War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Pe-8

2019-10-23T15:12:56Z

U56302871: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=pe-8_m82}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]].

The Pe-8 (Petlyakov-8) is the first heavy bomber in the Soviet tree, known best for its incredible defensive armament and its ability to carry the FAB-5000 bomb, the largest bomb in the game. Weighing 5,080 kilograms and a payload of 3361 kilograms of TGA-16 explosive (5041.5 kilograms TNT equivalent), it gives the Pe-8 a payload rivaling many tier IV bombers, only outclassed at the same battle rating by the [[Halifax B Mk IIIa|Halifax]]. Due to this, the Pe-8 has earned the reputation of being a Russian death star - It's very, very hard hitting, but, you will be targeted as a large heavy bomber. Enemies will make you a high priority target and will try to attack you at any cost, even if they lose their lives in the process.
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 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
|-
|412||398|| {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.2 || 37.6 || 4.9 || 4.9 || 1,500
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 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
|-
|445||422|| {{Specs|ceiling}} ||35.1||36.0||10.2||7.2|| 1,500
|-
|}

====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
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 535 || 300 || 480 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
|250||261||391|| > 200
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,050 m || 6,160 hp || 7,478 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind copilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate for underwing nacelle gunners x 2
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located in front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* More fuel tanks located in throughout wings

== Armaments ==

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)|FAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M43 (250 kg)|FAB-500 (500 kg)|FAB-1000 (1,000 kg)}}
{{main|FAB-5000 (5,000 kg)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with various payloads:

* 40 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 40 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 12 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg FAB-500 (welded) bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x 1,000 kg FAB-1000 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 1 x 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb (5,000 kg total)

=== Defensive armament ===

{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)|Berezin UB (12.7 mm)|ShVAK (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, nose turret (750 rpg = 1,500 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, 2 x engine nacelle turret (200 rpg = 400 total)
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, dorsal turret (200 rpg)
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, tail turret (230 rpg)

== Usage in the battles ==

The Pe-8, as mentioned earlier, is basically a Russian Death Star (a.k.a Tu-4 at a lower tier). It both boasts a very effective cannon armament and a high bomb load, able to kill two bases in one pass. It's 5000 kilo bomb is especially useful in Ground Battles as a "tactical nuke" of sorts, able to wipe out large concentrations of enemy tanks.

However, the FAB-5000's practicality ends there. In Air Battles, the FAB-5000 is woefully overpowered against most targets and makes it inferior to most of the plane's other bomb combinations. In addition, it peculiarly does less damage against an airfield than the 4 x 1,000 kg payload, further decreasing its usefulness. Instead, use the other payloads. The stock payload of 40 x 100 kg bombs, while difficult to aim, can still be used to base bomb, simply drop 12 on a base to destroy it (remember that the first 16 are pylon mounted meaning they drop in pairs, so the first base will require only 6 presses of the bomb release button). Keep using this payload for base bombing until you unlock the 4 x 1,000 kg modification, as all the other payloads yield less damage. You can use your bombs to destroy ground targets as well, however, be sure to be high enough or use a timer so that the bomb's splash damage doesn't kill you.

Try to side climb around the main battle when going after bases - though your defensive armament is powerful, you will be an easy target for experienced players, heavy fighters, and groups of fighters that encounter you. If you see an enemy, always turn the plane to make sure the rear cannon-armed guns face the pursuer so you can focus as much of your defensive firepower on them as possible while also increasing the time you can put your guns on the target. Make sure to fire in bursts as your guns will jam if fired for too long.

====Counter-tactics====

When pursuing the Pe-8, try to go for a head-on - nearly all the time there is critical damage and "pilot snipes" to down the aircraft - with the added bonus that the front is the least defended area of the Pe-8. Use your mobility to do so. When in a not so optimal position, try to come up at a angle above the Pe-8 - with a sharp enough angle, you will stop the 12.7's from reaching you, and with a bit of luck, you will make it past the single 20 defending the plane.

=
===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" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm
|
| Der-13P
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
|
| Der-19P
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 7 mm
| Turret 12 mm
| Der-20P
|-
| IV
|
| Engine Injection
| Cover
| New 7 mm MGs (turret)
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| Der-20U
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Largest bomb in game - the 5,000 kg FAB-5000
* Good overall payload for its tier
* Incredible defensive armament, third to only the [[G8N1|G8N1]] and [[Tu-4]]
* Durable airframe - can take some damage and make it home
* Can resist being up-tiered for a while; possible to bring in tier IV matches
* A big step up from the [[Yer-2_M-105|Yer-2]]'s ShKAS
* Matchmaking can be gracious
* Reputation - reason weaker fighters will stay low (Enemies)
* Decent Silver Lions and Research Points earner

'''Cons:'''

* Large, heavy, and slow
* Poor climb rate and speed
* Prone to very devastating fires
* Stock bomb load is prone to missing when used for base bombing
* Defensive turrets lack ammo and jam easily, resulting in frequent reloads that essentially leave you defenseless
* Turrets lack armor and gunners die easily
* Reputation - a reason fighters will climb up to bomber altitude (Enemies)
* Frontal defensive ShKAS machine guns aren't particularly effective.
* While coverage to the rear is pretty good, frontal coverage is poor. Aircraft coming from high altitude can avoid the defensive fire power.
* In Mixed Battles, it is very easily to accidentally team kill as the blast radius of the FAB-5000 is very large.

== 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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read 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.''


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

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

{{USSR bombers}}

Pe-8

2019-10-23T15:10:25Z

U56302871: /* Details */

{{Specs-Card|code=pe-8_m82}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]].

The Pe-8 (Petlyakov-8) is the first heavy bomber in the Soviet tree, known best for its incredible defensive armament and its ability to carry the FAB-5000 bomb, the largest bomb in the game. Weighing 5,080 kilograms and a payload of 3361 kilograms of TGA-16 explosive (5041.5 kilograms TNT equivalent), it gives the Pe-8 a payload rivaling many tier IV bombers, only outclassed at the same battle rating by the [[Halifax B Mk IIIa|Halifax]]. Due to this, the Pe-8 has earned the reputation of being a Russian death star - It's very, very hard hitting, but, you will be targeted as a large heavy bomber. Enemies will make you a high priority target and will try to attack you at any cost, even if they lose their lives in the process.
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 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
|-
|412||398|| {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.2 || 37.6 || 4.9 || 4.9 || 1,500
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 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
|-
|445||422|| {{Specs|ceiling}} ||35.1||36.0||10.2||7.2|| 1,500
|-
|}

====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
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 535 || 300 || 480 || ~1 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
|250||261||391|| > 200
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,050 m || 6,160 hp || 7,478 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind copilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Plate for underwing nacelle gunners x 2
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located in front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* More fuel tanks located in throughout wings

== Armaments ==

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)|FAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M43 (250 kg)|FAB-500 (500 kg)|FAB-1000 (1,000 kg)}}
{{main|FAB-5000 (5,000 kg)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with various payloads:

* 40 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 40 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 12 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg FAB-500 (welded) bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x 1,000 kg FAB-1000 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 1 x 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb (5,000 kg total)

=== Defensive armament ===

{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)|Berezin UB (12.7 mm)|ShVAK (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, nose turret (750 rpg = 1,500 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, 2 x engine nacelle turret (200 rpg = 400 total)
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, dorsal turret (200 rpg)
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, tail turret (230 rpg)

== Usage in the battles ==

The Pe-8, as mentioned earlier, is basically a Russian Death Star (a.k.a Tu-4 at a lower tier). It both boasts a very effective cannon armament and a high bomb load, able to kill two bases in one pass. It's 5000 kilo bomb is especially useful in Ground Battles as a "tactical nuke" of sorts, able to wipe out large concentrations of enemy tanks.

However, the FAB-5000's practicality ends there. In Air Battles, the FAB-5000 is woefully overpowered against most targets and makes it inferior to most of the plane's other bomb combinations. In addition, it peculiarly does less damage against an airfield than the 4 x 1,000 kg payload, further decreasing its usefulness. Instead, use the other payloads. The stock payload of 40 x 100 kg bombs, while difficult to aim, can still be used to base bomb, simply drop 12 on a base to destroy it (remember that the first 16 are pylon mounted meaning they drop in pairs, so the first base will require only 6 presses of the bomb release button). Keep using this payload for base bombing until you unlock the 4 x 1,000 kg modification, as all the other payloads yield less damage. You can use your bombs to destroy ground targets as well, however, be sure to be high enough or use a timer so that the bomb's splash damage doesn't kill you.

Try to side climb around the main battle when going after bases - though your defensive armament is powerful, you will be an easy target for experienced players, heavy fighters, and groups of fighters that encounter you. If you see an enemy, always turn the plane to make sure the rear cannon-armed guns face the pursuer so you can focus as much of your defensive firepower on them as possible while also increasing the time you can put your guns on the target. Make sure to fire in bursts as your guns will jam if fired for too long.

====Counter-tactics====

When pursuing the Pe-8, try to go for a head-on - nearly all the time there is critical damage and "pilot snipes" to down the aircraft - with the added bonus that the front is the least defended area of the Pe-8. Use your mobility to do so. When in a not so optimal position, try to come up at a angle above the Pe-8 - with a sharp enough angle, you will stop the 12.7's from reaching you, and with a bit of luck, you will make it past the single 20 defending the plane.

=
===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" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Radiator
|
| Turret 12 mm
|
| Der-13P
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
|
| Der-19P
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 7 mm
| Turret 12 mm
| Der-20P
|-
| IV
|
| Engine Injection
| Cover
| New 7 mm MGs (turret)
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| Der-20U
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Largest bomb in game - the 5,000 kg FAB-5000
* Good overall payload for its tier
* Incredible defensive armament, third to only the [[G8N1|G8N1]] and [[Tu-4]]
* Durable airframe - can take some damage and make it home
* Can resist being up-tiered for a while; possible to bring in tier IV matches
* A big step up from the [[Yer-2_M-105|Yer-2]]'s ShKAS
* Matchmaking can be gracious
* Reputation - reason weaker fighters will stay low (Enemies)
* Decent Silver Lions and Research Points earner

'''Cons:'''

* Large, heavy, and slow
* Poor climb rate and speed
* Prone to very devastating fires
* Stock bomb load is prone to missing when used for base bombing
* Defensive turrets lack ammo and jam easily, resulting in frequent reloads that essentially leave you defenseless
* Turrets lack armor and gunners die easily
* Reputation - a reason fighters will climb up to bomber altitude (Enemies)
* Frontal defensive ShKAS machine guns aren't particularly effective.
* While coverage to the rear is pretty good, frontal coverage is poor. Aircraft coming from high altitude can avoid the defensive fire power.
* In Mixed Battles, it is very easily to accidentally team kill as the blast radius of the FAB-500 is very large.

== 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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read 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.''


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

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

{{USSR bombers}}

Mi-4AV

2019-10-21T19:40:31Z

U56302871: Flight Performance and armament

{{Specs-Card|code=mi_4av}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian attack helicopter {{Battle-rating}}. This helicopter was introduced in [[Update_1.81_"The_Valkyries"|Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].

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


This helicopter is very slow. You will most likely be flying under 200kph. Very slow to roll.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="4" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" |Max Speed
(km/h at 500m
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
|-
| ? ||256|| {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
! colspan="4" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at ?,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
|-
| ? || ? || {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

The {{PAGENAME}} is a large helicopter and a big target, unfortunately, to help keep this bird in the air and hauling troops and weapons to the battlefront, sacrifices had to be made and here, the sacrifice was armour protection. Armour would have weighted down the already heavy helicopter, but that did not deter the Soviet Union from building these helicopters and using them on a large scale as a showcase piece of their technological prowess. The {{PAGENAME}} turned out to be a do-it-all helicopter despite not having any armour protection.

The pilot must be aware of their surroundings as they do not want to bring undue notice upon themselves. Strategy plays key in this helicopters ability to sneak into position, let loose a volley of rockets or zero-in an anti-tank guided missile onto an unsuspecting target. Use structures and terrain to act as shields when possible.

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

{{main|A-12.7 (12.7 mm)}}

It starts with one .50 cal as it's only machine gun and it has a limited range of movement.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|FAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M43 (250 kg)|S-5K|9M17M Falanga}}

The only suspended armament it starts with 96x S5K dumb rockets. They can be replaced with ATGM's or bombs later with later upgrades.

Available loadouts are:

S5K x96

FAB-100 x6

FAB-250 x4

9M17M Falanga x4, S5K x96

9M17M Falanga x4, FAB-100 x6

9M17M Falanga x4, FAB-250 x4

==Usage in battles==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the helicopter, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Compressor||
| Flak jacket
| Offensive 12 mm||FAB-100||
|-
| II
| ||
| Helicopter frame
| ||||2P32M/K-4V
|-
| III
| Engine||Replacing helicopter blades
|
| New 12 mm MGs||FAB-250||
|-
| IV
| ||
| Cover
| ||||
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===


'''Pros:'''

* Workhorse
* Several external payload options for weapons

'''Cons:'''

* No armor or bullet-proof glass
* Critical components co-located (cockpit, engine, motor and oil coolers)
* Slow and not very maneuverable

== History ==

The Soviet Army Aviation owes its emergence mostly to the transport landing helicopter Mi-4. The Mi-4 paved the way for helicopter usage in the Soviet national armed forces.
The Korean War was the main impetus in which provided the need for a Mi-4 helicopter which started its official development in the early 1950s. At the time, the American military was widely using helicopters as a force multiplier which enabled troops to advance and reinforce areas much quicker than when travelling by vehicle or more to a pinpoint location without needing finding or building an airfield. Through the use of helicopters, rapid and large scale operations became a possibility that had yet to be exploited to its fullest. At this time, the Americans were using different types of helicopters to do various tasks, depending on what payload was needed. Light helicopters were used for duties such as taking wounded back to hospitals, means of communication and spotters for artillery units. More massive helicopters were utilised for delivering troops, vehicles, supplies and artillery directly to the battlefield. The Korean War demonstrated the increased need for a role which rotor vehicles could fulfil within the Armed Forces.

Once realising their folly of not developing helicopters for inclusion in the armed forces, Soviet leadership decided they needed to make up for lost time and get to work designing and building their helicopter force. In October 1951, the leading aviation designers of the Soviet Union were called to the Kremlin. As a result of the meeting, tasks for developing new rotor vehicles were given to the aviation designers. Here, the Mil Design Bureau specifically was assigned to the designing and creating a landing-transport helicopter which could carry up to 12 persons. Quick work was needed because experimental models were required to be ready for trials one year after receiving this assignment.

Mikhail Mil began to work on a solution; however, unbeknownst to many, he already had a head start on this project which he called the VD-12 or Vertolyot Desantniy (a landing helicopter) which was designed to hold 12 persons. The design of Mikhail Mil’s had been around since the end of the 40s. However, it never went anywhere because nobody was willing to support the project at the time. The lack of support extended from the military through the highest leadership in the country because they did not understand the battlefield benefits this tool would provide their soldiers. It wasn’t until the Soviets were spectators in the Korean War that they saw firsthand the effectiveness of helicopters on the battlefield.

Initially the VD-12 was designed to receive a 1,000 HP engine; however, when the helicopter was ready to begin construction and to receive it, the engine was determined not to be ready for the deadline trials. Mil was then required to redesign the VD-12 to accept a more powerful and heavy engine, the Ash-82 developed by Arkadiy Shevetsov which was a couple of generations newer than the Ash-73TK utilised on the Tu-4 bomber. This piston engine had proven itself an excellent engine when employed on various aeroplanes. To accept this new engine, the helicopter needed to be enlarged to adequately encompass it. Yakovlev DB had intended on providing the rotor, main rotor head, wobble plate, reduction gear and engine for the project, however that was for the smaller VD-12 and all that had to be scrapped for the newer and larger helicopter. Igor Sikorsky developed the S-55 (H-19) which was very similar in size and layout, and Mil decided to model the more modern and larger helicopter off of the aspects of the S-55 which applied to his larger helicopter. The Radial engine was placed in the front nose with the drive shaft passing through the cockpit and turning the rotor, which left the lower section of the helicopter to be a large cargo cabin. Again the cabin needed to be able to hold 12 troops or various military equipment which weighed up to 1,600 kg.

With this plan in action, designers were working almost around the clock to complete the schematics. Within four months of the project starting, the prototype was rolled out of the hanger and prepped for flight. With the radial engine firing, the rotor began to spin, however during acceleration of the motor; the blades started to bend severely, threatening to break apart and destroy the helicopter. The rotor was powered down, and the minds went to work attempting to figure out what the issue was. Mil settled on the problem being the rotors fluttering, which for aircraft surfaces bending or flexion which causes material fatigue and the parts disintegrate thus destroying the entire project. To validate this theory, special weights were built in one night and then installed on the blades. A repeat of the experiment was conducted, and the rotor behaved in a manner it needed to work correctly. Further testing created a blade which was constructed to eliminate any flutter.

Seven months after receiving their assignment to develop and build a helicopter, the first helicopter trials were ready to begin. While the first test had the helicopter tethered to the ground to prevent any mishaps, on the 3rd of June, Vsevolod Vinnitskiy made the first free flight in the new helicopter. At this point, the VD-12 was the most significant and most massive lifting helicopter in the World. With the completion of the state’s trials, the VD-12 began mass production, and its name was changed to Mi-4 and was introduced into service the next year.

In many ways the Mi-4 surpassed the US helicopter H-19’s capabilities as the rear of the Mi-4 could open up and through the use of a ramp, men, vehicles and artillery could quickly be loaded and unloaded. Also installed under the nose of the helicopter was a gunner position with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The Soviet military found many uses for the new helicopter beyond just transporting people and equipment, and as more equipment was outfitted, the helicopter also took on roles such as ground attack and submarine hunter. More than 3,000 Mi-4 helicopters were produced during its years in service and proved to be an essential force multiplier on the battlefield for the Soviet Armed Forces.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|Ndj0AenHKN8|Mi-4 Transport Helicopter - Documentary}}

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

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

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5708-development-uh-1-and-mi-4-early-birds-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> UH-1 and Mi-4: Early Birds]

{{USSR helicopters}}

Mi-4AV

2019-10-21T14:55:07Z

U56302871: Added some weapon loadouts and a con of the vehicle

{{Specs-Card|code=mi_4av}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian attack helicopter {{Battle-rating}}. This helicopter was introduced in [[Update_1.81_"The_Valkyries"|Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
This helicopter is very slow and drifts the right at full speed making it kind of hard to control.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="4" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at ?,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
|-
| ? || ? || {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
! colspan="4" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at ?,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
|-
| ? || ? || {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

The {{PAGENAME}} is a large helicopter and a big target, unfortunately, to help keep this bird in the air and hauling troops and weapons to the battlefront, sacrifices had to be made and here, the sacrifice was armour protection. Armour would have weighted down the already heavy helicopter, but that did not deter the Soviet Union from building these helicopters and using them on a large scale as a showcase piece of their technological prowess. The {{PAGENAME}} turned out to be a do-it-all helicopter despite not having any armour protection.

The pilot must be aware of their surroundings as they do not want to bring undue notice upon themselves. Strategy plays key in this helicopters ability to sneak into position, let loose a volley of rockets or zero-in an anti-tank guided missile onto an unsuspecting target. Use structures and terrain to act as shields when possible.

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

{{main|A-12.7 (12.7 mm)}}

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|FAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M43 (250 kg)|S-5K|9M17M Falanga}}

==Usage in battles==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the helicopter, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Compressor||
| Flak jacket
| Offensive 12 mm||FAB-100||
|-
| II
| ||
| Helicopter frame
| ||||2P32M/K-4V
|-
| III
| Engine||Replacing helicopter blades
|
| New 12 mm MGs||FAB-250||
|-
| IV
| ||
| Cover
| ||||
|-
|}

===Pros and cons===


'''Pros:'''

* Workhorse
* Several external payload options for weapons

'''Cons:'''

* No armour or bullet-proof glass
* Critical components co-located (cockpit, engine, motor and oil coolers)
* Slow and not very maneuverable

== History ==

The Soviet Army Aviation owes its emergence mostly to the transport landing helicopter Mi-4. The Mi-4 paved the way for helicopter usage in the Soviet national armed forces.
The Korean War was the main impetus in which provided the need for a Mi-4 helicopter which started its official development in the early 1950s. At the time, the American military was widely using helicopters as a force multiplier which enabled troops to advance and reinforce areas much quicker than when travelling by vehicle or more to a pinpoint location without needing finding or building an airfield. Through the use of helicopters, rapid and large scale operations became a possibility that had yet to be exploited to its fullest. At this time, the Americans were using different types of helicopters to do various tasks, depending on what payload was needed. Light helicopters were used for duties such as taking wounded back to hospitals, means of communication and spotters for artillery units. More massive helicopters were utilised for delivering troops, vehicles, supplies and artillery directly to the battlefield. The Korean War demonstrated the increased need for a role which rotor vehicles could fulfil within the Armed Forces.

Once realising their folly of not developing helicopters for inclusion in the armed forces, Soviet leadership decided they needed to make up for lost time and get to work designing and building their helicopter force. In October 1951, the leading aviation designers of the Soviet Union were called to the Kremlin. As a result of the meeting, tasks for developing new rotor vehicles were given to the aviation designers. Here, the Mil Design Bureau specifically was assigned to the designing and creating a landing-transport helicopter which could carry up to 12 persons. Quick work was needed because experimental models were required to be ready for trials one year after receiving this assignment.

Mikhail Mil began to work on a solution; however, unbeknownst to many, he already had a head start on this project which he called the VD-12 or Vertolyot Desantniy (a landing helicopter) which was designed to hold 12 persons. The design of Mikhail Mil’s had been around since the end of the 40s. However, it never went anywhere because nobody was willing to support the project at the time. The lack of support extended from the military through the highest leadership in the country because they did not understand the battlefield benefits this tool would provide their soldiers. It wasn’t until the Soviets were spectators in the Korean War that they saw firsthand the effectiveness of helicopters on the battlefield.

Initially the VD-12 was designed to receive a 1,000 HP engine; however, when the helicopter was ready to begin construction and to receive it, the engine was determined not to be ready for the deadline trials. Mil was then required to redesign the VD-12 to accept a more powerful and heavy engine, the Ash-82 developed by Arkadiy Shevetsov which was a couple of generations newer than the Ash-73TK utilised on the Tu-4 bomber. This piston engine had proven itself an excellent engine when employed on various aeroplanes. To accept this new engine, the helicopter needed to be enlarged to adequately encompass it. Yakovlev DB had intended on providing the rotor, main rotor head, wobble plate, reduction gear and engine for the project, however that was for the smaller VD-12 and all that had to be scrapped for the newer and larger helicopter. Igor Sikorsky developed the S-55 (H-19) which was very similar in size and layout, and Mil decided to model the more modern and larger helicopter off of the aspects of the S-55 which applied to his larger helicopter. The Radial engine was placed in the front nose with the drive shaft passing through the cockpit and turning the rotor, which left the lower section of the helicopter to be a large cargo cabin. Again the cabin needed to be able to hold 12 troops or various military equipment which weighed up to 1,600 kg.

With this plan in action, designers were working almost around the clock to complete the schematics. Within four months of the project starting, the prototype was rolled out of the hanger and prepped for flight. With the radial engine firing, the rotor began to spin, however during acceleration of the motor; the blades started to bend severely, threatening to break apart and destroy the helicopter. The rotor was powered down, and the minds went to work attempting to figure out what the issue was. Mil settled on the problem being the rotors fluttering, which for aircraft surfaces bending or flexion which causes material fatigue and the parts disintegrate thus destroying the entire project. To validate this theory, special weights were built in one night and then installed on the blades. A repeat of the experiment was conducted, and the rotor behaved in a manner it needed to work correctly. Further testing created a blade which was constructed to eliminate any flutter.

Seven months after receiving their assignment to develop and build a helicopter, the first helicopter trials were ready to begin. While the first test had the helicopter tethered to the ground to prevent any mishaps, on the 3rd of June, Vsevolod Vinnitskiy made the first free flight in the new helicopter. At this point, the VD-12 was the most significant and most massive lifting helicopter in the World. With the completion of the state’s trials, the VD-12 began mass production, and its name was changed to Mi-4 and was introduced into service the next year.

In many ways the Mi-4 surpassed the US helicopter H-19’s capabilities as the rear of the Mi-4 could open up and through the use of a ramp, men, vehicles and artillery could quickly be loaded and unloaded. Also installed under the nose of the helicopter was a gunner position with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The Soviet military found many uses for the new helicopter beyond just transporting people and equipment, and as more equipment was outfitted, the helicopter also took on roles such as ground attack and submarine hunter. More than 3,000 Mi-4 helicopters were produced during its years in service and proved to be an essential force multiplier on the battlefield for the Soviet Armed Forces.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|Ndj0AenHKN8|Mi-4 Transport Helicopter - Documentary}}

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

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

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5708-development-uh-1-and-mi-4-early-birds-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> UH-1 and Mi-4: Early Birds]

{{USSR helicopters}}