War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Hampden Mk I

2024-05-25T02:31:17Z

U145249882: /* Pros and cons */ Fixed spelling of “maneuverability”

{{About
| about = British bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hampden (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hp52_hampden_mk1_late
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]].

The Hampden is one of the first bombers you get in the British tree, and without a doubt defines the style of flying for the remainder of the tree. Its decent performance combined with all-powerful bomb load can quickly rack your score up into the thousands. On maps like Essen, use your superior speed to bomb the ground targets before any other bombers, then drop your altitude and rearm at the airfield. After, fly low with a bomb delay and hit the remaining targets or bases.

== 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 3,962 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
| 404 || 388 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 27.9 || 5.3 || 5.3 || rowspan="2" | 366
|-
! Upgraded
| 460 || 428 || 25.0 || 26.0 || 10.9 || 7.6
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 506  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 388 || 359 || 210 || ~5 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 315 || < 310 || < 300 || > 200
|-
|}

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


* 9.5 mm Steel plate in front of cockpit on fuselage top.
* 9.5 mm Steel plate behind the dorsal gunner.

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

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

{{main|Browning (7.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (300 rpg)

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

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (250 lb)|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)}}

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

* 6 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)

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

{{main|Vickers K (7.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun, nose turret (1,000 rpg)
* 2 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns, dorsal turret (1,300 rpg = 2,600 total)
* 2 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns, ventral turret (1,350 rpg = 2,700 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Hampden Mk I is an average early bomber which, though rather average, should not be taken lightly. It is able to take quite a large bombload for its size, allowing it to take out bomb points and ground targets with ease.

The below tactics can be used in all games modes:

'''How to offensively engage an enemy aircraft:'''

If you happen to see an enemy aircraft, you should not engage it. Only in cases where it's the last enemy player or it should be at and disadvantage should the Hampden be brave enough to attack an enemy aircraft. Hampden should try and climb above the enemy then dive to get in front of target. Then use its defensive four 7.7 mm machine guns to tear into enemy aircraft's cockpit and knock out the pilot, engines and any gunners. This way try to use the defensive armaments in an offensive way. The single offensive .30 cal machine gun might not put out enough firepower to take out enemy aircraft, other than some reserve and lower battle rating aircraft, since it's only a single .30 cal with 300 rounds which will limit the damage the Hampden can do.

'''How to perform defensive fighting:'''
Best way for the Hampden Mk I to defend itself is by trying to get the enemy aircraft to get on the rear where its 4 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns have the coverage to be able to fire at the enemy. Lacking 360 degree turrets makes the Vickers have a limited area of coverage and leaves a lot of the plane exposed for enemy fighters to swoop in from. So best course of action is to get them on the Hampden's tail.

Should an enemy fighter move to engage the Hampden, do not try to outmanoeuvre it. Simply dive and go as low as possible while in gunner view and aim for the enemy's engine. Try and damage it or give it some critical damage to fend it off. If one is lucky it will burst into flames or the pilot be knocked out and it will be out of the battle for good.

==== Specific enemies worth noting ====
The planes to be feared are usually those that carry cannons or 12.7 mm machine guns. These kind of planes can easily cause heavy damage to the Hampden.
Planes like: [[P-400]], [[P-40 (Family)|P-40]], [[LaGG-3 (Family)|LaGG-3]], [[Ki-45 (Family)|Ki-45]] and [[J22-B]]. But those are not the only threats, since there are many more aircraft that will be a considerable threat to Hampden Mk I.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Third heaviest payload for its BR (behind the [[Ju 88 A-4]] and the [[Hampden TB Mk I]])
* Offensive machine gun can be useful for killing soft ground targets
* Back gunner makes short work of low tier planes
* Decent maneuverability for a bomber

'''Cons:'''

* Terrible roll rate
* Possibility to face planes with 20 mm cannons and 12.7 mm guns
* Vickers machine gun isn't very accurate
* Unlike the [[Hampden TB Mk I]] it cannot carry a torpedo
* Does not like to take battle damage
* No protection for pilot when enemy planes attack you head on
* Hits to the wings can start fuel tank fires due to all the fuel tanks being internally mounted in the wings
* Rear gunners' arc is very limited
* Carrying the largest payload option will slow the plane to a crawl

== History ==

The Handley Page Hampden was the last and fastest twin-engined bomber of the "trio" during the Phoney War. It was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification B.9/32 which called for a faster, heavier, and more powerful bomber that would replace the existing Bristol Blenheim and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. The designer, G.V Vokert, designed an interesting prototype, designated HP.52. This plane was originally powered by Napier Sabre Dagger engines, but switched to the more powerful Bristol Pegasus radial engines. Originally the Hampden had two Vickers K gun in ventral and dorsal positions, which proved to be inadequate for daylight defence. This was then switched to two Vickers K guns with modifications. The Hampden had many nicknames, because of the slim, compact and cramped fuselage it was nicknamed the "Flying Suitcase". It was oddly similar in role and appearance to the German fast day-bomber [[Do 17 (Family)|Do 17]], which had the nickname "Flying Pencil".

RAF Squadron No.49 was the first to receive their new Hampdens. Bearing the brunt of early bombing raids on Europe. The Hampden proved no match for Luftwaffe fighters. It was subsequently switched to various night time operations, such as mine-laying, bombing raids on German soil, propaganda and torpedo bombing. Despite having great speed and manoeuvrability, the Hampden was declared obsolete and retired from service in 1942.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=hp52_hampden_mk1_late 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 ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/342039-handley-page-hampden-mk-1-tb-1-tb-1-utk/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Handley}}
{{Britain bombers}}

Spitfire F Mk 24

2024-05-25T02:27:32Z

U145249882: /* Media */ Very small edits to paragraphs, nothing special

{{About
| about = British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Spitfire (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=spitfire_f24
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was the last production model of the famous Supermarine Spitfire. A total of 54 Mk 24 were manufactured, with 27 rebuilt from [[Spitfire F Mk 22|Mk 22]] models. The Mk 24 was largely similar to the previous Mk 22, with the exception of having two rear fuselage fuel tanks installed as well as different rocket mountings allowing for installation of up to eight RP-3 rockets as opposed to six on the Mk 22. The main armament also differed, as some later production Mk 24s were armed with four 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons as opposed to Mk.II on the Spitfire Mk 22 or early and reserve variants of the Mk 24. The in-game model is a recreation of VN318, which was armed with Mk.II cannons.

The Spitfire F Mk 24 was introduced in [[Update 1.39]]. It is the pinnacle of piston-powered aircraft, one of the first superprops. The playstyle of Mk 24 is very similar to the previous Griffon-powered Spitfires, with the exception of different armament as the Mk 24 is armed with four 20 mm Hispano cannons. Early jet aircraft that pilots may come across are at a severe disadvantage when encountering the Spitfire, as it can out-turn and also catch the majority of these in a dive. The Mk 24 also possesses higher engine power due to the usage of 150 octane fuel, which is unavailable for the previous Mk 22.

== 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 8,232 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
| 721 || 699 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.4 || 20.2 || 19.8 || 19.8 || rowspan="2" | 420
|-
! Upgraded
| 837 || 778 || 17.2 || 17.6 || 39.4 || 28.3
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ || 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}} || N/A || N/A || 260 || ~11 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 482 || < 400 || < 400 || > 500
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,600 m || 1,510 hp || 2,190 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,600 m || 1,360 hp || 1,993 hp
|-
|}

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


* 3 mm Steel - Armour plating ammo cover (both wings)
* 6 mm Steel - Upper prop hub plate
* 12.7 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armour plate
* 4 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 7 mm Steel - Behind pilot's seat
* 4 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
* 42.8 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

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

The Spitfire F Mk 24's performance relies on its engine and that should thus be the focus of research. It is recommended you progress through your research in the following order:

# Radiator
# Compressor
# Airframe
# Offensive 20 mm
# Engine
# Engine injection
# 150 octane fuel
# Wings repair
# Cover
# Fuselage Repair

After you have researched all of the above, complete the remaining research in any order. The Offensive 20 mm upgrade is incredibly useful due to the power of the "Air targets" belt on Hispano Mk.II cannons, which is why it is prioritized over the Engine upgrades even with the focus on engine-related upgrades.

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

{{main|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (175 rpg inner + 150 rpg outer = 650 total)

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

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (250 lb)|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|RP-3}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)
* 3 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (750 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 1 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bomb + 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 3 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 8 x RP-3 rockets
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x RP-3 rockets (500 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:FighterImage_Spitfire_F_Mk_24.jpg|thumbnail|right|The new wing shape and larger control surfaces of the 22/24 series are a distinctive feature of the aircraft.]]
The Spitfire F Mk 24 is an outstanding plane in realistic battles with few weaknesses, meaning the enemy will have a really hard time either catching the Mk 24 or shaking it off of their tail, and only the most skilled of opponents will stand a chance.

It is very important to monitor your energy state, as the Spitfire F Mk 24 is a relatively large fighter aircraft and will be a big target at low speeds.

The main task for a Mk 24 pilot is to utilize the immense power of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, which allows the Spitfire to climb at an insanely high rate. The pilot should always use his climb rate to his advantage in combat, using his altitude to dictate the terms of an engagement. Target altitude should usually be around 5-6 km on smaller maps and 6-7 km on larger maps such as Norway or Spain where the Griffon engine will perform optimally.

The Spitfire F Mk 24's main combat tactic is Boom & Zooming due to its outstanding speed, armament, and engine output. Because of the last point, Energy fighting is an option open to the Mk 24 as well, when engaging an enemy separated from his team. The Rolls-Royce Griffon engine is what opens the Spitfire F Mk 24 to both of these tactics. Not only does the Griffon engine bestow the Mk 24 with incredible top speed, but it also causes the fighter to accelerate incredibly fast allowing it to keep its speed for longer even in a sharp climb.

Although boom-and-zooming and energy fighting are the main tactics of the Spitfire F Mk 24, the fighter is also able to keep up with most enemies in-turn fights with few exceptions (namely Japanese fighters). Try to maintain a speed of between 400-500 km/h; this is where the plane maintains a high turn rate. Turning below this velocity against planes such as the [[P-51H-5-NA]] is not recommended. The Mk 24 should avoid combat at low altitude especially versus Soviet fighters who excel below 4 km. The Mk 24's strength is at high altitude combat, where it can fully utilize the power of its Griffon engine to exceed in combat.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful engine which provides incredible climb rate, good acceleration and top speed
* Equipped with 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, which are highly powerful and have a high rate of fire
* Incredible at energy fighting
* Performs extremely well at medium to high altitudes
* Excellent acceleration in a dive
* High turn rate at medium speeds
* Is an excellent vehicle to go against jets with
* Very good roll rate
* Very high wing rip speed
* Works well with manual engine control
* High climb rate

'''Cons:'''

* Armament is mounted on the wings
* Wings are susceptible to shearing at higher speeds
* WEP causes the plane to consume fuel at a fast rate
* Suffers at lower altitudes where the engine isn't operating at full potential
* Relatively poor low-speed performance
* Mostly faces jets
* Underwing radiators create a large amount of drag, especially when open

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.24 was a single engine, single seat fighter which served with the Royal Air Force during the early post war period. The Mk.24 was the very last land based Spitfire of the long and illustrious line of fighters. It differed only from late production Spitfire Mk.22s in having two extra fuel tanks fitted in the rear fuselage and provisions for under wing rockets. Late versions of the Spitfire Mk.24 were also fitted with the short barrel 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon. Only 54 Spitfire Mk.24s were built with a further 27 being converted from Mk.22 airframes.

Contra-rotating propellers were tested on the Mk.21, 22 and 24 Spitfires but were still not perfected in time to see service on this last Spitfire variant. The contra-rotating propeller would, however see front line service with the Fleet Air Arm's Seafire Mk.46 and Mk.47. The Spitfire Mk.24 entered service in 1946 with No.80 Squadron in Gutersloh, Germany; the squadron later moved to Hong Kong. In January 1952 the RAF's last front line Spitfire squadron handed its aircraft over to the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, ending a legacy of over 25 years of perhaps the most famous and iconic fighter aircraft in aviation history.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=spitfire_f24 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|MNacjyimuCQ|'''The Shooting Range #95''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 06:03 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|YrotBJk-VYk|'''The Shooting Range #124''' - ''War Machines'' section at 00:28 discusses the Griffon Spitfires.|Fjh-tTr6TPs|'''Best Combo #2''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:00 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|4v3fxupuZPA|'''Last piston fighters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 3:29 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Spitfire (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/341992-supermarine-spitfire-fmk24/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
{{Britain fighters}}