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P-59A

2024-08-07T17:25:54Z

U27737518: Sources for previous change "The American Fighter" ISBN 0-85429-635-2 and "Maintenance Instructions P-59A and P-59B" AN 01-110FF-2 from 20/10/1944

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-59a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=P-59A (USA)
}}

== Description ==

At the early stages of World War II in 1941, Major General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold was invited to attend a demonstration of the United Kingdom's Gloster E.28/39, the first British jet aircraft. Impressed with what he saw, he requested a copy of the blueprints to the Power Jets W.1 turbojet engine and received them along with a Whittle W.1X turbojet and drawings for the more powerful W.2B/23 engine. All of this was handed over to General Electric for them to produce a U.S. version of the engine. Next, Bell Aircraft Corporation was approached to build a fighter which would utilize this new jet. Accepting the challenge, Bell started by modifying a version of its P-63 Kingcobra propeller-powered fighter.

To accommodate the new type of engines, the {{PAGENAME}} underwent some significant modifications such as a higher placed wing (mid-fuselage compared to the P-63's low-wing setup), extended tail and fuselage and widened body to accept the turbojet engines. The new {{PAGENAME}} was plagued with many problems (many of which were attributed to early turbojets themselves), though, in the fighter was tested by pilot Chuck Yeager who was thoroughly dissatisfied with the speed of the aircraft, however, he noted that the flight characteristics of the aircraft were amazingly smooth.

Introduced during [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/6293/current|2019 Operation H.E.A.T event]], the {{PAGENAME}} finds itself in a unique position as a jet fighter sitting at rank IV, though just having turbojets compared to opponents at its battle rating sporting propellers will not give it the sole advantage. Several turbo-props will be able to keep up; however, the manoeuvrability of this aircraft is where it shines and when the pilot utilizes rudder control and combat flaps, the {{PAGENAME}} can surprisingly outmanoeuvre many aircraft including British Spitfires. The 37 mm autocannon and the three 12.7 mm machine guns are sufficient enough to punch large holes through enemy aircraft or dismantle them piece-by-piece. Without any suspended ordnance, the {{PAGENAME}} will strictly be a fighter/bomber interceptor unless there is a corner of the map where the Airacomet can ground attack without the threat of ambush by enemy fighters as it will need to maintain its speed to be useful.

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

[[File:P-59A *kamikazi-kit 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|Without having to worry about propeller clearance, the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' had stubby landing gear.]]
The P-59A ''Airacomet'' is quite an unusual jet with a number of unique and quirky characteristics. Firstly, it has a very low battle rating considering it is a jet. The reason for this is due to how poor its performance is compared to every other jet and most super-props (P-51H, F8F-1B, Bf 109 K-4, G.56, I-225). Secondly, the aircraft is unbelievably manoeuvrable and able to out-turn Spitfires at the BR with the correct usage of the combat flaps and rudder. These oddities make the ''Airacomet'' a very interesting plane to fly and the complete opposite of 90% of jets the player might've flown before. The P-59 has excellent manoeuvrability and decent roll rate. The very terrible acceleration is something to keep an eye on, but in a straight line, you will be able to catch other opponents. It will take a long time to get up to speed, but sooner or later, you'll catch your opponent if they continue to fly in a straight line.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,144 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
| 659 || 638 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.9 || 21.4 || 16.1 || 15.3 || rowspan="2" | 457
|-
! Upgraded
| 723 || 690 || 19.2 || 20.0 || 23.4 || 19.5
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || 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}} || 495 || 460 || 290 || ~10 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 420 || < 350 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J31-GE-3 || 2
| colspan="2" | 3,710 kg || colspan="2" | 128 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel
|-
| 387 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,974 kg || 4,328 kg || 4,593 kg || 5,820 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 (105%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || 105%
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 750 kgf || 780 kgf
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.34 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 750 kgf (0 km/h) || 780 kgf (0 km/h)
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.34 || 0.27
|-
|}

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


* 6.35 mm steel plate mounted behind the armaments
* 6.35 mm steel plate in front of the pilot
* 38 mm bulletproof glass (63°) mounted in the windshield
* 2 x 6.35 steel plates behind the pilot seat
* 9.5 mm steel plate mounted behind the pilot's head

As an early jet fighter, common carryovers from the propeller-driven aircraft were found in the {{PAGENAME}} which were eliminated in later aircraft in favour of more fuel or heavier suspended armaments. It was standard to envelop the pilot with armoured plates especially in a fighter such as the Airacomet to protect from defensive fire or anti-aircraft shrapnel. To protect the pilot from attacks from the front, a 6.35 mm steel plate was placed both behind the offensive weapons and in front of the instrument panel in the cockpit. A 38 mm bulletproof glass was installed in the front windshield. Three different armoured plates were placed behind the pilot's seat and headrest and were of varying thicknesses of 6.35 mm and 9.5 mm.

As the {{PAGENAME}} struggles for speed, it may have been a better option to sacrifice all of the armour but the bulletproof windshield in order to allow for the extra speed due to the weight savings. Unfortunately, this would not be realized until later jet fighters made this transition to forgo most if not all protective armour to squeeze out more power or more ordnance.

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

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

[[File:P-59A Camo skin sln2006.jpg|450px|thumb|right|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' with the "Fear the Shadows" camouflage. Due to the camouflage being nearly pitch black, it can be next to impossible to spot the plane in night battles.]]
{{main|M10 (37 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 37 mm M10 cannon, nose-mounted (45 rpg)
* 3 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 600 total)

As found on earlier Bell fighters (P-39 and P-63), 37 mm autocannons tended to be heavy hitters with well-placed hits leaving only remnants of enemy fighters or bisecting bomber wings or fuselage. Though a heavy hitter, it is not without faults as it tends to work best in close range (>300 m) and when aircraft are showing the most surface area. Tail-shots have a bad propensity to ''spark'' or hit, but leave minimal or no damage (ricochet shot). Best chances for taking out an aircraft with this cannon is to wait until the enemy begins to manoeuvre and expose much of its wing or fuselage surface area, giving the 37 mm round the best chance to hit as close to perpendicular as possible thus avoiding sparking or a ricochet shot.

The 12.7 mm machine guns, though not as powerful as an autocannon round, can find their way to putting nice sized holes in engines, control surfaces, fuel tanks and pilots. Since the {{PAGENAME}} has all of its armament located in the nose of the aircraft, the pilot does not have to worry about calculating for convergence and the three machine guns effectively work as a shotgun and sends out a spread pattern of 12.7 mm bullets towards the enemy aircraft. Again, close in, these machine guns can be devastating, though definitely remain an option for longer range shots, however, their punch does start to drop off after a while. It is best to fire the 37 mm autocannon and the 12.7 mm machine guns separately due to the differences in velocity and bullet drop as the heavier 37 mm round will lose velocity quicker and drop sooner than the 12.7 mm rounds and with only 45 rounds to work with, the pilot will not want to squander the precious ammunition which will not land in the same location where the 12.7 mm rounds will hit.

=== Suspended armament ===
The P-59A could be armed with:

* 2 x [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|1000lbs AN-M65A1]] bombs
* 2 x [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500lbs AN-M64A1]]<nowiki/>bombs
* 8 x 60lbs rockets
* 6 x [[M8]] rockets
* 8 x [[HVAR]] rockets
* 2 x 150gal Drop tanks

The P-59A could also carry a wide variety of suspended ordnance much like the [[P-51 (Family)|P-51 Mustang]] which is was meant to replace. These range from underwing fuel tanks, bombs and even rockets. The maximum capacity was [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|2x1000lbs]] bombs for destroying heavy objects, or rockets for destroying softer targets, and due to the heavy fuel consumption of it's engines 2x150gal drop tanks were also available for that extra reach.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:P-59A mrlight013 001.png|450px|thumb|right.]]
There are multiple ways the player can use the P-59A; energy fighter, highly manoeuvrable dogfighter, interceptor, or boom and zoomer.

=== Energy Fighter ===

* The P-59A is a decent energy fighter that can be used versus enemies with worse energy retention, such as most twin-engine fighters and the Fw 190's. This tactic should not be flown versus aircraft like Spitfires, 109's and Ki-84's, however. Many of these aircraft have superior energy retention, climb rates, and acceleration compared to the P-59A. You should only try to out-stall an opponent when they are coming to you with an energy disadvantage, as the ''Airacomet'' has a relatively high stall speed and mediocre climb rate. It is to be noted, however, that the aircraft can very easily recover from a full stall but is a little unstable after having to pull the nose down.

=== Dogfighter ===

* The role that P-59A excels the most at is as a medium-altitude dogfighter. This role will allow you to use its unbelievable manoeuvrability to the fullest. The only aircraft that can keep up to you in turns are the Zero's, the Reppu's and the occasional Ki-61. You can out-speed all of them very easily due to their very low top-end speeds, however. It is important to know that you can only out-turn Spitfires and Yak-3's with appropriate use of combat flaps and efficient application of the aircraft's solid rudder. A smart pilot will also use the aircraft's great roll rate to help manoeuvre around opponents. The close-range nature of dogfighting is also a boon to the P-59A because of the 37 mm cannon's mediocre muzzle velocity of 610 m/s compared to the Browning's 900 m/s, and at close range, you do not have to worry about that difference.

=== Interceptor ===

* The P-59A is a very solid interceptor that can easily climb up to bomber altitude and shred their airframes with the potent armament layout at its disposal. Be sure to steer clear of the gunners, as even though your airframe can take a beating, its never a good idea to tail a bomber with at least decent defensive armaments. One should come in at an oblique angle and aim at the wings and engines of the enemy.

=== Boom and Zoom ===

* Boom and Zoom tactics can be utilized by the P-59A against opponents that may present a challenge in a turning fight. Due to the P-59A lack of prop drag it has decent straight line energy retention. Although this tactic does not leverage the primary strengths of the P-59A it is a very useful fall back when fighting enemies such as the A6M5 Zero or the A7M2/A7M1 Reppu.

=== Specific enemies worth noting: ===

* [[A6M5]]. The dreaded Zero is an aeroplane to be feared while playing the P-59A, due to the fact that it is one of very few aircraft that can turn with you. Under no circumstances are you to engage a Zero in a manoeuvring fight, as it'll turn circles around you. The Zero is plagued by several downfalls though, namely an extremely weak airframe and slow top-end speeds, and you can take advantage of both of these.
* [[A7M2]]/[[A7M1 (NK9H)|A7M1]]. Being a cousin of the legendary Zero, you can expect a similar flight style between the two. The Reppu keeps the manoeuvrability of its cousin while improving speed, acceleration and armaments. Approach a Reppu the same way you would approach the Zero.

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:P-59A *kamikazi-kit 002.jpg|450px|thumb|right|]]

'''Pros:'''

* Unbelievable manoeuvrability for a jet
* Solid armament layout centred entirely in the nose
* Great roll rate
* Sturdy airframe which can take a beating
* Tricycle landing gear to help with high-speed landings
* Access to premium rewards
* Very low repair cost

'''Cons:'''

* Slow for a jet, unable to keep up with most super-props
* Mediocre acceleration due to being an early jet aircraft
* 37 mm cannon rounds can be less effective and easily deflected due to the angle of attack
* Large target when coming in from above or below
* Wings are littered with fuel tanks
* No suspended ordnance for dedicated ground-attack

== History ==
The P-59A Airacomet was a prototype jet-powered fighter intended to serve in the USAF. The P-59A was the first jet fighter aircraft to fly in the USA, though it would never enter service. Because of the P-59's disappointing flight performance, the USAF cut the order from 100 aircraft to 50 and relegated the remaining aircraft to training duties. Despite this, the P-59A was instrumental in providing the air force with knowledge regarding jet operations, which would pave the way for future jet aircraft such as the F-80 and F-86.

In 1941, Major General Henry "Hap" Arnold of the USAF learned of the British jet-engine development program after witnessing taxi tests of the Gloster E.28/39, the first British jet-engined aircraft to take flight. Arnold arranged for the acquisition of the blueprints of the engine, the Power Jets W.1, and had a complete engine shipped over to the United States for evaluation. General Electric received a contract to build the engine as the General Electric I.A, while Bell Aircraft received a contract to build a fighter around the engine: as a result, the P-59A was born.

While it received the same 'P-59' designation as a prior unrelated piston-engined fighter design (mainly as a disinformation tactic), the P-59A was the first American jet-engined fighter to fly. In terms of design, the aircraft was distinguished by its engines: two General Electric J-31s, a derivative of the General Electric I.A. Aside from the engines, the P-59A wasn't too unique in any way; it had a mid-mounted straight wing and Bell's trademark tricycle landing gear. The aircraft were fitted with a single 37 mm cannon and three 12.7 mm Browning machine guns as armament.

After being built secretly at a disused car factory, the first P-59A prototype flew in early October of 1942. Over the coming months, the P-59A proved to be quite disappointing, as the aircraft suffered issues with its engines and with its lateral stability, making it impossible to aim the cannons at high speeds. The P-59A was also loaned to the British in exchange for a newly-produced Gloster Meteor, who found that the P-59A underperformed compared to their Meteors. As a result, the original order for 100 P-59As was cut in half, with the remaining aircraft used as training aircraft to familiarize pilots with jet combat. While unsuccessful as a fighter, the P-59A paved the way for the development of future jet aircraft, including the Lockheed P-80, America's first operational jet fighter.

=== [[wt:en/news/6295/current|Devblog]] ===
The P-59A Airacomet is the very first US jet-powered fighter, whose development began back in 1941, when the USA received the schematics for the Whittle turbojet engine from Great Britain. It was the Bell Aircraft Corporation that signed the contract to assemble the New World's first jet-powered fighter. Despite the unicity of the task at hand and lack of experience in the development of jet-powered aircraft, the company was planning on launching a serial production of the fighter as opposed to just building a test unit. The first aircraft was assembled as early as 1942 and underwent testing until 1944 – the engineers were struggling to solve a multitude of technical issues caused by the new engines. Once the majority of the engine-tuning problems were fixed, it turned out that the flight characteristics of the new vehicle couldn't surpass even those of serially produced piston-engine models. Nonetheless, a small series of P-59s was manufactured – a total of 66 aircraft branded "Airacomets". The US jet-powered firstling failed to impress the military, and soon all combat aircraft were replaced with P-80 Shooting Stars.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=p-59a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_001.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_002.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_003.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_004.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_005.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_006.jpg
File:P-59A_WTWallpaper_007.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|kBC3HJaagyg|'''P-59 Airacomet - Everything You Need to Know''' - ''WhooptieDo''|bMBeS_tZRSI|'''P-59A Airacomet - Early Look & Review''' - ''BaconGaming''|CKMPev8s8QM|'''P-59A Airacomet "The Most OP Thing I Have Flown In Years!"''' - ''Bo Time Gaming''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* Bell [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] Airacobra
* Bell [[P-63 (Family)|P-63]] Kingcobra

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* de Havilland [[Vampire FB 5|Vampire]]
* Gloster [[Meteor (Family)|Meteor]]
* Lockheed [[F-80A-5|F-80]] Shooting Star
* Messerschmitt [[Me 262 (Family)|Me 262]]
* Nakajima [[Kikka]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6295/current|[Development] P-59A Airacomet: One of Its Kind]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/458555-bell-p-59a-aircomet/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Bell}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

P-59A

2024-08-07T17:17:22Z

U27737518: Added the suspended armaments to list of weapons the P-59 could carry.

ITP (M-1)

2021-08-15T11:46:54Z

U27737518:

{{Specs-Card
|code=itp_m1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=items_ITP (M-1) (USSR)
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "Hot Tracks"]] as a reward for [[Battle Pass: Season II, "Steel Centurion"]].

"ITP" is an acronym in Russian for "heavy cannon fighter", and that is an accurate description of the ITP (M-1). As a prototype fighter from the Polikarpov design bureau, the ITP looks something like a crossing between the [[MiG-3 (Family)|MiG-3]] and [[I-185 (M-82)|I-185]]. Much like the famous [[Yak-9T]], the ITP has a powerful 37 mm cannon mounted in the propeller hub. Two additional nose-mounted 20 mm ShVAK cannons with a generous ammo supply round out its internal armament. The good flight performance allows pilots with sharp aim to swiftly tear their targets apart. The ITP is a great option for both air and mixed battles, suited for punching holes in tanks, shredding bombers, and tangling with enemy fighters. Few Soviet aircraft can boast this versatility.

== 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 6,100 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
| 658 || 639 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.9 || 22.6 || 12.6 || 12.4 || rowspan="2" | 395
|-
! Upgraded
| 695 || 676 || 20.2 || 21.0 || 17.8 || 15.1
|-
|}

The ITP (M-1) is a fairly good all-rounder but has a number of quirks. The top speed appears impressive on the statcard, with 676 km/h at 6,100 m in Realistic Battles practically matching the [[I-185 (M-71)]] a whole battle rating above it, but most engagements will not occur that high and that speed is not practically achievable. It cannot sustain more than about 520 km/h at sea level, having to rely on its good horizontal energy retention to catch up with its targets at low altitudes. The climb rate is good. The turn rate is decent and the ITP will retain energy in turns quite well at medium speeds but suffer somewhat in low speed engagements. It has noticeable control surface compression above 500-600 km/h IAS in terms of roll rate and rudder control, but the elevator thankfully remains quite responsive; the ITP will have an easier time pulling out of a dive than any [[La-5 (Family)|La-5]].

One of the main sources of annoyance when flying the ITP (M-1) is its temperamental AM-37P engine. Soviet inline engines are not known for being easygoing to begin with, but the AM-37P is particularly prone to overheating, especially at lower altitudes. When using automatic engine control, it will begin overheating when left at 100% throttle and using WEP drives the temperature gauge into orange and often even red zones. The propeller pitch is adjustable but increasing it above 70% will cause overspeed warnings to show up and is generally not recommended. Using MEC is highly recommended to help manage the engine temperatures.

==== 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}} || 365 || 345 || 260 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 320 || < 250 || < 500 || > 320
|-
|}

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


* 13 mm steel seat
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 under pilot, 1 under 37 mm cannon breech, 1 in each wing)

Despite being heavily armed, the ITP (M-1) is hardly armoured, which is something of a trend for Polikarpov aircraft. The rear protection protects the pilot from being knocked out by rifle-caliber machine guns but is insufficient against heavy machine guns and cannons. There is no bulletproof glass in the cockpit canopy, so head-on engagements are risky, but the pilot sits rather low in the fuselage and presents a small target. Getting hit anywhere is a bad idea since the cooling systems are distributed throughout the nose and wing roots and the engine cannot tolerate much abuse. The wing-mounted fuel tanks can be ignited by enemy fire during turning engagements.

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

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

{{main|SH-37 (37 mm)|ShVAK (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 37 mm SH-37 cannon, nose-mounted (50 rpg)
* 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

Trigger discipline heavily rewards the ITP, spraying should only be done when in doubt or necessity, as it only can count on 50 rounds for the 37 mm cannon and 2 x 200 rounds for both 20 mm cannons. Still, a burst of its armament will deal significant damage, as the 37 mm is coupled with two 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted as well. While it performs best within ranges under 1 km from its target, its nose-mounted armaments will limit the dispersion cone. Taking the Default belt is a compromise allowing to use the cannon for any target and fill a multirole approach on the battlefield.

;SH-37

Only one HEI-T 37 mm round has to land on the enemy plane to cause significant damage, mostly instant fire or even ripping off a wing/the tail. While the Default ammunition belt is armed with both HEI-T (High-explosive Incendiary Tracer, Self Destroying- meant for air targets) and API-T (Armour-Piercing Incendiary Tracer- meant for ground, armoured targets), one can instead choose to focus on one playstyle by changing belts for the cannon: one being composed entirely of HEI-T (meaning that the ITP loses most of its capability to destroy "hard" targets, such as Medium and Light tanks, without taking any ordnance) and the other being composed entirely of API-T, meaning that shots landed on aircraft will not include the firepower of the high-explosive round. The API-T rounds are still good against aircraft, as a good shot can detonate fuel tanks, knock out engines, or tear off flight surfaces, but they might overpenetrate and pass through with minimal damage on occasion.

;ShVAK

Twin ShVAKs are common armaments for the Lavochkin fighters and they do not act any differently on the ITP (M-1). They are accurate and shoot quickly but are not very powerful. They are still important to utilize since the Sh-37 does not have a high volume of fire and smaller aircraft may be able to dodge the shots easily. The Default belt works fine against aircraft, combining an equal mix of AP-I rounds for damaging modules and igniting fuel tanks and FI-T rounds for help with aiming and applying some light explosive damage. For ground pounding, the Armoured Targets belt has a greater proportion of AP-I rounds and is capable of penetrating the turret roofs of certain vehicles. Either will do fine against open-topped vehicles. Avoid belts containing HEF rounds, as they do very little damage.

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

{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)|FAB-100sv (100 kg)|RBS-82|RS-82}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (200 kg total)
* 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (200 kg total)
* 8 x RS-82 rockets
* 8 x RBS-82 rockets

The ITP (M-1) has a decent selection of suspended ordnance for a Soviet single-engine fighter. The twin 100 kg bombs are generally the best option for Ground RB, as they are dropped individually and are large enough to destroy armoured targets if delivered with good accuracy. Dropping them next to or on top of enemies may require some practice since they are mounted on the wings.

The rockets are more situational. The RS-82 rockets are not very useful against ground targets since they only have small high explosive warheads. The RBS-82 rockets are very similar but have a delayed fuse allowing them to penetrate armour. A successful penetration will usually destroy a tank in one hit, but this can be difficult to accomplish since they have a low velocity and are not very accurate.

== Usage in battles ==

The ITP-M1 is capable of fulfilling different roles on the battlefield: thanks to its nose-mounted armament, it can perform aircraft interception while also having the potential for ground attack. In aerial combat, the ITP shines at quickly disposing of enemy aircraft, relying on Boom & Run tactics in engagements. Its 37 mm cannon is what makes it so deadly: any shots landed onto any enemy plane will, most of the time, cripple it, if not outright destroy it.

The ITP is not a head-on oportunistic fighter: rather, it relies on planned Boom and Run passes, by attacking enemy fighters that are in a lower energy state, or by swooping in and destroying distracted enemies engaged in tunrfight. Use of WEP should, just as its ammunition management, be limited towards maintaining speed after pulling out of a dive or a quick boost, as continuous use will quickly overheat the engine. Avoid turnfighting as the aircraft loses a considerable amount of speed in any sort of vertical manoeuvres. Rather than entering a turnfight, the ITP must maintain a high speed to quickly get away from dedicated turnfighting aircraft such as the Japanese [[Ki-43-III otsu]], a common enemy at its BR, then climb again and plan another Boom and Run pass.

When focusing entirely on a ground attack role, the ITP performs best as a dive-attacker, rather than a low-flying approach, as altitude and speed are the ITP's guarantee to survive enemy fighters tailing it.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful armaments, can destroy even the most armoured air targets with just a small burst
* Quite manoeuvrable
* 37 mm cannon can load Armoured targets belts, capable of penetrating up to 60 mm of armour
* Can carry bombs and rockets, allowing to to be useful in ground battles
* Great climb rate, can manage 30 degrees with WEP
* Powerful engine that proved Unreliable in real life, can outrun most aircraft at its BR (<5,000 m)
* As a premium aircraft, has profitable SL and RP multipliers

'''Cons:'''

* Flammable: Liquid cooling system and fuel are accessibly located in the wings
* Only one 13 mm steel plate protecting the pilot, can easily be pilot sniped
* Forward acceleration isn't very good compared to other aircraft of a similar BR
* Engine overheats constantly
* Minimum fuel load is 30 minutes, fuel will be kept longer reducing manoeuvrability
* 37 mm cannon overheats after just 6 shots and has a rather limited amount of rounds (50)

== History ==

=== [[wt:en/news/7061-development-battle-pass-vehicles-itp-m-1-en|Devblog]] ===
At the end of 1940, the aircraft designer Nikolai Polikarpov came up with the initiative to create a fundamentally new combat aircraft for Soviet aviation - a fighter with heavy cannon armament, that could fulfill tasks typical for heavy fighters and attack aircraft, while possessing the flight characteristics of a light single-engine monoplane fighter. The military accepted Polikarpov's idea with interest, formulating tasks for the future aircraft, such as effective air combat, including the destruction of bombers, aerial destruction of tanks and armoured vehicles, as well as escort missions. The assembly of the first prototype began in May of 1941, however, due to the rapid offensive from the enemy towards Moscow, production had to be evacuated to Novosibirsk, Siberia, where the test unit was completed.

ITP (M-1) (ITP is for “heavy cannon fighter”) was a monoplane fighter with a 1,650 hp M-107P engine, the armament of the aircraft consisted of a 37mm Sh-37 motor-mounted gun and a pair of 20mm ShVAK cannons. Flight tests began in February 1942, but were not fully completed due to engine problems. A little later, versions with the M-107A and the AM-37 engines were tested, on the second prototype, the 37mm cannon was replaced with another ShVAK cannon. Work on the ITP project was interrupted due to the untimely death of the Soviet "king of fighters" in 1944.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=itp_m1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="175">
File:ITP (M-1) WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:ITP (M-1) WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:ITP (M-1) WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|9ffyPCaxp9k|'''Battle Pass Vehicles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:20 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|57j2HIxn7qk|ITP's performance review - Dimitri_Rudov|horOgrvIqCE|ITP (M-1) in War Thunder - OddBawZ}}

== See also ==

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7061-development-battle-pass-vehicles-itp-m-1-en|[Devblog] Battle Pass vehicles: ITP (M-1)]]

{{AirManufacturer Polikarpov}}
{{USSR fighters}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}