War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

F-4S Phantom II

2024-04-08T13:28:08Z

U160191488: /* Usage in battles */ Missile evasion in a F-4 Phantom II

{{About
|about = premium American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage = other versions
|link = F-4 Phantom II (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-4s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_004.jpg}}
|store=12048
}}

== Description ==

The F-4 Phantom II served its most notable service period in the Vietnam War for both the US Air Force (USAF) and US Navy (USN). The USN had the [[F-4J Phantom II|F-4J]] as their latest aircraft, and it began to show its age in the post Vietnam War period. A modernization program began to keep the F-4J up to date with latest upgrades. Improvements were done in avionics, weapon systems, airframe, and undercarriage, but the two most notable improvements were wing leading-edge slats, for improved manoeuvrability, and new smokeless engines. The F-4S flew for USN up until the Phantom's retirement in the late 1980s, replaced by more modern aircraft like the [[F-14A Early|F-14 Tomcat]] and the F-18 Hornet.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], is one of the top versions of the F-4 Phantom II in the game. While the overall play style is not very different from the F-4J, the performance improvements in manoeuvrability should allow the F-4S to occasionally get the upper hand over even more modern fighter designs that it can encounter. Outside the dogfighting range, the usual complement of BVR weaponry like the Sparrows alongside the PD radar should allow the F-4S to shoot down careless enemy fighters who can't evade in time.

== 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 12,192 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
| 2,080 || 2,058 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.5 || 27.4 || 155.0 || 145.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,224 || 2,140 || 25.5 || 26.0 || 217.6 || 185.0
|-
|}

==== 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
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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}} || 1,458 || 618 || 463 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 810 || < 750 || < 700 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | 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="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-10B || 2
| colspan="2" | 14,205 kg || colspan="2" | 408 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel
|-
| 1,750 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 15,964 kg || 18,047 kg || 20,070 kg || 27,058 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="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,250 kgf || 8,159 kgf
| 1.02 || 0.90 || 0.81 || 0.60
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,311 kgf (1,458 km/h) || 10,361 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.30 || 1.15 || 1.03 || 0.77
|-
|}

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

While the F-4S completely lacks any armour plating or ballistic glass, meaning that the pilot and internal systems are exposed to damage from even small arms fire, the airframe itself is relatively sturdy thanks to the upgrades it got to better handle high-G sustained turns, and can take a few hits from opposing aircraft using 20 x 102 mm Vulcan or 20 x 110 mm USN rounds and remain airborne. Higher calibre guns however such as the BK-27 found on the Tornados, and the GSh-30-1 on the MiG-29 have a higher chance of severely crippling your performance or outright destroying the aircraft. As with the F-4J, the RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) in the back of the cockpit cannot take control of the aircraft if the pilot is knocked out, as it lacks the dual controls found on the USAF variants of the Phantom (C & E.)

The fuel tanks are self-sealing, but generally won't be able to stop a fire from igniting due to every aircraft at the F-4S' BR using guns that are at least 20 mm in calibre. They also take up a lot of space in the midsection and rear of the Phantom, making shots to the fuselage potentially fatal. There are additional fuel tanks located in the upper-front of the wings and in the bottom of the fuselage, but they are a much smaller and thinner target, so the chances that they get hit are much lower in comparison. You have an extinguisher to put out engine fires, but effectiveness may vary depending on the severity of damage to the rest of the airframe, along with your airspeed.

With only 60 countermeasures available to use that are deployed in pairs of two, effectively halving your actual number of deployments to just 30, the F-4S is rather limited in its defense against missiles compared to many of its opponents and even other Phantom variants, and bringing chaff with the mixed setup halves your actual deployment number again to just a measly 15, meaning you'll have to be very aware of your countermeasure usage.

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}


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

* A choice between two presets:
** Without offensive armament
** 60 x countermeasures

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10 !! width="4%" | 11
| rowspan="15" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-4C_Phantom_II.png]]</div>
|-
! [[Mk 11 mod 5 (20 mm)|20 mm Mk 11 mod 5]] cannons (750 rpg)
| || || || || || 1 || || || || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! [[Mk 81 Snakeye (250 lb)|250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye]] bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| 3 || 3 || || || || 3 || || || || 3 || 3
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| 2 || 2 || || || || 3 || || || || 2 || 2
|-
! [[Mk 79 Mod 1 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || || || || || 1 || || || || || 1
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| 38 || 57 || || || || 57 || || || || 57 || 38
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| 12 || 12 || || || || 12 || || || || 12 || 12
|-
! [[AIM-7F Sparrow]] missiles
| || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9H Sidewinder]] missiles
| || || 2 || || || || || || 2 || ||
|-
! 600 gal drop tanks
| || || || || || 1 || || || || ||
|-
| colspan="12" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 7,257 kg Maximum permissible wing load: 3,000 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
|-
| colspan="13" | * Sparrows on hardpoints 2/10 cannot be carried in conjunction with Sidewinders on hardpoints 3/9 respectively
<nowiki>*</nowiki>20 mm Mk 11 Mod 5 gun pod and 600 gal drop tank cannot be carried at the same time due to sharing hardpoint 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon (750 rpg)
* 1 x 600 gal drop tank
* 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles
* 6 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 48 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 190 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (9,000 lb total)
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (9,000 lb total)
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 12 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (9,000 lb total)
* 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon + 4 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9H Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 3 x Mk 79 Mod 1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


Being a slightly upgraded F-4J, the F-4S retains many of its predecessor's defining characteristics.

The main difference between the two is the F-4S' leading edge wing slats. These greatly increase manoeuvrability below ~970-1000 km/h SPD by allowing you to pull more AoA (Angle of Attack) which helps to tighten down your turning circle, but results in noticeably more energy bleed. Inversely, the slats will reduce the amount of AoA you can pull above the priorly-mentioned airspeed, which massively improves energy retention and delays pilot blackouts at the cost of an overall wider turn circle. This ability to control your AoA at various speeds can be an invaluable tool in winning engagements if properly mastered, but remember that you're still a Phantom; the F-4S can't turn tight enough to competitively dogfight most other top-tier aircraft even with the manoeuvrability upgrade, but it's good enough that you may be able to last in an extended engagement against a single opponent until an ally comes to your aid. 

The most powerful aspect of the F-4S is its weaponry. For IR-guided missiles, it carries AIM-9Hs. Even though they have mediocre turn performance (max overload 18G), their respectable range and long guidance time makes them ideal for picking off inattentive players or AI planes. The crown jewel of the F-4S' arsenal however is the AIM-7F. With effective usage of the Pulse Doppler and ACM modes, the F-4S can confidently go into battle with an all-Sparrow loadout and not feel limited at closer engagement ranges. The AIM-7F is able to reliably hit targets from a minimum of 3 km in head ons, all the way out to a maximum of 25-30 km in good conditions with Pulse Doppler active (any further than that will require some luck.) Head on snapshots from less than 3 km can be done, but you'll be pushing the limits of both your radar's lock speed and the Sparrow's 25G pull limit.

Your biggest threats will be the F-14A / B, the MiG-29 9.13, and the Yak-141. All three gravely outclass you in BVR combat; the F-14s due to their massive, highly advanced radar and long-range Phoenix missiles, while the MiG-29 and Yak-141 carry the R-27ER, arguably the best SARH missile currently in War Thunder. The F-14s and MiG-29 9.13 also have you massively beat in a dogfight; both are able to comfortably sit inside your turning circle and either shoot at you with their guns or fire off a missile, so catching these opponents off guard or while they're distracted will aid in you and your team's survival. The Yak-141 however, while boasting phenomenal acceleration, has much more exploitable performance flaws; it can barely break the sound barrier due to high airframe drag, and bleeds energy severely in turns. You will have no issue beating the 141 in a 1v1 dogfight thanks to your upgraded manoeuvrability, just as long as you remember that the 141 is a VTOL aircraft, and may get creative with their manoeuvres out of desperation.

The MiG-29SMT, while featuring more advanced avionics and the deadly R-73 infared missile at close range, along with the R-27ER for mid and long range, has far worse manoeuvreability than the 9.13 and is moderately heavier, making it much less dominant in a dogfight and unable to extend out of an engagement as easily. Avoiding detection from this aircraft as you approach the frontline is evermore paramount as you're now at an extremely large BVR disadvantage, but you'll find that it's relatively much easier to lead your shots on the SMT than many of the other 4th gen fighters if you manage to close the distance.

Base bombing is, as expected for the Phantoms, and no exception to the F-4S, a completely viable strategy thanks to its impressive bomb load. It also has some merit in attacking ground targets, as it can carry a ludicrous amount of Mighty Mouse rockets (Up to a maximum of 247 if you wish to forgo the gun pod) that are very easy to aim thanks to having a rocket CCIP, and you can still carry 4 Sparrows to have a strong weapon against enemy aircraft. Avoid SPAA vehicles like the plague, as getting too close may spell an untimely return to the hangar, and the lack of guided munitions means you have to get close to or within their firing range to deal with them, either with bombs or rockets.

There are 2 types of missiles you will encounter in a Phantom. A radar-based missile, and a heat seeking missile. First, Radar based missiles. A good way to trick radar missiles is by using terrain. Long range missiles tend to lock onto the ground/trees when their target is flying just above the deck. Use this to your advantage, and fly at a safe 200-600m to confuse radar missiles. This strategy will '''''NOT''''' work on heat-guided missiles. Use flare/chaff and cut your afterburners before the missile gets within 1km of you. Also, avoid overusing Chaff/flares, as you only have 60 (15 if you bring mixed) countermeasures to work with.
=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful pulse-Doppler radar
* HMD allows significant off-boresight tracking for both the AIM-7F and AIM-9H
* Can carry up to 8 air-to-air missiles
* One of the best SARH missiles at 11.3
* Can take off and land on aircraft carrier
* A wide range of suspended armaments, suitable for any playstyle
* Can carry enough bombs to destroy a base without significantly affecting its flight performance
* Slats provide valuable ability to control AoA and energy retention, increasing adaptability in aerial combat.

'''Cons:'''

* Doesn't have an internal gun
* The external gun pod negatively affects flight performance
* Can't carry a gun pod and drop tank at the same time as they share the same hardpoint
* Quite large and heavy compared to other fighters at its rank
* Fires will very rapidly destroy the airframe, and effectiveness of the extinguishers is questionable
* Lack of guided munitions limits its potential in Ground Battles
* 60 countermeasures is mediocre in uptiers, which this aircraft sees extremely often

== History ==


The F-4S is a variant of the F-4 Phantom II, a twin-engine, all-weather jet fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) for the United States Navy in the 1950s. The F-4S was the final production version of the F-4, and saw extensive service during the Cold War and in various conflicts around the world. The F-4S was an upgraded F-4J, with slats and a better turn speed.

The F-4S was developed in response to the need for an advanced fighter-bomber that could operate in all weather conditions and perform a wide range of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance. It featured improved avionics, a more powerful engine, and upgraded weapons systems compared to earlier variants of the F-4.

One of the F-4S's most significant upgrades was its advanced radar system, which could track multiple targets at once and provide the pilot with a clear picture of the battlefield. It was also equipped with a more sophisticated weapons delivery system, which allowed it to carry a wider variety of bombs and missiles, including the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, as well as multiple types of unguided bombs and rockets.

The F-4S saw extensive service with the US Navy and Marine Corps. It was used in a variety of conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Gulf of Sidra incident.

Despite its success in combat, the F-4S was eventually phased out of service in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as newer and more advanced fighter aircraft were introduced into the US military fleet. Today, several examples of the F-4S can be found on display in aviation museums and military bases around the world, serving as a reminder of the aircraft's important role in military history.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-4s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|m-dyqOq5Xlo|'''F-4S Beginner's Tutorial in 10 Minutes''' - ''Jaek_''|IdPkE_xhUw0|'''Finally A Worthy Premium? - F-4S Phantom II''' - ''DEFYN''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8133-development-pre-order-f-4s-phantom-ii-pack-en|[Devblog] Pre-order: F-4S Phantom II pack]]

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

PBY-5 Catalina

2024-01-31T18:01:06Z

U160191488: added space where there wasnt

{{About
| about = American bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = PBY-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=pby-5
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The PBY-5 Catalina was one of the most widely produced and used seaplanes in WWII, with a lifetime so extended, that some can be found today being used for civilian applications. Before the start of WWII, many critics said that the era of the seaplane had ended, because of their low speed. However the Catalina managed to grab the attention of the United States thanks to its amazing range, durability, and very large payload, meaning that it could be equipped to do several missions in a single run. The Catalina was largely used in the Atlantic and in the Pacific region, it was also exported to several Allied nations, including the Soviet Union, in which it gained an excellent reputation. It was mostly used for reconnaissance, however it was also used to hunt German U-Boats in the Atlantic, many times flying alongside convoy groups.

It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a capable bomber thanks to its very large payload, however it is a very large target, so it can be easily shot down by fighters without much trouble. The payload of the Catalina is one of the bests for its rank, being capable of carpet bombing large areas of ground battles or destroy entire ships in naval battles, of course it can also destroy several bases in air battles. One torpedo is often enough to sink pretty much anything in the game except carriers that require two. The flight performance of the Catalina leaves a lot to be desired, it is slow to accelerate and has a slow top speed, making it an even easier target for fighters and AA. It has a decent defensive armament, with the sides being covered by 12.7mm HMGs and the rest by 7.62mm, this can be enough to deal with a single biplane, but it will not hold against groups of two or three enemies at once.

== 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 2,135 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
| 260 || 252 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.0 || 29.8 || 2.3 || 2.3 || rowspan="2" | 535
|-
! Upgraded
| 320 || 288 || 27.1 || 28.0 || 9.2 || 4.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 405  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || - || - || ~3 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 220 || < 220 || < 230 || > 312
|-
|}

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


* 9.5 mm steel pilot seats
* 6.35 mm steel behind tail gunner
* 6.35 mm and 4.7 mm steel plates inside the structural pylon
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* 2 self-sealing fuel tanks in the wings

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

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="7%" | 1 !! width="7%" | 2 !! width="7%" | 3 !! width="7%" | 4 !! width="7%" | 5 !! width="7%" | 6
| rowspan="8" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|100 lb AN-M30A1]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 6* || 6* || 1 || 1
|-
! [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500 lb AN-M64A1]] bombs
| 1 || 1* || || || 1* || 1
|-
! [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb AN-M65A1]] bombs
| 1 || 1* || || || 1* || 1
|-
! [[Mk.13-6 Case (2,216 lb)|2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case]] torpedoes
| || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[Mk.13-6 (2,216 lb)|2,216 lb Mk.13-6]] torpedoes
| || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[Type A Mark I mine|Type A Mark I]] mines
| 1 || 1* || || || 1* || 1
|-
| colspan="7" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,200 kg Maximum permissible wing load: 1,100 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 800 kg
|-
| colspan="8" | * Marked ordnance on hardpoints 2/5 cannot be equipped in conjunction with 100 lb bombs on hardpoints 3/4 respectively
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 16 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,600 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 4 x Type A Mark I mines
* 2 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 torpedoes
* 2 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case torpedoes
{{Navigation-End}}

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

{{main|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (478 rpg)
* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose turret (1,050 rpg = 2,100 total)
* 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

Although technically a medium bomber, the PBY-5's strategies are much like that of heavy bombers in higher tiers such as the B-17. It is best to fly high, as flying low will make you an easy target for fighters and AA. The best tactic for fending off enemy fighters is to use the rudders to direct one of the side gunners towards the attacking plane. It is also smart to use the guns manually in this situation, as the AI is often very inaccurate and will refuse to fire beyond a certain distance. In the worst case scenarios, a dive can be used to greatly increase the plane's speed to get to attack a ground target before a pursuing enemy fighter shoots it down.

The plane is quite unmanageable, and its wings are very weak, being able to snap just by turning just a little too tight at higher speeds in a Realistic Battle. It's also a huge target. Its lack of landing gear means that extra caution should be taken when landing, as it must land on its belly to rearm in a Realistic Battle.

Although the PBY-5 Catalina is slow and clunky, it offers a heavy payload that is sure to be a game changer if used properly. One of the bomber's biggest cons is its lack of landing gear, although it can still belly land onto airstrips. It also has a very good defensive armament for its tier, which can occasionally be a saviour against an enemy fighter.

The armament on the PBY-5 Catalina is what makes up for its clunky movement. The plane is capable of carrying a heavy payload of bombs or torpedoes and has defensive gunners on all sides. The two side gunners have .50 cal machine guns, making it more than capable of destroying enemy aircraft that stay within their range.

=== 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 || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good payload
* Good rear defensive armament with a high coverage angle
* Durable
* Can capture points (in Naval)

'''Cons:'''

* Very bad at climbing
* Slow top speed
* No wheels for landing on hard surfaces (hydroplane only)

== History ==

Produced from the 1930's to the 1940's by Consolidated Aircraft, the PBY-5 was one of the most widely produced (a total of 3,282 were built) and used seaplanes of World War II. During its service lifetime, it was found and operated in every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Before the start of the war many aviation critics and engineers considered the flying boat obsolete due to its slow speed, its max being 189, but despite this its two big selling points were its amazing range about 2,990 miles (4811.939 kilometres) and durability. Earlier versions of the Catalina were true flying boats and could only land on water. Pilots needing to ground their plane in emergencies could land on water and beach the aircraft. To prevent this unnecessary damage, Consolidated designed and first flew the [[PBY-5a Catalina|PBY-5a]] in 1939 with a retractable landing gear mounted directly between the 2 support beams underneath the wings. With this new ability to land on land it allowed the Catalina to become ERS or Emergency Rescue Squadrons with the role of airlifting stranded bomber crews such as those from a downed [[B-29A-BN|B-29-A-BN]].

After the war, peacetime Catalina's were converted to civilian use whether it be casual flying or emergency duties such as firefighting. It lives on in game the same as it did in battle, being very slow but carrying a great number of armaments which represents its many roles it played in World War II and at its Battle Rating able to take a great number of hits before finally getting shot down.

{{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'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
There were two firms competing for the naval patrol bomber supply contract: Consolidated and Douglas. Although both prototypes met the U. S. Navy demands, on June 29, 1935 the contract was awarded to Consolidated due to lower production costs (the firm projected the cost of one aircraft to be $90,000, while their colleagues from Douglas quoted $110,000).

Manufacturing orders for PBY-2 and PBY-3 were concluded before the delivery of the first production aircraft from the previous series (accordingly, PBY-1 and PBY-2). However, when the order for PBY-4 was signed toward the end of 1937, which consisted of just 33 boat planes (this was the smallest of the PBY series), by the time production began the model was already considered outdated and likely to be the last of the series (when PBY-5 was commissioned, development of the next series of hydroplanes set to replace PBY was already underway).

That's exactly what would have happened if the Germans hadn't attacked Poland on September 1, 1939, thus greatly increasing the demand for patrol aircraft. Great Britain immediately ordered 106 units of PBY-5 (dubbed Catalina I), while the USA ordered 200 units of PBY-5 (which were later officially named Catalina as well). Other countries to place orders for PBY-5 included Australia, Canada, Holland and France.

The main difference between the PBY-5 and its predecessors included a higher-powered Pratt & Whitney R-1830-82 engine (operating at 1200 hp), a redesigned tail unit, and waist gun blisters instead of flat windows.

The PBY was used as a bomber and torpedo carrier, and was often utilized in night operations, as well as on patrol, rescue and transportation missions.

PBY Catalina was the most massive of the hydroplanes. Out of 3300 planes spanning all modifications, more than 100 are operational to this day, redesigned for civil purposes.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

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

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
File:PBY-5 Catalina Aotea.jpg|"The Wandering Witch" camouflage by Aotea
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|60IVWW1_Flw|'''The Shooting Range #52''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:38 discusses the PBY-5 Catalina.}}

== 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 ==


* [[wikipedia:Consolidated_PBY_Catalina|[Wikipedia] Consolidated PBY Catalina]]
* [https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-atlantic/battle-of-the-atlantic/aviation/pby-5a.html <nowiki>[Naval History and Heritage Command National Museum of the U.S. Navy]</nowiki> PBY-5 and PBY-5A "Catalina"]
* [https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/consolidated-pby-5-catalina/nasm_A19730277000 <nowiki>[Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]</nowiki> Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina]

{{AirManufacturer Consolidated}}
{{USA bombers}}

P-26A-33

2024-01-25T17:34:31Z

U160191488: /* Description */

{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = P-26 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=p-26a_33
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_p-26a_33.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The P-26A-33 Peashooter is a reserve monoplane for the US Faction in War Thunder. The P-26 series are the only reserve monoplanes available other than the [[D.37 (Family)|D.37Xs]] and [[D.500]] aircraft in the French tech tree. The differences between the P-26A and P-26B variants are negligible however, the B variant includes a fuel-injected engine.

First funded in 1931 by Boeing, the P-26 Peashooter was ordered by the US Army air corps, to assist as a monoplane fighter. Early prototypes flown in 1932 had one fatal flaw: The landing speed. The landing speed was too high and it would cause gear failure, leading to crashes. Later models of the P-26 had landing flaps to combat this. The P-26 was designed to be faster and more maneuverable than the current biplanes. When WW2 broke out, the P-26 was exported to some of the Allies of the USA, and they were still in use when the USA entered the war in 1941. In 1956, the final pair of P-26 Peashooters, were taken out of service, and replaced by P-51 Mustangs, therefore retiring the P-26 Peashooter. This air frame was used for nearly 25 years.

== 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 2,286 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
| 367 || 357 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.6 || 9.2 || 9.2 || rowspan="2" | 170
|-
! Upgraded
| 384 || 377 || 17.7 || 18.0 || 16.0 || 12.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 || N/A || ~12 || ~8
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 260 || < 180 || < 340 || > 190
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,829 m || 600 hp || N/A
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 under pilot, 1 in each wing)

The P-26 is a typical mid-1930s design, and just like all of its contemporaries (other reserve fighters) it does not have pilot armour, but, is upgraded with self-sealing fuel tanks. Pilot, engine, and fuel are centrally located, but its simple design (no flaps and retractable gear) has less that could be damaged. Although a monoplane its speed is average to other reserve fighters, and do not dare turn fight. One major advantage is the excellent visibility from the cockpit to easily spot threats during simulator battles.

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

On this early tier of aircraft any upgrade is valuable and easy to come by. In general ''"Engine"'' and ''"Compressor"'' are good upgrades, likewise for the ''"Offensive 7 mm belts"'' and ''"New 7 mm MGs"'' unlocks.

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

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

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

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

Like most US fighters, the P-26A-33 Peashooter is a decent energy fighter even though its high lift creates unstable diving characteristics. Despite being a monoplane, the P-26 is not the fastest reserve fighter. In most regards the P-26A-33 will be outmatched by enemy fighters; for example, the Japanese [[Ki-10 (Family)|Ki-10]]s will not only turn circles around the P-26A-33 but will out-climb it and out-run it too. However, the slow German [[He 51 (Family)|He 51]] makes an easy target for a P-26A. P-26 pilots should instead focus on attacking and harassing enemy bombers.

Unlike the [[P-26A-34 M2]], the P-26A-33 does not have a 12.7 mm (.50 cal) machine gun. Because both fighters are available at the same time and identical in all other regards, this makes the P-26A-34 M2 the clearly superior choice. The P-26A-33 should be reserved for Arcade Battles as a backup.

=== 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 || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fairly good speed, for a reserve plane
* Stable turning

'''Cons:'''

* Slower than some late biplanes
* No armour
* Poor dive characteristics
* Poor energy retention

== History ==

The Boeing P-26 Peashooter was a plane both ahead of its time and quickly made obsolete. First flown in 1932, the P-26 is the oldest plane in the game. It was one of the first all-metal monoplanes adopted into military service in 1933 (in comparison, the [[He 51 A-1|He 51]] and [[Ki-10-I|Ki-10]] entered service in 1935), making it one of the fastest fighters in the world at the time, but it suffered from poor flight performance and dangerous landing characteristics. However, as newer fighters entered service around the world, the P-26s advantages diminished and its disadvantages became vulnerabilities. By the time of World War Two, the P-26 was hopelessly obsolete.

The P-26 saw the most of its combat serving in the Chinese Nationalist Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War, against Japanese [[Ki-10-I|Ki-10s]], and notably [[A5M4|A5Ms]] in some of the first all-metal monoplane dogfights. Although it performed admirably in the pursuit role (bomber interception), in air-to-air combat with Japanese fighters, the deficiencies of the model showed.

In US service, the P-26 had a similar record. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the P-26s scored only a handful of air-to-air kills against Japanese attackers. On December 24, 1941, their crews burnt the remaining planes to prevent their capture. Of the one hundred and fifty-one built, only nine airworthy P-26s remained by Christmas 1941, a single squadron defending the Panama Canal Zone, which was removed from service shortly after.

In addition to several replicas, two original aircraft still survive today, including one (serial no 33-123) which has been restored to flying condition.

{{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'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
A single-seat, all-metal braced monoplane fighter with an open cockpit and non-retractable landing gear in its fairings. It was designed by the design office of the Boeing Company. The XP-936 (Model 248) prototype made its first flight on 20 March 1932. The aircraft was accepted for service with the USAAC under the designation of P-26A. Full-scale production was started at the Boeing plant in Seattle in December 1933. The first production P-26A (Model 266) got off the ground in January 1934.

The P-26A had a 550 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-27 nine-cylinder, air-cooled engine equipped with a Hamilton Standard two-bladed, controllable-pitch metal propeller.

The P-26A's armament consisted of two synchronous 7.62 mm Browning M1 machine guns with 500 rounds each. The machine guns were mounted below the forward fuselage, and they fired through the arc of the spinning propeller. A C-3 gun sight was fitted in front of the cockpit. A G-4 gun camera could be installed over the right wing's centre section.

Under the centre wing sections, an A-3 bomb rack that could carry either two 100 lb (45 kg) high-explosive bombs or five 30 lb (14 kg) fragmentation bombs could be mounted.

Externally, production P-26As differed from prototype machines in their wing panels with elliptical tips and short landing gear fairings. Changes were introduced into the wing design, and a radio set was installed. An antenna mast was mounted on the starboard side, in front of the cockpit.

The first P-26A fighters were transferred to the 20th Fighter Group located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The P-26 was nicknamed the Peashooter by pilots.

Operational pilots praised the fighter's great flight characteristics, such as its rate of climb and excellent manoeuvrability. Pilot complaints included poor forward visibility during taxiing and takeoff, as well as by landing difficulties. Taxiing out to the start line in the S-curve became a standard Peashooter manoeuvre to reduce the takeoff accident rate.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=p-26a_33 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[P-26 (Family)]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* Mitsubishi [[A5M4]]
* Dewoitine [[D.500]]

== External links ==


* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/p-26-peashooter.page <nowiki>[Boeing]</nowiki> History Page - P-26 Peashooter]

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA fighters}}

P-26A-33

2024-01-25T17:33:28Z

U160191488: /* General info */ added some history to the P-26

{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = P-26 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=p-26a_33
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_p-26a_33.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The P-26A-33 Peashooter is a reserve monoplane for the US Faction in War Thunder. The P-26 series are the only reserve monoplanes available other than the [[D.37 (Family)|D.37Xs]] and [[D.500]] aircraft in the French tech tree. The differences between the P-26A and P-26B variants are negligible however, the B variant includes a fuel-injected engine.

First funded in 1931 by Boeing, the P-26 Peashooter was ordered by the US Army air corps, to assist as a monoplane fighter. Early prototypes flown in 1932 had one fatal flaw: The landing speed. The landing speed was too high and it would cause gear failure, leading to crashes. Later models of the P-26 had landing flaps to combat this. The P-26 was designed to be faster and more maneuverable than the current biplanes. When WW2 broke out, the P-26 was exported to some of the Allies of the USA, and they were still in use when the USA entered the war in 1941. In 1956, the final pair of P-26 Peashooters, was taken out of service, and replaced by P-51 Mustangs, therefore retiring the P-26 Peashooter. This air frame was used for nearly 25 years.

== 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 2,286 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
| 367 || 357 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.6 || 9.2 || 9.2 || rowspan="2" | 170
|-
! Upgraded
| 384 || 377 || 17.7 || 18.0 || 16.0 || 12.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 || N/A || ~12 || ~8
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 260 || < 180 || < 340 || > 190
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,829 m || 600 hp || N/A
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 under pilot, 1 in each wing)

The P-26 is a typical mid-1930s design, and just like all of its contemporaries (other reserve fighters) it does not have pilot armour, but, is upgraded with self-sealing fuel tanks. Pilot, engine, and fuel are centrally located, but its simple design (no flaps and retractable gear) has less that could be damaged. Although a monoplane its speed is average to other reserve fighters, and do not dare turn fight. One major advantage is the excellent visibility from the cockpit to easily spot threats during simulator battles.

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

On this early tier of aircraft any upgrade is valuable and easy to come by. In general ''"Engine"'' and ''"Compressor"'' are good upgrades, likewise for the ''"Offensive 7 mm belts"'' and ''"New 7 mm MGs"'' unlocks.

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

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

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

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

Like most US fighters, the P-26A-33 Peashooter is a decent energy fighter even though its high lift creates unstable diving characteristics. Despite being a monoplane, the P-26 is not the fastest reserve fighter. In most regards the P-26A-33 will be outmatched by enemy fighters; for example, the Japanese [[Ki-10 (Family)|Ki-10]]s will not only turn circles around the P-26A-33 but will out-climb it and out-run it too. However, the slow German [[He 51 (Family)|He 51]] makes an easy target for a P-26A. P-26 pilots should instead focus on attacking and harassing enemy bombers.

Unlike the [[P-26A-34 M2]], the P-26A-33 does not have a 12.7 mm (.50 cal) machine gun. Because both fighters are available at the same time and identical in all other regards, this makes the P-26A-34 M2 the clearly superior choice. The P-26A-33 should be reserved for Arcade Battles as a backup.

=== 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 || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fairly good speed, for a reserve plane
* Stable turning

'''Cons:'''

* Slower than some late biplanes
* No armour
* Poor dive characteristics
* Poor energy retention

== History ==

The Boeing P-26 Peashooter was a plane both ahead of its time and quickly made obsolete. First flown in 1932, the P-26 is the oldest plane in the game. It was one of the first all-metal monoplanes adopted into military service in 1933 (in comparison, the [[He 51 A-1|He 51]] and [[Ki-10-I|Ki-10]] entered service in 1935), making it one of the fastest fighters in the world at the time, but it suffered from poor flight performance and dangerous landing characteristics. However, as newer fighters entered service around the world, the P-26s advantages diminished and its disadvantages became vulnerabilities. By the time of World War Two, the P-26 was hopelessly obsolete.

The P-26 saw the most of its combat serving in the Chinese Nationalist Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War, against Japanese [[Ki-10-I|Ki-10s]], and notably [[A5M4|A5Ms]] in some of the first all-metal monoplane dogfights. Although it performed admirably in the pursuit role (bomber interception), in air-to-air combat with Japanese fighters, the deficiencies of the model showed.

In US service, the P-26 had a similar record. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the P-26s scored only a handful of air-to-air kills against Japanese attackers. On December 24, 1941, their crews burnt the remaining planes to prevent their capture. Of the one hundred and fifty-one built, only nine airworthy P-26s remained by Christmas 1941, a single squadron defending the Panama Canal Zone, which was removed from service shortly after.

In addition to several replicas, two original aircraft still survive today, including one (serial no 33-123) which has been restored to flying condition.

{{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'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
A single-seat, all-metal braced monoplane fighter with an open cockpit and non-retractable landing gear in its fairings. It was designed by the design office of the Boeing Company. The XP-936 (Model 248) prototype made its first flight on 20 March 1932. The aircraft was accepted for service with the USAAC under the designation of P-26A. Full-scale production was started at the Boeing plant in Seattle in December 1933. The first production P-26A (Model 266) got off the ground in January 1934.

The P-26A had a 550 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-27 nine-cylinder, air-cooled engine equipped with a Hamilton Standard two-bladed, controllable-pitch metal propeller.

The P-26A's armament consisted of two synchronous 7.62 mm Browning M1 machine guns with 500 rounds each. The machine guns were mounted below the forward fuselage, and they fired through the arc of the spinning propeller. A C-3 gun sight was fitted in front of the cockpit. A G-4 gun camera could be installed over the right wing's centre section.

Under the centre wing sections, an A-3 bomb rack that could carry either two 100 lb (45 kg) high-explosive bombs or five 30 lb (14 kg) fragmentation bombs could be mounted.

Externally, production P-26As differed from prototype machines in their wing panels with elliptical tips and short landing gear fairings. Changes were introduced into the wing design, and a radio set was installed. An antenna mast was mounted on the starboard side, in front of the cockpit.

The first P-26A fighters were transferred to the 20th Fighter Group located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The P-26 was nicknamed the Peashooter by pilots.

Operational pilots praised the fighter's great flight characteristics, such as its rate of climb and excellent manoeuvrability. Pilot complaints included poor forward visibility during taxiing and takeoff, as well as by landing difficulties. Taxiing out to the start line in the S-curve became a standard Peashooter manoeuvre to reduce the takeoff accident rate.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=p-26a_33 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[P-26 (Family)]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* Mitsubishi [[A5M4]]
* Dewoitine [[D.500]]

== External links ==


* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/p-26-peashooter.page <nowiki>[Boeing]</nowiki> History Page - P-26 Peashooter]

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA fighters}}