-speed engagement. This maneuverability can give you an edge over your opponents, especially if you can make use of your speed to reset the engagement in your favor.

However, it's important to remember that if you drag the fight on for too long, you may lose your advantage. This is especially true when facing opponents with better armament or maneuverability. To maximize your chances of success, you need to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage. Against early tier biplanes and other monoplanes, you can use your speed to outmaneuver and outpace them.

One significant drawback of the Bf 109 B-1 is its armament. Its weapons lack the firepower of other aircraft in its class, requiring prolonged periods of time on target to down or critically damage an enemy. As with other 109 models, the roll rate is subpar, and the rudder needs to be utilized to maximize its potential. A skilled pilot can make up for these deficiencies by using proper tactics and making the most of the plane's strengths.

Overall, the Bf 109 B-1 can be a formidable fighter in RB when flown by an experienced pilot. It may not have the same outstanding climb rate as its successors, but its incredible high-speed turn and speed make it a valuable asset in dogfights. Despite its limited armament, a skilled pilot can make the most of it, using proper tactics to outmaneuver and outpace opponents.

'''Simulator Battles'''

In Simulator battles, the Bf 109 B-1 is a versatile fighter that is easy to fly and fights well. The aircraft's smooth handling, combined with adequate speed against biplanes and impressive climb rate and turn rate, make it a friendly fighter for newcomers. Its nose-mounted machine guns have a lot of ammo and do not require any convergence settings, making it very easy to aim. The nose gently slopes down from the windscreen, offering a great over-the-nose vision, which is helpful when maneuvering the aircraft. Despite having a razorback, the B model actually has great visibility towards the tail, increasing the pilot's situational awareness, which is important in a simulator battle.

However, the B model's main drawback is its poor firepower given by the mere 2 x 7.92 mm MGs. Shooting windows in Simulator battles are much smaller than in RB, which reduces its effectiveness even more. As a result, you will need to bring at least 30 minutes of fuel for prolonged patrolling and fighting. The convergence does not really matter, and it might be anywhere between 250-600 m. To improve over-the-nose visibility, you can set keys for vertical head movement, allowing you to lift up your head a little.

When dogfighting in Simulator battles, you can utilise common manuevers such as Immelmann, Split-S, scissor, barrel roll, etc. However, note that the Bf 109 handles very sluggishly in the roll axis at low speed, so take this into account if dogfighting at low speed/altitude. You can pull the elevator fully for maximum agility, but only if you pull gently and gradually will the 109 manoeuvre as you wish. If maximum elevator input is harsh and sudden, the plane will start swaying around and enter a flat spin. The aircraft can quite easily recover from a flat spin by fully deflecting elevators downward and rudder to the opposite side of which the plane is spinning, and wait until it starts a dive and gather some speed to pull up.

Finally, landing the Bf 109 B-1 may need some practice for some. At first, it is easy: decelerate and descent towards the runway, deploy combat, takeoff, landing flaps, and gears in order, and fly at ~230 km/h before touchdown. However, if the plane bounces up with landing flaps, use takeoff/combat flaps instead to reduce lift. Note that you must align the plane with the airstrip correctly prior to touchdown and do not yaw/break one side too much when breaking, as the main landing gears are so close together that they cannot support such sideways force, causing the plane to wobble dangerously or even tilt towards one side, striking a wingtip into the ground.

====Specific enemies worth noting====

The Bf 109 B-1 runs the risk of meeting [[Hurricane_(Family)|Hurricanes]], a plane introduced to the [[:Category:Britain_aircraft|RAF]] in 1935 that has a far heavier armament and shorter snap turns. Against better performing enemies, the Bf 109 B-1 is not hopeless, but it will be tough. It is not exactly sturdy and will be quickly stitched to death by heavily armed enemies. Here, manoeuvrability is key, allowing you to roll out of an incoming attack quickly, setting up overshoots to keep the enemy at bay. A surprising number of players will lose their patience in such moments, making mistakes and thus nullifying their performance advantage. Nearly all planes of superior performance turn worse than a B-1, so if you manage to bleed their speed and pull them to the deck, you will be able to win a turning engagement. However, keep a watchful eye for better turning enemies such as biplanes.

====Counter-tactics====

The Bf 109 B-1 is going to be a rude awakening for those that flock to the 109s due to their historic reputation. While a capable pre-war fighter, it is severely lacking in firepower. Its two [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|MG 17]]s 7.92 mm are just about adequate when engaging biplanes or [[I-16 type 5|I-16]]s, but lack punch against tougher opponents such as [[Hurricane Mk I/L|Hawker Hurricanes]]. Just about any enemy you might meet has either comparable or better armament.

What the plane lacks in firepower, it makes up in manoeuvrability, with the later trademark Bf 109 energy fighting capabilities displayed. A capable pilot can make this aircraft dance like any Messerschmitt, but it requires discipline, precision and effective use of the two MG 17's. When engaging planes that are of the Spanish Civil War Era, the B-1 does best by using its speed and superior climb rate to place itself into an advantageous attack position, and then launching one concentrated attack after the other on its target. Remember to always recycle your speed into altitude and back as the fight progresses. Before zoom climbing back up from an attack, remember to extend a little bit to avoid getting picked off from a prop-hang. As you zoom up, check your surroundings to keep good situational awareness.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent agility, able to do very sharp turns
* Good energy conservation
* Very useful during dogfights since it is able to outmanoeuvre the opponent
* Has excellent control during slow speed

'''Cons:'''

* Not the fastest option at its rank
* Considerably weak armament
* May be too responsive for some players
* Slow roll rate

== History ==

The Bf 109 B-1 came out of the prototype V series of the Bf 109s and saw combat in the Spanish Civil War. While the Bf 109s faced various performance and reliability issues from their engine to an obvious lack of "punch", the experience proved to yield valuable data allowing for design improvement, ensuring the success of later Bf 109 models.

While the B-1 was the only production model of the 109 carrying the "Bertha" designation, later models that saw improvements to the variable pitch carried the unofficial designation of B-2.

A subvariant of the Bf 109 B called the "V13" was powered by a boosted Daimler-Benz 601 engine. It produced well over 1,600 hp; a massive increase over the Merlin found in the Hawker Hurricane. The boosted engine allowed the Bf 109 to set a world speed record of 606 km/h (379 mph) in 1937. Unfortunately, the DB series of engines would never be put in a production variant of the 109 until the Bf 109 D variant.

A notable feature of the Bf 109 B-1 is its massive opening in the cowling. While production models carried a third MG 17 firing out of said cowling, this was nearly always removed after combat trials during the Spanish Civil War. Although the fixed gun was cooled by the air coming in through the hole, it proved unreliable and a detriment to the plane. The in-game Bf 109 B-1 does not have this MG 17.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=bf-109b_2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|TaiwDTpA9AQ|'''How To Fly #7 the Bf 109 B-1''' - ''WickedWilliWonka''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Bf 109 (Family)]]
** [[Flegel's Bf 109 A]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[MiG-3-15]]

== External links ==


* [https://me109.info/ <nowiki>[Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar]</nowiki> Bf 109B]
* [[Wikipedia:Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#Bf_109_A.2FB.2FC.2FD|[Wikipedia] Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants - Bf 109 A/B/C/D]]

{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
{{Germany fighters}}