War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

P-51D-5

2019-12-14T05:23:11Z

U678832:

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-51d-5
|cockpit=370266/1264438
}}
{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = P-51 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

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

The P-51D is, undoubtedly, the shining star of the USAF branch. With its sleek laminar-flow wing, classic American M2 Brownings, high-visibility cockpit, and immensely powerful engine, the P-51 is most definitely a force to be reckoned with. It is endowed with very good high-altitude traits, endurance, and speed. Use it accordingly.

[[File:HistoricImage P51 assembly.jpg|thumbnail|left|P-51D on the Inglewood assembly line, the fully “semi-monocoque” fuselage lowered on the one piece wing. ''From'' -> "[https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/264749-historical-structures-of-aircraft/ Structures of aircraft]" article]]

As standard with the USAAF, the Mustang has six M2 Browning machine guns in the wings. It can load bombs and rockets like most other planes in the USAAF. The armament, though effective, still requires patience to master. The M2s have a great range, but the damage decreases substantially as your proximity from your opponent increases. It is best to shoot for the engines and wings of any plane, because fuselage shots will waste your ammunition.

The armament is pretty versatile; the 12.7 mm M2 machine guns can easily destroy most soft targets: [[:Category:Light tanks|light tanks]], AAA, [[:Category:Anti-aircraft vehicles|SPAA]], soft ground units, artillery, etc. Against bombers and heavy fighters the incendiary rounds will effectively set them alight.

The ground attack capability of the Mustang is notable, as it can carry 2 heavy 1000 lb bombs, as well as 6 rockets. Thus, the Mustang is also an effective attacker/ground attack aircraft.

== 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 7,620 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
|-
| 673 || 652 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.0 || 24.9 || 14.9 || 14.9 || 396
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 7,620 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
|-
| 724 || 698 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.0 || 23.0 || 21.7 || 18 || 396
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 644 || ~10 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 500 || < 300 || < 500 || > 400
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,400 m || 1,580 hp || 1,728 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,400 m || 1,320 hp || 1,444 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot's windscreen
* 19.05 mm Steel - Fore engine plate
* 6.35 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armour plate
* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
* 11 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest

== 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 (2 x 270 rpg outer + 500 rpg inner = 2,080 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)}}
{{main|HVAR|M8}}

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

* Without load
* 6 x HVAR rockets
* 6 x M8 rockets
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)
* 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (200 lb total)
* 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (500 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (1,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==


The {{PAGENAME}} is the breakout fighter from the original [[P-51]] design with some major changes which include the beefier Packard V-1650-7 inline engine, bubble canopy for increased pilot visibility and replacement of four 20 mm cannons for six 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns. While not the refined thoroughbred compared to Mustangs of later in the War, the D-5 comes into its own as a multi-purpose fighter depending on the theatre of operation and mission requirements.

For the D-5 Mustang to work properly as a fighter/interceptor, it needs to maintain its speed to catch enemy aircraft off-guard or to get away when the odds start to look grim. Immediately after spawning, this aircraft should begin its climb to higher altitudes where it can then capitalize on its potential energy, however, side-climbing is recommended otherwise the Mustang will end up in the middle of two layers, lower and slower aircraft which don’t climb well and those like the [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfire]], [[J2M (Family)|J2M]] or [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109]]s which will easily out-climb the P-51. Side climbing affords the calculating pilot the opportunity to reach a good altitude from which targets can then be selected and taken out. Here, options will include bomber hunting and Boom & Zooming. Keeping the aircraft’s airspeed around 400 km/h (248 mph) will allow the pilot to play more on the offensive than running on the defensive.

Unless you are a skilled head-on attacker, this should be avoided as the airframe is fairly fragile, the engine will most likely absorb most of the damage leaking essential fluids or outright quitting, plus the pilot does not have very much protection from the canopy. If forced into a head-on, take evasive manoeuvres and make it difficult for the enemy fighter to get their sights lined up for a firing solution while they waste ammunition.

Again, while this aircraft becomes difficult to handle when flying slow, it is important to refrain from taking this fighter to the stall point unless you are specifically dragging an enemy fighter into a rope-a-dope or other stall-tactic fighting style. The Mustang does not have a very strong rudder (avoid hammerheads or wing-overs), however, when working into a stall manoeuvre, before the aircraft’s energy if fully depleted, perform a Split-S manoeuvre and let gravity help the engine get the fighter into a raging dive. Another option with stall-tactics is to work with a wingman, where one aircraft dupes an enemy to follow up in a climb as energy bleeds off, at that point, a wingman with plenty of energy can dive and take out the climbing enemy when they are reaching their apex and are going to be at their slowest, making for an easy target. Wing mates can alternate roles to ensure a continual supply of enemy aircraft to attack.

The P-51D-5 is agile enough to dogfight around larger fighters, attackers and bombers, however, it does lack when going against other single-engine fighters around its rank. To counter this inherent weakness, the Mustang should maintain its speed and concentrate on utilising Boom & Zoom tactics allowing it to flee the scene and set up for another attack on its terms. Even missing the target (or not fully destroying it) should not tempt the pilot to chase it down to finish it as this will ultimately bleed of crucial energy and even though successful in chasing down the enemy aircraft and finishing it off, the P-51 is left in a vulnerably slow position where it then has to scrape back up to altitude as a potential easy pickings for any patrolling enemy aircraft.

While this version of the Mustang is not outfitted with 20 mm cannons, having six [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2 Browning]] heavy machine guns can still result in devastating damage inflicted on the enemy. There are several options of ammunition which can be outfitted with this aircraft and they all have their purpose, however, utilising the ‘’Tracer’’ belt can be truly effective. The tracer belt is composed entirely of the extremely effective M20 API-T rounds which when concentrated on a bombers engine or fuel tank can produce some spectacular shows of colour as flames erupt out of the defending aircraft. One thing the pilot must keep track of is the amount of ammunition left after firing because two of the six guns have more ammunition than the other four; at one point damage output will decrease, however, the decrease in weight from the firing of the rounds will increase the aircraft’s performance until the reload timer resupplies the aircraft or the pilot returns to base for a reload.

While a very capable Boom & Zoom fighter, there are several suspended armament options which can be outfitted to the aircraft depending on the mission. While the additional bombs or rockets will increase the damage potential of the aircraft, there is a trade-off, a critical one, more weapons mean increased aircraft weight and therefore less manoeuvrability and engine performance. Rockets and bombs will turn this aircraft into a force multiplier as the rockets can be used against both aircraft (bombers), ground targets and fleet targets. Bombs, on the other hand, are strictly for land-based and fleet targets, however, they will be less effective against bases in compared to softer ground targets like anti-aircraft cannons, trucks, light tanks and some smaller pillboxes. While the armament on the Mustang will be less effective against a base, it will allow the pilot to chip away at it barring any enemy fighters finding their way over to your location.

The P-51D-5 has many strengths and weaknesses compared to other aircraft in which it will face, the key is to know these limitations and to know which ones you can push and be successful and others which will leave you an easy enemy target. The key point to remember is speed is key, staying around 400 km/h (248 mph) will keep many options open to either run or attack and can be the deciding factor when facing an aircraft with superior qualities and still come out the victor and be credited with the title “rank does not matter.”

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

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 12 mm
|
| FSBC mk.1
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| FRC mk.2
| FSBC mk.5
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs
|
| FMBC mk.1
|-
| IV
| G-suit
| Engine injection
| Cover
|
| Rocket Launcher M10
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

* The stock Mustang has fairly poor performance. Acceleration and climb rate is terrible. This can be rectified by grinding down the performance modifications. The "Offensive 12.7 mm" should be researched immediately, and stealth ammo equipped. Avoid researching ground attack mods until you research performance mods first, that includes the very important "G-Suit", as it greatly increases high-speed g-tolerance.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Outstanding Boom & Zoom capability - strictly limit turning manoeuvres
* Great performance at altitude
* Very fast at all altitudes, especially with a leveling-out dive
* Due to wing shape, very agile at high speeds
* Good cockpit visibility
* Plenty of ammo
* Large fuel capacity (1 hour 45 minutes maximum flight time)
* Tracers consist entirely of API-T rounds, giving the 12.7 mm a significantly bigger punch than other machine guns
* Fantastic top speed and acceleration when spaded
* Very good sustained climb rate when spaded

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively prone to catching fire
* Hemmorages energy during turning manoeuvres
* High stall speed
* Only utilises machines guns, no cannons
* Poor performance and climb, relatively low acceleration when stock
* Sluggish when carrying bombs and rockets ''(Increased weight and drag)''

== History ==

In April of 1940, the British Purchasing Commission visited the United States in the hope of securing a new fighter to supplement their Spitfire and Hurricane. They approached the North American Aircraft Company with the proposal to build P-40s under license from Curtiss. Instead, North American proposed the idea of building a brand new superior fighter. The BPC accepted the proposal and the first prototype was set to be completed within 120 days. The design team was led by Lee Atwood, Raymond Rice, and Edgar Schmued (a German-born Austrian who was previously employed by Fokker). They quickly set to work on the new prototype designated NA-73X. The original prototype was assembled in 117 days and first flew on October 26, 1940. A majority of the early Mustangs produced were primarily used for testing by the USAAC. Shortly thereafter 320 NA-73s were ordered by the BPC. The first production model destined for the RAF made its maiden flight on May 1, 1941. The Lend-Lease contract was approved later that year on September 25th. These aircraft were designated Mustang I.

The Allison power-plant used on the early Mustangs was not designed for high altitude performance. In August of 1942, Major Thomas Hitchcock approached senior officers in the U.S. Army for a solution. He proposed the Mustang could be easily developed into a high altitude long-range fighter through the conversion to the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. America's World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker also endorsed the idea. Five Mustang Is were delivered to Rolls-Royce for the conversion and Merlin 65 engines were fitted to the airframe. Rolls-Royce would allow the Packard company to build the Merlin engines under license and this would be the answer to the USAAF's long-range fighter problem.

The P-51D was powered by a Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine. The aircraft was fitted with six 12.7 mm Machine guns, a reflex gunsight, and a bubble canopy. A total of 7.956 D variant Mustangs were built.

The P-51D saw front-line service with the Eight Air-force immediately following D-Day. It quickly excelled as a high-altitude escort fighter.

=== In-game description ===
The North-American P-51 Mustang was an American fighter designed in the early 1940s and is considered the best US fighter of WWII. It was widely exported to countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The P-51 participated in the Korean War and other post-WWII conflicts.

The most famous Mustang version was the P-51D with teardrop (or bubble) canopy. The main problem for the pilots of the earlier variants was a huge blind spot at the rear of the aircraft due to the canopy design. An earlier attempt to address the issue was a British-designed Malcolm hood, installed on many P-51Bs. It improved rearward visibility, but the search for a better solution continued. In January 1943, USAAF's Colonel Mark Bradley, while stationed in Britain, was introduced to the then-new "bubble" canopy, designed for use on Spitfires and Typhoons. The canopy had no framework and offered near 360-degree vision. To install the new canopy, the rear fuselage section of the Mustang had to lose some height. However, this change required minimal redesign to the airframe. The inaugural flight of the new P-51D took place at Inglewood, California on 17th November 1943.

== Media ==


* [http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23p51 Camouflages for the P-51 on live.warthunder]

== 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 ==


* [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/12541-p-51d-mustang/ [Forums<nowiki>]</nowiki> P-51D Mustang]

{{USA fighters}}

P-51D-5

2019-12-14T05:14:28Z

U678832: /* Usage in battles */ minor grammar and double space corrections

P-38L-5-LO

2019-12-14T04:16:14Z

U678832: Kph/mph addition

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-38l
|cockpit=356051/1206029
}}
{{About
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = P-38 (Family)
}}

== 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 1.53 "Firestorm"]].

The P-38 Lightning is to be played primarily as an Air Superiority fighter. Boom & Zoom tactics are one of your greatest assets in this aircraft. By using your powerful armament, high speed, good maneuverability and good climb rate, in the hands of a skilled pilot, a P-38L is one of the greatest threats to an entire team.

The P-38L is the last Lightning in the US Aviation tech tree that is able to be researched. This plane has some of the same defining factors of prior models of the Lightning, but with greater modifications to make this variant of the P-38 among the best planes in the game. The biggest upgrade over the P-38J-15 is the presence of air brakes on the P-38L, which means you can pull out of a dive much easier than in any other prior model. In addition, you also have the ability to research the "New Boosters" module, which greatly improves your roll-rate.

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 8,534 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
|-
| 660 || 647 || 12,192 || 23.4 || 23.9 || 13.4 || 15.6 || 332
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 8,534 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
|-
| ? || ? || 12,192 || ??.? || ??.? || ?.? || ?.? || 332
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! 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 flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
|790 (490 mph) ||289 (179 mph) ||534 (331 mph) || ~9 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 490 || < 460 || < 500 || > 240
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 7,500 m || 2,540 hp || 2,845 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Cockpit windscreen
* 6.5 mm Steel - Front cockpit armor plate
* 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 9.5 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest

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

{{main|AN/M2 (20 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannon, nose-mounted (150 rpg)
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|HVAR|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 10 x 127 mm HVAR rockets
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, suspended (340 rpg = 1360 total)

== Usage in battles ==

There are a few tactics to take into consideration when using the P-38L Lightning. All of them are viable, but some of them require more attention to detail, or else you can guarantee yourself a one-way ticket back to your garage.

===Air Superiority Roles===
The natural role for the P-38 is the Air Superiority role. When playing in this role, it is important to note that because the P-38L is classified as a "Heavy Fighter" but not an "Interceptor," you will often need to side-climb at the start of a match from the air field. Once you get to an optimal altitude of roughly 4,500 meters (14,760 feet) it is paramount you keep your speed up to avoid getting jumped on by some of the better climbing aircraft. When climbing, it is best you keep your speed somewhere in the neighborhood of roughly 210 MPH (337 KPH), to keep your energy up as well. It doesn't hurt if you climb higher, ''just be sure to keep your energy and speed constant.'' Once you have followed the steps to climb to altitude, start scanning for easier targets to support your allies. When you spot an enemy lower in altitude than you, dive down on them and line up your shots carefully- the 20 mm cannon has a good quantity of ammo, but it goes quickly in higher BR battles. Once you have lined-up your shots (preferably around 700-600 meters away,) fire a quick burst, then climb away to avoid a counter attack. This is where the dive-brakes come in great use, as they can keep your aircraft stable when in a dive and prevents the air frame from disintegrating in a dive. The P-38's nose-mounted weaponry will act as a buzz-saw on enemy planes, providing extremely accurate fire. Once you destroy your adversary, start scanning for new targets and eliminate those of the next highest value. ''Just remember to keep your speed, energy and altitude high enough.'' The recommended ammunition type for this role is the "Universal" ammunition for the .50 cals and the "Air Target" rounds for the 20 mm cannon.

'''Note-''' At your battle rating of 4.7, it is ill-advised to attack your opponents head-on- especially if it is an Fw 190, or any plane bearing the prefix "Yak." That being said, getting behind your opponents is the best course of action. '''This is not to say a successful head-on attack cannot be done.''' If you have no alternatives but to attack head-on, fire a quick burst, then quickly hit the deck. The nose-mounted weaponry in this scenario is your greatest asset, and the astonishingly good roll-rate of the P-38 can help avoid any incoming enemy fire.

It is not advised that you spend too much time in a turning engagement with this plane. While the P-38L has a phenomenal roll-rate and very powerful Allison engines, prolonged turning will bleed your energy and eliminate your greatest advantage- speed. In addition, you are a rather large target, and getting caught in a turning engagement will only render you a highly exposed target to other enemy planes.

===Ground Attack Roles===
This is the role where paying attention to details is an absolute priority. This is given that the Anti-Aircraft fire is coming from actual players, and not an artificial intelligence, and one small mistake can send your plane down in a fireball. Nonetheless, the P-38L has all the tools necessary to be a ferocious Close Air Support aircraft. You have the option for two 500 lb bombs suspended underneath the fuselage of the plane or you can choose ten HVAR rockets. The distinguishing part of the Lightning when used in ground attack is that the bombs drop independently one-by-one, which allows for a second attack run if one needs to, allowing a chance for further kills. In addition to the options of bombs or rockets, the P-38's weaponry will punish any open-topped vehicles. The tactics for ground attack are mainly brought out in making diving attacks in Ground RB. However, as mentioned earlier, you must pay attention to your surroundings- as you have no markers for enemy aircraft, and a loss of situational awareness will be your undoing. That being said, approach the battlefield from high altitude, or come in low and fast. When you spot an enemy vehicle, line up your attack run, then drop your bomb when you are close to the ground. Using the dive brakes is extremely recommended, as you can lose control quickly or need to pull up at a moment's notice. '''It is paramount you do not have "Assault Fuse" for your bombs, as you will be caught in the blast radius.''' When you have completed your attack runs using bombs or rockets, try and strafe enemy positions to spot for your allies and possibly eliminate enemy Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft vehicles as well. You can also act still as an Air Superiority fighter to keep your friendly ground forces in the game.

===Specific enemies worth noting===

====German Aircraft====
At your battle rating of 4.7, you can (and will) get dragged into some 5.7 BR games. That being said, your greatest threats come from the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8, given the speed and firepower it has. You also need to worry about late models of the Bf 109, such as the G-6, G-10, G-14 and the K-4 variants, which have the speed, firepower and even the manoeuverability to tear the Lightning apart. It is plausible you will face the Fw 190 D variants, which will give you a serious run for your money, as will the Ta 152's. At 4.7, you also need to take into consideration that you will be facing Allied aircraft captured by the Germans- most notable among them are the Tempest V and the P-47 Thunderbolt. The vast majority of the German planes you will be facing have a high climb rate and are excellent energy fighters, which can leave you at a gaping deficit when facing Axis teams.

====Japanese Aircraft====
Japanese planes are notorious for their extreme turning abilities, which usually decimates Allied teams. This does not change in the higher battle ratings. The most dangerous Japanese aircraft that the P-38L-5LO Lightning will face is the Mitsubishi J2M4 Raiden, which has a top speed to rival even the Mustang. In addition, the J2M4 Raiden carries an armament of four 20 mm cannons, which will tear the Lightning to bits. Another dangerous opponent for the P-38L is the A7M1 and the A7M2 Reppu, which also have powerful armaments and a tighter turn radius than a Zero.

====Russian Aircraft====
Any aircraft bearing the prefix "Yak" is going to give you issues. Most notable among all of these planes will be the Yak-3P, as the aircraft has very powerful nose-mounted weaponry and can turn exceptionally well. The Yak-9T will also give you some problems, as the Yak-9T's 37 mm cannon will turn your aircraft into pieces of flying debris with one well-placed hit. The La-7 will also be a viable threat, as it has powerful nose-mounted weaponry combined with amazing capabilities as an energy fighter. '''Do not head-on any variant of an Su-6 or IL-10''', as their weaponry is mainly designed for busting open tanks and pillboxes. Do not tail either of those attackers for long either, due to their 20 mm defensive cannon.

====British Aircraft====
The British aircraft are notorious for their turning capabilities and heavy armament at this Battle-Rating. Any late variant of the Spitfire is going to give you problems, most notable among these variants are the Spitfire F. Mk.IX, the Spitfire Mk.Vc, and the Spitfire Mk.Vc/trop. Another notable adversary is the Typhoon Mk.Ib /Late, due to its heavy armament and good turning abilities.

====Counter-tactics====

With all the aspects mentioned above, the P-38L-5-LO is by no means an easy plane to kill. A P-38L pilot will play this aircraft more conservatively / reserved- mostly using it in a Boom-n'-Zoom fashion. However, a P-38L is a large target, thus making it highly exposed in a turn. That is the best way to secure a kill on a P-38L. Even if you only set the Lightning on fire, all the fuel tanks are either on the inside of the fuselage or in the wing-tips. That being said, a P-38L pilot will only be able to put out a fire if they exceed the structural integrity of the plane.

In addition, the P-38L has a bubble canopy, which offers minimal protection from incoming fire. Getting a pilot snipe on a P-38L is not totally uncommon.

If a P-38L is diving on you, try to force it to over-shoot by pulling either a Corkscrew or a Split-S. If you pull a Corkscrew and the Lightning overshoots, position yourself for a well-placed burst and try to knock-out the pilot. If you choose to pull a Split-S and the Lightning over-shoots, re-position yourself to energy-fight the P-38L.

The P-38L is also a very good energy fighter, thus rendering it able to make some very tight turns, but only for so long. If a Lightning manages to get behind you, try to out-maneuver it to then get behind or force it into a vertical scissors fight. In a vertical scissors, a Lightning can only pull tight turns for so long before it bleeds too much energy- use that to your advantage.

'''Heads-up for German, Russian and Italian players!''' While you may have strong nose-mounted weaponry to attack the Lightning in a head-on engagement, the P-38L will make you pay dearly. The "Air Targets" ammunition for the AN/M2 20 mm cannons makes the Lightning an even deadlier foe- especially if you are flying a Yak. If you find yourself facing a Lightning in a head-on engagement, fire a quick burst, then quickly dive to avoid being hit from incoming enemy return-fire.

'''It is ill-advised to try and out-dive a P-38L. This is directly resulting from the P-38L having a set of dive-brakes that will easily allow the pilot to reduce their speed if they are approaching the speed that the plane disintegrates. Of all the defensive actions you take, do not try to out-dive this 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 controllable || 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
| DGP-1
|-
| II
| New Boosters
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs
| FMBC mk.1
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|
|-
| IV
| G-Suit
| Engine Injection
| Cover
| New 20 mm Cannons
| CTRC mk.3
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Accurate armament of 4 x 12.7mm Browning MG's and 1 x 20mm AN/M2 cannon (great for long range shooting as its nose-mounted)
* Dive flaps to solve the P-38's high speed dive recovery problem
* Dive flaps boosts turn rate drastically for short durations
* Hydraulically boosted ailerons result in a higher roll rate
* Twin engines mean you can continue flying if one is damaged
* Good all around cockpit visibly
* When spaded can out-manoeuvre even Yak's and [[Spitfire_(Family)|Spitfire]]s
* Good energy retention
* Well armoured for a head-on, although caution is still needed
* Being a heavy fighter it can choose to spawn in attackers' spawn point for AB only
* Works well with MEC
* Can carry a variety of ground attack ordnance (either bombs or rockets)
* Good high altitude performance
* Adequate ammo for 20 mm cannons
* Very responsive controls even at lower speeds
* One of the few fighter aircraft with air brakes
* The 20 mm cannon has access to "Air Target" ammunition, which will punish enemy planes
* Can mount 2 x 2 12.7 mm gunpods for increased firepower at a slight performance hit

'''Cons:'''

* High tendency to catch fire due to easy to hit fuel tanks inside wings, which means you cannot put out a fire without destroying the airframe
* Tendency to lock up at high speeds (700 kph+ or 435 mph+)
* Very poor turn rate without flaps
* Is not very durable
* Nose mounted armament, precision is required
* .50 cal MGs are the early version with no all tracer belts
* Large target as its a twin-engine fighter aircraft
* Gunpods are mounted on the outboard wing sections, resulting in significant convergence

== History ==


The concept of the plane was made in February 1937 when the US Army Air Corps made a requirement for a plane that had twin-engine and can act as a high-altitude interceptor that can hold a large amount of armament and ammunition. The term "interceptor" was used for the aircraft by the requirement authors, 1st Lt Benjamin S. Kelsey and Gordon P. Saville, to bypass the Air Corps' strict requirements on aircraft designs at the time. The specifications laid by this new requirements also called for a maximum speed of 360 mph (580 km/h) and able to climb to 20,000 ft altitude in six minutes, making it the toughest specifications at the time. Design proposals were made for the specifications, one of which would become the [[P-39N-0|Bell P-39 Airacobra]], but it was the Lockheed design team headed by Hall Hibbard and Clarence "Kelly" Johnson that made the final product. They made many designs with a twin-engine configuration. The prototypes made for the design used a twin-boom design to hold all the components of the aircraft. Various armaments were tested on the aircraft, from different machine gun combinations and autocannons. It was finally settled to four M2 .50 cal machine guns and one Hispano 20 mm autocannon. The aircraft armament configurations, all at the nose of the aircraft, was very unusual for American aircraft design, as most of their designs and those of their foreign contemporaries had the armament mounted on the wings angled forward. Because of this mounting, the aircraft is able to fire at a longer distance accurately than wing-mounts.

===Combat usage===
The P-38 performed very well in the Pacific and European theater's during World War II. They were used in roles such as Bombers Escorts, Escort V.I.P's, Performing reconnaissance over enemy locations, Combat Air Patrols, Ground Attack, Search and Rescue and other important and critical roles.

== 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

* Bristol [[Beaufighter Mk VIc|Beaufighter]]
* de Havilland [[Mosquito (Family)|Mosquito]]
* Kawasaki [[Ki-96]]
* Mitsubishi [[Ki-83]]
* Nakajima [[J5N1|J5N]]
* Northrop [[P-61C-1|P-61]] Black Widow
* Westland [[Whirlwind Mk I| Whirlwind]]
* Petlyakov [[Pe-3 (e)|Pe-3]]
* Savoia-Marchetti [[SM.92]]

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

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

{{USA twin-engine fighters}}

Yak-3

2019-12-14T04:05:03Z

U678832: /* Pros and cons */ added to cons

{{Specs-Card|code=yak-3}}
{{About
| about = Russian fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = Yak-3 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

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

By the time you get this plane, you should be well versed in the rules of Yakovlev warfare: Engine throttle at about 90%, stay below 2,000 m and watch your ammo. However, the Yak-3 is a true gift to Soviet pilots: while peak performance is still at or below 2,000 m, going above up to 4,000 m is now possible! Energy fighting, while not the Yak's speciality, can also be done effectively with the Yak-3, and moderate BnZ can be allowed due to metal wing construction (wings take more to rip now). While engine throttle should still be at 90% for max engine cooling, once upgraded, you should never have to throttle lower than this on this plane. In addition, WEP is moderately effective now and does not overheat the engine as fast as previous Yaks!

The guns on this plane are worth noting as well. Along with the effective and feared 20 mm cannon in the nose, the Yak-3 gains two additional 12.7 mm MGs. This means that the cannon is no longer your only real weapon. Dual .50s can wreak impressive havoc at close range, and compliment the cannon well. The cannon also gets an improved belt: Air Targets. While not having as much HE as the Ground Targets belt (some pilots will, justifiably, prefer the GT belt), it contains more incendiary rounds. The Stealth belt is still a solid choice for those who are used to the trajectory of the cannon. Find the belt that suits you.

The Yak-3 sports 2 x Berezin UB 12.7 mm MGs, which are arguably the best 12.7 mm weapons in the game besides the M3 Browning. These run dry at approximately the same time as the 20 mm ShVAK cannon. The ShVAK sports inferior ballistics to those of the [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151]] and especially [[Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Hispano]] cannons, closing to short range before firing is recommended. Being hub mounted, the ShVAK can utilize its hefty firing rate advantage that it holds overall 20 mm cannons in the game (with the exception of the [[F-86F-2]]'s T-160s).

The Yak-3 carries 150 RPG for the Berezin UBs and 120 rounds for the ShVAK, which is a below average load. It is imperative that you fire short bursts and save your ammo until within 400 meters for maximum effectiveness and longevity. This weapon set is more than adequate for fighter vs. fighter engagements, but you will notice how lacking the weapons are vs. dual and quad engine aircraft.

The lightened airframe of the Yak-3, being propelled by the more powerful Klimov VK-105 engine, gives the aircraft very good acceleration properties and a good rate of climb. It is also very agile, especially at low altitudes. However, while the Yak-3 is one of the best low-altitude dogfighters, its high-altitude performance still leaves much to be desired. The aircraft should always be kept below 4 km altitude to maximize its strengths. The Yak can also be used as a Boom & Zoom aircraft, however, due to low wing endurance, it is advised to always control the speed of the dive and not use excessive force to pull out of 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 4,100 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
|-
| 633 || 616 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.3 || 18.9 || 17.9 || 17.9 || 348
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,100 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
|-
| 671 || 654 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 17.2 || 17.4 || 24.2 || 21.3 || 348
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps
! Take-off flaps
! Landing flaps
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || X || ✓ || 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}} || N/A || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 380 || < 420 || < 490 || > 340
|-
|}

{| 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 || 1,310 hp || N/A
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,600 m || 1,240 hp || N/A
|-
|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Klimov VK-105PF 12-cylinder || colspan="1" | 1
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 600 kg || Inline || Water
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
! colspan="4" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="4" | 1,229 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="4" | 1,217 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
! colspan="4" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="4" | ____ hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="4" | 1,320 hp
|-
|}

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

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:Cockpits Yak-3.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Yak-3's instrument panel.]]
The Yak-3 is the pinnacle of the piston engine Yakovlev design, with a much more powerful engine, the addition of a second MG (meaning the MGs are viable now!), and ''metal wings''! The coolant system, now actually somewhat effective, has been moved to the wing roots (no "smiley face" below the nose), making the plane more streamlined. The cannon - the same old 20 mm ShVAK - receives a pleasant upgrade: an effective Air Targets belt.

Overall, the Yak-3 can be considered as a "jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none" aircraft. It will readily fulfil any fighter role a pilot will put it in, however, it won't excel in any – the American and German aircraft will still be better at energy fighting and executing Boom & Zoom tactics, while the British and the Japanese planes will still have an edge in manoeuvrability. Yet, the Yak-3 is a very potent machine which, with a skilled pilot behind the controls, is an opponent that you don't want to underestimate.

Baiting higher enemies into lower altitudes and engaging them in a dogfight is a worthwhile tactic. The only exception to this is Japanese opponents and certain Spitfire variants, where strict ''energy fighting'' or ''Boom & Zoom'' is recommended.

The Yak series also works oddly well at medium altitude "Boom & Zoom", thanks to a clean low drag airframe (good horizontal energy retention) and good vertical manoeuvrability. You can also use this to escape from the very light and maneruvable A6M's (which you will most often be fighting).

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

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="1" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 12 mm
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|-
| IV
| 100 octane fuel usage
|
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very manoeuvrable
* Excellent roll rate
* High acceleration and top speed, especially at low altitudes
* Excellent energy retention
* Dual Berezin UB HMG's with upgraded belts are capable of doing good damage

'''Cons:'''

* Still confers to the standard Yak setup of 1 x 20 mm ShVAK with one/two MGs, which is underwhelming at this rank
* Poor high altitude performance
* Upgraded Yak-3s can ''still'' have engine overheating problems!
* Very low wing rip speed
* Catches fire easily, which are not easy to put out in a dive due to the low wing durability.
* Suffers extreme compression above 600kph, combined with the low wing rip speed diving from high altitude is a death sentence

== History ==


The idea to produce a new fighter for the Red Army Air Force went as far back as 1941. It was then that the Yakovlev Design Bureau presented the I-30 prototype, intended an alternative to the earlier Yak-1 design. However, the German invasion of the USSR, as well as aluminium shortages, meant that the project had to be put on hold. Yakovlev resumed the development in 1943 while working on an upgraded version of the Yak-1 fighter. This time, it was decided that a new aircraft should be produced to completely replace the Yak-1 and Yak-7 models. The new machine was dubbed as the Yak-3 and entered service with the Red Army Air Force in 1944.

The new fighter quickly became very popular with Soviet pilots. They highly praised its solid armament of two Berezin UBS 12.7 mm machine guns and one ShVAK 20 mm cannon as well as ease of piloting and superb low-altitude performance. Marcel Albert, the top scoring French ace of World War II, cited the Yak-3 as one of the best fighters of the war, along with the P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire. After the war, the Yak-3 was also used by the Air Forces of Socialist Yugoslavia and Poland.<ref name="forum">[https://warthunder.com/en/news/2693--en <nowiki>[Aircraft Profile] Yak-3</nowiki>]</ref>

The Yak-3P was produced from April 1945 until mid-1946, armed with 3 × 20 mm Berezin B-20 cannon with 120 rounds for the middle cannon and 130 rpg for the side weapons. The three-cannon armament with full ammunition load was actually 11 kg (24 lb) lighter than that of a standard Yak-3, and the one-second burst mass of 3.52 kg (7.74 lb) was greater than that of most contemporary fighters. Starting in August 1945, all Yak-3 were produced in the Yak-3P configuration with a total of 596 built.

=== In-game description ===

"The Yak-3 was a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau. The Yak-3 was a further modification of the Yak-1, produced in 1944 and 1945, with a total of 4,848 built, and considered one of the best fighters of the war. In February 1943, a new Yak-1M variant was completed. It was a further development of the Yak-1, differing from it mainly in lower weight and smaller wing span.

By September 1943, yet another improved variant was ready, designated Yak-1M Dubler, on which the canvas skin on the tail section was replaced with 2mm plywood, and oil and water radiators were improved. The Dubler also had a new mastless antenna, a ring sight instead of a reflector sight, improved armor and a new propeller. Test pilots were impressed by the new prototype. Their report stated in part: ""Yak-1M possessed excellent horizontal, and especially vertical, maneuverability. Top speed greatly improved compared to earlier serial-production Yaks. Despite improved performance, the aircraft remains easy to fly and does not require extensive pilot training."" Therefore, the new modification went into production, receiving a new designation, Yak-3.

One of the most memorable air battles for the Yak-3 took place on 16th July 1944, when the plane showed it could confidently engage superior enemy forces. On that day, 10 Yak-3s met 8 Bf-109s and 4 FW-190s, with the battle eventually growing to 18 Soviet and 24 German planes. In the end, 15 German planes were shot down, for the loss of a single Yak-3."

== Media ==

[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23yak3 '''Skins''' and camouflages for the Yak-3 from http://live.warthunder.com]

==References==
<references />

== See also ==


* [[Yak-3 (Family)]] - The rest of the Yak-3 family.

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/2693--en [Aircraft Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> Yak-3]
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/141/current [News<nowiki>]</nowiki> Wings of Victory: Yak-3]

{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-3P

2019-12-11T06:15:58Z

U678832: Addition to cons

{{Specs-Card|code=yak-3p}}
{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = Yak-3 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian fighter {{Battle-rating}}. This fighter was introduced in [[Update 1.35]].

The Yak-3P is a fantastic all-around fighter. It has the manoeuvrability of an A6M, the armament of an Fw 190, the speed of a P-63, all combined into one fantastic combo.

The armament is fantastic- three 20 mm Cannons mounted in the nose can rip apart pretty much every plane you will face on the 4.3 BR. However, they do not pack the punch of Hispanos or AN/M2 cannons, or the belts, for that matter. Thus, it is recommended you research the belts as quickly as possible because the Ground Targets ammunition will increase performance markedly. One great advantage of the B-20M/S Cannons is that they take much longer to jam than their American/British cannon counterparts. Watch your ammo count, its best to attack at an angle with short bursts due to hit detection problems (sparkling) when firing from a ~0-degree angle.

Unlike the Yak-9s and 7s, the 3P is a fully composite plane. This means the wings have higher durability than the wooden-supported Yak-9, but it is still recommended you do not push the plane's manoeuvres to the limits, as the wings will still break in a high-speed dive or manoeuvres. The engine will also overheat extremely quickly. The durability of the plane is not great. Try not to be shot at all, because even a Spitfire with 8 7.7mms can set you aflame.

Like most Yaks, the 3P has good manoeuvrability, and you can out-turn pretty much everything except for the A6M, some of the Bfs, and Spitfires. Fortunately, the 3P also has another ace-in-the-hole. In arcade mode, WEP provides a very good rate of acceleration, so running away from a battle poses no challenges. However, the climb-rate is also pretty good, but not as great as the Spitfire or Fw 190. Thus, Yak-3P is one of the best "dive-into-battle" and destroy planes. Performance is terrible above 3 km. Below that altitude performance is fantastic.

In Arcade mode, this is one of the best planes available. The wings are not affected by high speeds, so you can push the 3P to the limits. However, in RB or SB, watch your speed if you use Boom & Zoom. Any speed higher than around 410 mph will cause the control surfaces to lock up and any attempt to make a hard turn at this point will break your wings. The 3P also has really bad high altitude performance, so you are limited to around 2,000 m before your speed and performance drastically decrease.

To conclude, the Yak-3P is one of those planes that have great armament and all-around specs.

== 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 4,100 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
|-
| 623 || 604 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.4 || 19.0 || 17.7 || 17.7 || 348
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,100 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
|-
| 663 || 643 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 17.2 || 17.5 || 24.0 || 21.1 || 348
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || X || ✓ || 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|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 520 || ~23 || ~18
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 380 || < 420 || < 490 || > 270
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="2" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
|-
| 300 m || 1,310 hp
|-
! colspan="2" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
|-
| 2,600 m || 1,240 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8.5 mm Steel - Plate behind the pilot
* 10 mm Steel - Plate above pilot's seat on the canopy
* 64 mm Bulletproof glass - Rear glass/headrest

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

{{main|B-20M (20 mm)|B-20S (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm B-20M cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 20 mm B-20S cannons, nose-mounted (130 rpg = 260 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The armament is very good. With a relatively fast fire rate and a good punch, they are more than powerful enough to destroy any plane with ease in the Rank 3 level. Bombers may pose a bit of a challenge. However, just aim for the wings and fire. The fuselage will just absorb your shells. Your best shots are side-on or diving in from an angle because the armament is most effective then. The Ground Targets belt is most effective with 3 HE shells/1 API shell per cycle.

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

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="1" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| Offensive 20 mm
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
|
|-
| IV
| 100 octane fuel usage
|
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|-
|}

As mentioned, gaining access to better belts is the priority, afterwards, modules which grant more horsepower are to be focused on.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great armament
* Good acceleration
* Good speed in level flight
* Good climb rate
* Good horizontal energy retention
* Decent roll rate
* Sufficient ammunition capacity (by Soviet standards; still needs trigger discipline to control ammunition usage)
* Intimidating red camouflage

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively poor durability
* Easily catches fire
* Cannons weaker than German/British counterparts
* Poor high-altitude performance (+2 km)
* No WEP
* Red paint scheme can be easily seen at long distances
* Low wing rip speed for diving (685 km/h or 426 mph)
* Serious control surface compression above 600 km/h

== History ==


The idea to produce a new fighter for the Red Army Air Force went as far back as 1941. It was then that the Yakovlev Design Bureau presented the I-30 prototype, intended an alternative to the earlier Yak-1 design. However, the German invasion of the USSR, as well as aluminium shortages, meant that the project had to be put on hold. Yakovlev resumed the development in 1943 while working on an upgraded version of the Yak-1 fighter. This time, it was decided that a new aircraft should be produced to completely replace the Yak-1 and Yak-7 models.

By September 1943, yet another improved variant was ready, designated Yak-1M Dubler, on which the canvas skin on the tail section was replaced with 2mm plywood, and oil and water radiators were improved. The Dubler also had a new mastless antenna, a ring sight instead of a reflector sight, improved armour and a new propeller. Test pilots were impressed by the new prototype. Their report stated in part: "''Yak-1M possessed excellent horizontal, and especially vertical, manoeuvrability. Top speed greatly improved compared to earlier serial-production Yaks. Despite the improved performance, the aircraft remains easy to fly and does not require extensive pilot training''."

The new machine was dubbed as the Yak-3 and entered service with the Red Army Air Force in 1944. The Yak-3 was a further modification of the Yak-1, produced in 1944 and 1945, with a total of 4,848 built, and considered one of the best fighters of the war.

The new fighter quickly became very popular with Soviet pilots. They highly praised its solid armament of two Berezin UBS 12.7 mm machine guns and one ShVAK 20 mm cannon as well as ease of piloting and superb low-altitude performance. Marcel Albert, the top scoring French ace of World War II, cited the Yak-3 as one of the best fighters of the war, along with the P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire. After the war, the Yak-3 was also used by the Air Forces of Socialist Yugoslavia and Poland.<ref name="forum">[https://warthunder.com/en/news/2693--en <nowiki>[Aircraft Profile] Yak-3</nowiki>]</ref>

The Yak-3P was produced from April 1945 until mid-1946, armed with 3 × 20 mm Berezin B-20 cannon with 120 rounds for the middle cannon and 130 RPG for the side weapons. The three-cannon armament with full ammunition load was actually 11 kg (24 lb) lighter than that of a standard Yak-3, and the one-second burst mass of 3.52 kg (7.74 lb) was greater than that of most contemporary fighters. Starting in August 1945, all Yak-3 were produced in the Yak-3P configuration with a total of 596 built.

=== In-game description ===
"The Yak-3 was a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau. The Yak-3 was a further modification of the Yak-1, produced in 1944 and 1945, with a total of 4,848 built, and considered one of the best fighters of the war. In February 1943, a new Yak-1M variant was completed. It was a further development of the Yak-1, differing from it mainly in lower weight and smaller wing span.

By September 1943, yet another improved variant was ready, designated Yak-1M Dubler, on which the canvas skin on the tail section was replaced with 2mm plywood, and oil and water radiators were improved. The Dubler also had a new mastless antenna, a ring sight instead of a reflector sight, improved armor and a new propeller. Test pilots were impressed by the new prototype. Their report stated in part: ""Yak-1M possessed excellent horizontal, and especially vertical, maneuverability. Top speed greatly improved compared to earlier serial-production Yaks. Despite improved performance, the aircraft remains easy to fly and does not require extensive pilot training."" Therefore, the new modification went into production, receiving a new designation, Yak-3.

One of the most memorable air battles for the Yak-3 took place on 16th July 1944, when the plane showed it could confidently engage superior enemy forces. On that day, 10 Yak-3s met 8 Bf-109s and 4 FW-190s, with the battle eventually growing to 18 Soviet and 24 German planes. In the end, 15 German planes were shot down, for the loss of a single Yak-3."
Starting in August 1945, all Yak-3 were produced in the Yak-3P configuration with a total of 596 built.

== 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.''

== References ==
<references />

{{USSR fighters}}