War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

B-29A-BN

2020-08-30T19:06:09Z

U46735541: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card|code=b-29}}
{{About
| about = American heavy bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-29/Tu-4 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage B-29A-BNSuperfortress.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. The B-29 follows the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]] in the U.S. bomber branch and is currently the last American propeller-powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. At the top of its game, the {{PAGENAME}} is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers found in War Thunder, though it suffers from both an immense repair cost, and a large chance to face early jets.

In the few years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) realized that its current primary heavy bomber, the [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]] would not have the range nor the payload which would be needed to efficiently transit what would end up becoming the Pacific Theater. To compensate for this Boeing began to develop a prototype which would incorporate a pressurized cabin to allow for higher altitude flying, which would help to protect the bomber from Japanese fighters which struggled to get to the higher altitudes.
[[File:B-29 kawashima momo 001.png|350px|thumb|left|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' cockpit.]]
The resulting XB-29 prototype and the later production series B-29 bomber had everything the USAAC was looking for, high-pressured cockpit, a maximum altitude of almost 32,000 ft (9753.6 m), true air-speed around 372 mph (600 kph) and could carry a massive payload of bombs upwards of 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg). Defensive positions on the B-29 were well placed to ensure maximum coverage surrounding the bomber. This bomber was one of the first aircraft to be fitted with the General Electric Central Fire Control system which could be used to remotely control four of the remotely controlled turrets (two dorsal and two ventral). Though in their early stages, this aircraft’s turrets each also had a General Electric analogue computer linked to it allowing the weapons to be more accurate by automatically factoring in airspeed, gravity, temperature and lead time for the inbound aircraft. With this setup, these turrets could be controlled from the nose, tail or any of the three mid-fuselage positions and a single gunner could actually control more than one turret at a time increasing the effectiveness and lethality of the bomber’s defences. Bristling with 12 x M2 Browning machine guns, the {{PAGENAME}} was extremely difficult to approach, yet make a successful pass and leave untouched.

Unlike other bombers which can take on a secondary role as a pseudo-attacker, the {{PAGENAME}} is a bomber, period. The sole purpose of the B-29 is to beat ground targets into submission either with upwards of 40 x 500 lb bombs, 18 x 1,000 lb bombs or 8 x 2,000 lb bombs. The larger 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs are perfect for base bombing while the relatively smaller 500 lb bombs make the perfect tool for carpet bombing where vehicles, pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be clustered together which may be reminiscent for pilots who have flown the rank I French bomber the [[F.222.2]] and utilised its 52 x 50 kg [[G.A. MMN. 50 (50 kg)|G.A. MMN. 50]] bombs which created area denial on early maps.

The {{PAGENAME}} is an aerial beast which can drop a beastly amount of explosive ordnance, rivalled by few, but is not immune to enemy fighters. Altitude is this bombers friend and when achieved can be a safer haven from which to rain down explosives on enemy bases or vehicles.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


The {{PAGENAME}}, much like its contemporaries the Messerschmitt [[Me 264]], Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]] and Tupolev [[Tu-4]] was built for the sole purpose of flying high and dropping large amounts of bombs. To account for these characteristics, others such as manoeuvrability, rate-of-climb and acceleration were compromised. The B-29 is a heavy aircraft which when adding 10,000 – 20,000 lbs of ordnance will only make the plane that much more difficult to get to altitude, but once there this aircraft does have a decent cruising speed. To help speed up gameplay for this aircraft, it is given an air-start at the beginning of matches and also after landing to reload and repair due to its sheer size and difficulty climbing to its bombing altitude.

The typical method of utilising this bomber is to fly the aircraft to a higher altitude. Depending on the enemy fighters, attackers and interceptors which appear in the match, you may be able to stay lower around 20,000 ft (6,000 m) or you may need to increase closer to 30,000 ft (9,150 m) to make it extremely difficult for the fighters to follow you up and many if they do get that high, their engines are struggling to keep the plane above stall speed which provides you with the opportunity to leave them behind or to easily pick them off with your gunners.

One downside to flying at the higher altitudes in arcade battles is that if you bomb a base but don’t completely destroy it, it is difficult to circle back around and bomb again when the bombs have reloaded. A wide circle is necessary to accomplish this and it may be better and more efficient instead to fly towards another base, bomb it and turn around and finish off the first base. Another option too is to leave the partially bombed bases for the smaller and slower bombers on your team to finish off or just catch the partially bombed bases on a return pass.
[[File:B-29 jonigustavo 001.png|350px|thumb|right]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 613 || 602 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.5 || 34.4 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1,800
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 669 || 641 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.7 || 32.0 || 11.7 || 6.5 || 1,800
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || 340 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 340 || < 350 || < 290 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 9,720 m || 2,200 hp || 2,499 hp
|-

|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder || 4
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,251 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,975 hp || colspan="2" | 2,276 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 2,200 hp || colspan="2" | 2,502 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

The {{PAGENAME}} had to be judicious when it came to providing protecting armour for the aircrew at the sacrifice of additional fuel or ordnance. In fact, later models removed many of their defensive turrets in order to allow for more fuel and ordnance to be loaded. It is obvious that an aircraft this size will be a huge target for enemy fighters to attack with the nose section (''cockpit'') and the tail turret being the two most likely targets (''head-on attack and tail approach attack'') and thus both areas were outfitted with 60 mm bulletproof glass which helps against lower calibre weapons, however 20 mm and above make short work of the bulletproof glass. 6.5 mm steel plates are scattered around the aircraft to provide protection for both the crew members and some of the control surface linkages. Though not a stop-all invincible shield for the crew, it many instances it provided enough protection to allow crew members to survive and fight another day.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===
[[File:B-29 meanswing 001.png|450px|thumb|right]]

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
* 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
* 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
* 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (16,000 lb total)

One might say the {{PAGENAME}} is effectively a dump truck which can dump a ton of explosives, no make that upwards of 10 tons of explosives upon enemy targets. Utilising speed at higher altitudes, it is the purpose of the Superfortress to race to an enemy base or ground targets and just rain down TNT. With three choices of bomb weights to choose from and four different configurations, there is no shortage of ways to destroy ground targets. The 1,000 lb and 2,000 lb bombs come in most handy for base bombing as they do the most amount of damage for the least amount of effort in a concentrated area. Area of denial is the speciality of the 500 lb bombs when used in carpet bombing operations. Carpet bombing is effectively laying down many of the 500 lb bombs at one time over an area where vehicles such as trucks, tanks and anti-aircraft vehicles or hardened structures such as pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be located at. Since vehicles are on the move, dropping multiple bombs at a time making it more difficult for them to move out of the way and avoid the inbound ordnance.

With the {{PAGENAME}}, there is no real overkill with the bombs, which can make the Superfortress a prime target to be eliminated early as with upwards of 20,000 lbs in bombs, the {{PAGENAME}} can make short work of enemy bases and end the match earlier than most will expect.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is defended by an impressive 12 x .50 calibre Browning machine guns rivalled only by the Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]], Tupolev [[Tu-4]], Consolidated [[PB4Y-2]] and [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24]] and the Boeing [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]]. Typically when bombers add more guns, they had to add more crew to operate them which increased the overall weight of the aircraft, though ensuring more protection, it also reduced the amount of fuel or bombs which could be carried.

As a historical note, the advent of early analogue computers which were outfitted on the {{PAGENAME}} and the state-of-the-art General Electric Central Fire Control System allowed for remote operation of both dorsal and both ventral turrets along with the tail gun if needed. The turrets could be linked through the fire control system and allow one gunner to operate multiple guns at one time. Simplifying this process and allowing gunners from just about anywhere on the aircraft to control the turrets reduced the number of crew members needed to operate the aircraft. Though four times the size of a B-25, the {{PAGENAME}} operated efficiently on the same amount of crew members, seven.

The computer-aided turrets allowed for more accuracy when firing and can train the guns in just about any direction needed to combat incoming fighters. The tail gunner position is especially deadly as a fighter perched on the tail will be flying into the oncoming bullets from the tail gun position, thereby taking more damage when hit and more likely to take on a critical hit or disabling blow. Though not totally invulnerable to the crafty fighter pilot, the {{PAGENAME}} in its own right is a porcupine with sharp quills pointing in all directions which will make it as difficult as possible for anyone to get past the defences.

==Usage in battles==


The ultimate strategic bomber for the [[:Category:USA_aircraft|USAF]]. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and twelve good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the ''Superfortress''! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will shred any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at; delivering payload, and ''lots of it''.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilise it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Great defensive armament will destroy most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.

Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay

;"Hit-and-Run" tactic

Another way the B-29 can be played is in a "hit and run" tactic. In BR 7.0, the {{PAGENAME}} will face mostly jets, so climbing to a very high altitude sometime wouldn't work because the jets will be able to catch up quickly. The "hit and run" tactic is very risky, but it can be very enjoyable, and if it works then you can end the game in 15 minutes. Since the match will start with the B-29 spawning in at about 4,500 meters (15,000 ft), go into a shallow dive and maintain speed about 450 km/h (270 mph). Dive towards an altitude of around 3,000 meters (9842 ft) so that enemy anti-aircraft positions do not fire at the B-29, which may expose it to other enemy fighters. Do not head directly to an enemy base, instead go around 10-20 degrees off course towards the base direction so that the enemy can't easily find the B-29 from tracing a line between the friendly spawn point to their base. If present, use clouds to obscure the B-29's profile in the skies.

From here, the enemy jets' behavior will decide if this tactic will work or not. Typically, the enemy would be divided between the planes attacking ground targets at low altitude, far from a bomber's path to a base, or planes climbing to high altitudes for energy fighting and searching for high-altitude bombers. The intent of the dive to ~2,000 meters and the 450 km/h speed is to squeeze in between the ground attackers and interceptors and pass by undetected. If everything goes right, the B-29 should be able to reach its first base unimpeded without any fighters in pursuit, which can allow a B-29 the opportunity to knock out three or four bases before enemy fighters become alerted toward the B-29 precise location. From that point, the B-29 can either attempt to use the rest of its payload against the enemy airfield (unadvised as the low-altitude run exposes the B-29 to the anti-aircraft guns at the airfield) or return back to base triumphantly awaiting a bomb reload.

Due to this tactic hinging only on the success of slipping through the enemies undetected, this tactic should not be relied if there are no clouds for concealment, the match is an uptier against more advanced jets, or if the player is not able to sustain the repair costs of a damaged B-29.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm||SBC-40
|-
| II
| ||Compressor
| Airframe
| ||
|-
| III
| Wings repair||Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)||MBC-12
|-
| IV
| ||Engine injection
| Cover
| ||LBC-8
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===
[[File:B-29 your jacket 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|A Bf 109 attempts to take on a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]


'''Pros:'''

* Second heaviest payload in War Thunder next to the Soviet [[Tu-4]]
* Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with one payload in arcade and up to two bases in realistic/simulatory battles
* Can be difficult for fighters to reach same cruising altitude, even for jets
* Effective defensive turrets which virtually have no blind spots
* Fast for its size
* Virtually immune to small arms machine gunfire
* Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
* All payload options are internal and have next to no effect on flight performance
* Gunners are located separately from the gun turret (remote-controlled turrets) with the exception of the tail turret
* Can easily win a match if allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude

[[File:B-29 kohler 001.png|450px|thumb|right|]]
'''Cons:'''

* Easily susceptible to damage from autocannons larger than 20 mm especially the [[MK 108 (30 mm)|MK 108]]
* Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
* Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
* Has a low dive top-speed
* As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre well
* Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
* Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
* Wings are considered weak spots
* Will face jets most of the time
* Very high repair cost
* Low flap deployment max speed

== History ==


The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the war and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 ''Enola Gay'' dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 ''Bockscar'' dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.

During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum">Excerpts from [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/292156-profile-b-29-superfortress/ 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress], no Author mentioned.</ref>

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It was joined by another named “Doc” in 2016.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum" />
[[File:B-29 tay777 001.png|550px|thumb|center|]]
=== In-game description ===
"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.

The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.

В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.

The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.

Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.

A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.

The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.

B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.

The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.

In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""

A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=heavy_bomber&vehicle=b-29 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 002.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 th fegel team 001.png|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 003.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3Ut75XHCWgk|'''War Thunder Realistic: B-29A-BN Superfortress [Grace]''' - ''Jengar''|iJhLf-SOVIc|'''War Thunder B-29 SuperFortress Bomber Gameplay''' - ''BaronVonGamez''|gxIVvUZGptw|'''The Shooting Range #51''' - ''Special'' section at 00:29 discusses the B-29 & Tu-4.|8Yewf7LXfUU|'''WT - B-29 - Punished for not Scumbagging''' - ''NapalmRatte''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Tupolev [[Tu-4]] (unauthorized reverse-engineered copy of the B-29)
* Avro [[Lincoln B Mk II]]
* Nakajima [[G8N1]]
* Messerschmitt [[Me 264]]

== External links ==


* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3507/current/ [Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress]
* [[Wikipedia:Boeing_B-29_Superfortress|[Wikipedia] B-29 Superfortress]]
* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-29-superfortress.page [Boeing.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress History Page]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82 [Militaryfactory.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Strategic High-Altitude Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft]
* [https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/hero-soviet-union-japanese.html [Warhistoryonline.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Futuristic Cannons of B-29 Superfortress: Ahead and Behind the Times]

== References ==
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

B-29A-BN

2020-08-29T21:30:40Z

U46735541: Well ganjin said b 29 is "OveR pErForMIng" so they up it's br and added more repair coast...... thank you ganjin......

{{Specs-Card|code=b-29}}
{{About
| about = American heavy bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-29/Tu-4 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage B-29A-BNSuperfortress.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. The B-29 follows the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]] in the U.S. bomber branch and is currently the last American propeller-powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. At the top of its game, the {{PAGENAME}} is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers found in War Thunder, though it suffers from both an immense repair cost, and a large chance to face early jets.

In the few years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) realized that its current primary heavy bomber, the [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]] would not have the range nor the payload which would be needed to efficiently transit what would end up becoming the Pacific Theater. To compensate for this Boeing began to develop a prototype which would incorporate a pressurized cabin to allow for higher altitude flying, which would help to protect the bomber from Japanese fighters which struggled to get to the higher altitudes.
[[File:B-29 kawashima momo 001.png|350px|thumb|left|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' cockpit.]]
The resulting XB-29 prototype and the later production series B-29 bomber had everything the USAAC was looking for, high-pressured cockpit, a maximum altitude of almost 32,000 ft (9753.6 m), true air-speed around 372 mph (600 kph) and could carry a massive payload of bombs upwards of 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg). Defensive positions on the B-29 were well placed to ensure maximum coverage surrounding the bomber. This bomber was one of the first aircraft to be fitted with the General Electric Central Fire Control system which could be used to remotely control four of the remotely controlled turrets (two dorsal and two ventral). Though in their early stages, this aircraft’s turrets each also had a General Electric analogue computer linked to it allowing the weapons to be more accurate by automatically factoring in airspeed, gravity, temperature and lead time for the inbound aircraft. With this setup, these turrets could be controlled from the nose, tail or any of the three mid-fuselage positions and a single gunner could actually control more than one turret at a time increasing the effectiveness and lethality of the bomber’s defences. Bristling with 12 x M2 Browning machine guns, the {{PAGENAME}} was extremely difficult to approach, yet make a successful pass and leave untouched.

Unlike other bombers which can take on a secondary role as a pseudo-attacker, the {{PAGENAME}} is a bomber, period. The sole purpose of the B-29 is to beat ground targets into submission either with upwards of 40 x 500 lb bombs, 18 x 1,000 lb bombs or 8 x 2,000 lb bombs. The larger 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs are perfect for base bombing while the relatively smaller 500 lb bombs make the perfect tool for carpet bombing where vehicles, pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be clustered together which may be reminiscent for pilots who have flown the rank I French bomber the [[F.222.2]] and utilised its 52 x 50 kg [[G.A. MMN. 50 (50 kg)|G.A. MMN. 50]] bombs which created area denial on early maps.

The {{PAGENAME}} is an aerial beast which can drop a beastly amount of explosive ordnance, rivalled by few, but is not immune to enemy fighters. Altitude is this bombers friend and when achieved can be a safer haven from which to rain down explosives on enemy bases or vehicles.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


The {{PAGENAME}}, much like its contemporaries the Messerschmitt [[Me 264]], Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]] and Tupolev [[Tu-4]] was built for the sole purpose of flying high and dropping large amounts of bombs. To account for these characteristics, others such as manoeuvrability, rate-of-climb and acceleration were compromised. The B-29 is a heavy aircraft which when adding 10,000 – 20,000 lbs of ordnance will only make the plane that much more difficult to get to altitude, but once there this aircraft does have a decent cruising speed. To help speed up gameplay for this aircraft, it is given an air-start at the beginning of matches and also after landing to reload and repair due to its sheer size and difficulty climbing to its bombing altitude.

The typical method of utilising this bomber is to fly the aircraft to a higher altitude. Depending on the enemy fighters, attackers and interceptors which appear in the match, you may be able to stay lower around 20,000 ft (6,000 m) or you may need to increase closer to 30,000 ft (9,150 m) to make it extremely difficult for the fighters to follow you up and many if they do get that high, their engines are struggling to keep the plane above stall speed which provides you with the opportunity to leave them behind or to easily pick them off with your gunners.

One downside to flying at the higher altitudes in arcade battles is that if you bomb a base but don’t completely destroy it, it is difficult to circle back around and bomb again when the bombs have reloaded. A wide circle is necessary to accomplish this and it may be better and more efficient instead to fly towards another base, bomb it and turn around and finish off the first base. Another option too is to leave the partially bombed bases for the smaller and slower bombers on your team to finish off or just catch the partially bombed bases on a return pass.
[[File:B-29 jonigustavo 001.png|350px|thumb|right]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 613 || 602 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.5 || 34.4 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1,800
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 669 || 641 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.7 || 32.0 || 11.7 || 6.5 || 1,800
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || 340 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 340 || < 350 || < 290 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 9,720 m || 2,200 hp || 2,499 hp
|-

|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder || 4
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,251 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,975 hp || colspan="2" | 2,276 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 2,200 hp || colspan="2" | 2,502 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

The {{PAGENAME}} had to be judicious when it came to providing protecting armour for the aircrew at the sacrifice of additional fuel or ordnance. In fact, later models removed many of their defensive turrets in order to allow for more fuel and ordnance to be loaded. It is obvious that an aircraft this size will be a huge target for enemy fighters to attack with the nose section (''cockpit'') and the tail turret being the two most likely targets (''head-on attack and tail approach attack'') and thus both areas were outfitted with 60 mm bulletproof glass which helps against lower calibre weapons, however 20 mm and above make short work of the bulletproof glass. 6.5 mm steel plates are scattered around the aircraft to provide protection for both the crew members and some of the control surface linkages. Though not a stop-all invincible shield for the crew, it many instances it provided enough protection to allow crew members to survive and fight another day.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===
[[File:B-29 meanswing 001.png|450px|thumb|right]]

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
* 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
* 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
* 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (16,000 lb total)

One might say the {{PAGENAME}} is effectively a dump truck which can dump a ton of explosives, no make that upwards of 10 tons of explosives upon enemy targets. Utilising speed at higher altitudes, it is the purpose of the Superfortress to race to an enemy base or ground targets and just rain down TNT. With three choices of bomb weights to choose from and four different configurations, there is no shortage of ways to destroy ground targets. The 1,000 lb and 2,000 lb bombs come in most handy for base bombing as they do the most amount of damage for the least amount of effort in a concentrated area. Area of denial is the speciality of the 500 lb bombs when used in carpet bombing operations. Carpet bombing is effectively laying down many of the 500 lb bombs at one time over an area where vehicles such as trucks, tanks and anti-aircraft vehicles or hardened structures such as pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be located at. Since vehicles are on the move, dropping multiple bombs at a time making it more difficult for them to move out of the way and avoid the inbound ordnance.

With the {{PAGENAME}}, there is no real overkill with the bombs, which can make the Superfortress a prime target to be eliminated early as with upwards of 20,000 lbs in bombs, the {{PAGENAME}} can make short work of enemy bases and end the match earlier than most will expect.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is defended by an impressive 12 x .50 calibre Browning machine guns rivalled only by the Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]], Tupolev [[Tu-4]], Consolidated [[PB4Y-2]] and [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24]] and the Boeing [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]]. Typically when bombers add more guns, they had to add more crew to operate them which increased the overall weight of the aircraft, though ensuring more protection, it also reduced the amount of fuel or bombs which could be carried.

As a historical note, the advent of early analogue computers which were outfitted on the {{PAGENAME}} and the state-of-the-art General Electric Central Fire Control System allowed for remote operation of both dorsal and both ventral turrets along with the tail gun if needed. The turrets could be linked through the fire control system and allow one gunner to operate multiple guns at one time. Simplifying this process and allowing gunners from just about anywhere on the aircraft to control the turrets reduced the number of crew members needed to operate the aircraft. Though four times the size of a B-25, the {{PAGENAME}} operated efficiently on the same amount of crew members, seven.

The computer-aided turrets allowed for more accuracy when firing and can train the guns in just about any direction needed to combat incoming fighters. The tail gunner position is especially deadly as a fighter perched on the tail will be flying into the oncoming bullets from the tail gun position, thereby taking more damage when hit and more likely to take on a critical hit or disabling blow. Though not totally invulnerable to the crafty fighter pilot, the {{PAGENAME}} in its own right is a porcupine with sharp quills pointing in all directions which will make it as difficult as possible for anyone to get past the defences.

==Usage in battles==


The ultimate strategic bomber for the [[:Category:USA_aircraft|USAF]]. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and twelve good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the ''Superfortress''! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will shred any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at; delivering payload, and ''lots of it''.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilise it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Great defensive armament will destroy most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.

Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay

;"Hit-and-Run" tactic

Another way the B-29 can be played is in a "hit and run" tactic. In BR 7.0, the {{PAGENAME}} will face mostly jets, so climbing to a very high altitude sometime wouldn't work because the jets will be able to catch up quickly. The "hit and run" tactic is very risky, but it can be very enjoyable, and if it works then you can end the game in 15 minutes. Since the match will start with the B-29 spawning in at about 4,500 meters (15,000 ft), go into a shallow dive and maintain speed about 450 km/h (270 mph). Dive towards an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) so that enemy anti-aircraft positions do not fire at the B-29, which may expose it to other enemy fighters. Do not head directly to an enemy base, instead go around 10-20 degrees off course towards the base direction so that the enemy can't easily find the B-29 from tracing a line between the friendly spawn point to their base. If present, use clouds to obscure the B-29's profile in the skies.

From here, the enemy jets' behavior will decide if this tactic will work or not. Typically, the enemy would be divided between the planes attacking ground targets at low altitude, far from a bomber's path to a base, or planes climbing to high altitudes for energy fighting and searching for high-altitude bombers. The intent of the dive to ~2,000 meters and the 450 km/h speed is to squeeze in between the ground attackers and interceptors and pass by undetected. If everything goes right, the B-29 should be able to reach its first base unimpeded without any fighters in pursuit, which can allow a B-29 the opportunity to knock out three or four bases before enemy fighters become alerted toward the B-29 precise location. From that point, the B-29 can either attempt to use the rest of its payload against the enemy airfield (unadvised as the low-altitude run exposes the B-29 to the anti-aircraft guns at the airfield) or return back to base triumphantly awaiting a bomb reload.

Due to this tactic hinging only on the success of slipping through the enemies undetected, this tactic should not be relied if there are no clouds for concealment, the match is an uptier against more advanced jets, or if the player is not able to sustain the repair costs of a damaged B-29.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm||SBC-40
|-
| II
| ||Compressor
| Airframe
| ||
|-
| III
| Wings repair||Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)||MBC-12
|-
| IV
| ||Engine injection
| Cover
| ||LBC-8
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===
[[File:B-29 your jacket 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|A Bf 109 attempts to take on a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]


'''Pros:'''

* Second heaviest payload in War Thunder next to the Soviet [[Tu-4]]
* Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with one payload in arcade and up to two bases in realistic/simulatory battles
* Can be difficult for fighters to reach same cruising altitude, even for jets
* Effective defensive turrets which virtually have no blind spots
* Fast for its size
* Virtually immune to small arms machine gunfire
* Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
* All payload options are internal and have next to no effect on flight performance
* Gunners are located separately from the gun turret (remote-controlled turrets) with the exception of the tail turret
* Can easily win a match if allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude

[[File:B-29 kohler 001.png|450px|thumb|right|]]
'''Cons:'''

* Easily susceptible to damage from autocannons larger than 20 mm especially the [[MK 108 (30 mm)|MK 108]]
* Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
* Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
* Has a low dive top-speed
* As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre well
* Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
* Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
* Wings are considered weak spots
* Will face jets most of the time
* Very high repair cost
* Low flap deployment max speed

== History ==


The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the war and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 ''Enola Gay'' dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 ''Bockscar'' dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.

During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum">Excerpts from [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/292156-profile-b-29-superfortress/ 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress], no Author mentioned.</ref>

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It was joined by another named “Doc” in 2016.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum" />
[[File:B-29 tay777 001.png|550px|thumb|center|]]
=== In-game description ===
"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.

The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.

В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.

The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.

Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.

A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.

The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.

B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.

The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.

In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""

A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=heavy_bomber&vehicle=b-29 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 002.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 th fegel team 001.png|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 003.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3Ut75XHCWgk|'''War Thunder Realistic: B-29A-BN Superfortress [Grace]''' - ''Jengar''|iJhLf-SOVIc|'''War Thunder B-29 SuperFortress Bomber Gameplay''' - ''BaronVonGamez''|gxIVvUZGptw|'''The Shooting Range #51''' - ''Special'' section at 00:29 discusses the B-29 & Tu-4.|8Yewf7LXfUU|'''WT - B-29 - Punished for not Scumbagging''' - ''NapalmRatte''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Tupolev [[Tu-4]] (unauthorized reverse-engineered copy of the B-29)
* Avro [[Lincoln B Mk II]]
* Nakajima [[G8N1]]
* Messerschmitt [[Me 264]]

== External links ==


* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3507/current/ [Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress]
* [[Wikipedia:Boeing_B-29_Superfortress|[Wikipedia] B-29 Superfortress]]
* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-29-superfortress.page [Boeing.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress History Page]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82 [Militaryfactory.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Strategic High-Altitude Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft]
* [https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/hero-soviet-union-japanese.html [Warhistoryonline.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Futuristic Cannons of B-29 Superfortress: Ahead and Behind the Times]

== References ==
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

P-61C-1

2020-08-24T18:07:36Z

U46735541: /*extra usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-61c_1
|cockpit=cockpit_p-61c_1.jpg
}}
{{About
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = P-61A-1
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]].

The Northrop {{PAGENAME}} Black Widow is a heavy twin-engine strike fighter designed as the USAAF's first dedicated night-fighter and aircraft outfitted with radar. Though a large aircraft with a crew of three (pilot, turret gunner and radio/radar operator/gunner), the Black Widow utilised its speed, radar, and weapons advantages to dispatch enemy aircraft in the dead of night.

The {{PAGENAME}} is powered by dual Pratt & Whitney R-2800-73 double wasp engines, the same engines which powered the Republic P-47N Thunderbolt. The one difference between the Thunderbolt's -57C and the -73s built explicitly for the P-61 was each had a General Electric CH-5-A3 turbocharger installed. The modified engines allowed the {{PAGENAME}} to fly at all altitudes effectively. While outfitted with powerful engines, turning the aircraft causes loss of energy, and such manoeuvres should be limited as places the aircraft in vulnerable situations.
[[File:P-61c-1 bomberpilot1784 001.png|300px|thumb|left|Three-quarter view of an '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in standard all-black night-fighter paint scheme.]]

One of the roles of the {{PAGENAME}} is to operate as a bomber interceptor. During these operations, if detected, the heavy fighter is likely to encounter defensive fire. To increase survivability and protection of the crew, the Black Widow utilizes various bulletproof glass and armour protective plates throughout the fighter. The gunner who operates the remote turret has the option to utilise armour plates, which fold out of the way when not in use. The crew member sitting in the aft of the aircraft has the least amount of armour protection but is the least likely to be shot at unless being attacked from the rear.

The armament configuration of the {{PAGENAME}} is unique compared to most fighters which either utilise nose-mounted or wing-mounted guns. The Black Widow incorporates two weapon systems, the first consisting of four 20 mm AN/M2 autocannons mounted in the belly of the aircraft with a total of 800 rounds of ammunition (200 RPG). Convergence is not a factor when utilising these guns. The aircraft also incorporates a dorsal turret outfitted with four 50 calibre machine guns (2,120 rounds or 530 RPG), which can be remotely operated by the gunner or the radio/radar operator. The turret has 360-degree mobility and can fire at elevations up to 90-degrees. The turret cannot depress lower than horizontal or else it would risk firing into the wings, cockpit, tail booms or tail section. The dorsal turret is utilised for both offensive and defensive uses.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

[[File:P-61c-1 argiegrit 002.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' opening up with its four 20 mm autocannons.]]
The P-61 climbs very well compared to twin-engine fighters from other countries. The engines overheat very slowly even when stock, while never really overheating at all when fully upgraded if using MEC or just being careful with the control of the engines. The turn rate is very slow, but to be expected from a twin-engined heavy fighter with a turret. The air brakes are very efficient, helping you slow down quickly in dives or when landing.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,100 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
| 656 || 643 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.3 || 27.5 || 12.2 || 12.2 || rowspan="2" | 457
|-
! Upgraded
| 732 || 692 || 23.8 || 25.0 || 21.3 || 16.0
|-
|}

;Takeoff and landing speeds (critical for Simulator battles)- all speeds in km/h

* AB: '''173''' RB/SB: '''163''' - VR (aircraft rotate speed) - The speed at which the aircraft's control stick can safely be pulled back for takeoff, causing liftoff without risk of a tailstrike on the runway.

* AB: '''126''' RB/SB: '''120''' - VS0 - Landing speed with full flaps (depending on the aircraft, this could be landing flaps or take-off flaps).

* AB: '''148''' RB/SB: '''145''' - VS1 - Landing speed ''without'' flaps (clean). Knowing this speed is useful when the flaps are damaged or missing to prevent spins or tail strikes upon landing.

==== Details ====
[[File:P-61_airbrakes_and_spoilers_extended.jpg|400px|thumb|right|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' Black Widow's wing. Note the air brakes, "fences" are fully extended on the upper and lower surface of the wings. Also, note the long spoiler extended on the upper surface of the wing replaced ailerons due to increased efficiency at high speeds. The P-61 was the only aircraft in US inventory during WWII which utilised spoilers.]]
{| 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 !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 340 || 340 || 280 || ~7 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 530 || < 420 || < 450 || > 337
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,000 m || 2,200 hp || 2,783 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 12.7 mm Steel - Nose armour plating (behind radar unit)
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot and gunner armoured windscreens
* 12.7 mm Steel - Gunner front armour (folds out of the way when not in use)
* 12.7 mm Steel - Lower gun plate
* 9.5 mm Steel - Gun turret ammo protection plates
* 12.7 mm Steel - Turret protection plate

With such beefy engines on the {{PAGENAME}} it stood to reason that armour protection would be necessary to help protect the pilot and the gunner during a conflict against a potential bomber or attacker aircraft which may have defensive gunner positions. Since the main source of incoming bullets would most likely come towards the front of the {{PAGENAME}} from defensive positions, it was reasonable to protect both the pilot and the gunner position, while the radio/radar operator received most of their protection from the gun turret and radio/radar equipment as there is no protection provided from the rear plane of the aircraft.

The pilot is afforded protection through the bulletproof canopy windscreen which is 60 mm thick and a 12.7 mm steel plate located directly behind the radar unit in the nose. These two items will aid to protect the pilot in the event a bomber or attacker's defensive gunners fire on an attacking {{PAGENAME}}, however, note that these protections will wane in their ability if the pilot of the Black Widow decides to take another aircraft head-on, especially if that aircraft is sporting 20 or 30 mm autocannons.

The {{PAGENAME}}'s gunner sits directly behind the pilot, however, his station is slightly elevated giving him an unobstructed view of the front and side of the aircraft, allowing him great visibility to be able to aim and fire the machine gun turret. Since the gunner station is elevated, the gunner is exposed to incoming fire which the pilot's protective plate and armoured windscreen will not cover. To remediate this there are two 12.7 mm steel plates which the gunner can swing in front of him for protection or out of the way when not in use.

The rest of the armour protection for this aircraft are several steel plates which protect the critical components and the ammunition of the turret. Since the turret is mechanical in operation (remotely by the gunner or radio/radar operator), it is important that critical components are protected to ensure continued usage, as when the remote components fail, the turret is useless. Protecting the ammunition storage is also important not only to have it available for usage, setting the ammunition on fire or off in the storage container could cause catastrophic results to the aircraft and crew in the event they start firing.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

[[File:P-61_upperturret_cone_of_fire.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The cones of fire for the upper machine gun turret on the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
{{main|AN/M2 (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, belly-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with 4 x 20 mm AN/M2 autocannons which are mounted in the belly of the fuselage just below the cockpit. Each cannon is outfitted with 200 rounds which may not seem like very much, but for those who are conservative by maintaining trigger control (short bursts), the ammunition will go a long way. Having the guns clustered along the lower fuselage allows for both in-close and longer-ranged shots without the necessity of having to calculate for convergence, the only factor will be bullet-drop over a distance which comes with practice. The cannons are very effective when used against any aerial vehicle encountered as they have no problem disabling engines and destroying wings or puncturing fuel tanks.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is typically used as a night or strike fighter which is used to sneak up on unwary targets and destroy them with the four forward-facing 20 mm autocannons, however, there is an opportunity to mix it up as a multi-role aircraft and outfit the plane with bombs. There are four external hardpoint pylons in which either 500 lb or 1,000 lb bombs can be loaded for a total of either 2,000 or 4,000 lbs of bombs. With payloads like this, the {{PAGENAME}} can rival the [[B-25 (Family)|B-25]] bombers in their payload deliveries. Unfortunately, for a strike fighter, the {{PAGENAME}}'s flight performance and manoeuvrability suffer when adding the extra 2,000 or 4,000 lbs of weight and can be a challenge to fly when attacked, however after the bombs have been released on their target, the {{PAGENAME}} can get back to its heavy-fighter role.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (560 rpg outer + 500 rpg inner = 2,120 total)

It is interesting to note that later fighters started to reduce or eliminate the ability to carry defensive weapons in order to help save on weight and crew needed to staff the aircraft, however, it was deemed necessary that the {{PAGENAME}} should have a defensive turret. Utilising state-of-the-art technology, four .50 calibre machine guns were mounted on a dorsal turret which could be remotely controlled by either the gunner (sitting behind the pilot) or the radio/radar operator located in a separate compartment at the rear of the fuselage. The four machine guns in the dorsal turret had virtually a full 360° rotation field with an elevation straight up. Effectively the only dead zones for this turret were the upper propeller arcs and the vertical stabilizers to the rear. When enemy aircraft attempt to sit on the rear of the aircraft, the pilot will need to pitch the aircraft up and to one side or the other to allow the gunner the best possible chance of bearing the turret down on the enemy fighter.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:P-61c-1 knightskeemo 001.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Heavy vs heavy.]]
The below tactics are recommended for all game modes:

'''How to offensively engage an enemy aircraft:''' Climb to high altitude and keep on a straight heading once you have seen the enemy. Overshoot the enemy plane, then perform a 180-degree turn. Make sure you stay on his tail and gradually descend. It is recommended to do something similar to a shallow descent, where you can keep speed and height to your advantage in case the enemy aircraft changes course and altitude. Do not perform a dive which requires you to dive straight down since you will rip the wings off and crash. Once you are within firing range, fire a short salvo from your cannons. A couple of bursts from the Black Widow are sufficient to easily rip an enemy plane to shreds.

'''How to perform defensive fighting:''' When you are being engaged by an enemy fighter, make sure you keep descending. '''Very Important''': Do not allow enemy aircraft to get lower than your elevator on the tail boom. You have no defensive armament to cover the belly or full-rear of the plane; these are your weakest defended parts.

*Tactic one: Descend slowly. Put the plane in a steep dive that does not exceed your structural limit. However, it must be steep enough to provide the turret gunner full visibility of the enemy plane. The four [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning machine guns]] will take care of the enemy plane.

*Tactic Two: Put the plane in a steep climb and make sure you set the throttle to at least 70%. Jump into the gunner turret and operate it. This will be the most accurate and fastest way of shooting down the hostile plane. When you operate the turret, make sure you try and perform defensive manoeuvres when operating it i.e. sharp turns, rapidly decreasing in height as well as gaining height and changing the speed of the plane in an irrational way. This will give you a higher chance of survival against the enemy.
*Tactic Three: Fly the plane almost touching the ground this way the enemy can't get under your gunners. Use the yawn to fly side to side while shooting back at your pursuer. With a few hit you can heavly damage if not kill the enemy following you, or atleast make them brake off from your six and hopfully one of the friendly came to help you. If the enemy is not very fast in a straight line (eg: all Japanese fighter, ect) you can fly straight and use your better top speed to kite the enemy.

===Radars===
{{main|AI Mk. X}}
[[File:P-61_-_Nose_Radar.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A front view of an '''{{PAGENAME}}''' [[AI Mk. X]] radar.]]
The P-61C-1 is equipped with an [[AI Mk. X]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. The radar utilised a 29 in (74 cm) parabolic dish which it rotated at 360 rpm when set to ranges below 100 miles, however, it is slowed down to 100 rpm when set to the 100 miles setting. The scopes could be set to one of four ranges, 1, 10, 20 or 100 miles (1.6, 16, 32 or 160 km). The parabolic dish could be adjusted to different altitude settings which included 0° to 0°, -5° to +5°, +5° to +20°, and +20° to +50°. One of the benefits to the multiple choices in range and altitude settings of the radar was that it provided partial immunity to chaff and other radar interference or countermeasures deployed by the enemy.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | [[AI Mk. X]] - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 14,000 m || 8,500 m || ±75° || -20°/+40°
|-
|}
[[File:P-61_cockpit_pilots_radar_indicator.png|250px|thumb|right|A view of a '''{{PAGENAME}}''' pilot's instrument panel with a BC-1152-A pilots indicator portion of the [[AI Mk. X]] radar. (''The BC-1152-A is the square box with the rectangular window just above the control yoke'')]]

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

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| FMBC mk.1
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

The P-61C-1 is a thoroughbred Boom & Zoom aircraft. However, when the plane is first unlocked the flight performance will be very lacklustre to support this tactic. As such, the initial priority should be to improve the aircraft, by researching the upgrades that improve flight performance the most, namely '''Compressor''', '''Engine''' and '''Engine injection'''. When the flight performance has reached a satisfactory level to allow for effective Boom & Zoom tactics, the priority should be switched towards researching the '''New 20 mm cannons''' upgrade in order to improve the accuracy of the cannons. After this is done, either finish upgrading the flight performance or focus on the turret upgrade. The bomb racks should be left to research last, as they are not critical to the P-61's main role as a fighter.

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:P-61c-1 iscari 002.jpg|300px|thumb|right|A '''{{PAGENAME}}''' night-fighter as seen at night, virtually invisible.]]
'''Pros:'''

* The offensive armament is mounted under the belly of the plane, this provides excellent accuracy
* Powerful offensive armament with 4 x [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]] cannons with a total amount of 800 rounds
* Powerful defensive armament with 4 x [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning]] machine guns in a rotating turret, a total of 2,120 rounds
* Defensive armament is able to be used offensively by the gunner, also remotely controlled
* Defensive turret can elevate to a full 90 degrees, can provide a Schräge Musik-like surprise of its own to enemy bombers, providing the P-61 is below the bomber and in the enemy bomber gunners' dead zones
* Very stable climb rate
* Engines are able to cool down very fast
* Able to perform sharp movements at low and high speed
* Excellent bomber hunter
* Very strong and rugged airframe; is able to fly with wing tips missing
* Can keep a lot of momentum from a gradual dive
* Can carry 4 x 1,000 lb bombs: enough to fully destroy one base or four light pillboxes
* Air brakes installed, allows you to slow down faster for a bomb run or landing
* Powerful engines when upgraded giving great acceleration
* Can fly on one engine
* Fairly good roll rate at high speeds thanks to spoilers
* Very little adverse yaw effect thanks to spoilers (SB)
* Has access to a target detection radar, with much better range than German radars found around this battle rating
* Low stalling speed, enabling it to land on carriers

[[File:P-61c-1 iscari 001.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The fearsome '''{{PAGENAME}}''' bearing down on an opponent.]]
'''Cons:'''

* Slow acceleration when not upgraded and requires a long airstrip to take off due to weight
* Uncompetitive roll rate at slow speeds
* Bad turn rate (utilise Immelmann turns, chandelles or normal loops)
* Due to size, slow to gain speed in a dive, however, can exceed structural limits if not careful. Per the pilot's manual while in a dive:
** Between 0 - 10,000 ft do not exceed 415 mph IAS
** Between 10,000 - 20,000 ft do not exceed 375 mph IAS
** Between 20,000 - 30,000 ft do not exceed 305 mph IAS
* Bottom of aircraft is unprotected (utilise climbs and/or dives that does not exceed the structural limits of the plane, along with manually controlling the gunner to protect the bottom of the aircraft, though not completely)
* Large body airframe, not meant for turn-fighting (Boom & Zoom or Boom & Run)
* Dorsal turret might hit friendlies when active under AI control during furballs or when you're behind friendlies chasing an enemy

== History ==

In 1940, the British Purchasing Commission wanted a high-altitude, high-speed interceptor to shoot down ''Luftwaffe'' bombers when they raided British cities. This called for a high-endurance heavy fighter with Aerial Interception (AI) radars and specified gun armament mounted in a 360 degrees gun turret. The requirements were sent to many aircraft manufacturers, one of them being Jack Northrop. The USAAC accepted his proposal, resulting in one of the most deadly and large fighters in World War Two. The prototype YP-61, had a long fuselage gondola in between two engine nacelles. The tail was a new radical twin-boom design. Full span flaps were fitted on the wings and it had two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials, producing 2,000 horsepower each. The plane was mounted on a tricycle landing gear and had a three-man crew: a radar operator, gunner, and pilot. Armament includes four Browning 12.7 mm heavy machine guns mounted in a four-gun powered turret. The original design also had a ventral turret, but that was replaced by Hispano Mk.II cannons. Some versions also had air brakes so the pilot would not overshoot the target.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=p-61c_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61 rearview.jpg ‎|thumb|none|250px|Rear view of the '''P-61''''s aerodynamic airframe.]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61c-1 zippitydoodah 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61c-1 argiegrit 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Qyr_aw3YTe8|'''The Shooting Range #2''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 02:59 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|rpp-GqXiaKg|'''The Shooting Range #214''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:41 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|B_KJXo2w0IQ|'''P-61 BLACK WIDOW: America's Night-Interceptor''' - ''jimi daen''|_iGQOR9Dtyg|'''BLACK WIDOW - The P-61C-1 RB Gameplay''' - ''MikeGoesBoom''|fL0pyZ5VZSM|'''War Thunder Arcade- P-61C-1 Black Widow''' - ''Jengar''}}

== 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/devblog/current/869|[Devblog] P-61: The American "Flying Tank"]]
* [https://ia801208.us.archive.org/33/items/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP61/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP-61.pdf Pilot Training Manual for the P-61 Black Widow][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - By Headquarters Army Air Forces - Office of Flying Safety, 1944
* [https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/p-61-pilots-manual.6789/ Northrop P-61 Black Widow Pilot's Flight Operations Instructions][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model P-61C Airplane, July 1945, ISBN:[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=isbn:9781411689008 978-1-4116-8900-8]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}

P-61C-1

2020-07-30T17:52:51Z

U46735541: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-61c_1
|cockpit=cockpit_p-61c_1.jpg
}}
{{About
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = P-61A-1
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]].

The Northrop {{PAGENAME}} Black Widow is a heavy twin-engine strike fighter designed as the USAAF's first dedicated night-fighter and aircraft outfitted with radar. Though a large aircraft with a crew of three (pilot, turret gunner and radio/radar operator/gunner), the Black Widow utilised its speed, radar, and weapons advantages to dispatch enemy aircraft in the dead of night.

The {{PAGENAME}} is powered by dual Pratt & Whitney R-2800-73 double wasp engines, the same engines which powered the Republic P-47N Thunderbolt. The one difference between the Thunderbolt's -57C and the -73s built explicitly for the P-61 was each had a General Electric CH-5-A3 turbocharger installed. The modified engines allowed the {{PAGENAME}} to fly at all altitudes effectively. While outfitted with powerful engines, turning the aircraft causes loss of energy, and such manoeuvres should be limited as places the aircraft in vulnerable situations.
[[File:P-61c-1 bomberpilot1784 001.png|400px|thumb|left|Three-quarter view of an '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in standard all-black night-fighter paint scheme.]]

One of the roles of the {{PAGENAME}} is to operate as a bomber interceptor. During these operations, if detected, the heavy fighter is likely to encounter defensive fire. To increase survivability and protection of the crew, the Black Widow utilizes various bulletproof glass and armour protective plates throughout the fighter. The gunner who operates the remote turret has the option to utilise armour plates, which fold out of the way when not in use. The crew member sitting in the aft of the aircraft has the least amount of armour protection but is the least likely to be shot at unless being attacked from the rear.

The armament configuration of the {{PAGENAME}} is unique compared to most fighters which either utilise nose-mounted or wing-mounted guns. The Black Widow incorporates two weapon systems, the first consisting of four 20 mm AN/M2 autocannons mounted in the belly of the aircraft with a total of 800 rounds of ammunition (200 RPG). Convergence is not a factor when utilising these guns. The aircraft also incorporates a dorsal turret outfitted with four 50 calibre machine guns (2,120 rounds or 530 RPG), which can be remotely operated by the gunner or the radio/radar operator. The turret has 360-degree mobility and can fire at elevations up to 90-degrees. The turret cannot depress lower than horizontal or else it would risk firing into the wings, cockpit, tail booms or tail section. The dorsal turret is utilised for both offensive and defensive uses.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
The plane acutlly climb very well compare to other twin engine fighters from other country. The engine overheat very slowly even when stock. While not really overheating at all when fully upgraded if using MEC or just being careful with the controll of the engines. The turn rate is very slow, but then it is a large heave fighter with a turret so don't expect it to be a turn fighter while boasting excellent climb rate and a 2000 meter intereptor spawn. The air breaks can hel you slow down quickly when landing. It can get you slow down from 500 km/h to only 300 km/h (editor if you can put the mile/h in brackets here that would be very nice, thank you. :) ) in secounds.[[File:P-61c-1 argiegrit 002.jpg|450px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' opening up with its four 20 mm autocannons.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="11" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="11" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 656 || 643 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.3 || 27.5 || 12.2 || 12.2 || 457
|-
! colspan="11" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 732 || 692 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.8 || 25.0 || 21.3 || 16 || 457
|-
|}

;Takeoff and landing speeds (critical for Simulator battles)- all speeds in kph

* AB: '''173''' RB/SB: '''163''' - VR (aircraft rotate speed) - The speed at which the aircraft's control stick can safely be pulled back for takeoff, causing liftoff without risk of a tailstrike on the runway.

* AB: '''126''' RB/SB: '''120''' - VS0 - Landing speed with full flaps (depending on the aircraft, this could be landing flaps or take-off flaps).

* AB: '''148''' RB/SB: '''145''' - VS1 - Landing speed ''without'' flaps (clean). Knowing this speed is useful when the flaps are damaged or missing to prevent spins or tail strikes upon landing.

==== Details ====
[[File:P-61_airbrakes_and_spoilers_extended.jpg|500px|thumb|right|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' Black Widow's wing. Note the air brakes, "fences" are fully extended on the upper and lower surface of the wings. Also, note the long spoiler extended on the upper surface of the wing replaced ailerons due to increased efficiency at high speeds. The P-61 was the only aircraft in US inventory during WWII which utilised spoilers.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 340 || ~7 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 530 || < 420 || < 450 || > 337
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,000 m || 2,200 hp || 2,783 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 12.7 mm Steel - Nose armour plating (behind radar unit)
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot and gunner armoured windscreens
* 12.7 mm Steel - Gunner front armour (folds out of the way when not in use)
* 12.7 mm Steel - Lower gun plate
* 9.5 mm Steel - Gun turret ammo protection plates
* 12.7 mm Steel - Turret protection plate

With such beefy engines on the {{PAGENAME}} it stood to reason that armour protection would be necessary to help protect the pilot and the gunner during a conflict against a potential bomber or attacker aircraft which may have defensive gunner positions. Since the main source of incoming bullets would most likely come towards the front of the {{PAGENAME}} from defensive positions, it was reasonable to protect both the pilot and the gunner position, while the radio/radar operator received most of their protection from the gun turret and radio/radar equipment as there is no protection provided from the rear plane of the aircraft.

The pilot is afforded protection through the bulletproof canopy windscreen which is 60 mm thick and a 12.7 mm steel plate located directly behind the radar unit in the nose. These two items will aid to protect the pilot in the event a bomber or attacker’s defensive gunners fire on an attacking {{PAGENAME}}, however, note that these protections will wain in their ability if the pilot of the Black Widow decides to take another aircraft head-on, especially if that aircraft is sporting 20 or 30 mm autocannons.

The {{PAGENAME}}’s gunner sits directly behind the pilot, however, his station is slightly elevated giving him an unobstructed view of the front and side of the aircraft, allowing him great visibility to be able to aim and fire the machine gun turret. Since the gunner station is elevated, the gunner is exposed to incoming fire which the pilot's protective plate and armoured windscreen will not cover. To remediate this there are two 12.7 mm steel plates which the gunner can swing in front of him for protection or out of the way when not in use.

The rest of the armour protection for this aircraft are several steel plates which protect the critical components and the ammunition of the turret. Since the turret is mechanical in operation (remotely by the gunner or radio/radar operator), it is important that critical components are protected to ensure continued usage, as when the remote components fail, the turret is useless. Protecting the ammunition storage is also important not only to have it available for usage, setting the ammunition on fire or off in the storage container could cause catastrophic results to the aircraft and crew in the event they start firing.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

[[File:P-61_upperturret_cone_of_fire.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The cones of fire for the upper machine gun turret on the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
{{main|AN/M2 (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, belly-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with 4 x 20 mm AN/M2 autocannons which are mounted in the belly of the fuselage just below the cockpit. Each cannon is outfitted with 200 rounds which may not seem like very much, but for those who are conservative by maintaining trigger control (short bursts), the ammunition will go a long way. Having the guns clustered along the lower fuselage allows for both in-close and longer-ranged shots without the necessity of having to calculate for convergence, the only factor will be bullet-drop over a distance which comes with practice. The cannons are very effective when used against any aerial vehicle encountered as they have no problem disabling engines and destroying wings or puncturing fuel tanks.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is typically used as a night or strike fighter which is used to sneak up on unwary targets and destroy them with the four forward-facing 20 mm autocannons, however, there is an opportunity to mix it up as a multi-role aircraft and outfit the plane with bombs. There are four external hardpoint pylons in which either 500 lb or 1,000 lb bombs can be loaded for a total of either 2,000 or 4,000 lbs of bombs. With payloads like this, the {{PAGENAME}} can rival the [[B-25 (Family)|B-25]] bombers in their payload deliveries. Unfortunately, for a strike fighter, the {{PAGENAME}}’s flight performance and manoeuvrability suffer when adding the extra 2,000 or 4,000 lbs of weight and can be a challenge to fly when attacked, however after the bombs have been released on their target, the {{PAGENAME}} can get back to its heavy-fighter role.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, dorsal turret (560 rpg outer + 500 rpg inner = 2,120 total)

It is interesting to note that later fighters started to reduce or eliminate the ability to carry defensive weapons in order to help save on weight and crew needed to staff the aircraft, however, it was deemed necessary that the {{PAGENAME}} should have a defensive turret. Utilising state-of-the-art technology, four .50 calibre machine guns were mounted on a dorsal turret which could be remotely controlled by either the gunner (sitting behind the pilot) or the radio/radar operator located in a separate compartment at the rear of the fuselage. The four machine guns in the dorsal turret had virtually a full 360° rotation field with an elevation straight up. Effectively the only dead zones for this turret were the upper propeller arcs and the vertical stabilizers to the rear. When enemy aircraft attempt to sit on the rear of the aircraft, the pilot will need to pitch the aircraft up and to one side or the other to allow the gunner the best possible chance of bearing the turret down on the enemy fighter.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:P-61c-1 knightskeemo 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|Heavy vs heavy.]]
The below tactics are recommended for all game modes:

'''How to offensively engage an enemy aircraft:''' Climb to high altitude and keep on a straight heading once you have seen the enemy. Overshoot the enemy plane, then perform a 180-degree turn. Make sure you stay on his tail and gradually descend. It is recommended to do something similar to a shallow descent, where you can keep speed and height to your advantage in case the enemy aircraft changes course and altitude. Do not perform a dive which requires you to dive straight down since you will rip the wings off and crash. Once you are within firing range, fire a short salvo from your cannons. A couple of bursts from the Black Widow are sufficient to easily rip an enemy plane to shreds.

'''How to perform defensive fighting:''' When you are being engaged by an enemy fighter, make sure you keep descending. '''Very Important''': Do not allow enemy aircraft to get lower than your elevator on the tail boom. You have no defensive armament to cover the belly or full-rear of the plane; these are your weakest defended parts.

*Tactic one: Descend slowly. Put the plane in a steep dive that does not exceed your structural limit. However, it must be steep enough to provide the turret gunner full visibility of the enemy plane. The four [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning machine guns]] will take care of the enemy plane.

*Tactic Two: Put the plane in a steep climb and make sure you set the throttle to at least 70%. Jump into the gunner turret and operate it. This will be the most accurate and fastest way of shooting down the hostile plane. When you operate the turret, make sure you try and perform defensive manoeuvres when operating it i.e. sharp turns, rapidly decreasing in height as well as gaining height and changing the speed of the plane in an irrational way. This will give you a higher chance of survival against the enemy.

===Radars===
{{main|AI Mk. X}}
[[File:P-61_-_Nose_Radar.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A front view of an '''{{PAGENAME}}''' [[AI Mk. X]] radar.]]
The P-61C-1 is equipped with an [[AI Mk. X]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. The radar utilised a 29 in (74 cm) parabolic dish which it rotated at 360 rpm when set to ranges below 100 miles, however, it is slowed down to 100 rpm when set to the 100 miles setting. The scopes could be set to one of four ranges, 1, 10, 20 or 100 miles (1.6, 16, 32 or 160 km). The parabolic dish could be adjusted to different altitude settings which included 0° to 0°, -5° to +5°, +5° to +20°, and +20° to +50°. One of the benefits to the multiple choices in range and altitude settings of the radar was that it provided partial immunity to chaff and other radar interference or countermeasures deployed by the enemy.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | [[AI Mk. X]] - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 14,000 m || 8,500 m || ±75° || -20°/+40°
|-
|}
[[File:P-61_cockpit_pilots_radar_indicator.png|250px|thumb|right|A view of a '''{{PAGENAME}}''' pilot's instrument panel with a BC-1152-A pilots indicator portion of the [[AI Mk. X]] radar. (''The BC-1152-A is the square box with the rectangular window just above the control yoke'')]]

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

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| FMBC mk.1
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

The P-61C-1 is a thoroughbred Boom & Zoom aircraft. However, when the plane is first unlocked the flight performance will be very lacklustre to support this tactic. As such, the initial priority should be to improve the aircraft, by researching the upgrades that improve flight performance the most, namely '''Compressor''', '''Engine''' and '''Engine injection'''. When the flight performance has reached a satisfactory level to allow for effective Boom & Zoom tactics, the priority should be switched towards researching the '''New 20 mm cannons''' upgrade in order to improve the accuracy of the cannons. After this is done, either finish upgrading the flight performance or focus on the turret upgrade. The bomb racks should be left to research last, as they are not critical to the P-61's main role as a fighter.

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:P-61c-1 iscari 002.jpg|450px|thumb|right|A '''{{PAGENAME}}''' night-fighter as seen at night, virtually invisible.]]
'''Pros:'''

* The offensive armament is mounted under the belly of the plane, this provides excellent accuracy
* Powerful offensive armament with 4 x [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]] cannons with a total amount of 800 rounds
* Powerful defensive armament with 4 x [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning]] machine guns in a rotating turret, a total of 2,120 rounds
* Defensive armament is able to be used offensively by the gunner, also remotely controlled
* Defensive turret can elevate to a full 90 degrees, can provide a Schräge Musik-like surprise of its own to enemy bombers, providing the P-61 is below the bomber and in the enemy bomber gunners' dead zones
* Very stable climb rate
* Engines are able to cool down very fast
* Able to perform sharp movements at low and high speed
* Excellent bomber hunter
* Very strong and rugged airframe; is able to fly with wing tips missing
* Can keep a lot of momentum from a gradual dive
* Can carry 4 x 1,000 lb bombs: enough to fully destroy one base or four light pillboxes
* Air brakes installed, allows you to slow down faster for a bomb run or landing
* Powerful engines when upgraded giving great acceleration
* Can fly on one engine
* Fairly good roll rate at high speeds thanks to spoilers
* Very little adverse yaw effect thanks to spoilers (SB)
* Has access to a target detection radar, with much better range than German radars found around this battle rating
* Low stalling speed, enabling it to land on carriers

[[File:P-61c-1 iscari 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|The fearsome '''{{PAGENAME}}''' bearing down on an opponent.]]
'''Cons:'''

* Slow acceleration when not upgraded and requires a long airstrip to take off due to weight
* Uncompetitive roll rate at slow speeds
* Bad turn rate (utilise Immelmann turns, chandelles or normal loops)
* Due to size, slow to gain speed in a dive, however, can exceed structural limits if not careful. Per the pilot's manual while in a dive:
** Between 0 - 10,000 ft do not exceed 415 mph IAS
** Between 10,000 - 20,000 ft do not exceed 375 mph IAS
** Between 20,000 - 30,000 ft do not exceed 305 mph IAS
* Bottom of aircraft is unprotected (utilise climbs and/or dives that does not exceed the structural limits of the plane, along with manually controlling the gunner to protect the bottom of the aircraft, though not completely)
* Large body airframe, not meant for turn-fighting (Boom & Zoom or Boom & Run)
* Dorsal turret might hit friendlies when active under AI control during furballs or when you're behind friendlies chasing an enemy

== History ==

In 1940, the British Purchasing Commission wanted a high-altitude, high-speed interceptor to shoot down ''Luftwaffe'' bombers when they raided British cities. This called for a high-endurance heavy fighter with Aerial Interception (AI) radars and specified gun armament mounted in a 360 degrees gun turret. The requirements were sent to many aircraft manufacturers, one of them being Jack Northrop. The USAAC accepted his proposal, resulting in one of the most deadly and large fighters in World War Two. The prototype YP-61, had a long fuselage gondola in between two engine nacelles. The tail was a new radical twin-boom design. Full span flaps were fitted on the wings and it had two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials, producing 2,000 horsepower each. The plane was mounted on a tricycle landing gear and had a three-man crew: a radar operator, gunner, and pilot. Armament includes four Browning 12.7 mm heavy machine guns mounted in a four-gun powered turret. The original design also had a ventral turret, but that was replaced by Hispano Mk.II cannons. Some versions also had air brakes so the pilot would not overshoot the target.

== Media ==


;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61 frontview.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61 rearview.jpg ‎|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61 cockpit.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61 radiooperator.jpg‎|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61c-1 zippitydoodah 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:P-61c-1 argiegrit 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Qyr_aw3YTe8|'''The Shooting Range #2''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 02:59 discusses the P-61C-1.|B_KJXo2w0IQ|P-61 Black Widow - America's Night-Interceptor|_iGQOR9Dtyg|'''BLACK WIDOW - The P-61C-1 RB Gameplay''' - ''MikeGoesBoom''|fL0pyZ5VZSM|'''War Thunder Arcade- P-61C-1 Black Widow''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/869 [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> P-61: The American "Flying Tank"]

== External links ==


* [https://ia801208.us.archive.org/33/items/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP61/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP-61.pdf Pilot Training Manual for the P-61 Black Widow][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - By Headquarters Army Air Forces - Office of Flying Safety, 1944
* [https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/p-61-pilots-manual.6789/ Northrop P-61 Black Widow Pilot's Flight Operations Instructions][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model P-61C Airplane, July 1945, ISBN:[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=isbn:9781411689008 978-1-4116-8900-8]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}

Bf 109 F-1

2020-07-26T02:32:34Z

U46735541: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card|code=bf-109f-1}}
{{About
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_Bf109F1.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]]. Setting the basis for the definitive version of the Bf 109, the F-4, the Bf 109 F-1 saw substantial improvement over the earlier Emil.

Having picked up their Bf 109 trade in the earlier [[Bf 109 B-1/L| ''Bf 109 B-1'']] and the [[Bf 109 E-1|''Emil series'']], the player will be presented with the Bf 109 F-1. Even though it's not the definitive version of the Friedrich just yet, the F-1 is still a good starter plane for the series. If the player has done their best to understand how to handle the 109 during their time with the B-1 and Emils, they will rejoice at the performance of the F-1. Likewise, if the player has not gone through the trouble of learning the ins and outs of the 109s with their earlier unlocks, they will slowly realize the error of their ways when flying the Friedrichs.

The F-1 is the perfect starting point for the Friedrich line. The most notable change of the Friedrich over the Emil is its performance. Having a more aerodynamically efficient design, especially in the nose, the plane is propelled forward by a powerful DB 601 N producing up to 1175 hp. Reaching speeds up to 615 km/h at 5.2 km altitude, the Friedrich is testimony to the trademark acceleration and speed found in the 109s. A powerful climber, the F-1 quickly reaches altitude and can easily out climb most of its historic counterparts. As with all 109s, the optimal climbing speed is 270 km/h (IAS). As such, the Bf 109 F-1 should largely be played like the Emils, with the bonus of additional performance making the flying and fighting even easier. As with the Emil, fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed uses of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres, enable the Friedrich to quickly change an engagement to its favour.

That said, the player should keep in mind that the Bf 109 F-1 has less of a punch than the preceding E-3. While mounting a [[MG FF/M (20 mm)|20 mm MG FF/M]] cannon in the nose make the aiming somewhat easier, it does lose out on the two ''MG FFs'' that had previously been mounted in the wings. This 'downgrade' is somewhat offset by the fact that the Friedrich's MG FF/M can shoot deadly Mineshells, but careful aiming and trigger discipline is required to make the most out of the 60 available shots. Attempting shots at range is a significant waste of ammo. Luckily, the F-1 holds a respectable (500 per gun, 1,000 total) amount of [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 17]] rounds, allowing you to spray when needed. Using the "Stealth" ammunition belt for the machine guns may help aim, due to less visual interference from the machine-gun tracers, but this is personal preference.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
The climb rate of this aircraft is amazing. Boasting a 16.7 m/s stock climb rate at 2.3 is unimaginable. Once fully upgraded it can have an outrages amount of 20m/s climb rate! which out perform some 3.0-4.0 br fighters. The engine doesn't overheat if you keep it on 100%. It only overheat if you use WSP for a long time. Once fully upgraded it can out climb almost anything it faces. However it's turn and roll rate is some what disspointed. Though with enough energy you can turn fight someone. Just be careful because this plane bleeds a lot of energy when turning at a high speed. The energy retension of this aircraft will outmatch most opponent at it's Br. However the American can still out dive you with some o it's higher br aircrafts. The engine is also somewhat durable. If the radiator got hit the engine can still fly at 100% for a bit before it's qulity starts to deteriorate (shown by the color changes from white to yellow, then orange, then red, and finally black with red outline indecating it's dead). The flaps can give you a bit of help in turn fighting but they will ripp when going beyong 400 km/h (249 mil/h). So it's important to only use them for a short perious of time.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 592 || 576 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.9 || 19.7 || 16.7 || 16.7 || rowspan="2" | 358
|-
! Upgraded
| 640 || 614 || 17.1 || 18.0 || 24.1 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== 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 
|-
|}

{| 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}} || 460 || 460 || 260 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,850 m || 1,050 hp || 1,168 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8 mm Steel - Plating behind and below the seat
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|MG FF/M (20 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)|SC250JA (250 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

Just as the with the [[Bf 109 E-1|''E-1'']], new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s (also known as Boom and Run). While often called a Boom & Zoom aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom & Zoomers, and many other aircraft such as the [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]] do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom & Zooming approach can be used for the 109s, limiting oneself to this enormously undermines plane efficiency. It is a pure breed ''energy fighter''.

Keep in mind that while the B-1 and Emil were respectable turners, the Friedrichs turn somewhat worse, so you should begin to think twice before going into a turning engagement. Should you be shot down often and struggle when fighting enemies with the F-1, consider it a helpful and fair warning: you are most likely using the plane wrongly and need to brush up on your flying before attempting the later 109s that nearly all have tough matchmaking.

While the Bf 109 F-1 loses out on the second cannon of the E-3, it still has a good punch. Use the 20 mm only at close range when you are sure to hit. When necessary, use the 7.92 mm [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|MG 17]] to hose down an enemy or force them to break off from a friendly when you can't get a sure shot in with your cannon. Engaging bombers in the F-1 is a thankless task since they will most likely soak up a great number of hits. Unless you enjoy being out of ammo and thus defenceless, bombers are just about your lowest priority in the F-1. If you are forced to attack one, aim for its wings, engines and fuel tanks, not the centre.

The F-1 can load either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg bombs. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match, for example after refuelling/restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near large enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it. Additionally, save the bomb unlocks while grinding out the plane for last and focus on performance.

The F-1 can be particularly effective when used in air realistic battles on account of its low battle rating at 2.3. This puts it on par with the E-1 in terms of matchmaking. The flight performance of the F-1 is excellent for this battle rating allowing it to outperform many aircraft that it is likely to go up against. This is conjunction with the heavy-hitting HEI (Minengeschoß) round from the 20 mm motorkanone make for a very powerful fighter if you can get your rounds on target.

=== 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
|-
|}

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 7 mm
| ETC 50/VIIId
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 7 mm MGs
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
| ETC 500/IXb I
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Superb climb rate and acceleration
* Great speed
* All weaponry mounted on the nose
* Very damaging cannon utilizing minengeschoß ammo
* Ammo counter in the cockpit (useful in [[:Category:Game_modes|Simulator Battles]])
* Good energy retention
* Very favourable matchmaking (same BR as [[Bf 109 E-1]])

'''Cons:'''

* Less turning ability than a lot of its opposition
* Low ammo
* Low cannon rate of fire
* Low cannon muzzle velocity
* Poor cockpit visibility

== History ==

While the Emil saw combat during the Poland and France campaigns and was used as the mainstream German fighter during the Battle of Britain, it had reached its zenith with the E-4. While arguably still a better performer than its historic counterparts, with enemy planes being either as good or worse than the Emil, Messerschmitt began to reevaluate the E-design and attempt to improve upon its design. Drawing on data provided by pilots, the industry and in line with the wishes of the German High Command, the Friedrich was developed.

The Bf 109 F saw major improvement over the Bf 109 E. Its complete front section was overhauled with a more streamlined look and a more aerodynamically efficient profile developed. The wings were improved, ending in a semi-elliptical design reminiscent of the Spitfire. Due to the various changes, it became heavier than the Emil, yet its DB 601 N engine and the better design allowed it to considerably outperform the Emil.

Quite a few Bf 109 F-1 were lost in aerial engagements without battle damage, due to pilots having been unused to its performance. The lack of an accurate speed display that compensated for altitude also complicated matters. Later 109s would have such a display installed. As such, the maximum allowed speed of 750 km/h was often by-passed in the heat of engagements; with the overall structure of the plane not able to withstand outside forces of such magnitude, the plane was lost unless the pilot could somehow recover the plane in time.

While complimentary of its performance, many pilots were somewhat disappointed with the Friedrich due to its armament 'downgrade'. Most notably, Adolf Galland would often critique the lack of additional cannon armament. His Friedrich was eventually upgraded with two additional MGFFs in the wings, similar to the E-3.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Mitsubishi [[A6M (Family)|A6M]]
* Bell [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] Airacobra
* Curtiss [[P-36 (Family)|P-36]]
* Curtiss [[P-40 (Family)|P-40]]
* Dewoitine [[D.520]]
* Fiat [[G.55 serie 1|G.55]]
* Focke-Wulf [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]]
* Grumman [[F4F (Family)|F4F]] Wildcat
* Grumman [[F6F (Family)|F6F]] Hellcat
* Hawker [[Hurricane (Family)|Hurricane]]
* Heinkel [[He 112 (Family)|He 112]]
* [[IAR-81C|IAR-81]]
* Kawasaki [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]
* Lavochkin [[LaGG-3 (Family)|LaGG-3]]
* Macchi [[C.202]]
* Macchi [[C.205 serie 1|C.205]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-3 (Family)|MiG-3]]
* Morane-Saulnier [[M.S.406C1|MS.406]]
* Nakajima [[Ki-43 (Family)|Ki-43]]
* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51]] Mustang
* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* Supermarine [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfire]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-1]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-9]]

== External links ==


* Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmitt Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
* [http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/web.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=bf109b&versionscategory=8 "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109F subpage]
* [[wikipedia:Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#F-0.2C_F-1.2C_F-2|[Wikipedia] Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 F]]
* [http://kurfurst.org/#Friedrich "Performance Information Bf 109F"]

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

Bf 109 F-1

2020-07-26T02:31:01Z

U46735541: Just a bit of information

{{Specs-Card|code=bf-109f-1}}
{{About
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_Bf109F1.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]]. Setting the basis for the definitive version of the Bf 109, the F-4, the Bf 109 F-1 saw substantial improvement over the earlier Emil.

Having picked up their Bf 109 trade in the earlier [[Bf 109 B-1/L| ''Bf 109 B-1'']] and the [[Bf 109 E-1|''Emil series'']], the player will be presented with the Bf 109 F-1. Even though it's not the definitive version of the Friedrich just yet, the F-1 is still a good starter plane for the series. If the player has done their best to understand how to handle the 109 during their time with the B-1 and Emils, they will rejoice at the performance of the F-1. Likewise, if the player has not gone through the trouble of learning the ins and outs of the 109s with their earlier unlocks, they will slowly realize the error of their ways when flying the Friedrichs.

The F-1 is the perfect starting point for the Friedrich line. The most notable change of the Friedrich over the Emil is its performance. Having a more aerodynamically efficient design, especially in the nose, the plane is propelled forward by a powerful DB 601 N producing up to 1175 hp. Reaching speeds up to 615 km/h at 5.2 km altitude, the Friedrich is testimony to the trademark acceleration and speed found in the 109s. A powerful climber, the F-1 quickly reaches altitude and can easily out climb most of its historic counterparts. As with all 109s, the optimal climbing speed is 270 km/h (IAS). As such, the Bf 109 F-1 should largely be played like the Emils, with the bonus of additional performance making the flying and fighting even easier. As with the Emil, fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed uses of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres, enable the Friedrich to quickly change an engagement to its favour.

That said, the player should keep in mind that the Bf 109 F-1 has less of a punch than the preceding E-3. While mounting a [[MG FF/M (20 mm)|20 mm MG FF/M]] cannon in the nose make the aiming somewhat easier, it does lose out on the two ''MG FFs'' that had previously been mounted in the wings. This 'downgrade' is somewhat offset by the fact that the Friedrich's MG FF/M can shoot deadly Mineshells, but careful aiming and trigger discipline is required to make the most out of the 60 available shots. Attempting shots at range is a significant waste of ammo. Luckily, the F-1 holds a respectable (500 per gun, 1,000 total) amount of [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 17]] rounds, allowing you to spray when needed. Using the "Stealth" ammunition belt for the machine guns may help aim, due to less visual interference from the machine-gun tracers, but this is personal preference.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
The climb rate of this aircraft is amazing. Boasting a 16.7 m/s climb rate at 2.3 is unimaginable. The engine doesn't overheat if you keep it on 100%. It only overheat if you use WSP for a long time. Once fully upgraded it can out climb almost anything it faces. However it's turn and roll rate is some what disspointed. Though with enough energy you can turn fight someone. Just be careful because this plane bleeds a lot of energy when turning at a high speed. The energy retension of this aircraft will outmatch most opponent at it's Br. However the American can still out dive you with some o it's higher br aircrafts. The engine is also somewhat durable. If the radiator got hit the engine can still fly at 100% for a bit before it's qulity starts to deteriorate (shown by the color changes from white to yellow, then orange, then red, and finally black with red outline indecating it's dead). The flaps can give you a bit of help in turn fighting but they will ripp when going beyong 400 km/h (249 mil/h). So it's important to only use them for a short perious of time.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 592 || 576 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.9 || 19.7 || 16.7 || 16.7 || rowspan="2" | 358
|-
! Upgraded
| 640 || 614 || 17.1 || 18.0 || 24.1 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== 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 
|-
|}

{| 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}} || 460 || 460 || 260 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,850 m || 1,050 hp || 1,168 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8 mm Steel - Plating behind and below the seat
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|MG FF/M (20 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)|SC250JA (250 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

Just as the with the [[Bf 109 E-1|''E-1'']], new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s (also known as Boom and Run). While often called a Boom & Zoom aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom & Zoomers, and many other aircraft such as the [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]] do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom & Zooming approach can be used for the 109s, limiting oneself to this enormously undermines plane efficiency. It is a pure breed ''energy fighter''.

Keep in mind that while the B-1 and Emil were respectable turners, the Friedrichs turn somewhat worse, so you should begin to think twice before going into a turning engagement. Should you be shot down often and struggle when fighting enemies with the F-1, consider it a helpful and fair warning: you are most likely using the plane wrongly and need to brush up on your flying before attempting the later 109s that nearly all have tough matchmaking.

While the Bf 109 F-1 loses out on the second cannon of the E-3, it still has a good punch. Use the 20 mm only at close range when you are sure to hit. When necessary, use the 7.92 mm [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|MG 17]] to hose down an enemy or force them to break off from a friendly when you can't get a sure shot in with your cannon. Engaging bombers in the F-1 is a thankless task since they will most likely soak up a great number of hits. Unless you enjoy being out of ammo and thus defenceless, bombers are just about your lowest priority in the F-1. If you are forced to attack one, aim for its wings, engines and fuel tanks, not the centre.

The F-1 can load either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg bombs. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match, for example after refuelling/restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near large enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it. Additionally, save the bomb unlocks while grinding out the plane for last and focus on performance.

The F-1 can be particularly effective when used in air realistic battles on account of its low battle rating at 2.3. This puts it on par with the E-1 in terms of matchmaking. The flight performance of the F-1 is excellent for this battle rating allowing it to outperform many aircraft that it is likely to go up against. This is conjunction with the heavy-hitting HEI (Minengeschoß) round from the 20 mm motorkanone make for a very powerful fighter if you can get your rounds on target.

=== 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
|-
|}

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 7 mm
| ETC 50/VIIId
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 7 mm MGs
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
| ETC 500/IXb I
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Superb climb rate and acceleration
* Great speed
* All weaponry mounted on the nose
* Very damaging cannon utilizing minengeschoß ammo
* Ammo counter in the cockpit (useful in [[:Category:Game_modes|Simulator Battles]])
* Good energy retention
* Very favourable matchmaking (same BR as [[Bf 109 E-1]])

'''Cons:'''

* Less turning ability than a lot of its opposition
* Low ammo
* Low cannon rate of fire
* Low cannon muzzle velocity
* Poor cockpit visibility

== History ==

While the Emil saw combat during the Poland and France campaigns and was used as the mainstream German fighter during the Battle of Britain, it had reached its zenith with the E-4. While arguably still a better performer than its historic counterparts, with enemy planes being either as good or worse than the Emil, Messerschmitt began to reevaluate the E-design and attempt to improve upon its design. Drawing on data provided by pilots, the industry and in line with the wishes of the German High Command, the Friedrich was developed.

The Bf 109 F saw major improvement over the Bf 109 E. Its complete front section was overhauled with a more streamlined look and a more aerodynamically efficient profile developed. The wings were improved, ending in a semi-elliptical design reminiscent of the Spitfire. Due to the various changes, it became heavier than the Emil, yet its DB 601 N engine and the better design allowed it to considerably outperform the Emil.

Quite a few Bf 109 F-1 were lost in aerial engagements without battle damage, due to pilots having been unused to its performance. The lack of an accurate speed display that compensated for altitude also complicated matters. Later 109s would have such a display installed. As such, the maximum allowed speed of 750 km/h was often by-passed in the heat of engagements; with the overall structure of the plane not able to withstand outside forces of such magnitude, the plane was lost unless the pilot could somehow recover the plane in time.

While complimentary of its performance, many pilots were somewhat disappointed with the Friedrich due to its armament 'downgrade'. Most notably, Adolf Galland would often critique the lack of additional cannon armament. His Friedrich was eventually upgraded with two additional MGFFs in the wings, similar to the E-3.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Mitsubishi [[A6M (Family)|A6M]]
* Bell [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] Airacobra
* Curtiss [[P-36 (Family)|P-36]]
* Curtiss [[P-40 (Family)|P-40]]
* Dewoitine [[D.520]]
* Fiat [[G.55 serie 1|G.55]]
* Focke-Wulf [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]]
* Grumman [[F4F (Family)|F4F]] Wildcat
* Grumman [[F6F (Family)|F6F]] Hellcat
* Hawker [[Hurricane (Family)|Hurricane]]
* Heinkel [[He 112 (Family)|He 112]]
* [[IAR-81C|IAR-81]]
* Kawasaki [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]
* Lavochkin [[LaGG-3 (Family)|LaGG-3]]
* Macchi [[C.202]]
* Macchi [[C.205 serie 1|C.205]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-3 (Family)|MiG-3]]
* Morane-Saulnier [[M.S.406C1|MS.406]]
* Nakajima [[Ki-43 (Family)|Ki-43]]
* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51]] Mustang
* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* Supermarine [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfire]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-1]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-9]]

== External links ==


* Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmitt Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
* [http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/web.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=bf109b&versionscategory=8 "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109F subpage]
* [[wikipedia:Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#F-0.2C_F-1.2C_F-2|[Wikipedia] Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 F]]
* [http://kurfurst.org/#Friedrich "Performance Information Bf 109F"]

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

B-29A-BN

2020-07-26T02:20:12Z

U46735541: Because the snail decide to nerf b 29 even more I have to change the br and someother related stuff, thank you snail you have made this bomber almost unplayable no with the me 262 ripping your wings of with 2 30 mm mk108 mineshells.

{{Specs-Card|code=b-29}}
{{About
| about = American heavy bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-29/Tu-4 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage B-29A-BNSuperfortress.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. The B-29 follows the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]] in the U.S. bomber branch and is currently the last American propeller-powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. At the top of its game, the {{PAGENAME}} is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers found in War Thunder, though it suffers from both an immense repair cost, and a large chance to face early jets.

In the few years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) realized that its current primary heavy bomber, the [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]] would not have the range nor the payload which would be needed to efficiently transit what would end up becoming the Pacific Theater. To compensate for this Boeing began to develop a prototype which would incorporate a pressurized cabin to allow for higher altitude flying, which would help to protect the bomber from Japanese fighters which struggled to get to the higher altitudes.
[[File:B-29 kawashima momo 001.png|350px|thumb|left|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' cockpit.]]
The resulting XB-29 prototype and the later production series B-29 bomber had everything the USAAC was looking for, high-pressured cockpit, a maximum altitude of almost 32,000 ft (9753.6 m), true air-speed around 372 mph (600 kph) and could carry a massive payload of bombs upwards of 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg). Defensive positions on the B-29 were well placed to ensure maximum coverage surrounding the bomber. This bomber was one of the first aircraft to be fitted with the General Electric Central Fire Control system which could be used to remotely control four of the remotely controlled turrets (two dorsal and two ventral). Though in their early stages, this aircraft’s turrets each also had a General Electric analogue computer linked to it allowing the weapons to be more accurate by automatically factoring in airspeed, gravity, temperature and lead time for the inbound aircraft. With this setup, these turrets could be controlled from the nose, tail or any of the three mid-fuselage positions and a single gunner could actually control more than one turret at a time increasing the effectiveness and lethality of the bomber’s defences. Bristling with 12 x M2 Browning machine guns, the {{PAGENAME}} was extremely difficult to approach, yet make a successful pass and leave untouched.

Unlike other bombers which can take on a secondary role as a pseudo-attacker, the {{PAGENAME}} is a bomber, period. The sole purpose of the B-29 is to beat ground targets into submission either with upwards of 40 x 500 lb bombs, 18 x 1,000 lb bombs or 8 x 2,000 lb bombs. The larger 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs are perfect for base bombing while the relatively smaller 500 lb bombs make the perfect tool for carpet bombing where vehicles, pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be clustered together which may be reminiscent for pilots who have flown the rank I French bomber the [[F.222.2]] and utilised its 52 x 50 kg [[G.A. MMN. 50 (50 kg)|G.A. MMN. 50]] bombs which created area denial on early maps.

The {{PAGENAME}} is an aerial beast which can drop a beastly amount of explosive ordnance, rivalled by few, but is not immune to enemy fighters. Altitude is this bombers friend and when achieved can be a safer haven from which to rain down explosives on enemy bases or vehicles.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


The {{PAGENAME}}, much like its contemporaries the Messerschmitt [[Me 264]], Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]] and Tupolev [[Tu-4]] was built for the sole purpose of flying high and dropping large amounts of bombs. To account for these characteristics, others such as manoeuvrability, rate-of-climb and acceleration were compromised. The B-29 is a heavy aircraft which when adding 10,000 – 20,000 lbs of ordnance will only make the plane that much more difficult to get to altitude, but once there this aircraft does have a decent cruising speed. To help speed up gameplay for this aircraft, it is given an air-start at the beginning of matches and also after landing to reload and repair due to its sheer size and difficulty climbing to its bombing altitude.

The typical method of utilising this bomber is to fly the aircraft to a higher altitude. Depending on the enemy fighters, attackers and interceptors which appear in the match, you may be able to stay lower around 20,000 ft (6,000 m) or you may need to increase closer to 30,000 ft (9,150 m) to make it extremely difficult for the fighters to follow you up and many if they do get that high, their engines are struggling to keep the plane above stall speed which provides you with the opportunity to leave them behind or to easily pick them off with your gunners.

One downside to flying at the higher altitudes in arcade battles is that if you bomb a base but don’t completely destroy it, it is difficult to circle back around and bomb again when the bombs have reloaded. A wide circle is necessary to accomplish this and it may be better and more efficient instead to fly towards another base, bomb it and turn around and finish off the first base. Another option too is to leave the partially bombed bases for the smaller and slower bombers on your team to finish off or just catch the partially bombed bases on a return pass.
[[File:B-29 jonigustavo 001.png|350px|thumb|right]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 613 || 602 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.5 || 34.4 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1,800
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 669 || 641 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.7 || 32.0 || 11.7 || 6.5 || 1,800
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || 340 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 340 || < 350 || < 290 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 9,720 m || 2,200 hp || 2,499 hp
|-

|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder || 4
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,251 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,975 hp || colspan="2" | 2,276 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 2,200 hp || colspan="2" | 2,502 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

The {{PAGENAME}} had to be judicious when it came to providing protecting armour for the aircrew at the sacrifice of additional fuel or ordnance. In fact, later models removed many of their defensive turrets in order to allow for more fuel and ordnance to be loaded. It is obvious that an aircraft this size will be a huge target for enemy fighters to attack with the nose section (''cockpit'') and the tail turret being the two most likely targets (''head-on attack and tail approach attack'') and thus both areas were outfitted with 60 mm bulletproof glass which helps against lower calibre weapons, however 20 mm and above make short work of the bulletproof glass. 6.5 mm steel plates are scattered around the aircraft to provide protection for both the crew members and some of the control surface linkages. Though not a stop-all invincible shield for the crew, it many instances it provided enough protection to allow crew members to survive and fight another day.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===
[[File:B-29 meanswing 001.png|450px|thumb|right]]

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
* 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
* 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
* 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (16,000 lb total)

One might say the {{PAGENAME}} is effectively a dump truck which can dump a ton of explosives, no make that upwards of 10 tons of explosives upon enemy targets. Utilising speed at higher altitudes, it is the purpose of the Superfortress to race to an enemy base or ground targets and just rain down TNT. With three choices of bomb weights to choose from and four different configurations, there is no shortage of ways to destroy ground targets. The 1,000 lb and 2,000 lb bombs come in most handy for base bombing as they do the most amount of damage for the least amount of effort in a concentrated area. Area of denial is the speciality of the 500 lb bombs when used in carpet bombing operations. Carpet bombing is effectively laying down many of the 500 lb bombs at one time over an area where vehicles such as trucks, tanks and anti-aircraft vehicles or hardened structures such as pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be located at. Since vehicles are on the move, dropping multiple bombs at a time making it more difficult for them to move out of the way and avoid the inbound ordnance.

With the {{PAGENAME}}, there is no real overkill with the bombs, which can make the Superfortress a prime target to be eliminated early as with upwards of 20,000 lbs in bombs, the {{PAGENAME}} can make short work of enemy bases and end the match earlier than most will expect.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is defended by an impressive 12 x .50 calibre Browning machine guns rivalled only by the Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]], Tupolev [[Tu-4]], Consolidated [[PB4Y-2]] and [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24]] and the Boeing [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]]. Typically when bombers add more guns, they had to add more crew to operate them which increased the overall weight of the aircraft, though ensuring more protection, it also reduced the amount of fuel or bombs which could be carried.

As a historical note, the advent of early analogue computers which were outfitted on the {{PAGENAME}} and the state-of-the-art General Electric Central Fire Control System allowed for remote operation of both dorsal and both ventral turrets along with the tail gun if needed. The turrets could be linked through the fire control system and allow one gunner to operate multiple guns at one time. Simplifying this process and allowing gunners from just about anywhere on the aircraft to control the turrets reduced the number of crew members needed to operate the aircraft. Though four times the size of a B-25, the {{PAGENAME}} operated efficiently on the same amount of crew members, seven.

The computer-aided turrets allowed for more accuracy when firing and can train the guns in just about any direction needed to combat incoming fighters. The tail gunner position is especially deadly as a fighter perched on the tail will be flying into the oncoming bullets from the tail gun position, thereby taking more damage when hit and more likely to take on a critical hit or disabling blow. Though not totally invulnerable to the crafty fighter pilot, the {{PAGENAME}} in its own right is a porcupine with sharp quills pointing in all directions which will make it as difficult as possible for anyone to get past the defences.

==Usage in battles==


The ultimate strategic bomber for the [[:Category:USA_aircraft|USAF]]. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and twelve good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the ''Superfortress''! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will shred any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at delivery payload, ''lots of it''.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilise it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Great defensive armament will destroy most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.

Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay

;"Hit-and-Run" tactic

Another way the B-29 can be played is in a "hit and run" tactic. In BR 6.7, the {{PAGENAME}} will face mostly jets, so climbing to a very high altitude sometime wouldn't work because the jets will be able to catch up quickly. The "hit and run" tactic is very risky, but it can be very enjoyable, and if it works then you can end the game in 15 minutes. Since the match will start with the B-29 spawning in at about 4,500 meters (15,000 ft), go into a shallow dive and maintain speed about 450 km/h (270 mph). Dive towards an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) so that enemy anti-aircraft positions do not fire at the B-29, which may expose it to other enemy fighters. Do not head directly to an enemy base, instead go around 10-20 degrees off course towards the base direction so that the enemy can't easily find the B-29 from tracing a line between the friendly spawn point to their base. If present, use clouds to obscure the B-29's profile in the skies.

From here, the enemy jets' behavior will decide if this tactic will work or not. Typically, the enemy would be divided between the planes attacking ground targets at low altitude, far from a bomber's path to a base, or planes climbing to high altitudes for energy fighting and searching for high-altitude bombers. The intent of the dive to ~2,000 meters and the 450 km/h speed is to squeeze in between the ground attackers and interceptors and pass by undetected. If everything goes right, the B-29 should be able to reach its first base unimpeded without any fighters in pursuit, which can allow a B-29 the opportunity to knock out three or four bases before enemy fighters become alerted toward the B-29 precise location. From that point, the B-29 can either attempt to use the rest of its payload against the enemy airfield (unadvised as the low-altitude run exposes the B-29 to the anti-aircraft guns at the airfield) or return back to base triumphantly awaiting a bomb reload.

Due to this tactic hinging only on the success of slipping through the enemies undetected, this tactic should not be relied if there are no clouds for concealment, the match is an uptier against more advanced jets, or if the player is not able to sustain the repair costs of a damaged B-29.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm||SBC-40
|-
| II
| ||Compressor
| Airframe
| ||
|-
| III
| Wings repair||Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)||MBC-12
|-
| IV
| ||Engine injection
| Cover
| ||LBC-8
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===
[[File:B-29 your jacket 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|A Bf 109 attempts to take on a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]


'''Pros:'''

* Second heaviest payload in War Thunder next to the Soviet [[Tu-4]]
* Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with one payload in arcade and up to two bases in realistic/simulatory battles
* Can be difficult for fighters to reach same cruising altitude, even for jets
* Effective defensive turrets which virtually have no blind spots
* Fast for its size
* Virtually immune to small arms machine gunfire
* Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
* All payload options are internal and have next to no effect on flight performance
* Gunners are located separately from the gun turret (remote-controlled turrets) with the exception of the tail turret
* Can easily win a match if allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude
* Exceptionally strong when flying in groups with other bombers

[[File:B-29 kohler 001.png|450px|thumb|right|]]
'''Cons:'''

* Easily susceptible to damage from autocannons larger than 20 mm especially the MK108
* Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
* Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
* Has a low dive top-speed
* As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre well
* Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
* Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
* Wings are considered weak spots
* Will face jets most of the time
* Very high repair cost
* Low flap deployment max speed

== History ==


The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the war and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 ''Enola Gay'' dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 ''Bockscar'' dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.

During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum">Excerpts from [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/292156-profile-b-29-superfortress/ 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress], no Author mentioned.</ref>

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It was joined by another named “Doc” in 2016.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum" />
[[File:B-29 tay777 001.png|550px|thumb|center|]]
=== In-game description ===
"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.

The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.

В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.

The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.

Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.

A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.

The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.

B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.

The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.

In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""

A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=heavy_bomber&vehicle=b-29 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 002.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 th fegel team 001.png|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 003.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3Ut75XHCWgk|'''War Thunder Realistic: B-29A-BN Superfortress [Grace]''' - ''Jengar''|iJhLf-SOVIc|'''War Thunder B-29 SuperFortress Bomber Gameplay''' - ''BaronVonGamez''|gxIVvUZGptw|'''The Shooting Range #51''' - ''Special'' section at 00:29 discusses the B-29 & Tu-4.|8Yewf7LXfUU|'''WT - B-29 - Punished for not Scumbagging''' - ''NapalmRatte''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Tupolev [[Tu-4]] (unauthorized reverse-engineered copy of the B-29)
* Avro [[Lincoln B Mk II]]
* Nakajima [[G8N1]]
* Messerschmitt [[Me 264]]

== External links ==


* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3507/current/ [Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress]
* [[Wikipedia:Boeing_B-29_Superfortress|[Wikipedia] B-29 Superfortress]]
* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-29-superfortress.page [Boeing.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress History Page]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82 [Militaryfactory.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Strategic High-Altitude Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft]
* [https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/hero-soviet-union-japanese.html [Warhistoryonline.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Futuristic Cannons of B-29 Superfortress: Ahead and Behind the Times]

== References ==
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

Category:Currency and research points

2020-07-23T21:19:51Z

U46735541: spell check

== In-Game Economy ==
The economy in War Thunder consists of three different aspects. The currencies with ''Silver Lions'' and ''Golden Eagles'', which can be bought with real money, or more rarely given out as login prizes, though the game treats Golden Eagles as its premium currency. The progression with ''Research Points'', and the bonus ''War Bonds''. The economy of war thunder is largely based on two aspects. Research is done via the eponymous research points, and every other aspect in within the game is managed via silver lions. Research can be boosted by unlocking RP (After a match some of your RP will be converted into unlock able RP which can only be used by spending golden eagles to "boost research" e.e if you are researching a vehicle and need only 500 more RP points, you can spend some of your golden eagles to "boost research" which then fills up you RP meter with 500 RP of your free RP supply, assuming you have enough golden eagles for 500 free RP points to be unlocked) Every other part of the game uses silver lions. You get research and silver lions based on individual match performance, though obviously a team win means that your earnings will be higher.

For silver lions, you pay to not only buy each plane, but also to place each plane in a crew slot. For example a plane costing 77000 SL will actually need 99000 SL to use, as once purchased the plane cannot be used unless you pay an additional 22000 to the 77000 to place it into a crew slot. Please note that simply researching a vehicle does not mean that you can use it, unless the vehicle is purchased and crewed. In addition you must research several vehicles in every tier to progress into the next tier, and most lines in War Thunder prevent you from even researching vehicles in the next tier unless you research vehicles directly above it. For example you can research the US naval fighter line and land fighter into the final tiers of war thunder (tiers 5/6), but unless you have also researched every single bomber up until that point, you cannot research tier five bomber, meaning that to then get a tier five bomber, you will have to research all bombers starting from tier 1. Not every line follows this rule, but at the time of this writing, lines that require sequential research make up the bulk of the progression. In addition if you have researched a vehicle and then research a vehicle below it, you cannot purchase the bottom vehicle unless you have purchased (not crewed) the above vehicle.

Lastly, SL is used to buy modifications, which can be unlocked either by Golden Eagles or by playing the vehicle the modification is on in any match. Modifications use the same type of sequential progression. Whilst you do earn SL in every battle, you also can also lose SL via paying for ammunition and repair costs (money charged to instantly repair a vehicle) and whilst you can freely repair vehicles, some vehicles take in excess of one week to be fully repaired. As their is no SL loss cap, it is not uncommon to actually lose SL at the end of a match, as the SL you are told that you have gained on the victory/defeat screen does not take into account the repair cost(s) you need to pay, and ammunition costs you need to pay. You never can loose research, but you cannot shift research from one vehicle to the next, locking all research put into that vehicle solely into that vehicle.

== Currencies ==
===Silver Lions [[File:Sl_icon.png|x25px|frameless|link=]]===
{{main|Silver Lions}}
Silver lions are the main War Thunder currency, used in-game to purchase new crew slots (#3-5), standard vehicles, and modifications, as well as repairing damaged vehicles and purchasing ammunition and ordnance. These can be earned by playing games and destroying enemies and ground units, achieving kill assists, completing single missions and from battle trophies. With a premium account, players will earn an increased amount of silver lions per battle, helping to speed up their advancement through nations' aircraft and ground unit trees. Golden eagles can also be converted into silver lions if a player is running low and needs some quickly.

===Golden Eagles [[File:Ge_icon.png|x25px|frameless|link=]]===
{{main|Golden Eagles}}
Golden eagles are a premium in-game currency, which can be spent on a Premium Account, which increases Silver Lion and RP gain, and other additional content: premium machines, faster crew development, additional places in a hangar, boost research, purchase talismans, and purchase Battle Trophies in the Item Shop. They can also be exchanged to another in-game currency — Silver Lions.

== Researching ==
=== Research Points [[File:Rp_icon.png|x25px|frameless|link=]] ===
{{main|Research Points}}
Research points are used for researching new aircraft and ground units in War Thunder. These are earned in a similar way to silver lions - by playing games and achieving air and ground unit kills, and by achieving kill assists. Like with silver lions, research point gain can be increased by purchasing ''premium account time'', to help players unlock their desired aircraft and ground units faster.

=== Convertible Research Points ===
Convertible research points (CRP) are a backup pool of extra research points that players gain each game. Usually, the gain is equal to the normal research points. CRP can be converted into regular research points with golden eagles under a tagged "researching" vehicle with ''Boost Research'' at any time if a player wants to research faster than by simply playing. The current rate is that 1 Golden Eagle will convert 45 CRP into research points.

=== Module Research Points ===
Module research points (MRP) are separate research units for individual vehicles meant to be used to unlock [[:Category:Modules_and_modifications|vehicle modules]], which would then require Silver Lions to be bought. MRP are scaled like research point rewards in-game, though more dependent on an individual tank's performance in the game rather than the overall match time.

=== Crew XP Points ===
Crew experience points are points allocated to the individual crews of the hangar/garage for a particular vehicle slot. They can be spent on [[Crew_skills|Crew Skills]], which improve the capabilities of your crew.

Crew experience points are calculated based on research points as follows:

* In Arcade battles - 30 experience points for 1,000 RP
* In Realistic battles - 11.3 experience points for 1,000 RP
* In Simulator battles - 9 experience points for 1,000 RP

== War Bonds ==
''Main article:'' [[Daily missions|Battle tasks]] 
War bonds are values that can be earned by completing the daily "[[Daily missions|Battle Tasks]]" that can be accessible at the top right area on the hangar menu. These can be spent in the Warbond shop for premium vehicles or other in-game items such as boosters and universal backups. The maximum balance of war bonds a player can own is 3,600.

= Additional information (links) =


[[Category:Game mechanics]]

B-17E

2020-07-23T18:46:51Z

U46735541: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card|code=b-17e}}
{{About
| about = American bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-17 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
The engine over heat very quickly and very easily. Even a fully upgrade plane can't use 100% throttle unless you use manual engine controll. Don't even imagine when the plane is stock, the engine will overheat even if you use 98% throttle for most of the time. Manual engine controll comes in very handy because it can solve most of these problum above. However it will most likly cuase your plane to lose a lot of speed because using radiator cause a lot of drag.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,680 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
| 496 || 483 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.9 || 37.9 || 5.8 || 5.7 || rowspan="2" | 600
|-
! Upgraded
| 523 || 510 || 35.1 || 36.0 || 8.7 || 7.2
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 400 || 400 || 249 || ~2 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 330 || < 310 || < 270 || > 300
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,180 m || 4,000 hp || 4,708 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 6.35 mm Steel plate behind nose gunner.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates behind pilots.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates behind dorsal gunners.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of beam gunners.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of tail gunner.
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass ball turret.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 12 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 6 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (4,000 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, nose turret (500 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, front dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turret (400 rpg = 800 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, tail turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The B-17E Flying Fortress is intended to be used as a high-altitude level bomber in order to target airfields, bases, and land fortifications. Despite its large bomb load, it's not recommended to target moving ground units, such as tanks or armoured cars, especially when they are travelling in tight columns due to the inaccuracy of your bombs at high altitudes and the ability for the AI on the ground to perform evasive manoeuvres when bombs are falling onto their position. When using the B-17E, it is best to fly with another friendly bomber or fighter (if possible) to ensure maximum protection. If you are flying alone, design a secure flight path towards your objective in the hopes of not being detected by enemy fighters.

The B-17E is designed specifically to withstand the harshest punishment during combat. The bomber itself provides plenty of armour along the fuselage and tail except for the nose, which is the only area that's not protected by any form of protection. The armour ranges from 6.35 mm sheets to a single 38 mm glass plate protecting the tail gunner. Speaking of armour protection, in order to ensure the greatest chance of survival during an interception, you must not move. The B-17E is not designed to execute sharp defensive manoeuvres (turns, dives, and rolls) unlike its predecessor the [[B-25J-20|B-25]], but rather designed to use its defensive armament provided (consisting of 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm turrets) to fight back against harassing enemy fighters. Some great advice for novice bombardiers is to include incendiary ammunition in your turret belts. This crucial precaution will guarantee more lethal firepower coming from your defensive armament, since not only are you penetrating armour, but you are also setting components ablaze. However, the armour and defensive armaments typically won't save you from the high tier interceptors and cannon-armed fighters (especially german heavy fighters/interceptors that are armed with 30 mm cannons and get air spawns) you will face. Since they are all heavily armoured, while possessing the ability to rip your wings off with a few 20 mm cannon shots or one shot you with the 30 mm from 1.5 km away, it is better to just avoid them all together by side climbing and using cloud cover when heading to the enemy base. NEVER head straight to the enemy base because the enemy player will trace your flight path from your spawn point to their base and easily intercept you. Also unlike the B-25, the B-17 does not have particularly effective armour or defensive armament in the front, so if an enemy fighter decides to go head on, try turning away to expose your tail, which is a lot more protected against the incoming fighter. If not then both pilots could get knocked out and send you straight back to the hanger.

In conclusion, the B-17E is a great introduction for players using the American bomber line. Although it is not the "immortal gunship" B-17 of old, if used well, the B-17E is a force be reckoned with.

=== 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 Auto control available || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Combined || Controllable 1 gear || Auto controlled
|-
|}

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
| Protective vest
| Turret 7 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 7 mm MGs (turret)
| LBC-17
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 12 mm
| SBC-17
|-
| IV
|
|
| Cover
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| MBC-17
|-
|}

As a slow and lumbering heavy bomber, the ''Flying Fortress'' relies entirely on its turrets for defence. Without it, the plane is a piñata. Thus, ''Protective vests'' should be the first unlock. Further survivability upgrades will make fending off attacks easier but do not think to stand successfully against enemy fighters. So upgrading the bomb load should be second priority. Performance modules can be considered least necessary, it will not go anywhere quick anyway.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Large bomb load
* Heavy defensive armament
* Multiple engines (preserves speed when damaged)
* Very sturdy fuselage able to soak up heavy damage
* Calibres below 12.7 mm are ineffective against it
* Good speed
* Defensive armaments provide all-around coverage
* Performs well at high altitudes

'''Cons:'''

* Cumbersome target
* Poor climb rate
* Nose is extremely vulnerable
* Cannons are very effective against it
* Multiple engines mean multiple fires
* Sluggish controls and very difficult to manoeuvre
* Wings are large and vulnerable
* Low speed
* Few shots of 20 mm+ cannons filled with explosives are needed to cut off a wing
* Engines will overheat at 100%

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== In-game description ===
The legendary B-17 American heavy bombers were rightly called Flying Fortresses. This four-engined heavy bomber was an all-metal hero, an extremely durable aircraft that could return to the airfield with just one engine, riddled with bullets.

But the early models of the B-17 had a significant blind spot in the rear, so fighter support was required. To solve this problem, the B-17E was produced, and a turret with two 12.7mm machine guns was installed in the tail section of the aircraft. To do this, the fuselage size had to be increased. In addition, to improve control of the plane, the tail was broadened and a larger vertical fin was installed.

Although it lost some speed when compared to the B-17D, the new model fared favorably with its new protection and thus became the first truly mass-produced B-17. From September 5, 1941 to May 1942, 512 aircraft were made on the production line, before the development of the B-17F.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

Prinz Eugen

2020-07-09T17:54:34Z

U46735541: /* Secondary armament */ and usage

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_cruiser_prinz_eugen
|store=8103
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German heavy cruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.''

=== Mobility ===
''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.''

== Armament ==
=== Primary armament ===
{{main|20.3 cm/60 SK C/34 (203 mm)}}

''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''

=== Secondary armament ===
{{main|10.5 cm SK C/33 AA (105 mm)}}These cannons are great for taking out destoryers. Since they have a good rate of fire and damage out put. They also makes decent anti-air guns for high altitude bombers. Though not very effective but it will make their drops on you harder. Depending on which target you want to foucus you may load diffrent shells. He shells for destoryers and other smaller vessles. Time fued He for anti-air if there is a lot of bombers in the sky. Base fused He for thick destoryers (edit: is there base fused he for secoundary?). By presing alt+2 you can take control of the secoundary your self, making them more effective and give you the ability to change the shells depending on the situation you are in. However this will leave you vulnerable to other cursiers because you wil be focusing most of your attension other vehicles. So it is better to level up your AI gunners and leave the jobs for them, while you focus on other cursiers or destoryers with your powerful main gun.

=== Anti-aircraft armament ===

{{main|4 cm Bofors Flak 28 (40 mm)|2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)}}

Prinz Eugen is covered with 40 mm and 20 mm AA guns, boasting an overall much more effective defence than her sister ship the [[Admiral Hipper]]. These guns easily protect the ship from close-range air assaults, while the 105 mm secondary guns will make sure high altitude bombers think twice before presenting themselves as an easy target, though they lack the proximity-fused shells sported by American and British heavy AA guns. It is best to aim the guns yourself if they are coming in from high altitude because most strategic bomber can't manoeuvre very well, making them easy to lead and aim at. The 40 mm and 20 mm autocannons are also great at wiping out torpedo boats and other small vessels. Since they often carry torpedoes that can one-shot or critically damage you, the wall of autocannon fire will make those torpedo boats think twice before rushing you, allowng you to focus more on the main target like other cruisers or destroyers.

=== Torpedo armament ===
{{main|G7a (533 mm)}}

''Torpedo launchers are standard equipment on many ships and boats. Torpedoes are a significant means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc. If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6498-development-prinz-eugen-steaming-into-the-atomic-age-en|[Devblog] Prinz Eugen: Steaming Into the Atomic Age]]

{{Germany heavy cruisers}}
{{Germany premium ships}}

F4U-1D

2020-07-09T00:51:26Z

U46735541: Stock

{{Specs-Card
|code=f4u-1d
|cockpit=cockpit_f4u-1d.jpg
}}
{{About
| about = American naval fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = F4U (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]

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

The F4U Corsair is a very distinct aircraft with its famous gull-wing design and huge R-2800 Double Wasp engine.

The general playstyle of the F4U-1D is like any Corsair, climb high, only Boom-and-Zoom, never turn-fight and keep your energy high. Even though the F4U-1D can carry a considerable bomb load, in air RB, bringing any secondary load-out is a mistake and most likely will get you killed.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
The stock performence is not that great. The engine overheats extreamly easly. Once is overheat it takes a centrey to cool down. The stock engine will over heat at 100%. Don't even tink about using WEP except takeoff or very extream emergence or else your engine will die.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,096 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 644 || 621 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.1 || 23.9 || 11.7 || 11.7 || 250
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,096 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 703 || 671 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.9 || 22.0 || 19.6 || 15.2 || 250
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 470 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 450 || < 450 || < 500 || > 450
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 300 m || 2,000 hp || 2,270 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,785 m || 1,800 hp || 2,043 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,400 m || 1,650 hp || 1,872 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 3 mm Steel - Upper engine cowling armour plate
* 8 mm Steel - Behind pilot's seat
* 12.7 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

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

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

* 6 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wing-mounted (375 rpg outer + 400 rpg center + inner = 2,350 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR}}

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

* Without load
* 8 x 127 mm HVAR rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

Due to its great energy retention and high dive speed, the Corsair is very good at Boom and Zooming. It is recommended to be used this way especially against any Japanese planes. Against any German planes Boom & Zoom is still recommended, but some planes you can out turn, such as the [[Fw 190 A-4]]. As with every American fighter, '''always''' climb at the start of a match. The only way to be successful with this plane is to climb high and end up higher than the enemy. Using this tactic will greatly increase your chances of getting air kills and forcing the enemy down low where you can finish them off.

When you are diving on a Japanese plane and it turns around, do not follow it in the turn to get a couple shots off. Instead pull an Immelmann turn, and you will end up right on the tail of an opponent with a lot less energy while you still have a lot. The same tactic can work against German aircraft to an extent as well.

Suitable for both dog-fighting as ground attacking the Corsair fulfils many roles.

With 8 rockets a great variety of targets can be taken care of. Four tanks of any size, if aimed well, four light pillboxes, or a single destroyer. 2,000 lbs (~1,000 kg for in-game purposes) deliver enough punch for 2/3 of a strategic base, or 1/2 Japanese Carrier.

====== Simulator mode procedures ======
Hands-off carrier take-off (Auto engine control, no secondary weapons): Ignite engine, flaps: raised, elevator trim: 20%, aileron trim: 11%, rudder trim: 6%, WEP throttle, hands off controls until you get lifted off the ground.

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

When facing the Japanese, you always have to look out for A6Ms, Ki-61s, and Ki-43s. Against all past mentioned you should '''never''' turn-fight them, boom-and-zoom each and let your superior speed, energy retention, and dive speed save you.

When facing the Germans or Italians, you have to be wary of Bf 109 F-4's and Bf 109 G-2's, each will outclimb you, outgun you, and accelerate faster than you. The best way to counter a 109 is to jump one that is on an teammate's tail, and pour your 6 x .50 cals into them. Unlike the Japanese planes, a 109 can take a lot of hits, and its fires can go out as well, so be wary. You do not have to worry much about Fw 190's, the only thing worth mentioning is to never head-on one, and if you do happen to get one on your tail, either out dive it or turn-fight it.

====Counter-tactics====

The best countermeasure against the F4U-1D is to outclimb it. If you do then it will be a sitting duck. If you are at the same altitude as it, try to engage it in a turn-fight if you have more energy than it (be mindful, a skilled pilot can make his F4U-1D out-turn the agile Bf 109 F-4).

===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 || rowspan="2" | Controllable Auto control available || rowspan="2" | Controllable Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Controllable 3 gears || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 12 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| FRC mk.2
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
|
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great energy retention
* Great at diving
* High dive top speed
* Good firepower
* Great ammo reserves (> 375 rpg)
* Good level top speed
* Good turning radius
* Good payloads
* Mediocre rate of climb
* Good acceleration
* The absence of small fuel tanks on the wings reduces the chances of catching fire from a hit

'''Cons:'''

* No rear visibility in the cockpit
* Usually out-climbed by most enemies
* Constant turning will cause plane to lose speed and energy quickly.
* Tendency to catch on fire
* Rather weak Damage Model
* Wings are easily shot off by 20 mm cannons
* Rudder jams above ~611 km/h (380 mph)

== History ==

{{main|F4U_Corsair_History|l1=F4U Corsair History}}
The F4U-1D Corsair was designed in order to meet the Navy's requirement for capable carrier-based fighter-bombers. To meet this need, the -1D incorporate a Pratt and Whitney R-2800-8W water injection engine, increasing the engine power and the plane's speed from that of the F4U-1A. This gave it the increased performance necessary to carry a larger armament. Two pylons were added to the center wing section, that could hold 154 gallon fuel tanks, bombs up to 1,000 lbs, or napalm bombs. Because of the ability to carry more fuel externally, the 63 gallon fuel tanks in the wing tips were removed. Later in production, the ability to carry four 5 in rockets under each wing was added. In addition, the propeller diameter was reduced from 13 ft 4 in to 13 ft 1 in.

=== In-game description ===

"When designing the single-engine carrier-based fighter-bomber designated as the Chance Vought F4U-1D Le Corsaire (“The Corsair”), it was decided to ignore the new weaponry from the F4U-1C and use six of the proven 12.7 mm machine guns (as had been on the F4U-1A).

The plane’s main innovation was its capacity to hold two 454-kg bombs and one 907-kg bomb. Thus, the F4U-1D could be used as a heavy fighter-bomber. Also, additional fuel tanks could be installed instead of bombs. In addition, a more powerful engine was added, and the last 266 F4U-1Ds and 295 FG-1Ds could carry eight 127-millimeter HVAR rockets.

The F4U-1D, the first large-scale variant after the F4U-1A, was produced not only at Chance Vought factory, but also at the Goodyear factory. Planes from the latter became known as FG-1Ds. The Brewster plant, which had produced the F4U-1A, did not work on the production of this variant, as its contract was annulled.

All in all, 1685 F4U-1Ds were made at the Chance Vought factory and 1997 FG-1Ds at the Goodyear factory."

== Media ==

<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:F4U-1D Reworked Model.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Reworked model of the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]] </li>
</ul></div>

== See also ==


* [[F4U (Family)|F4U Family]]
* [[F4U Corsair History]]
* [[F4U-1A]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Vought}}
{{USA fighters}}

== Bibliography ==

* "[https://www.jdsf4u.be/f4u-1d-vought-corsair F4U-1D Vought Corsair]", ''F4U Corsair - The Bent Wing Bird plane site'', Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
* "[https://www.jdsf4u.be/type-of-plane-f4u Types of Plane F4U - Variants]", ''F4U Corsair- The Bent Wing Bird plane site'', Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

Prinz Eugen

2020-07-08T21:47:52Z

U46735541: Forgot to add the secound usage of these aa guns, a bit of patch to their usage

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_cruiser_prinz_eugen
|store=8103
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German heavy cruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.''

=== Mobility ===
''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.''

== Armament ==
=== Primary armament ===
{{main|20.3 cm/60 SK C/34 (203 mm)}}

''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''

=== Secondary armament ===
{{main|10.5 cm SK C/33 AA (105 mm)}}

''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''

=== Anti-aircraft armament ===

{{main|4 cm Bofors Flak 28 (40 mm)|2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)}}

Prinz Eugen is covered with 40 mm and 20 mm AA guns, boasting an overall much more effective defence than her sister ship the [[Admiral Hipper]]. These guns easily protect the ship from close-range air assaults, while the 105 mm secondary guns will make sure high altitude bombers think twice before presenting themselves as an easy target, though they lack the proximity-fused shells sported by American and British heavy AA guns. It is best to aim the guns yourself if they are coming in from high altitude because most strategic bomber can't manoeuvre very well, making them easy to lead and aim at. The 40 mm and 20 mm auto cannon are also greate at wiping out torpedoboats and other small vechails. Since they often carry torpedos that can one shot or critically damage you. These auto cannons will make thouse torpedoboats think twice before rushing you, allowng you to foucus more on the main target like other cursiers or destroyer. If you have them switch to the mode to search for sea or sea and air of course.

=== Torpedo armament ===
{{main|G7a (533 mm)}}

''Torpedo launchers are standard equipment on many ships and boats. Torpedoes are a significant means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc. If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6498-development-prinz-eugen-steaming-into-the-atomic-age-en|[Devblog] Prinz Eugen: Steaming Into the Atomic Age]]

{{Germany heavy cruisers}}
{{Germany premium ships}}

Prinz Eugen

2020-07-06T17:55:50Z

U46735541: Want to add some information here for people thinking is it worth to buy this ship.

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_cruiser_prinz_eugen
|store=8103
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German cruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.''

=== Mobility ===
''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.''

== Armament ==
=== Primary armament ===
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{main|Weapon name (calibre)}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''

=== Secondary armament ===
''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''

=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
Prinz Eugen is covered with 40 mm and 20 mm aa guns. Which is a lot more effective then the ones on her sister ship (Admiral Hipper). It can keep you safe from closed in air attack. While the 105 mm guns will make sure high altuitude bomber won't see you as free rp and silverlions, they lack the proximity fuses American and British heavy aa guns lack. This make them more vurnerable to high altuitude bombing. Supsifically the fritiz x because it can accurtly score hit from very high altuitde (When the best weapon against german ship is german bombs: Congradulation Hitler, you played your self). It is best to aim the guns your self if they are comming in from high altuitude bombing because most strategic bomber can't manuver very well. Making them easy to lead and aim at.

=== Torpedo armament ===
''Torpedoes launchers are standard equipment on many ships and boats. Torpedoes are a significant means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc. If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.''

=== Special armament ===
''Depth charges, mines, rocket launchers and missiles are also effective in skilled hands and can take an off-guard opponent by surprise. Evaluate the ammunition of this type of armament and rate its performance in combat. If there are no special armaments, remove this section.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6498-development-prinz-eugen-steaming-into-the-atomic-age-en|[Devblog] Prinz Eugen: Steaming Into the Atomic Age]]

{{Germany heavy cruisers}}
{{Germany premium ships}}

B-17E

2020-07-05T19:19:52Z

U46735541: A bit more guildence for new player wondering how to play B-17

{{Specs-Card|code=b-17e}}
{{About
|about=aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other uses
|link=B-17 (Family)
}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber bomber {{Battle-rating}}. This bomber has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,680 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
|497||483|| {{Specs|ceiling}} ||36.9||37.9||5.8||5.6||600
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,680 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
|525||512|| {{Specs|ceiling}} ||33.7||33.8||10.6||8.6||600
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} ||400|| ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 360 || < 300 || < 323 || > 210
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,180 m || 4,000 hp || 4,708 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 6.35 mm Steel plate behind nose gunner.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates behind pilots.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates behind dorsal gunners.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of beam gunners.
* 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of tail gunner.
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass ball turret.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 12 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 6 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (4,000 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, nose turret (500 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, front dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turret (400 rpg = 800 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, tail turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The B-17E Flying Fortress is intended to be used as a high-altitude level bomber in order to target airfields, bases, and land fortifications. Despite its large bomb load, it's not recommended to target moving ground units, such as tanks or armored cars, especially when they are travelling in tight columns due to the inaccuracy of your bombs at high altitudes and the ability for the AI on the ground to perform evasive manoeuvres when bombs are falling onto their position. When using the B-17E, it is best to fly with another friendly bomber or fighter (if possible) to ensure maximum protection. If you are flying alone, design a secure flight path towards your objective in hopes of not being detected by enemy fighters.

The B-17E is designed specifically to withstand the harshest punishment during combat. The bomber itself provides plenty of armour along the fuselage and tail except for the nose, which is the only area that's not protected by any form of protection. These armour ranges from 6.35 mm sheets to a single 38 mm glass plate protecting the tail gunner. Speaking of armour protection, in order to ensure the greatest chance of survival during an interception, you must not move. The B-17E is not designed to execute sharp defensive manoeuvres (turns, dives, and rolls) unlike it's predecessor the B-25, but rather designed to use its defensive armament provided (consisting of 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm turrets) to fight back against harassing enemy fighters. Some great advice for novice bombardiers is to included incendiary ammunition in your turret belts almost ALWAYS! This crucial precaution will guarantee more lethal firepower coming from your defensive armament, since not only are you penetrating armour, but you are also setting components ablaze However these armour and defensice armament won't save you from the hightier interceptor and fighter armed with cannons (especially german heavy fighters/intercepter that are armed with 30 mm cannon and get an air spawn) you will face. Since they are all heavily armoured, while possessing the ability to ripe your wings off with a few 20 mm cannon shot or one shot you with the 30 mm from 1.5 km away. It is better to just avoid them all together by side climbing and using cloud cover when heading to the enemy base. NEVER head strait to the enemy base because the enemy player will trace your flight path from your spawn point to their base and easly intercept you. Also unlike it's predecessor the B-25, the B-17 do not have a lot if any armour or defensive armament in the front. So if an enemy fighter decide to go head on. Try turning away to expose your tail, which is a lot more protected to the incoming fighter. If not then both poliot could get knocked out and send you straight back to the hanger with a hefty repair bill.

In conclusion, the B-17E is a great introduction for players using the American bomber line. Although it is not the old B-17 where it is a immortal gunship, if used well, the B-17E is a force be reckoned with.

===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 || rowspan="2" | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable || rowspan="2" |Combined|| rowspan="2" | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
As a slow and lumbering heavy bomber the ''Flying Fortress'' relies entirely on its turrets for defence. Without it, the plane is a pinata. Thus ''Protective vests'' should be the first unlock. Further survivability upgrades will make fending off attacks easier but do not think to stand successfully against enemy fighters. So upgrading the bomb load should be second priority. Performance modules can be considered least necessary, it will not go anywhere quick anyway.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Radiator
|
|Turret 7 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|New 7 mm MGs (turret)
|LBC-17
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
|Turret 12 mm
|SBC-17
|-
| IV
|
| Engine Injection
| Cover
|New 12 mm MGs (turret)
|MBC-17
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Large bomb load
* Heavy defensive armament
* Multiple engines (preserves speed when damaged)
* Very sturdy fuselage able to soak up heavy damage
* Calibers below 12.7 mm are ineffective against it
* Good speed
* Defensive armaments provide all-around coverage
* Performs well at high altitudes

'''Cons:'''

* Cumbersome target
* Poor climb rate
* Nose is extremely vulnerable
* Cannons are very effective against it
* Multiple engines mean multiple fires
* Sluggish controls and very difficult to manoeuvre
* Wings are large and vulnerable
* Low speed
* For 20mm+ cannons filled with explosive bullets few shots are needed to cut off a wing
* Engines will overheat at 100%

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== In-game description ===

"The legendary B-17 American heavy bombers were rightly called Flying Fortresses. This four-engined heavy bomber was an all-metal hero, an extremely durable aircraft that could return to the airfield with just one engine, riddled with bullets.

But the early models of the B-17 had a significant blind spot in the rear, so fighter support was required. To solve this problem, the B-17E was produced, and a turret with two 12.7mm machine guns was installed in the tail section of the aircraft. To do this, the fuselage size had to be increased. In addition, to improve control of the plane, the tail was broadened and a larger vertical fin was installed.

Although it lost some speed when compared to the B-17D, the new model fared favorably with its new protection and thus became the first truly mass-produced B-17. From September 5, 1941 to May 1942, 512 aircraft were made on the production line, before the development of the B-17F. "

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

B-29A-BN

2020-07-03T22:11:19Z

U46735541: Just a bit of fun way to play this bomber (or if they want to throw away some silver lions)

{{Specs-Card|code=b-29}}
{{About
| about = American heavy bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-29/Tu-4 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage B-29A-BNSuperfortress.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. The B-29 follows the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]] in the U.S. bomber branch and is currently the last American propeller-powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. At the top of its game, the {{PAGENAME}} is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers found in War Thunder.

In the few years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) realized that its current primary heavy bomber, the [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]] would not have the range nor the payload which would be needed to efficiently transit what would end up becoming the Pacific Theater. To compensate for this Boeing began to develop a prototype which would incorporate a pressurized cabin to allow for higher altitude flying, which would help to protect the bomber from Japanese fighters which struggled to get to the higher altitudes.
[[File:B-29 kawashima momo 001.png|350px|thumb|left|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' cockpit.]]
The resulting XB-29 prototype and the later production series B-29 bomber had everything the USAAC was looking for, high-pressured cockpit, a maximum altitude of almost 32,000 ft (9753.6 m), true air-speed around 372 mph (600 kph) and could carry a massive payload of bombs upwards of 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg). Defensive positions on the B-29 were well placed to ensure maximum coverage surrounding the bomber. This bomber was one of the first aircraft to be fitted with the General Electric Central Fire Control system which could be used to remotely control four of the remotely controlled turrets (two dorsal and two ventral). Though in their early stages, this aircraft’s turrets each also had a General Electric analogue computer linked to it allowing the weapons to be more accurate by automatically factoring in airspeed, gravity, temperature and lead time for the inbound aircraft. With this setup, these turrets could be controlled from the nose, tail or any of the three mid-fuselage positions and a single gunner could actually control more than one turret at a time increasing the effectiveness and lethality of the bomber’s defences. Bristling with 12 x M2 Browning machine guns, the {{PAGENAME}} was extremely difficult to approach, yet make a successful pass and leave untouched.

Unlike other bombers which can take on a secondary role as a pseudo-attacker, the {{PAGENAME}} is a bomber, period. The sole purpose of the B-29 is to beat ground targets into submission either with upwards of 40 x 500 lb bombs, 18 x 1,000 lb bombs or 8 x 2,000 lb bombs. The larger 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs are perfect for base bombing while the relatively smaller 500 lb bombs make the perfect tool for carpet bombing where vehicles, pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be clustered together which may be reminiscent for pilots who have flown the rank I French bomber the [[F.222.2]] and utilised its 52 x 50 kg [[G.A. MMN. 50 (50 kg)|G.A. MMN. 50]] bombs which created area denial on early maps.

The {{PAGENAME}} is an aerial beast which can drop a beastly amount of explosive ordnance, rivalled by few, but is not immune to enemy fighters. Altitude is this bombers friend and when achieved can be a safer haven from which to rain down explosives on enemy bases or vehicles.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


The {{PAGENAME}}, much like its contemporaries the Messerschmitt [[Me 264]], Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]] and Tupolev [[Tu-4]] was built for the sole purpose of flying high and dropping large amounts of bombs. To account for these characteristics, others such as manoeuvrability, rate-of-climb and acceleration were compromised. The B-29 is a heavy aircraft which when adding 10,000 – 20,000 lbs of ordnance will only make the plane that much more difficult to get to altitude, but once there this aircraft does have a decent cruising speed. To help speed up gameplay for this aircraft, it is given an air-start at the beginning of matches and also after landing to reload and repair due to its sheer size and difficulty climbing to its bombing altitude.

The typical method of utilising this bomber is to fly the aircraft to a higher altitude. Depending on the enemy fighters, attackers and interceptors which appear in the match, you may be able to stay lower around 20,000 ft (6,000 m) or you may need to increase closer to 30,000 ft (9,150 m) to make it extremely difficult for the fighters to follow you up and many if they do get that high, their engines are struggling to keep the plane above stall speed which provides you with the opportunity to leave them behind or to easily pick them off with your gunners.

One downside to flying at the higher altitudes in arcade battles is that if you bomb a base but don’t completely destroy it, it is difficult to circle back around and bomb again when the bombs have reloaded. A wide circle is necessary to accomplish this and it may be better and more efficient instead to fly towards another base, bomb it and turn around and finish off the first base. Another option too is to leave the partially bombed bases for the smaller and slower bombers on your team to finish off or just catch the partially bombed bases on a return pass.
[[File:B-29 jonigustavo 001.png|350px|thumb|right]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 613 || 602 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.5 || 34.4 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1,800
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 669 || 641 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.7 || 32.0 || 11.7 || 6.5 || 1,800
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || 340 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 340 || < 350 || < 290 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 9,720 m || 2,200 hp || 2,499 hp
|-

|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder || 4
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,251 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,975 hp || colspan="2" | 2,276 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| colspan="2" | 2,200 hp || colspan="2" | 2,502 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
* 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
* 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

The {{PAGENAME}} had to be judicious when it came to providing protecting armour for the aircrew at the sacrifice of additional fuel or ordnance. In fact, later models removed many of their defensive turrets in order to allow for more fuel and ordnance to be loaded. It is obvious that an aircraft this size will be a huge target for enemy fighters to attack with the nose section (''cockpit'') and the tail turret being the two most likely targets (''head-on attack and tail approach attack'') and thus both areas were outfitted with 60 mm bulletproof glass which helps against lower calibre weapons, however 20 mm and above make short work of the bulletproof glass. 6.5 mm steel plates are scattered around the aircraft to provide protection for both the crew members and some of the control surface linkages. Though not a stop-all invincible shield for the crew, it many instances it provided enough protection to allow crew members to survive and fight another day.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===
[[File:B-29 meanswing 001.png|450px|thumb|right]]

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}

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

* 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
* 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
* 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
* 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (16,000 lb total)

One might say the {{PAGENAME}} is effectively a dump truck which can dump a ton of explosives, no make that upwards of 10 tons of explosives upon enemy targets. Utilising speed at higher altitudes, it is the purpose of the Superfortress to race to an enemy base or ground targets and just rain down TNT. With three choices of bomb weights to choose from and four different configurations, there is no shortage of ways to destroy ground targets. The 1,000 lb and 2,000 lb bombs come in most handy for base bombing as they do the most amount of damage for the least amount of effort in a concentrated area. Area of denial is the speciality of the 500 lb bombs when used in carpet bombing operations. Carpet bombing is effectively laying down many of the 500 lb bombs at one time over an area where vehicles such as trucks, tanks and anti-aircraft vehicles or hardened structures such as pillboxes or anti-aircraft artillery may be located at. Since vehicles are on the move, dropping multiple bombs at a time making it more difficult for them to move out of the way and avoid the inbound ordnance.

With the {{PAGENAME}}, there is no real overkill with the bombs, which can make the Superfortress a prime target to be eliminated early as with upwards of 20,000 lbs in bombs, the {{PAGENAME}} can make short work of enemy bases and end the match earlier than most will expect.

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is defended by an impressive 12 x .50 calibre Browning machine guns rivalled only by the Blohm & Voss [[BV 238]], Tupolev [[Tu-4]], Consolidated [[PB4Y-2]] and [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24]] and the Boeing [[B-17 (Family)|B-17]]. Typically when bombers add more guns, they had to add more crew to operate them which increased the overall weight of the aircraft, though ensuring more protection, it also reduced the amount of fuel or bombs which could be carried.

As a historical note, the advent of early analogue computers which were outfitted on the {{PAGENAME}} and the state-of-the-art General Electric Central Fire Control System allowed for remote operation of both dorsal and both ventral turrets along with the tail gun if needed. The turrets could be linked through the fire control system and allow one gunner to operate multiple guns at one time. Simplifying this process and allowing gunners from just about anywhere on the aircraft to control the turrets reduced the number of crew members needed to operate the aircraft. Though four times the size of a B-25, the {{PAGENAME}} operated efficiently on the same amount of crew members, seven.

The computer-aided turrets allowed for more accuracy when firing and can train the guns in just about any direction needed to combat incoming fighters. The tail gunner position is especially deadly as a fighter perched on the tail will be flying into the oncoming bullets from the tail gun position, thereby taking more damage when hit and more likely to take on a critical hit or disabling blow. Though not totally invulnerable to the crafty fighter pilot, the {{PAGENAME}} in its own right is a porcupine with sharp quills pointing in all directions which will make it as difficult as possible for anyone to get past the defences.

==Usage in battles==


The ultimate strategic bomber for the [[:Category:USA_aircraft|USAF]]. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and twelve good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the ''Superfortress''! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will shred any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at delivery payload, ''lots of it''.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilise it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Great defensive armament will destroy most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.

Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay

Another why you can play the B-29 is to the "hit and run" tactic that the german bomber normally do. In BR 6.3 you will face mostly jets. So climbing to a very high altitude sometime wouldn't work because they can just catch up in secound if you are not careful. With the "hit and run" tactic it is very risky but it can be very enjoyable, and if it do work then you can end the game in 15 minute. At the start you will spawn in about 15,000 ft (4,500 m). Go in to a sallow dive and matain speed about 270 mil/h (450 km/h). Don't go right for the base but in about a 10-20 degrees off course. Since even early jets are very fast they will reach the battle field very fast. Some will go ground pound. Other will be very high above looking for bomber and getting ready for energy fighting. Your goal is to use the speed and altitude to go between them. Since it is very hard to spot aircraft bellow them, and the ground ponders are far enough away to not spot you. Also if there are cloads in the map use them as cover for your flight. Though maintain at least 6,500 ft (2,000 m) or else the aa guns will start shooting at you. Which will notify the enemy of your position. You can bomb the 3 or 4 base then get out before they realise. Don't try to go for the airfield because you won't have enough altitude left to avoid thouse totally balanced aaa guns at the airfield. Go back to base and reload, or j out if you can't handle the repair cost. This is a very risky tactic, don't try this is there is no cloud cover or the enemy is very hightiered (or not at all since losing 50k silverlion will make you go broke). Most of the time it might not work, but it is very "fun" to see the game ending in 15 min and everyone complaining in the chat about how bomber ruins the game. .

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm||SBC-40
|-
| II
| ||Compressor
| Airframe
| ||
|-
| III
| Wings repair||Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)||MBC-12
|-
| IV
| ||Engine injection
| Cover
| ||LBC-8
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===
[[File:B-29 your jacket 001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|A Bf 109 attempts to take on a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]


'''Pros:'''

* Second heaviest payload in War Thunder next to the Soviet [[Tu-4]]
* Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with one payload in arcade and up to two bases in realistic/simulatory battles
* Can be difficult for fighters to reach same cruising altitude, even for jets
* Effective defensive turrets which virtually have no blind spots
* Fast for its size
* Virtually immune to small arms machine gunfire
* Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
* All payload options are internal and have next to no effect on flight performance
* Gunners are located separately from the gun turret (remote-controlled turrets) with the exception of the tail turret
* Can easily win a match if allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude
* Exceptionally strong when flying in groups with other bombers

[[File:B-29 kohler 001.png|450px|thumb|right|]]
'''Cons:'''

* Easily susceptible to damage from autocannons larger than 20 mm especially the MK108
* Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
* Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
* Has a low dive top-speed
* As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre well
* Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
* Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
* Wings are considered weak spots
* Will face jets most of the time
* Very high repair cost
* Low flap deployment max speed

== History ==


The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the war and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 ''Enola Gay'' dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 ''Bockscar'' dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.

During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum">Excerpts from [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/292156-profile-b-29-superfortress/ 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress], no Author mentioned.</ref>

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It was joined by another named “Doc” in 2016.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum" />
[[File:B-29 tay777 001.png|550px|thumb|center|]]
=== In-game description ===
"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.

The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.

В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.

The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.

Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.

A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.

The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.

B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.

The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.

In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""

A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=heavy_bomber&vehicle=b-29 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 002.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 th fegel team 001.png|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:B-29 kawashima momo 003.png|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3Ut75XHCWgk|'''War Thunder Realistic: B-29A-BN Superfortress [Grace]''' - ''Jengar''|iJhLf-SOVIc|'''War Thunder B-29 SuperFortress Bomber Gameplay''' - ''BaronVonGamez''|gxIVvUZGptw|'''The Shooting Range #51''' - ''Special'' section at 00:29 discusses the B-29 & Tu-4.|8Yewf7LXfUU|'''WT - B-29 - Punished for not Scumbagging''' - ''NapalmRatte''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Tupolev [[Tu-4]] (unauthorized reverse-engineered copy of the B-29)
* Avro [[Lincoln B Mk II]]
* Nakajima [[G8N1]]
* Messerschmitt [[Me 264]]

== External links ==


* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3507/current/ [Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress]
* [[Wikipedia:Boeing_B-29_Superfortress|[Wikipedia] B-29 Superfortress]]
* [https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-29-superfortress.page [Boeing.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress History Page]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82 [Militaryfactory.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Strategic High-Altitude Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft]
* [https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/hero-soviet-union-japanese.html [Warhistoryonline.com<nowiki>]</nowiki> Futuristic Cannons of B-29 Superfortress: Ahead and Behind the Times]

== References ==
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
{{USA bombers}}

B-25J-1

2020-07-03T21:45:54Z

U46735541: This is just a little bit of addition to tip and trick the player can pull if they are being attacked.

{{Specs-Card|code=b_25j_1}}
{{About
| about = American medium bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-25 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.29]].

Design of the B-25 was the result of years of work and failed bids to win contracts with the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Initially designed to meet requirements for a payload of 1,200 lb (540 kg), a range of 1,200 mi (1,900 km) and flying at speeds faster than 200 mph (320 kph), prototypes were built, tested and refined. Although the original XB-21 and NA-40 never materialized into a production aircraft, requirements from the USAAC came out in March of 1939 for a medium bomber carrying a payload of 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) over 1,200 mi (1,900 km) at speeds around 300 mph (480 kph), North American modified their design of NA-40 and developed the NA-62 which went into prototype testing as the YB-25 and then ordered into production as the B-25.

The B-25 turned out to be the archetype of the medium bomber, carrying upwards of 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) of bombs and could fly at speeds up to 340 mph (547 kph). This twin-engine bomber was fast, it could carry a large payload for its size and had several defensive turrets and gunner stations at which it could defend itself from almost any angle. To increase its versatility, several models had forward-facing fixed machine guns fitted into the nose and the cheeks of the aircraft. Later models opted to removed the glazed nose and bombardier/nose-gunner station and outfit more machine guns and even a 75 mm autocannon for strafing ground targets and especially ships. This medium bomber at times acted more like a heavy attacker opting for low-level flights which would skim treetops and the ocean to sneak up on unwary targets. It was not uncommon for B-25s to fly just above the mast/smokestack height of enemy ships when attacking.

As later models moved from the dedicated bomber position and morphed into more of an attacker role, bomb payloads were reduced to allow for more armour around the cockpit and more offensive weapons and ammunition to fill the attacker mode it took on, especially under the command of U.S. Marine Corps squadrons. With more than 10,000 B-25 aircraft variants built, they saw action in all theatres of war and were even subject to part of the lend-lease program which China and the USSR benefitted from. So versatile was this aircraft that a flight of them were specifically outfitted and their crews trained to take off from an aircraft carrier and bomb mainland Japan in a daring raid. This historical mission was called the "[[wikipedia:Doolittle_Raid|Doolittle Raid]]". Impressive for an aircraft not meant to take off from an aircraft carrier.

The B-25 is a fantastic bomber, attacker or both and will suit many different pilots and their different approaches to the battlefields found in War Thunder. The tail gunner has been known to set many fighters alight with their dual .50 calibre machine guns and help to prolong the life of this bomber to allow the pilot to make it to their target whether it is to bomb it or strafe it.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,049 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 420 || 407 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.4 || 33.8 || 5.4 || 5.3 || 750
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,049 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 472 || 444 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.7 || 31.0 || 10.6 || 7.7 || 750
|-
|}
[[File:B-25j-1 hugotroop 001.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' releasing its bombs over a target.]]
==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 340 || ~6 || ~2
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 300 || < 270 || < 350 || > 330
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 524 m || 1,500 hp || 1,669 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,700 m || 1,350 hp || 1,502 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 9.5 mm Steel plates throughout the cockpit
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* 8 mm Steel plate under nose gunner
* 9.5 mm Steel plate behind the dorsal gunner
* 6.35 mm Steel plate behind beam gunners
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the tail gunner
* 9.5 mm Steel plates in front of the tail gunner

Rugged, sturdy, though, the B-25 is all of those things. Featuring crew armour protection that outclasses the [[B-17G-60-VE|B-17 ''Flying Fortress'']] in a handier, smaller design, the Mitchell is a tough nut to crack and even harder to devoid of the crew. Calibres above 20 mm are a must for a quick kill, otherwise, the B-25 will repay in kind. Forgoing all defence is good, but all offence, too? It is called overkill, of the pursuit fighter.

The two Wright R-2600 air-cooled radial engines are themself hard to destroy and with dropped payload, the Mitchell will just keep flying on a single damaged one. Denying under armed fighters the ability to lethally cripple it. Yet this aircraft has got one downside: fuel tanks. While present in all planes, the armour, crew and bomb bay take up all the fuselage. Leaving only space in the wings. A common cause of a crash of a B-25 is hence a fire and thus a structural failure of the wing spar.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

[[File:B-25j-1 jonigustavo 001.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' unloading on ground targets with its five forward-facing machine guns (not including the single machine gun controlled by the nose gunner/bombardier).]]

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

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

* 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (400 rpg)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, cheek-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
[[File:B-25j-1 an trn 26 001.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' diving on a ground target.]]

* 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
* 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs + 8 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,800 lb total)
* 8 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs + 8 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,800 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb + 10 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (3,000 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose turret (300 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, dorsal turret (400 rpg = 800 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (250 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (600 rpg = 1,200 total)

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:B-25j-1 hc dwain 001.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' tangling with a Japanese fighter over enemy territory.]]

In Realistic battles (and Arcade to an extent), it is highly recommended against exclusively bombing strategic bases and in general to not bomb from high altitudes. It was rarely used this way in combat, and it makes it very easy for enemy fighters to approach and attack you from your defenceless belly. Also, the bomber's maximum payload of 3 x 1,000 lb of bombs is not enough to destroy an enemy base in Realistic battles, which is useless in regards to decreasing ticket count and, most importantly, does not help your team. Thus, leave base bombing to the British heavy bombers you will likely also encounter on your team, whose payloads vastly outclass yours, and instead - if you wish to help your team as much as possible - use your five nose-mounted Browning machine guns on ground targets. Ground target strafing is not only infinitely more exciting than base bombing, but it can also lower the enemy's ticket count drastically, therefore helping your team win. Fly at low altitudes and attack light pillboxes and soft targets with your guns. If you fail to destroy a target, then pitch up and use your turrets to finish it off. Save your bombs for targets your guns cannot kill, such as heavy tanks and heavy pillboxes; the bombsight is very helpful in doing this (something which the dedicated strafing variants such as the [[PBJ-1J]] lack). Make sure to use a fuse timer, 3 seconds should be enough when bombing at treetop level with 1,000 lb bombs.

When strafing, be sure to watch your minimap at all times for any incoming enemies so you can adequately prepare for an attack. When being attacked, try to identify the attacker. If the attacker is a lower tier or a vehicle that don't have a lot of frontal armour. Try to head on them. All of your frontal .50 cal are in the center so it is very easy for you to snipe their pilot or blow out their engine. However if they are a lot stronger then you (Basically any German heavy fighter or very hightiered aircraft you will face) or they try to manuver out of your frontal gun fire (don't chase them because you are a bomber and it's not very agile), fly away from the assailant and try to get them on your tail, and manually open fire with your defensive guns while they try to turn to get on your six (tail or behind you), making sure to watch your tracers and adjust the direction of fire, so they hit the target. Remember that turret guns will jam if fired for a long duration, requiring them to be reloaded, which usually takes almost twenty seconds, during which an attacker will most certainly kill you. If the reticle starts blinking, the guns are very close to jamming, so immediately stop firing and wait for the weapons to cool down. Many experienced players will attempt to utilise the dead zones on your belly and the arcs beyond your twin rudders in their attack. If you find an enemy doing this to you, then switch back to flight view and manoeuvre so that they are in the firing arcs of your guns again and try as much as possible to keep them out of your dead zones and, mostly, make their attack as difficult as possible. The attacker will then either eventually lose patience and try for a head-on, or you will get a successful snipe on their aircraft. It is also very advantageous to use the keyboard controls for pitch, roll, and yaw in the gunner view as it will allow you to make small manoeuvres while still concentrating on defending yourself, letting you, for example, dodge fire or roll/pitch/yaw and shoot someone in your dead zones. Also, use ''Universal'' belts for your turrets as they will do the most damage to enemies and cause devastating fires. While doing all these look for the closest ally or friendly ground anti-air gun. Their cover can give you an advantage in the fight aginst your pursuer.

[[File:B-25j-1 billythekid 001.png|400px|thumb|right|'''{{PAGENAME}}''' showing how deadly the tail gunner can be.]]

If you lose tail control for whatever reason, then immediately turn back to the airfield and use combat flaps to keep your nose up. Make a landing by alternating between takeoff and combat flaps and, if needed, landing flaps. Make sure that your speed does not go too low; if you start nosing down with takeoff flaps then do not use landing flaps (unless in an emergency) as you'll lose speed and potentially crash. Instead, engage WEP and wait for your nose to rise. There is no set method for doing this and it takes lots of practice, but making these daring landings is very rewarding. If you lose an engine, '''do not''' engage flaps as you will lose speed, end up in a stall and will die, fly straight and slowly make your way back to base, using WEP if needed. If using manual engine controls, close the radiator of the dead engine, feather it, and open the radiator of the working engine to allow you to use WEP all the way back to the airfield without overheating.

=== Carrier Landing Technique ===
Approach at 150 km/h (92 mph/80 kt), flaps set to landing. Keep applying about 60% thrust, or as necessary to maintain 150 km/h. Touchdown at the beginning of the carrier runway, slightly to the left to avoid the island. Apply hard braking, immediately retract flaps, and if necessary fire forward-facing guns to utilize the recoil to stop faster.

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

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
| Protective vest
| Offensive 12 mm
| SBC-25
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs
| MBC-25
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 12 mm
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| LBC-25
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Very effective front-facing armament of 5 x 12.7 mm machine for aerial attack or ground strafing
* Durable airframe which can take a beating from weak guns like 20mm Type 99
* Heavy defensive armament on two sides, top and especially the tail gunner
* Can provide initial cover for other bombers until fighters reach their altitude
* Can be used as a tactical bomber, strategic bomber, attacker or even an interceptor
* Able to land on an aircraft carrier
* Rather fast dive acceleration

'''Cons:'''

* Manoeuvres stiffly, cannot turnfight
* Rudder severely locks up over 400kph, meaning it cannot adjust its aim in time and need a second pass.
* Difficult to pull out of a dive due to elevator lockup.
* Often the fuel tank in wings will catch fire, leading to the failure of spars.
* No downward-facing defensive armament
* If tail control is damaged, return to base and land utilizing flaps and engine throttling
* Relatively low payload compared to a heavy bomber
* Forward facing gunner will automatically fire at approx 1,000 m, alerting your target
* Low energy retention; any attacks that require manoeuvring will cost speed and altitude

== History ==


Early in 1939 as tensions were rising throughout Europe, the Soviet Union and Asia, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) issued requirements for a new medium bomber contract. Specifications for the medium bomber included carrying a payload of 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) while flying over 1,200 mi (1,900 km) at a speed of 300 mph (480 km/h). Fortuitously North American Aviation (NAA) already had a previous design for their NA-40B which they had already built as a prototype known as NA-62. After initial service tests, the USAAC placed an order with NAA to produce the NA-62 as the B-25. Alongside the B-25, the USAAC also ordered the Martin B-26 Marauder into production, though it was still only drawings on paper.

NAA had a head start through utilising their existing NA-62 aircraft. Initially, the plane had a constant-dihedral or and upward angle to the main wings. Unfortunately, this configuration caused stability issues which resolved when the wing shape became slightly anhedral just from the engine nacelle to the wingtip. The flattening of the outer wing led the aircraft to have gull shaped wings; however, this eliminated any stability problems previously encountered. Though not as noticeable was the increase in the size of the tail fins and decrease their inward tilt. These factors would also help improved stability and increase the aircraft's responsiveness, especially when carrying heavy loads.

Development continued through 1941 and in 1942 the first B-25A and B-25B models reported for duty with the USAAC. Variants of the B-25 from B through H changed over time, and the military experimented with using the aircraft as a bomber and a strafing aircraft specialising in an anti-shipping role with its skip-bombs, 14-18 forward-facing machine guns or even a 75 mm M4 cannon. The B-25J versions of the plane were essentially the same as a B-25H; however the 75 mm cannon was removed, and the nose of the aircraft was changed out. Now there were two versions of the nose which could be field swapped to change the usage of the aircraft. The B-25J-1 strafer version incorporated a metal nose outfitted with eight 12.7 mm Browning machine guns while the second option utilised a glass nose with a single crew usable 12.7 mm Browning and single 12.7 mm Browning which was fixed and operated by the pilot often in conjunction with four blister mounted 12.7 mm machine guns. This aircraft while developed for mid-level bombing instead excelled as a low altitude strafing bomber, often flying at tree-top levels and at times mast-level with ships. Frequently strafing B-25s lead the charge to eliminate enemy gunners and anti-aircraft instalments while bomber B-25s followed immediately behind to destroy airfields or vessels, often causing havoc at the target site.

=== In-game description ===
North American B-25J-1 Mitchell twin-engine medium bomber/ground-attack aircraft

The B-25J (NA-108) was the most largely produced Mitchell variant. The first aircraft of this type left the factory floor in December 1943, and the variant drove the B-25C and B-25D completely out of production by March of the next year.

B-25J bombers had two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-29 fourteen-cylinder, double-row, radial air-cooled engines with Hamilton Standard Hydromatic 23E50 three-bladed automatic metal propellers.

One feature of this variant was that it could be used both as a bomber and as a ground-attack aircraft.

When used as a bomber, the B-25J-1's armament was: one fixed front machine gun (with 400 rounds) and one mobile machine gun (with 300 rounds) mounted on the navigator's cockpit in the forward fuselage; four front machine guns, with 400 rounds each, mounted in pairs on both sides of the lower fuselage section, near the pilot's cockpit; a Bendix A-9 upper turret housing twin machine guns, with 400 rounds each; a twin Bell M-7 rear mount, with 600 rounds each; and two machine guns, with 600 rounds each, in the fuselage blisters on the starboard and port sides. All gun emplacements had 12.7 mm Colt-Browning ANM2.5 machine guns. The total number of machine guns was 12.

Thus, the B-25J was practically as good in its armament as heavy bombers like the B-17 or the B-24, except for coverage from below.

To use the B-25J-1 as a ground-attack aircraft, the nose section with the navigator/bombardier's cockpit could be easily removed and replaced by a solid unglazed nose with a battery of eight 12.7 mm Colt-Browning ANM2.5 machine guns, with 400 rounds each. Thus the number of front machine guns was increased to 12, and the total number of guns to 18.

The B-25J-1's maximum bomb capacity was 4,000 lb (1,815 kg). Starting with the 151st machine, one bomb rack, meant to suspend a 2,000 lb (908 kg) bomb, was removed from production B-25J-1 bombers, since it was almost never used in combat units and did nothing but take up a lot of space in the bomb bay.

The aircraft usually carried three 1,000 lb (454 kg) or two 1,600 lb (726 kg) bombs. Different combinations of bombs of smaller sizes were also used. 10 kg parachute bombs were used, as well. The B-25J could carry a Mk.13 torpedo weighing 907 kg. In addition, removable bomb racks for bombs up to 250 kg could be mounted under the wing panels.

When used as a bomber, the aircraft had a crew of six people: two pilots, a navigator/bombardier/gunner, a turret gunner/engineer, a radio operator/waist gunner, and a tail gunner. When used as a ground-attack aircraft, the crew consisted of five people, excluding the navigator/bombardier.

Both pilot seats were equipped with an armoured backrest. One armour plate was located behind the instrument panel, and the second was under the cockpit windshield. Two armour sheets were fixed outside to the sides. Armour protection was provided for all gunners.

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|7qCr6W00F8k|'''B-25J-1 [Versatility Reborn!]''' - ''Jengar''|oLzkjIqEF9Q|'''B-25J-1 Mitchell - Hard Target''' - ''tx141TX''}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* de Haviland [[Mosquito (Family)|Mosquito]]
* Douglas [[DB-7 (Family)|DB-7]] and its many derivatives (such as [[A-20G-25|A-20G]])
* Douglas [[A-26 (Family)|A-26 ''Invader'']]
* Tupolev [[Tu-2 (Family)|Tu-2]]

;Other B-25 variants in-game

* [[B-25J-20]] - Very little difference between the J-1 and J-20, an additional nose-mounted machine gun, slight armour difference.
* [[B-25J-30_(China)|B-25J-30]] (Chinese lend-lease) - Virtually same as J-20 variant.
* [[B-25J-30_(USSR)|B-25J-30]] (Soviet lend-lease) - Same as Chinese lend-lease version with the exception it utilises Soviet bombs.
* [[PBJ-1H]] - U.S. Marine variant - 75 mm autocannon and eight nose-mounted machine guns, lower service ceiling, reduced bomb load compared to J-1, J-20 and J-30 variants, increased armour around the cockpit.
* [[PBJ-1J]] - U.S. Marine variant - Identical to PBJ-1H in-flight characteristics and bomb loadout, no 75 mm cannon, a total of 12 nose-mounted machine guns.

== External links ==


* [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/22479-b-25j-mitchell-official-thread/ [Forums] B-25J Mitchell, Official Thread]

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA bombers}}