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F6F-5

2024-11-04T04:39:58Z

U40795147: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = American naval fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F6F (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f6f-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f6f-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was used extensively in the Pacific Theater of WWII. The Hellcat was the ultimate answer against extremely manoeuvrable Japanese [[A6M2|Zeroes]]. This plane greatly outperformed the Zero when taking advantage of high speeds and altitudes while having much better survivability thanks to the robust fuselage and the armour around the pilot. The F6F-5 was one of the latest versions of the Grumman F6F Hellcat. It was an improved version, with a redesigned engine cowling, a new windscreen structure with an integral bulletproof windscreen, new ailerons and strengthened tail surfaces; powered by a 2,200 hp (1,641 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W (-W denotes Water Injection) radial piston engine.

It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27, starting out as the '''F6F-3 Hellcat''' and was remodeled and updated to the '''F6F-5 Hellcat''' in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]]. The Hellcat can carry versatile payloads which will allow it to be utilized in various operations to include ground attack. As a very good multirole aircraft, it features both a decent flight performance and a very capable armament. With enough bombs and rockets to deal with enemy tanks, it is specially deadly in ground battles, in this scenarios, it can be used to destroy some vehicles and then act as an air superiority fighter, stopping enemy bombers from reaching the battlefield. In naval battles it can also carry a single torpedo, in this cases, it is more agile than dedicated torpedo bombers, but its higher BR means that it will face more deadly cruisers with good AA guns.

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

Due to its role as a naval fighter, the F6F-5's take-off distance is small enough to take flight from the carrier decks seen in the game.

Powered by a high-output Pratt & Whitney engine, the F6F-5's flight performance centres around this powerful engine combined with a sturdy fuselage. While the bulk makes the plane quite sluggish compared to some of its contemporaries, the characteristics are still favourable for energy retention. This makes the plane very favourable for Boom-n-Zoom tactics against enemies.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,730 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
| 618 || 599 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.6 || 22.5 || 8.9 || 8.9 || rowspan="2" | 239
|-
! Upgraded
| 677 || 647 || 19.4 || 20.5 || 17.7 || 12.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 803  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 487 || 458 || 310 || ~12 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 420 || < 420 || > 200
|-
|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10w 18-cylinder || colspan="1" | 1
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,030 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 1,773 hp || colspan="2" | 2,171 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 1,752 hp || colspan="2" | 2,150 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 2,299 hp || colspan="2" | 2,697 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 1,999 hp || colspan="2" | 2,397 hp
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | WEP Duration
|-
! colspan="2" | Arcade
! colspan="2" | Realistic/Simulator
|-
| colspan="2" | 25 seconds || colspan="2" | 12 min, 10 seconds
|-
|}

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


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates behind the pilot.
* 3 mm Steel plates front and rear of the oil cooling system.
* 3 mm Steel plate on fuselage top in front of the pilot.
* 3 mm Steel plates under engine and oil cooling system.

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

'''Recommendation:''' 
Performance and machine gun upgrade modules are a must. Unlocking the upgraded ammo belts well increase the lethality of this aircraft. This plane can be a powerful fighter in the right hands due to its performance. Unlocking the performance modules first to increase survivability.

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

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

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

* 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 2,400 total)

The six machine guns are arranged in bundles of three on each wing. Each is armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that all guns will fire with each other until empty.

The M2 Browning variant on the F6F-5 Hellcat is that of an earlier version of belts.

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8 !! width="5%" | 9
| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500 lb AN-M64A1]] bombs
| || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb AN-M65A1]] bombs
| || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[AN-Mk 1 (1,600 lb)|1,600 lb AN-Mk 1]] bombs
| || || || || 1 || || || ||
|-
! [[AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb AN-M66A2]] bombs
| || || || || 1 || || || ||
|-
! [[HVAR]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[Tiny Tim]] rockets
| || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[Mk.13-6 Case (2,216 lb)|2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case]] torpedoes
| || || || || 1 || || || ||
|-
| colspan="10" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,815 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 680 kg
|-
|}

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

* Without load
* 6 x HVAR rockets
* 3 x Tiny Tim rockets
* 3 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 1,600 lb AN-Mk 1 bomb (1,600 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case torpedo
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The key to both surviving and owning in the F6F is to keep your speed up and try to be even marginally higher than your opponents. Below 300 km/h (186 mph) it is very sluggish. As with most American fighters, Boom & Zoom is the preferred combat mode for the Hellcat, while its moderate high-speed manoeuvrability can be used to add in a high yo-yo. It has a lot of ammo, but a good aim is still important since boom-n-zoom only allows you a small window of opportunity to hit your target before you have to climb back to altitude. Still, this is an excellent aircraft to practice your aim and tactics with because it's more forgiving than most boom-n-zoom fighters. If you don't have a particularly good aim, a good tactic is to open up at 500 m (0.31 mi), starting with your aim on the aircraft, and then slowly move your aim in front of the target. You won't require as much lead when diving on your target at 600+ km/h (373+ mph).

With dual 1,000 lb bombs and six HVAR rockets armed, the Hellcat is actually a stable game-ending platform in a pinch when the rest of your team is not ground-attacking. With the two 1,000 pounds of bombs and six HVAR or two Tiny Tim rockets, the F6F-5 Hellcat makes a great strike fighter. The two Tiny Tim Anti-tank rockets can also be good for taking out heavier targets. Sometimes, it is useful to save the Cat as your last plane just for that. You can always jettison the rockets and bombs if you're suddenly forced to dogfight, jettisoning the ordnance increases speed as well as climb rate, while also decreasing turn time.

It is incredibly important to use Manual Engine Controls whilst piloting the Hellcat in Realistic or Simulator Battles. The Hellcat has access to three Supercharger gears, each tailored for a different altitude, and each will greatly improve your performance at their appropriate altitudes.

You must climb as high as you can - altitude is life, and once you dive, you can't get it back. Once you're on the deck, you're toast.

'''Keep in mind:'''

* It has a lot of engine power, but at anywhere between 5.7 and 7 tonnes, getting up to altitude isn't very easy.
* Resist the temptation to get into low-altitude turning fights. This is a heavy aircraft and it will lose a massive amount of speed in turns.
* While it has plenty of explosive armament options, in Realistic and Simulator battles the added weight and drag will usually make you an easy target for other fighters. Since most air battles are basically dogfights, you're often better off without the extra weight.
* This thing will perform reasonably well at low altitudes, but it's still recommended to stay at an altitude of 3 km or higher.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Versatile; very effective in either air-to-air or air-to-ground (great payload customisation including AP bombs, a torpedo and rockets)
* Bombs are mounted directly under the fuselage, allowing for accurate dive bombing
* Very good dive rate
* Very effective flaps
* Extremely efficient cooling systems
* Lots of ammo
* Can take some hits
* Decent at energy fighting, although not as good as the Bf 109 F-4

'''Cons:'''

* Poor rearward cockpit visibility
* Torpedo must be dropped at a very low altitude and speed, making the plane vulnerable during attack runs
* Can carry only 3 salvos of HVAR rockets
* Slower top speed compared to other contemporary US fighters
* Higher stall speed than its Japanese counterparts
* Average climb rate
* Large fuselage cross-section makes it a large target
* Wing-mounted guns may cause convergence issues

== History ==

The F6F Hellcat was Grumman's next fighter after the successful Wildcat. The F6F was designed from the start to be the ultimate answer against the Japanese Zero. The Hellcat was the planned replacement to the Wildcat since Pearl Harbor. The aircraft was designed from the start to be a much bigger airframe. The plan was to create a carrier-based fighter with more ammo, fuel, and larger wings. The XF6F-1 Prototype was already in the works when the U.S. officially entered World War II. Grumman engineers knew they would have to create an aircraft that was faster and climbed better based on combat experience and data collected from the A6M captured in the Aleutians. The prototype flew in June of 1942 and was powered by a Wright Cyclone R-2600. The aircraft's performance was not satisfactory. The decision was made to replace the powerplant with the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp.

The U.S. Navy needed a new carrier-based fighter. The Corsair and the Hellcat were both competing to fill that role. With delays in the F4U Corsair project, the Hellcat took the role as the primary fighter and never looked back. The new Hellcat excelled in nearly every way over the A6M Zeroes it faced. The Hellcat, unlike its opponents, featured self-sealing fuel tanks and additional armour. The Hellcat quickly gained nicknames like "ace maker". The payload options helped transformed the Hellcat into a multi-role fighter that propelled it to legendary status. During its service life, the F6F was credited with the destruction of over 5,200 aircraft. It remained in service as late as 1954.

{{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}}
One of the best single-seater carrier-based fighters of World War II was the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. The Hellcat owes its existence to the long string of failures experienced by the F4U Corsair. The Corsair was meant to replace the F4F Wildcat, but the prototype was full of flaws, as were the first production models. So, it was decided that a modification of the F4F Wildcat would be designed to satisfy the needs of the U.S. Navy until the arrival of the Corsair. Thankfully, things did not go according to plan. The "temporary substitute" performed amazingly well against the A6M Zero and garnered too much praise to be cast aside. Production of the F6F continued well after the Corsair arrived and continued after the war. The F6F would still be active during many conflicts to come.

The F6F-3 was known for its superb speed and above-average manoeuvrability, and, according to official statistics, Hellcats destroyed 5,156 enemy planes, 75% of all kills scored by the US naval air force in World War II.

Production of the F6F continued until 1949, and 12,275 F6Fs (including 4,402 F6F-3s) were produced. The F6F was the most widely-used American carrier fighter in World War II.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f6f-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
File:F6F-5 (Old Camo).jpg|Old camouflage scheme of the {{PAGENAME}}.
File:ArtImage F6F-5.png|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|PNkoJ-MFERc|'''Best naval fighters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:55 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2627/current/|[Vehicle Profile] The F6F 'Hellcat']]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/341957-f6f-5-hellcat/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Grumman}}
{{USA fighters}}

J21A-1

2024-11-04T04:02:04Z

U40795147: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Swedish fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j21a_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_saab_j21a_1.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The SAAB 21 rose from the drawing board in anticipation of World War 2. The development of this aircraft came with the need to develop a national fighter without having to rely on foreign designs like the Re.2000 and CR.42. The Saab 21's unique twin-boom layout, offering exceptional pilot visibility and easy maintenance, was chosen and fitted with a modified German Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. Despite missing wartime action, the Saab 21 remained relevant, with over 300 produced to bolster Sweden's air defences.

Introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]] along with the initial Swedish air tree, the J21A-1 is quite sluggish but a heavily durable fighter. It has a top speed of 640 km/h, courtesy of the Daimler-Benz DB 605B engine; however, the speed and manoeuvrability are not the most impressive characteristics of the aircraft: it's the weaponry it comes armed with. A total of four 13.2 mm [[Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)|Akan m/39A]] and a 20 mm [[Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/41A]] makes it a heavy firepower-reliant fighter able to eliminate any enemy aircraft with ease.

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

The J21 series is arguably the most iconic propeller-engine aircraft to ever come out of Sweden. For the time, they were underpowered, slow aircraft that were outclassed by nearly all opponents it could have faced. Its distinctive twin-boom, rear-engine fascia is easy to recognize and its performance is nothing to scoff at either, though the climb rate is poor and the engine overheats quickly when using WEP. The [[Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)|Akan m/39A]]'s are some of the most effective non-cannon aircraft weaponry in the game, boasting superior aspects to even the famed [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning]], specifically in terms of raw stopping power and muzzle velocity. The [[Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/41A]]'s are quite powerful as well. The challenge for the pilot is to manoeuvre this aircraft into a solid shooting solution which can be difficult especially against more agile aircraft. Although suffering from a relatively low rip speed, skilled and new pilots can use this somewhat to their advantage, mainly by diving on opponents and climbing again, although this shouldn't be attempted at extreme speeds.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,300 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
| 616 || 599 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 21.9 || 12.6 || 12.6 || rowspan="2" | 300
|-
! Upgraded
| 666 || 640 || 19.0 || 20.0 || 19.0 || 15.5
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 445 || 425 || 325 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 390 || < 420 || > 715
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
[[File:J21 Armour Plating.png|450px|thumb|right|Protective components found in the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 10 mm steel - Firewall armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Firewall cover armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Pilot's back armour plate
* 60 mm bulletproof glass
* Engine fire system (EFS)

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

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

{{main|Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/41A cannon, nose-mounted (140 rpg)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, wing-mounted (325 rpg = 650 total)

The automatkanon m/41A is essentially a slower firing [[Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Hispano 404]] with more ammunition, with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. While one might think that the slower firing speed is a disadvantage, it is just high enough to still be effective and is very beneficial for conserving ammunition. When stock, the cannon is very inaccurate and overheats quickly, but becomes quite accurate after modifications.

The complimentary automatkanon m/39A heavy machine guns are, as mentioned previously, arguably the best non-cannon weapons in the game. Their high muzzle velocity, very high fire rate and reasonable accuracy allow them to saturate the sky with lead. The higher calibre of 13.2 mm allows for more stopping power than the typical 12.7 mm and converts them from just being a nuisance to a threat to be heeded. It is interesting to note that due to their HEF-T rounds, they technically fall under the category of "cannon", as normally exploding rounds typically start at 20 mm.

== Usage in battles ==


For pilots just beginning to learn this aircraft's flight characteristics, it is best used as a support aircraft, it is too slow to take into dives reliably and suffers from Yak-like rip speeds, without any of the benefits that the Yaks have in agility. For pilots with more experience, you can successfully push this aircraft to its limits and beyond and eliminate lesser experienced pilots in more agile aircraft or even other more experienced pilots through strong counter-manoeuvres.

Climb to about 1,000 m then use boom and zoom tactics to pick on enemies. Due to the powerful nose-mounted armaments, head-ons are quite easy.

==== Specific Enemies Worth Noting: ====

* [[P-47D-25]]/[[P-47D-28|28]] - The high-speed Thunderbolts are a menace in any game mode. They are some of the fastest things in the bracket and sport an octet of the late M2 Browning's that will set you ablaze in a few short bursts. While they are already quick at medium altitudes, they become even faster at high altitudes, easily blitzing past the poor J21. However, they have incredibly poor turn rates and climb just as badly. The go-to tactic versus a P-47 is to turn with it in order to get on its tail then shred it with your guns.
* [[M.B.157]] - The 157 is one of the worst enemies you can come across as it is basically a Thunderbolt that can turn and climb. Its ludicrous speed along with excellent climb rate and its above-average manoeuvrability make for an enemy that you cannot face in a 1-on-1. Your best bet is to try to head-on it if you can manage to do so. The one Achilles heel of the 157 is its low ammunition count, so try to get it to waste as much ammo as possible before it needs to disengage. At this point, you can either try to gun it down or attempt to regain altitude so you may catch it later.
* [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109 F series]] - The F series of Bf 109s are noteworthy adversaries whose strengths change with the model. The F-1 and F-2 will turn better than you and climb quite as well as you do. the F-4 is almost a hard counter depending on if it runs gun pods. Without gun pods, the F-4 out speeds, outclimbs, outturns and out accelerates the J21, outclassing it in every way. But since most F-4s carry gun pods, their decreased performance helps even the odds. Boom & Zoom the F-1 and F-2, head on the F-4 only as a last resort.

=== 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 Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Average energy retention
* Highly effective and accurate armament layout that will tear through enemies like paper
* Can take quite a few hits and still fly reasonably well
* Easy to land thanks to its tricycle landing gear (SB)
* Rear-mounted engine are less prone to take damage in a head-on
* Armour helps to protect the pilot during a head-on

'''Cons:'''

* Pusher aircraft, engine mounted facing rear, can be hit by tailing aircraft
* Required to set convergence due to wing-mounted machine guns
* Turns well but does not have the energy to keep turning effectively
* Engine overheats during take-off and during flight while using WEP
* Very low rip speed - cannot push past 640 km/h (400 mph) without threatening to rip off wings
* The back of the aircraft is quite weak and most enemy fighters if they get behind will be able to destroy it causing you to spin out and crash

== History ==

The SAAB 21 is a twin-boom pusher fighter and attacker designed by the famed Swedish engineer Frid Wänström, who also worked on the SAAB 29 ''Tunnan'', 32 ''Lansen'', 35 ''Draken'' and 37 ''Viggen''. In the anticipation and wake of World War 2, Sweden was concerned over its neutrality policy coming under threat by the other European countries, specifically hostile ones such as Nazi Germany. In order to deter belligerent forces and potential aggressors, the Swedish Air Force created a major plan to modernize their fleet, which included the import of foreign models such as the Italian [[J11|CR.42]] and [[J20|Re.2000]] as a stopgap measure.

Meanwhile, Swedish corporation SAAB began studying designs for the possible development of a new, high-performance fighter aircraft. Most of the designs were based around the Bristol Taurus two-row 14 cylinder radial engine developing around 1,000~1,100 horsepower. The most promising design was a twin-boom pusher layout and made use of many new features unfamiliar to the SAAB technicians and engineers at the time, but was able to compete with the other fighter aircraft at the time while also maintaining several advantages such as a heavy amount of nose-mounted armament and superior pilot visibility, along with ease of maintenance. The design was kept dormant until 41, as Sweden was beginning to see that it would not be able to procure improved foreign models as a result of the war, they started another rearmament program to adopt advanced indigenous fighter aircraft.

Accordingly, SAAB blew the dust off of their old twin-boom design and set to work. Earlier on, it was decided to replace the Bristol Taurus with an American Pratt-&-Whitney Twin Wasp, but this was changed when the engine manufacturer ''Svenska'' was requested to provide an alternative engine, which was difficult due to the time constraints. Thus, they decided that a licensed engine would be the best course of action. The legendary German Daimler-Benz DB 605 that powered many famous designs was chosen and modified to fit Swedish needs. Three prototypes were completed and its maiden flight was completed in 1942.

The type was delivered in 1945, and a total of 300 models were produced.

=== [[wt:en/news/6530-development-saab-j21a-1-nordic-exotic-en|Devblog]] ===
In 1941, Sweden started a domestic rearmament program in order to bolster the strength of its armed forces in an effort to ensure its neutrality during the ongoing war. Among the branches intended for reinforcement was the Swedish Air Force, which up until this point had mainly been operating foreign, partially outdated aircraft.

The SAAB company had already been working on a design study for a modern fighter aircraft since the early 1940s. Their project had a rather unorthodox design - a single-engine, twin-boom aircraft in a pusher configuration. With the arrival of the 1941 rearmament program, sparking a great interest for domestic aircraft production, SAAB began working on refining their design for mass production.

After further work, three full prototypes were constructed for testing, two of which were fully functional. In July 1943, the prototype of the SAAB 21 first took to the skies for its maiden flight. Production of the SAAB 21 began some time after its maiden flight, with the first aircraft reaching their units in December 1945.

Overall, over 50 J21A-1s were produced before production of the first model stopped by December 1946. In total however, close to 300 piston-engine J21s of all variants were produced before the production run of the type ended in 1949.

Due to the J21's introduction to service coinciding with the dawn of the jet age, the type didn't remain in active service for too long. In fact, the J21 was retired in 1954 - some ten years after its initial introduction - and its only operator remains the Swedish Air Force.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_j21a_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
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File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 007.jpg|
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</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|F2XyFpa4YEE|'''The King from Above! J21A-1 - Sweden - Review!!''' - ''Jengar''|f_fK6YbMH_Y|'''THE Must-Have Swedish Plane: J21A-1''' - ''Spit_flyer''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[J21 (Family)]]

;Aircraft of comparable role and configuration

* [[S.O.8000 Narval]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6530-development-saab-j21a-1-nordic-exotic-en|[Devblog] SAAB J21A-1: Nordic Exotic]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474726-saab-j21a-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden fighters}}