War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

P-61C-1

2022-06-27T10:35:44Z

U78120906: Cones of fire moved to defensive armament.

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

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]].

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

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

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

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

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

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 7,100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 656 || 643 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.3 || 27.5 || 12.2 || 12.2 || rowspan="2" | 457
|-
! Upgraded
| 732 || 692 || 23.8 || 25.0 || 21.3 || 16.0
|-
|}

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

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

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

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

==== Details ====
[[File:P-61_airbrakes_and_spoilers_extended.jpg|400px|thumb|right|A view of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' Black Widow's wing. Note the air brakes, "fences" are fully extended on the upper and lower surface of the wings. Also, note the long spoiler extended on the upper surface of the wing replaced ailerons due to increased efficiency at high speeds. The P-61 was the only aircraft in US inventory during WWII which utilised spoilers.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 340 || 337 || 280 || ~7 || ~3
|-
|}

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[File:P-61_upperturret_cone_of_fire.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The cones of fire for the upper machine gun turret on the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

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

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

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

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

== Usage in battles ==

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

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

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

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

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

*Tactic Three: Fly the plane almost touching the ground, this way the enemy can't get under your gunners. Use rudder yaw to fly side to side while shooting back at your pursuer. With a few hits you can heavily damage if not take out the enemy following you, or at least make them break off from your six and hopfully one of your allies can come and help you. If the enemy is not very fast in a straight line (eg: Japanese fighters, etc) you can fly straight and use your better top speed to kite the enemy.

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

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

* Fully close the Oil and Water radiator.
* Set prop pitch to ~90-100% and hold down WEP.
* Climb to ~6 km altitude at a speed of 240-270 km/h (150-170 mph).
* Overall this guarantees a climb rate far higher than 16 m/s and with the plane having a automatic exhaust based turbo.
* High altitude performance will far exceed that of a Bf 109 where you can out climb them, forcing them to stall before booming and zooming them back to 6km altitude.
* When cruising, 70% on pitch is ideal and you can set it to 100% with your airbrakes when you need to dive and search for planes with the radar.
* On desert maps, the engine can begin to heat but 20% oil radiator is usually sufficient to curb the overheating.
* When the engines take damage, ensure you open then water radiator more than 30%, when at altitudes above 6,000 m, as fully opening the radiators has no effect on speed.

=== Pros and cons ===

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

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

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

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

== History ==

P-61C is the final production version of the P-61 family with the production primarily in 1945. The most notable changes are the turbocharger fitted under each engine and the redesigned larger propeller system. With the turbocharger made by General Electric, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine could output 2,800 hp each. Alongside the larger propeller, P-61C could perform much better at higher altitude. The 4 hardpoints under the wings for external fuel tanks and bombs from the P-61B variants were also kept, allowing the P-61C to not only perform as a night fighter, but also as a night intruder. Airbrakes were also added so P-61C would not overshoot its intended targets.

== Media ==


;Skins

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

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:P-61 rearview.jpg|Rear view of the '''P-61''''s aerodynamic airframe.
File:P-61c-1 zippitydoodah 001.jpg
File:P-61c-1 argiegrit 001.jpg
</gallery>

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

== See also ==


* [[P-61A-1]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/devblog/current/869|[Devblog] P-61: The American "Flying Tank"]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/303450-northrop-p-61c-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://ia801208.us.archive.org/33/items/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP61/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP-61.pdf Pilot Training Manual for the P-61 Black Widow][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - By Headquarters Army Air Forces - Office of Flying Safety, 1944
* [https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/p-61-pilots-manual.6789/ Northrop P-61 Black Widow Pilot's Flight Operations Instructions][[File:Pdf_fileicon.png|.pdf document|link=]] - Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model P-61C Airplane, July 1945, ISBN:[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=isbn:9781411689008 978-1-4116-8900-8]

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

A-4E Early

2021-05-01T13:51:00Z

U78120906: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=a_4e_early
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} American strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "New Power"]].

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

The A-4E behaves like the A-4B, with excellent manoeuvrability at speed, aided by the automatic wing slats. However, the aircraft bleeds speed rapidly during extended turns, and will drop down to about 320 km/h (200 mph) after more than a 90 degree turn. Overall, it can turn with [[G.91 (Family)|G.91s]] and MiG-15s without issue, however extended dogfights should be avoided. If uptiered, flight performance leaves much to be desired, it can be outmanoeuvred even by the [[Yak-38 (Family)|Yak-38]] or [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]] in a dogfight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,066 || 1,057 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.9 || 39.0 || 29.5 || 26.7 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,096 || 1,081 || 36.5 || 37.0 || 51.4 || 40.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 592 || 562 || 410 || ~8 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 700 || < 490 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A || 1
| colspan="2" | 4,679 kg || colspan="3" | 296 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel
|-
| 900 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,419 kg || 5,913 kg || 6,530 kg || 7,147 kg || 11,113 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,470 kgf || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,470 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
|}

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


* 2.54 mm steel surrounding bottom half of the pilot
* 50 mm bulletproof glass in front of the cockpit

The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine.

One single well-placed round from an [[ADEN (30 mm)|ADEN]] cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. Overall, survivability is quite poor, the best armour is to not get hit.

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

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

{{main|Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 200 total)

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

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12C Bullpup|AIM-9B Sidewinder}}
{{main|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Mk 11 mod 5 (20 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 3 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannons (750 rpg = 2,250 total)
* 20 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (5,000 lb total)
* 14 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 5 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (5,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 5 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AGM-12C Bullpup missiles
* 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 133 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 28 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 95 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 20 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon (750 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

In Air Realistic battles, one can take any combination of 3 paths due to the wide array of armament. First, one can use the attacker air spawn to your advantage with either the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]]s, the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9Bs]] and the 20 mm gunpod, or a triple gunpod array. Use the air spawn to climb to anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 meters, and either catch fighters trying to climb, or pounce on the low flying [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|Vautour]] bombers common at this BR. However, if uptiered, especially versus Britain with the [[Harrier GR.1]], this is not a good option, as you cannot climb with them, and they will bounce you. If this is the case, take either [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] rocket pods or [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12]] Bullpups or the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] pods and take out ground targets. The last option is to use the wide array of bombs, preferably the 14 x 500 lb loadout, and take out either 1 or 2 bases with them. Then, return to base and optionally respawn with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9s]] and pick off damaged enemies.

In Ground RB, the only loadouts worth taking are the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] or [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] pods, or better yet, the 5 x [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12B]] Bullpup loadout. These missiles, with practice, can kill everything from 8.0 to 10.7. They are basically a precision 250 lb bomb that is guided to the target. The A-4E is basically a complete line-up with the [[XM-803]], [[MBT-70]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]] GM, or the [[HSTV-L]].

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can be armed with 5 [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
* Has loadouts with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter
* Researchable flares are a good counter to IR guided missiles it may face at its BR
* [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] is a tier I modification
* Can use its airspawn to help play the role of a fighter
* High roll rate

'''Cons:'''

* Subsonic
* Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face
* Gun pods and [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles are tier IV modifications

== History ==

The A4D-5 Skyhawk was an improved model of the A4D-2N (designated A-4C in 1962). The main improvement came in the form of the more powerful Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A engine, producing 8,400 pounds of thrust. In addition to the new powerplant, the A4D-5 also received two more wing-mounted stores pylons, for a total of five. The avionics were also improved, including a new TACAN system and a toss-bombing computer. Later in their service life, many A-4E Skyhawks were upgraded with the fuselage avionics pod J52-P-8 engine (with 9,300 pounds of thrust) from the A-4F.

The A4D-5 first flew in July 1961, and was renamed to A-4E in 1962 after the Tri-Service Aircraft Designation System came into effect. The A-4E entered production in December of 1962; a total of 499 A-4E Skyhawks would be delivered to the US Navy and Marine Corps starting in January 1963.

The A-4E began to see combat in Vietnam after arriving in early 1965, but it did not fully replace the earlier Skyhawks such as the A-4C. After opening in June 1965, the Chu Lai Short Airfield for Tactical Support (SATS) housed Marine A-4E Skyhawks. The Skyhawks landed using arrestor wires and took off by rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO). Throughout the Vietnam War, A-4 Skyhawks were used to provide close air support (CAS) for Marine Corps ground forces, primarily using bombs and rockets. A total of 362 A-4s of all types were lost during the Vietnam War, including non combat losses. 271 were from the US Navy, and 91 were from the Marine Corps.

During the war, many A-4Es and A-4Fs were used in the United States for training purposes. They had their armament - including external stores - removed and their slats fixed, and were used as aggressors (where they would act as enemy aircraft for training). In the aggressor role, an A-4 was called 'Mongoose'.

;1965 Philippine Sea Incident

It was December 5, 1965. This was the time of the Cold War and Vietnam War. Sailing 70 miles from the nearest island, 200 miles from Okinawa, was the USS ''Ticonderoga'', carrying Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) consisting of A-4E attack jets that were carrying nuclear bombs. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Douglas M. Webster, pilot of Douglas A-4E BuNo 151022 was performing a training exercise in his jet, rolling from hangar 2 to elevator 2. The jet was carrying a one megaton B43 thermonuclear bomb. An unspecified accident occurred, and the jet rolled off the deck. After a search, neither the pilot, the jet, nor the bomb was ever found, they likely sank the 16,000 ft (4,900 m) to the ocean floor. This was just one of the many "broken arrow" incidents during the Cold War.

The incident was acknowledged in 1981, but was misleading and it was fully revealed in 1989 due to a diplomatic inquiry by Japan. Lt. Cmdr. James Culda said on May 8, 1989 that "the environmental impact is expected to be nil", as the bomb was not armed and poses no threat at 4,900 m under the sea.

=== [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|Devblog]] ===
The beginning of the jet era and the escalation of the Cold War forced the US naval aviation command to look for a replacement for the very successful carrier-based piston-engine AD Skyraider, with the possibility of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon in the area of operation of an aircraft carrier group. With the beginning of the military campaign in Korea, the Douglas Aircraft Company began developing a carrier-based attack aircraft with an unconventional approach - instead of pursuing engine power, usually bringing weight and large size to the aircraft, Ed Heinemann's team concentrated on finding ways to lighten the construction, keeping it under 12,000 lbs.

The projected aircraft was a fairly compact, lightweight jet fighter-attacker with a delta-shaped wing and a competently lightweight design. This is how the A-4A Skyhawk was born, one of the first jet-based carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying a nuclear bomb. The aircraft was distinguished by its simplicity of design, practical controls with excellent flight characteristics for its time. Soon, in 1956, the A-4B version appeared, capable of carrying a huge variety of mounted weapons on three suspension points, including guided missiles.

Thus, "Skyhawk" had become a truly universal carrier-based aircraft, capable of solving the entire spectrum of tasks for US Naval Aviation. A rather noticeable drawback of the attack aircraft was still the limited range of action, also army types always wanted to increase the weapon load. In 1961, Douglas presented an improved version of the aircraft with five pylons for armament and a new engine, which compensated for a heavier combat load, and also increased the range of the attack aircraft. It was the A-4E that became one of the most massive Skyhawk modifications and formed the image of a modern carrier-based attack aircraft. The "E" version was actively involved in the Vietnam War, and later, up till the end of the 80's, was used to simulate enemy aircraft in training dogfights.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=assault&vehicle=a_4e_early Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="A-4E Early Devblog Images" heights="200">
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KdpicoF_WJI|'''The Scary Scooter: {{PAGENAME}} Skyhawk Review''' - ''Sako Sniper''|1Zaxu0b_Yvo|'''Wing Snapper KING! {{PAGENAME}} - USA - Review!''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[A-4B]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|[Devblog] A-4E Skyhawk: Heinemann's Hot-Rod grows up]]
* [http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the A-4E]

=== Bibliography ===

* A-4E Skyhawk: Pacific Coast Air Museum: Navy Attack Plane. (2019, December 17). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/aircraft/a-4e-skyhawk/
* A-4 Skyhawk Production. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from http://skyhawk.org/content/douglas-4-skyhawk-production-history
* Standard Aircraft Characteristics Navy Model A-4E Aircraft. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf

{{AirManufacturer Douglas}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{Squadron aircraft}}

A-4E Early

2021-04-29T20:47:59Z

U78120906: /* Suspended armament */ deleted unneccesery info

{{Specs-Card
|code=a_4e_early
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} American strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "New Power"]].

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

The A-4E behaves like the A-4B, with excellent manoeuvrability at speed, aided by the automatic wing slats. However, the aircraft bleeds speed rapidly during extended turns, and will drop down to about 320 km/h (200 mph) after more than a 90 degree turn. Overall, it can turn with [[G.91 (Family)|G.91s]] and MiG-15s without issue, however extended dogfights should be avoided. If uptiered, flight performance leaves much to be desired, it can be outmanoeuvred even by the [[Yak-38 (Family)|Yak-38]] or [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]] in a dogfight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,066 || 1,057 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.9 || 39.0 || 29.5 || 26.7 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,096 || 1,081 || 36.5 || 37.0 || 51.4 || 40.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 592 || 562 || 410 || ~8 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 700 || < 490 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A || 1
| colspan="2" | 4,679 kg || colspan="3" | 296 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel
|-
| 900 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,419 kg || 5,913 kg || 6,530 kg || 7,147 kg || 11,113 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,470 kgf || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,470 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
|}

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


* 2.54 mm steel surrounding bottom half of the pilot
* 50 mm bulletproof glass in front of the cockpit

The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine.

One single well-placed round from an [[ADEN (30 mm)|ADEN]] cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. Overall, survivability is quite poor, the best armour is to not get hit.

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

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

{{main|Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 200 total)

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

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12C Bullpup|AIM-9B Sidewinder}}
{{main|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Mk 11 mod 5 (20 mm)}}The MK 11 mod 5 cannons carry 750 rounds each

== Usage in battles ==

In Air Realistic battles, one can take any combination of 3 paths due to the wide array of armament. First, one can use the attacker air spawn to your advantage with either the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]]s, the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9Bs]] and the 20 mm gunpod, or a triple gunpod array. Use the air spawn to climb to anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 meters, and either catch fighters trying to climb, or pounce on the low flying [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|Vautour]] bombers common at this BR. However, if uptiered, especially versus Britain with the [[Harrier GR.1]], this is not a good option, as you cannot climb with them, and they will bounce you. If this is the case, take either [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] rocket pods or [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12]] Bullpups or the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] pods and take out ground targets. The last option is to use the wide array of bombs, preferably the 14 x 500 lb loadout, and take out either 1 or 2 bases with them. Then, return to base and optionally respawn with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9s]] and pick off damaged enemies.

In Ground RB, the only loadouts worth taking are the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] or [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] pods, or better yet, the 5 x [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12B]] Bullpup loadout. These missiles, with practice, can kill everything from 8.0 to 10.7. They are basically a precision 250 lb bomb that is guided to the target. The A-4E is basically a complete line-up with the [[XM-803]], [[MBT-70]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]] GM, or the [[HSTV-L]].

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can be armed with 5 [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
* Has loadouts with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter
* Researchable flares are a good counter to IR guided missiles it may face at its BR
* [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] is a tier I modification
* Can use its airspawn to help play the role of a fighter

'''Cons:'''

* Subsonic
* Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face
* Gun pods and [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles are tier IV modifications

== History ==

The A4D-5 Skyhawk was an improved model of the A4D-2N (designated A-4C in 1962). The main improvement came in the form of the more powerful Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A engine, producing 8,400 pounds of thrust. In addition to the new powerplant, the A4D-5 also received two more wing-mounted stores pylons, for a total of five. The avionics were also improved, including a new TACAN system and a toss-bombing computer. Later in their service life, many A-4E Skyhawks were upgraded with the fuselage avionics pod J52-P-8 engine (with 9,300 pounds of thrust) from the A-4F.

The A4D-5 first flew in July 1961, and was renamed to A-4E in 1962 after the Tri-Service Aircraft Designation System came into effect. The A-4E entered production in December of 1962; a total of 499 A-4E Skyhawks would be delivered to the US Navy and Marine Corps starting in January 1963.

The A-4E began to see combat in Vietnam after arriving in early 1965, but it did not fully replace the earlier Skyhawks such as the A-4C. After opening in June 1965, the Chu Lai Short Airfield for Tactical Support (SATS) housed Marine A-4E Skyhawks. The Skyhawks landed using arrestor wires and took off by rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO). Throughout the Vietnam War, A-4 Skyhawks were used to provide close air support (CAS) for Marine Corps ground forces, primarily using bombs and rockets. A total of 362 A-4s of all types were lost during the Vietnam War, including non combat losses. 271 were from the US Navy, and 91 were from the Marine Corps.

During the war, many A-4Es and A-4Fs were used in the United States for training purposes. They had their armament - including external stores - removed and their slats fixed, and were used as aggressors (where they would act as enemy aircraft for training). In the aggressor role, an A-4 was called 'Mongoose'.

;1965 Philippine Sea Incident

It was December 5, 1965. This was the time of the Cold War and Vietnam War. Sailing 70 miles from the nearest island, 200 miles from Okinawa, was the USS ''Ticonderoga'', carrying Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) consisting of A-4E attack jets that were carrying nuclear bombs. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Douglas M. Webster, pilot of Douglas A-4E BuNo 151022 was performing a training exercise in his jet, rolling from hangar 2 to elevator 2. The jet was carrying a one megaton B43 thermonuclear bomb. An unspecified accident occurred, and the jet rolled off the deck. After a search, neither the pilot, the jet, nor the bomb was ever found, they likely sank the 16,000 ft (4,900 m) to the ocean floor. This was just one of the many "broken arrow" incidents during the Cold War.

The incident was acknowledged in 1981, but was misleading and it was fully revealed in 1989 due to a diplomatic inquiry by Japan. Lt. Cmdr. James Culda said on May 8, 1989 that "the environmental impact is expected to be nil", as the bomb was not armed and poses no threat at 4,900 m under the sea.

=== [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|Devblog]] ===
The beginning of the jet era and the escalation of the Cold War forced the US naval aviation command to look for a replacement for the very successful carrier-based piston-engine AD Skyraider, with the possibility of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon in the area of operation of an aircraft carrier group. With the beginning of the military campaign in Korea, the Douglas Aircraft Company began developing a carrier-based attack aircraft with an unconventional approach - instead of pursuing engine power, usually bringing weight and large size to the aircraft, Ed Heinemann's team concentrated on finding ways to lighten the construction, keeping it under 12,000 lbs.

The projected aircraft was a fairly compact, lightweight jet fighter-attacker with a delta-shaped wing and a competently lightweight design. This is how the A-4A Skyhawk was born, one of the first jet-based carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying a nuclear bomb. The aircraft was distinguished by its simplicity of design, practical controls with excellent flight characteristics for its time. Soon, in 1956, the A-4B version appeared, capable of carrying a huge variety of mounted weapons on three suspension points, including guided missiles.

Thus, "Skyhawk" had become a truly universal carrier-based aircraft, capable of solving the entire spectrum of tasks for US Naval Aviation. A rather noticeable drawback of the attack aircraft was still the limited range of action, also army types always wanted to increase the weapon load. In 1961, Douglas presented an improved version of the aircraft with five pylons for armament and a new engine, which compensated for a heavier combat load, and also increased the range of the attack aircraft. It was the A-4E that became one of the most massive Skyhawk modifications and formed the image of a modern carrier-based attack aircraft. The "E" version was actively involved in the Vietnam War, and later, up till the end of the 80's, was used to simulate enemy aircraft in training dogfights.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=assault&vehicle=a_4e_early Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="A-4E Early Devblog Images" heights="200">
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KdpicoF_WJI|'''The Scary Scooter: {{PAGENAME}} Skyhawk Review''' - ''Sako Sniper''|1Zaxu0b_Yvo|'''Wing Snapper KING! {{PAGENAME}} - USA - Review!''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[A-4B]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|[Devblog] A-4E Skyhawk: Heinemann's Hot-Rod grows up]]
* [http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the A-4E]

=== Bibliography ===

* A-4E Skyhawk: Pacific Coast Air Museum: Navy Attack Plane. (2019, December 17). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/aircraft/a-4e-skyhawk/
* A-4 Skyhawk Production. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from http://skyhawk.org/content/douglas-4-skyhawk-production-history
* Standard Aircraft Characteristics Navy Model A-4E Aircraft. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf

{{AirManufacturer Douglas}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{Squadron aircraft}}

MiG-15bis ISh

2021-04-19T08:21:00Z

U78120906: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = premium Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-15 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-15bis_ish
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].

== General info ==
[[File:CockpitImage_MiG-15.jpg|thumbnail|right|The '''MiG-15bis ISH''''s instrument panel.]]

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,062 || 1,046 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 22.0 || 41.4 || 39.8 || rowspan="2" | 475
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,090 || 1,076 || 20.4 || 20.7 || 59.1 || 50.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 598 || 450 || ~12 || ~7
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 600 || < 700 || < 750 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Klimov VK-1 || 1
| colspan="2" | 3,768 kg || colspan="2" | 239 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel
|-
| 892 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 4,100 kg || 4,598 kg || 4,930 kg || 6,100 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,450 kgf || N/A
| 0.60 || 0.53 || 0.50 || 0.40
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,450 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.60 || 0.53 || 0.50 || 0.40
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-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.''

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Cross}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|N-37D (37 mm)|NR-23 (23 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 37 mm N-37D cannon, chin-mounted (40 rpg)
* 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannons, chin-mounted (80 rpg = 160 total)

The MiG 15 bis ISH carries multiple offensive weapons which consist of two 23 mm cannons and a 37 mm cannon. There is limited ammo on both, so eliminate enemies on the first pass if possible.

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

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)}}
{{main|S-1of|S-5K|S-5M}}

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

* Without load
* 6 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (600 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 48 x S-5K rockets
* 48 x S-5M rockets
* 8 x S-1of rockets

The MiG benefits from multiple suspended weapon payloads, consisting of six x 100 kg bombs, four x 250 kg bombs, two x 500 kg bombs, 8 x S-1of or 48 x S-5K/S-5M rockets, mounted on two external mounted pods. Note that the pods are mounted at a downward-facing angle. This aircraft carries no air-to-air weapons nor any type of decoy munitions.

== Usage in battles ==

The MiG 15's main opponents are the same as most Russian jets, mostly American and British jets, although some piston-driven aircraft will be a threat at low speeds. The MiG is not very good at turning at high speeds, as it loses speed very easily. If you intend to support your ground allies in any case, bombs are the better option. Rockets are only effective against light ground targets such as AA emplacements and aircraft on the ground. Try to avoid turning battles as the MiG is not exceptional, however, it is better than most Russian aircraft at that battle rating. Being up-tiered is not good news since Tier 6 aircraft have some access to air-to-air missiles. Here avoiding aircraft in some situations is your best bet, that said the cannons, if aimed carefully will rip an aircraft to pieces, causing critical hits or sending them back to the hangar.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent climb rate and acceleration
* Above average manoeuvrability
* Powerful main armament, especially effective against bombers
* Able to carry massive S-21 rockets
* Ground strike capability
* Balistics computer for rockets
* no need to dive while using rockets

'''Cons:'''

* Somewhat slow roll rate
* Poor controllability due to compression at high Mach numbers (> Mach 0.9)
* Inhomogeneous main armament with different ballistic characteristics can make aiming difficult
* Armament difficult to use (low velocities, low ammo and two different trajectories)
* Guns tend to spark a lot (the N-37 in particular), especially with stock belts
* Rockets are difficult to aim due to angled mounts
* Poor forward visibility in simulator, as a large canopy frame and the gunsight block the top and bottom

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

=== In-game description ===
After World War II was over, the leaders of the USSR realized that they were behind the leading states of the world in the sphere of jet aircraft construction, most notably in the full-scale production of turbojet engines. Consequently, a delegation including the designers A. I. Mikoyan and V. Y. Klimov was sent to Great Britain towards the end of 1946. Their negotiations were successful, resulting in the purchase of two of the most advanced turbojet engines at that time: the Rolls-Royce Derwent Mk.V and the Rolls-Royce Nene I/Nene II. The British consented to sell their newest strategic designs easily enough, since they believed that the Soviet industrial/technological apparatus could not handle the mass production of sophisticated assemblies. However, very soon that the Rolls-Royce engines were launched into full-scale Soviet production under the designations RD-500 and RD-45.

The emergence of the new engines led to the creation of Soviet jet fighters able to compete with the leading models of the world. In 1947, the Mikoyan Design Bureau started the development of a front line fighter with a Nene (RD-45) turbojet engine and an airtight cockpit: the I-310 (""S""). The first S-01 prototype aircraft made its first flight on December 30, 1947, and, after working on the test results, was launched into full-scale production in 1948 under the designation MiG-15. The plane's airframe was an all-metal monoplane configuration with mid-swept wings and empennage. Thus the MiG-15 became the first production swept-wing fighter.

The MiG-15 was equipped with a RD-45F single-shaft turbojet engine rated at 2,270 kg of thrust with a double-entry centrifugal compressor. The plane's armament included a 37mm Nudelman N-37D cannon with 40 rounds and two 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23KM guns with 160 rounds in total. The cannons were mounted in the forward fuselage on a lowerable carriage. Two 100-kg or 50-kg bombs could be suspended under the wings. To increase its flight range, the aircraft could carry two external fuel tanks with a capacity ranging from 250 to 600 litres.

The MiG-15 fighter was notable for its simple and reliable structure, high flight and operating characteristics, and powerful armament. Its maximum speed, rate of climb, ceiling, and flight range were the best among Soviet fighters at the time and superior to many foreign aircraft, as well.

The first production MiG-15s with RD-45F engines began to leave the factory floor in early 1949. In 1950, more advanced MiG-15bis fighters replaced them in the factory assembly lines.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|KpWGXcI9PQc|'''The Shooting Range #129''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:39 discusses the MiG-15bis ISH.}}

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5924-development-shop-jet-packs-en|[Shop] Jet Packs!]]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

F-104S

2021-04-09T06:58:03Z

U78120906: /* Engine performance */ added wing area

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-104 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-104s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f-104s.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].

The F-104S is an Italian supersonic interceptor based on the American [[F-104 (Family)|Lockheed F-104 "Starfighter"]] series. The external appearance is much the same besides the additional ventral fins, but as the final variant of the Starfighter family, it boasts the best speed and payload capacity of any F-104. It can be used as a high-speed ground attacker with a sizeable load of assorted bombs and rockets. Alternatively, it can be a deadly interceptor if equipped with air-to-air missiles. Unique among Starfighters is its ability to carry a pair of AIM-7E Sparrow semi-active radar homing missiles, the same variant used by the [[F-4E|F-4E Phantom II]].

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


The sleek and missile-like Starfighters are known for having excellent speed, climb rate, and acceleration, and the F-104S is no exception. Its J79-GE-19 engine has the highest thrust of all F-104 variants by a large margin: optimal thrust on afterburner is about 22% greater than the J79-GE-11 used by the [[F-104G]]. The F-104S will have few issues with outrunning or outclimbing its opponents. But this performance comes at the cost of very poor maneuverability, which has not been improved on this variant. The tiny wings and long body make for awful low-speed handling and there is only so much that the combat flaps can do to improve the turn rate. Avoid turning engagements when at all possible. That said, its handling at supersonic speeds is not so poor. Hard turns tend to bleed speed due to the low aspect ratio of the wings. The roll rate is good overall, which helps in defensive maneuvers.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 15,240 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,345 || 2,319 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.5 || 34.7 || 225.6 || 216.8 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,431 || 2,387 || 33.5 || 34.0 || 297.3 || 260.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 444 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 720 || < 950 || < 800 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}}
!Wing Area|| colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-19 || 1
| 6,850 kg
|12.1 m<sup>2</sup>|| colspan="2" | 566 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,740 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 7,706 kg || 8,752 kg || 9,798 kg || 24,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,992 kgf || 7,688 kgf
| 1.00 || 0.89 || 0.78 || 0.32
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,044 kgf<br />(1,200 km/h) || 10,253 kgf<br />(1,200 km/h)
| 1.33 || 1.17 || 1.05 || 0.43
|-
|}

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


The F-104S is not equipped with any armour plating, and is therefore rather vulnerable to enemy fire, especially given the fact that most enemies at this rank sport high-calibre cannons. Taking any critical damage in the F-104S will almost instantly cripple it, to the point where you will have to fly back to base, or be a sitting duck for the enemy team. Taking a critical hit to the fuselage will disable you so badly you won't be able to reach supersonic speeds, which is your greatest advantage. The same goes for taking any sort of wing damage or tail damage: it will instantly result in a huge amount of drag on the air frame, reducing your already poor energy retention in maneuvers making you an easy target to pick off from afar and in effective gun range. Lastly, the engine is a massive target for guns and missiles alike. Having a slightly orange engine will effectively put you out of the fight. And with the already heavy weight of the F-104S, you require the engine power to stay in the fight.

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

The most important modules to research are the ''Flight performance'' modifications and the ''AIM-9B'' air-to-air missiles. The ''Flight performance'' modifications capitalize on this vehicle's speed advantage, while the missiles greatly increase its ability to do damage to the enemy. Some modifications that may be saved for last are the ''G-suit'', ''Offensive 20 mm'', and ''New 20 mm cannons'', as well as the modifications that allow the plane to equip bombs (provided, of course, that the pilot does not wish to use the vehicle in a ground attack role).

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

{{main|M61 (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, chin-mounted (750 rpg)

The M61 Vulcan is a powerful gatling cannon that may be a fun surprise to Italian pilots. A quick and accurate burst can send targets into flames and the incredible rate of fire allows for some spray-and-pray, which is especially helpful considering how difficult it can be to get guns on target in this aircraft. But it has several drawbacks: first, the gun needs to spool up momentarily before it will fire, and second, the ammunition supply of 750 rounds will be depleted in no time if fired continuously. The former makes tap firing the gun to conserve ammunition a difficult affair but the latter means that holding down the trigger is not optimal either—certainly an awkward situation! New pilots can be afford to be somewhat more trigger-happy as they get used to the gun.

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

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AIM-7E Sparrow|AIM-9B Sidewinder|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP}}

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

* Without load
* 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (1,500 lb total)
* 7 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,500 lb total)
* 7 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (5,250 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 6 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles
* 2 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (2,500 lb total)
* 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (3,750 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (2,000 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets (2,500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets

The F-104S has a very wide range of ordnance. For attacking ground targets, the bombs and rockets should be adequate. The loadout with seven 750 lb bombs is the heaviest and can be used to bomb bases or carpet bomb enemy vehicles. The largest individual bomb the F-104S can carry is 2000 lbs, sufficient for clearing out a capture zone in mixed battles. Two types of rockets are available, 70 mm FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets and 130 mm Zuni rockets. The FFARs have a decent penetration of 290 mm but have small warheads with relatively low post-penetration damage. The Zunis are more potent but only 8 can be carried.

In the air-to-air missile department, the only infrared guided missile available is the AIM-9B Sidewinder. This early Sidewinder is disappointing at the F-104S' battle rating and is easily dodged or spoofed by a target who spots it coming. The F-104S can at the very least carry up to 6 of them, a record number of missiles for a Starfighter. The other option is the AIM-7E Sparrow, of which 2 can be carried. It requires a continuous radar lock to guide and will not work well at close distances or when looking towards the ground, but has very good range and can be fired at a target at any aspect.

Unlike the F-104G models available to [[F-104G|Germany]] and [[F-104G (China)|China]], the F-104S cannot carry guided air-to-ground missiles.

== Usage in battles ==


The F-104S does one thing extremely well: speed. This is the vehicle's greatest advantage, and can be used to great effect if the pilot is careful about choosing which engagements to pursue. It is recommended to keep up a high air-speed at all times, which will allow the F-104S to swoop in and out of the combat zone while evading enemies. Sometimes, it is even possible to outrun enemy air-to-air missiles.

However, the F-104S struggles with maneuverability. With such small wings, it simply can't produce the lift necessary to throw itself around the sky, and therefore has a very poor turning circle. This means that any turning engagement is most likely futile, and also reemphasizes the utility of a boom and zoom playstyle.

This vehicle also lacks in the weaponry department. Although it has an [[M61 (20 mm)]] Vulcan cannon, the only air-to-air missiles to which the plane has access is the AIM-9B. At this high battle rating, these early missiles are simply not enough to reliably destroy enemy targets. The best way to use them is to target only slow-moving enemies or while going past other aircraft, due to the high top speed of the F-104S the AIM-9B are already going very fast when launched, if timed correctly the lack of ability for the missile to turn is negated by the sheer speed and moment of surprise. There is one silver lining: since the plane is equipped with six of these missiles, the pilot has many chances to secure a kill using them. Even if the missiles under perform, their sheer number make up for that deficit.

===Radars===

The F-104S is equipped with an NASARR search and tracking radar. The radar is mounted in the nose of the aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | NASARR - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth<br/>Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation<br/>Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 37,000 m<br />(theoretical) || 18,000 m || ±45.0° || ±43.0°
|-
! colspan="4" | NASARR - Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum<br/>Tracking<br/>Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum<br/>Tracking<br/>Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking<br/>Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking<br/>Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 18,500 m || 150 m || ±10.0° || ±10.0°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good top speed for its rank
* Great rate of climb
* Vulcan cannon can do some serious damage
* Significantly wider variety of payload options than early F-104s
* Decent high-speed manoeuvrability in spite of its tiny wings
* Good roll rate for a jet
* Can use the AIM-7E Sparrow missile
* Has a radar warning receiver

'''Cons:'''

* Lousy manoeuvrability at low speeds
* Bleeds off airspeed easily in sustained turns.
* Only 750 rounds of cannon ammo, trigger discipline is a must
* No air-to-ground missiles
* No flares

== History ==


The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a supersonic jet fighter known for its distinctive appearance, described as a "missile with a man in it". At the time of its introduction in 1958 with the US Air Force as an interceptor, the F-104 set multiple performance records and was the first production fighter capable of flying at twice the speed of sound. Flaws of the design included engine troubles, limited range, and poor handling characteristics that led to a poor safety record, earning it several morbid nicknames like "Widowmaker". The F-104G variant was modified for multi-role capabilities in line with German requirements and ultimately was adopted by several other NATO countries, including Italy.

The F-104G began to replace the [[CL-13 Mk.4|Canadair Sabre]] in Italian service beginning in 1963-1965. Although the airframes were not very old, the subsonic Sabres were already outdated compared to the new Mach-2 capable supersonic aircraft available to NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The Starfighters also supplanted the similarly outdated [[F-84G-21-RE (Italy)|F-84 Thunderjet]] fighter-bomber. As was the case for many foreign designs in Italian service, the F-104Gs were for the most part assembled locally by Fiat. They were configured in interceptor, strike, and reconnaissance variants. Trainer variants were also obtained. The original Lockheed ejection seats were replaced with Martin-Baker seats. In Italian hands, the F-104 earned the nickname of Spillone ("Hairpin"), no doubt due to its pointed, needle-like shape.

Despite its poor accident record, the F-104 proved to be popular with the Italian Air Force. In the mid 1960s, the Italian military began to look for new and more advanced aircraft. Options considered included the American [[F-4C|F-4 Phantom II]], British [[Lightning F.6|English Electric Lighting]], and French [[Mirage IIIC|Mirage III]]. Lockheed's proposal was an upgraded version of the Starfighter with the company designation of CL-901. This was to feature a new J79-GE-19 engine, slight modifications to the air intakes, improved avionics, extra pylons, and additional ventral fins. The CL-901 was ultimately selected due to its low price and the Italian industry's familiarity with the F-104, and it was produced as the '''F-104S'''. The first examples were modified from the F-104G.

Two configurations of the F-104S were produced. The F-104S/CI interceptor version replaced the internal cannon with additional avionics required to support the semi-active radar homing Sparrow missiles while the F-104S/CB fighter-bomber variant retained the gun. The two variants may have had different radars with features suited to their roles, though sources are unclear about this distinction.

A total of 246 examples of the F-104S were produced over ten years from 1969-1979. An upgrade program was carried out in the 1980s while the Italian military waited for the Eurofighter Typhoon, resulting in the F-104S-ASA-2, the F-104S-ASA-1 is differentiated by its lack of Apside SARH missiles. The avionics, countermeasure systems, and weapons were improved, and the cannon could now be carried along with the missile guidance equipment due to improvements in avionics. The Starfighters were updated once more beginning in 1995-1997 to the ASA/M standard. The changes were relatively minor and limited to overhauling the electrical system and adding new navigation features.

The only combat service seen by the F-104S was in Serbia as part of Operation Allied Force, where they flew combat air patrols. They were finally retired by Italy in 2004 when the Eurofighter Typhoon became operational, bringing the F-104's career worldwide to an end. The only other user of the F-104S was Turkey, who received 40 aircraft and used them alongside other F-104 models obtained from many countries. Turkey retired all its Starfighters by 1995.

The F-104 was a remarkable plane for its time and offered NATO countries a relatively simple aircraft with spectacular performance. Though Italy adopted the F-104 a few years after the United States and Germany, it used the F-104 for longer than any other country and the domestically produced F-104S was the most advanced variant built. Its service was marred by a frightening accident record, as over a third of all Italian F-104s were lost in crashes. By the time the F-104S was retired, 50 years had passed since the F-104's first flight in 1954.

A large number of F-104S Starfighters have survived today and are on display throughout Italy. A full list of survivors can be found [https://www.i-f-s.nl/preserved-f-104s/preserved-in-italy/ here].

== Media ==

'''Images'''<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 04.jpg|
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 05.jpg|
File:F-104S WTWallpaper 06.jpg|
</gallery>

'''Videos'''

{{Youtube-gallery|6grJB3S7DDs|Italian F-104S in War Thunder - Naked Guns - OddBawZ|cSo5JwAu6HI|ЭТО БОЛЬ в War Thunder! F-104S Starfighter
}}

== See also ==

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6731-development-f-104-starfighter-the-manned-missile-en|[Devblog] F-104 Starfighter: The Manned Missile]]

{{Template:AirManufacturer Fiat}}
{{Italy jet aircraft}}

M6A1

2021-04-07T14:39:24Z

U78120906: /* Ammo racks */

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m6a1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. A rather unusual tank design mounting two cannons in the turret, however, it has a durable frontal armour for the battle rating it occupies.

The M6A1 is one of the most unique tanks in the game, with its large hull and being as tall as a Tiger I. Another interesting feature is that it is one of the most manoeuvrable heavy tanks in the game with a powerful Wright G-200 engine (the same engine powering the [[B-17E|B-17 ''Flying Fortress'' bomber]]) with a max speed of 35 km/h, making it very mobile in a battle situation. The tank has two 12.7 mm's in the hull which are effective for taking out lightly armored vehicles such SPAAs. The M6A1 is one of the first American tanks as well in the game to have the transmission at the rear of the tank.

Something to keep in mind is the shell arc of the secondary 37 mm cannon. Its shell will usually hit the same spot on distances up to 1400 m (~1 mile). But do not forget that the gun is offset to the left in close combat, or it will not hit the target.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

* Cast homogeneous armour (Front, Transmission area, Turret)
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Roof)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 82.5 mm (5-35°) ''Front'' <br> 101.6 mm (5-35°) ''Transmission''|| 44.4 mm || 44.4 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
| Turret || 250 mm (6-65°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50.8 + 50.8 mm (7-62°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 82.5 mm (0-12°) || 82.5 mm (0-68°) || 25.4 mm
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 82.5 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 17 mm thick.
* Frontal armour plate is unevenly curved for better ricochet chances and efficient armour thickness.
* Side skirts are 25 mm thick rolled homogeneous armour and will trigger fuses on APHE projectiles. In most cases, APHE shells set off before reaching the main hull and destroying the ammo stack beneath. Still, both skirts and hull are not sturdy enough to withstand a regular AP shell.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,033|rbMinHp=708}}

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M7 (76 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M7 (76 mm)|76 mm M7]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 75 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+30° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 14.57 || 20.16 || 24.48 || 27.07 || 28.80 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 10.71 || 12.60 || 15.30 || 16.92 || 18.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
|-
| M42A1 shell || HE || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
|-
| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7.00 || 1.2 || 14.0 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| M42A1 shell || HE || 800 || 5.84 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.80 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full<br>ammo
! 1st<br>rack empty
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! 3rd<br>rack empty
! Visual<br>discrepancy
|-
| '''75''' || 40 ''(+35)'' || 4 ''(+71)'' || 1 ''(+74)'' || Yes
|-
|}

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|M3 (37 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3]] || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
| 202 || N/A || N/A || Vertical || 3.77 || 3.33 || 3.07 || 2.90
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| M74B1 || AP || 79 || 76 || 65 || 54 || 45 || 37
|-
| M63 shell || HE || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 3
|-
| M51B1/B2 || APCBC || 87 || 84 || 73 || 60 || 50 || 41
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| M74B1 || AP || 883 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| M63 shell || HE || 807 || 0.73 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 38 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M51B1/B2 || APCBC || 883 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full<br>ammo
! 1st<br>rack empty
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! 3rd<br>rack empty
! 4th<br>rack empty
! 5th<br>rack empty
! 6th<br>rack empty
! Visual<br>discrepancy
|-
| '''202''' ||190 (+12)|| 161 ''(+41)'' || 121 ''(+81)'' || 81 ''(+121)'' || 41 ''(+161)'' || 1 ''(+201)'' || Yes
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|5}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
|-
| Hull || 3,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+35° || ±15°
|-
| Hull || 3,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+35° || ±15°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

Although this is a heavy tank, and able to bounce some shells, its armour will not protect it from all incoming fire. Enemies to specifically watch out for are the [[IS-1]], [[Panther tank (Family)|Panthers]], [[Tiger E|Tigers]], and [[M4A3E2|Jumbo]] Shermans, as they can all easily penetrate this vehicle's weak frontal armour. Make sure to protect the rear flank too: M6A1's engine is very large and prone to catching on fire when hit.

But despite the imperfect armour layout, the M6A1 does bring an impressive cannon to the battle. The powerful 76 mm gun is able to penetrate the front of most Rank III tanks and can destroy most enemy targets in a single shot. The secondary cannon is weaker than the 76 mm, but can be effective. When engaging targets from the side, this smaller gun should have no trouble penetrating and destroying an enemy unit. And as with all multi-gun tanks, the secondary gun should be fired separately from the main cannon to maximize efficiency and facilitate aim. By firing the secondary cannon, it is occasionally possible to bait the enemy into advancing out of cover and revealing a weak-spot--they will not expect that you have another shell loaded in the main gun. Additionally, the vehicle mounts three 12.7 mm machine guns, which can be very effective in dealing with enemy aircraft if positioned correctly.

In most situations, the M6A1 driver will find that a slower play-style suits this tank best. The vehicle is large, turret rotation is slow, and enemies will be eager to flank it. As such, the support of teammates is necessary for an effective attack. In a defensive situation, the M6A1 is effective when located behind a ridge or other cover. This will help to obscure the tank's large profile and allow the player to ambush advancing enemies.

The M6A1 is often compared to the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. Although less armoured than its higher-tiered counterpart, the M6A1 is arguably better than the Jumbo during the early game and at range. While the M4A3E2 may have trouble dealing with enemy heavy tanks such as the [[KV-1 (Family)|KV-1]], this vehicle is very-well suited for engaging those targets. The M6A1 may be thought of as a Jumbo Sherman that was traded some of its armour protection in exchange for a more lethal armament.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great main 76 mm gun and ammunition capable of consistent 1 hit kills
* Great secondary 37 mm gun with good reload speed and decent penetration
* Good gun depression
* Reload rate isn't generally affected when losing crew members
* Has .50 cal AA machine gun, as well as a dual-mount .50 cal in front
* First standard heavy tank in the US tree, which can dish out and take punishment equally
* Lower portion of the hull sides are protected by additional 25.4 mm armour sheet
* Adequate roof armour of 25 mm means aerial strafing will be of a little issue without large-calibre weaponry
* Rear mounted transmission means it is not affected with a frontal penetration
* Big hull increases the chance of surviving after a penetrating hit
* Good acceleration and power-to-weight ratio
* Good hill-climbing abilities
* Very good cross country performance due to large tracks

'''Cons:'''

* Lots of weak points, such as gun mantlet, upper side armour, driver port, MG port, and front armour cheeks
* Armour profile overall is quite flat, no angling benefits
* Ammo is stored in the lower side armour
* All automotive module mounted in the rear, easily prone to damage, set ablaze, or exploded when shot
* Slow top speed
* Mediocre turn speed
* Pretty large in general, will stand out in the battlefield

== History ==

===Development===
When World War II broke out, limited development in the United States meant that the military possessed very few tanks and so development hastened and eventually gave them tanks such as the [[M3 Lee|M3 Lee]] and [[M4|M4 Sherman]]. On May 20, 1940, the US Army Ordinance Corps began to work on a 50-ton heavy tank for their army. Initially, it was going to have a multi-turret design, two turrets with the 75 mm gun and one secondary turret with a 37 mm gun with a coaxial machine gun, then one more with a 20 mm gun with coaxial. Plus, four .30 cal machine guns were to be put on ball mounts on the front glacis and rear corners of the hull. This project was approved on June 11, 1940, and moved on as the ''Heavy Tank T1''. However at the same time, similar concepts in Europe of heavy breakthrough tanks such as the Soviet [[T-35]] and the German [[Nb.Fz.|Neubaufahrzeug]] tanks were falling out of favour due to lack of combat effectiveness and unfavourable performance for their cost, and the US did the same in October so the design was changed.

The tank now had one turret with a 3-inch (76.2 mm) gun alongside a coaxial 37 mm gun. The turret housed three crew members and was powered by an electrical traverse system. The commander's cupola was copied from the M3 Lee, featuring a hatch with it sown machine gun. Two .50 cal machine guns now protruded from the bow mount (fired by bow gunner) and two .30 cal machine guns as well (fired by the driver). The entire tank held six crew members, the commander, gunner, driver, assistant driver, loader #1, and loader #2. While the construction of the vehicle was feasible, the engine was not enough to power the vehicle reliably due to heavy 57-ton weight.

In 1941 to 1942, three prototypes were constructed with the different transmission, one with electrical and the rest with a torque converter. The ones with the torque converters were designated the '''Heavy Tank M6''' and '''M6A1'''. The electrical transmission design designated '''M6A2''', was never approved by Ordinance, but was to be manufactured anyway. It was hoped that 115 of these tanks could be built for further testing and production started in December 1942 with design changes. The commander's cupola now featured a regular hatch rather than the machine gun one, which was removed along with one of the machine gun in the front hull. By the time the M6 was ready for production, the Army was moving forward and interest waned on these heavy tanks with the [[M4|M4 Sherman's]] performance in the war. The M6's armour was only slightly thicker than the Sherman's and the 3-inch gun didn't offer too much improvement over the 75 mm gun, plus it had a large profile and low ergonomics, not to mention mechanical issues.

===Production and cancellation===
In early 1942, the M6 production was set for 250 a month but was cut down in September from 5,000 to a mere 100 when manufacturing focus moved to planes. By the end of 1942, Sherman's performance in the war proved its role in the war was more adaptable than the M6 heavy tank while remaining cheaper and lighter for transportation and supplying. This caused the M6 production to lower even more to just 40, before being shut down. Though testing with a 90 mm gun found the M6 to be a good gun mount, the poor layout of the tank restricted it, and the project was shut down before further development could be made.

In August 1944, the Ordinance Corps planned to modify some of the M6 heavy tanks with more armour and heavier armament to breach fortified areas. These were to be the '''M6A2E1''' and weighed 77 tons with a 190 mm front armour and a 105 mm gun. Eisenhower rejected these as impractical and cancelled it. The M6 was found to be obsolete by December 1944 with only 40 units produced and never seeing combat service. They served as a propaganda piece during the war and were all scrapped after it except one, which is put on display at Aberdeen, Maryland at the United States Army Ordinance Museum. During development, the M6 turret was modified to become the turret for the [[M10 GMC|M10 Tank Destroyer]].

=== In-game description ===
At the end of May 1940 the US infantry chief of staff responsible for armor put together requirements for future tanks in light of what was happening in Europe: the German army was relentlessly moving toward France and using armor with great success along the way. The Wehrmacht's use of new Pz.IV tanks with 75 mm guns instantaneously made the American tanks and their 37 mm cannons obsolete.

The new tank type had to be heavy (around 50 short tons), with 76 mm and 37 mm cannons arranged side-by-side in the turret. It had four machine guns (two heavy caliber and two rifle caliber), a Wright G-200 engine, a Hydromatic transmission, and a top speed of 25 mph. The green light was given for the construction of four prototypes in February 1941.

The prototypes developed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works were designed with different transmissions and hulls in the interests of finding the best option for full-scale production. Two modifications at most were permitted, and on April 13, 1942, the T1E2 and T1E3 were standardized as the M6 and M6A1. The latter added a welded hull, Wright G-200 engine, and torque converter to the M6.

Mass production was scheduled for November 1942, though a report by General Jacob Devers on December 7 indicated that the M6s would enjoy only limited tactical use due to their size. Moreover, two M4s equipped with 75 mm and 76 mm weapons could be built in place of two heavy tanks. As a result, the Armored Corps hurried to revoke the contract.

Between 1942 and 1943 the Baldwin Locomotive Works ended up producing 12 M6 heavy tanks. They did not join the army or see combat.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=heavy_tank&vehicle=us_m6a1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Yssg5uKGS-A|'''The Shooting Range #236''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:39 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== 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 vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/3209/current/|[Vehicle Profile] Heavy Tank M6A1]]

{{USA heavy tanks}}

F-5A (China)

2021-03-24T11:04:30Z

U78120906: /* Flight performance */ /* History */ added

{{Specs-Card
|code=f-5a_china
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Ixwa Strike"]].

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

The F-5A is a really maneuverable aircraft, easily hitting 13 G turns without losing much energy, but try to stay above 800 km/h, if you go below that your speed starts dropping rapidly. You don't really have to care about ripping your wings. The aoa in a turn stays really low, due to not having delta wins and cause it's really light. The aircraft is not fast in top speed and acceleration.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,430 || 1,422 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 28.3 || 112.5 || 99.3 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 926 || 559 || 555 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 large ones in the rear fuselage)

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

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

{{main|M39A2 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)

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

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-12B Bullpup|AIM-9P Sidewinder|FFAR Mighty Mouse}}

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

* Without load
* 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bomb (500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, 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).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Many payload options
* AIM-9P missiles are quite effective
* Highly manoeuvrable
* Amazing energy retention, even in high-G manoeuvres
* Hard to rip the wings
* Can be used in many roles, such as fighter, attacker and base bomber
* Competitive speed at sea level, on par with MiG-21s
* Reasonable ammo pool for the cannons

'''Cons:'''

* No flares
* Low top speed, acceleration, and climb rate compared to its counterparts

== History ==

Design

The design of the F-5 was led by Northrop Edgar Schmued. The goal with the F-5 was to reverse the trend of creating increasingly heavier and bigger aircraft to increase performance. Northrop recognized that such expensive jets could not be replaced every few years. Northrop also wanted that the aircraft had a great potential for upgrades in the future to stay up to date. for these requirements Schmued realized he needed a new engine with a high trust to weight ratio and new aerodynamic technology. Like the General Electric J85 and the newly discovered area rule.

The chief engineer Welko Gasich, convinced Schmued to locate the engines in to the fuselage for maximum performance. Gasich also introduced the concept of "life cycle cost" into fighter design. This provided the foundation of the low operating cost and long service life of the F-5. The philosophy of Northrop was to use new technology to provide maximum performance at minimum cost.

The development of the F-5 was formally started in the mid 1950's by the Northrop corporation to develop a low cost low maintenance fighter. The first design was called the N-156 witch was partly intended to meet the navy's requirements for a jet fighter that can operate from the navy's escort carriers, witch where to small for the existing jet fighters to takeoff from. The requirements disappeared when the navy decided to withdraw it's escort carrier's, however the development of the N-156 continued. both as a two seat trainer designated as the N-156T and as an single seat fighter designated as N-156F.

The N-156T was quickly selected as a new trainer for the United States Airforce. On 12 June 1959 the first prototype trainer took flight with the designation YT-38 Talon. Production ended in 1972 in total there where 1 158 T-38's produced. The development of the N-156F continued at a lower priority as a private venture by Northrop. On 25 February 1958, there was an order of three prototypes issued for a low cost fighter that could be supplied to less developed nations under the Militarily Assistance Program. The first N-156F flew on 30 July 1959 at Edwards Airforce Base, even exceeding the speed of sound on it's first flight.

Although the testing of the N-156F went successful showing great reliability and a better air to ground capability than the existing F-100 Super Saber's the interest in the aircraft was decreasing, and in 1960 it looked like the program was failing. Interest rose again in 1961 when the United States Army Airforce tested it alongside the A-4 Skyhawk and the G-91 for an CAS and reconnaissance role. Although the three aircraft proved successful in these roles the program ended because the USAAF was not allowed by the USAF to fly fixed wing aircraft anymore.

In 1962, the Kennedy Registration revived the requirement of a low cost export fighter. The N-156F was the winner of the F-X competition on 23 April 1962, and becoming the F-5. The F-5 was ordered in to production in October that year. It was named under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, which included a re-set of fighter number series. Production of the F-5A ended in 1972, Northrop produced a total of 624 F-5A including the three YF-5A prototypes.

Operation

The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF, Taiwan's air force) received it first batch of seven F-5As and Bs under the U.S. Military Assistance Program in 1965. In 1971 the ROCAF was operating 72 F-5As. During 1972 the U.S. borrowed 48 F-5As to lend to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force before the withdraw of the U.S. forces from Vietnam. By 1973 most of the loaned F-5As where not in flying condition. Thus the U.S. opted to return 20 F-5As to the ROCAF by drawing 9 from U.S. reserves and repairing 11 from Vietnam. In 1973 Taiwan started to replace the F-5As by the newer F-5Es.

== Media ==

Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=china&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=jet_fighter&vehicle=f-5a_china Skins and cammoflages for the F-5A from live.warthunder.com.]

Video's

''Insert Video's about the F5-A''

== 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://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{China jet aircraft}}

F-104G (Germany)

2021-01-21T11:14:00Z

U78120906: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = German jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-104 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-104g
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]]. It is often referred to as the "missile with a man in it" or the "widow maker", the latter nickname highlighting its questionable safety record in Luftwaffe use.

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

''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" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 15,240 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,343 || 2,317 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.5 || 35.1 || 230.5 || 222.5 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 833 || 444 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 720 || < 950 || < 800 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-11 || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,552 kg || colspan="3" | 532 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 33m fuel
|-
| 1,540 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 7,353 kg || 8,153 kg || 8,954 kg || 9,194 kg || 24,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 33m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,128 kgf || 6,357 kgf
| 0.86 || 0.78 || 0.71 || 0.69 || 0.26
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,128 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || 8,391 kgf<br />(1,200 km/h)
| 1.14 || 1.03 || 0.94 || 0.91 || 0.35
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-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.''

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

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

{{main|M61A1 (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, nose-mounted (750 rpg)

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

{{main|Matra 25E (250 kg)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)}}
{{main|AS-20 Nord|AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder|Hydra-70 M247}}

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

* Without load
* 14 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets
* 2 x AS-20 Nord missiles
* 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 14 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets
* 4 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles + 14 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets
* 2 x AS-20 Nord missiles + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AS-20 Nord missiles + 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles
* 3 x 250 kg Matra 25E bombs (750 kg total)
* 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 250 kg Matra 25E bomb (250 kg total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bomb (500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 250 kg Matra 25E bomb (250 kg total)
* 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bomb (500 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, 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).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good top speed.
* Great rate of climb; even the F-4 Phantom may struggle to match it.
* Decent high-speed maneuverability.
* Good roll rate for a plane with tiny wings.
* M61 Vulcan cannon can do some serious damage to an enemy plane.
* Wide selection of secondary ordinance; much better than early F-104's.
* High thrust to weight ratio.

'''Cons:'''

* Lousy low-speed maneuverability.
* Bleeds energy quickly in sustained turn-fights.
* Large turning radius due to small wing surface and high speed.
* High takeoff and landing speeds

== History ==

The brainchild of famed Lockheed engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, after having spoken to USAF pilots about their experience in the Korean Air War, the F-104 Starfighter was innovative in both its design and speed. Developed from the start as a daytime air-superiority fighter with speed in mind, the Starfighter began life at Lockheed's famous "Skunk Works" facility in 1952 to combat the Soviet's new age of supersonic jet fighters. The aircraft would incorporate the smallest airframe, combined with the most technologically advanced turbojet at the time, to create the base of what would become the F-104.

In 1953, the USAF showed interest in the project, and proposed an open contest with Lockheed and multiple other firms for a supersonic interceptor, based wholly on performance. Lockheed evidently won the contest and approval for two prototypes to be produced and, in February of 1954, took flight for the first time. Although it was slated to be fitted with the General Electric J79 turbofan, due to shortages of the engines the prototypes were mated to a license-built variant of the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire engine, called the Wright XJ65-W-6, until the initial powerplant was available. The aircraft however was not without its problems, resulting in a four-year long developmental period for the aircraft. By the end of it, 17 pre-production YF-104As had been built, tested, and used to iron out any problems that would be noticeable on the final F-104. In 1958, the F-104 would finally be available for deliveries featuring some differences from the initial prototypes in the form of a longer fuselage as well as the fitting of General Electric J79GE-3 engines putting out a whopping 14,800 lbs of thrust.

From the start the F-104A smashed records, taking the record as the first operational fighter in service to succeed Mach 2, as well as going on to take the records for both altitude and speed in both the F-104A and F-104C variants respectively. On May 7th, 1958, Maj. Howard C. Johnson, in his F-104A, set a new world altitude record at 91,243 feet, and 11 days later another aircraft set a new speed record at 1,403.19 mph. The altitude record was later bested by another variant of the aircraft, the F-104C, at a whopping altitude of 103,389 feet. In the 1950s, the aircraft had come to be exactly what the public had expected a fighter of this magnitude to look like. With a long, pencil shaped fuselage with short, sharp edged wings it encompassed the era of space flight and Sci-Fi with its design. The wings were one of the most unique parts of the aircraft, as well as its long fuselage taken up mostly by its large engine and fuel storage, and were only 4 inches and its thickest. Sweeping was only utilized on the leading edge, and a slight anhedral was in place to combat "Dutch Roll", a phenomenon where the aircraft rocks side-to-side uncontrollably. The wings, while helping with supersonic flight, were harmful to ground crews, and special equipment had to be issued to service these areas.

While having a history of accidents and high pilot attrition, the aircraft was fitted with an ejection seat. Due to the great speed of the aircraft at Mach 2, it was believed that the seat wouldn't have enough time to clear the tail section in an ejection scenario. Therefore, a downward firing ejection seat known as the Stanley C-1 was fitted into early models of the F-104. While a good idea, and in theory could work, the C-1 was also believed harmful in the case of a low-altitude ejection of the aircraft. After a failed introduction of the Stanley C-2 ejection seat, the problem was finally solved by the introduction of the Martin-Baker ejection system, particularly in foreign-operator's Starfighters. Roughly 153 F-104As were produced, with 26 more being F-104B two-seat variants. The F-104A spend a short time in USAF service before being send to Air National Guard (ANG) units, which some others being sent to foreign operators which had some success in their service. In September of 1958 the USAF would get the F-104C, a dedicated fighter-bomber variant designed for the USAF's Tactical Air Command's 479th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The F-104C featured improvements over the F-104A in the form of a better fire-control system as well as hardpoints on the centerline on the belly and under the wings. The aircraft also introduced the ability to refuel mid-flight via a probe running along the right side of the aircraft, extending the reach of the aircraft somewhat. However, like most of the A models ended up, the C models were quickly transferred to Air National Guard (ANG) units both of which served until around 1975 in their service. The first combat of the F-104 however wouldn't be seen until the Vietnam War, and while not having any kills to count was successful in keeping MiGs back and from intercepting friendly aircraft. The aircraft had a short service life in this theatre, only serving in 1965, and again from 1967-1969 until the introduction of the more-capable F-4 Phantom II by which it was replaced.

The aircraft saw its best success as the F-104G, of which Germany had many. The aircraft has come to be known as the "definitive" variant of the Starfighter. Sporting a reinforced airframe, larger vertical stabilizer, uprated turbofans, and improved electronics, the aircraft was initially built for the German Luftwaffe and first flew in October 1960. The aircraft's licensing was handled by multiple manufacturers, notably Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB), FIAT, Fokker, and Sociétés Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques (SABCA). While in German service the aircraft earned the nickname "Widowmaker" when, between the years 1961 and 1989, 292 aircraft out of 916 had crashed, with 116 pilots being lost.

== 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 ==


* Military Factory - Lockheed F-104 Starfighter: [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=113 website]

{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

F-84F

2021-01-21T11:00:06Z

U78120906: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
|about=American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other versions
|link=F-84 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-84f
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Hot Tracks"]].

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,089 || 1,066 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.9 || 31.2 || 31.1 || 29.2 || rowspan="2" | 3,000
|-
! Upgraded
|1,111||1,102||26.3||28.0||45.5||38.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 550 || 550 || 420 || ~10 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 630 || < 600 || < 650 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Wright J65-W-7 || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,667 kg || colspan="2" | 279 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel
|-
| 1,260 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 7,177 kg || 7,800 kg || 8,367 kg || 8,935 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,470 kgf || N/A
| 0.48 || 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,470 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.48 || 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.39
|-
|}

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

The F-84F is quite sturdy but do not expect to take a lot of bullets cause most of your enemies have heavy canons witch destroy everything in one burst.

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

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

{{main|M3 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (300 rpg = 1,200 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

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

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|FFAR Mighty Mouse|HVAR}}

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

* Without load
* 12 x HVAR rockets (inner pylons)
* 12 x HVAR rockets (outer pylons)
* 24 x HVAR rockets
* 42 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 4 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (4,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, 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).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 4 nose-mounted .50 cals plus 2 near the side of the airframe making accurate shots possible.
* 42 FFAR rockets making it great for pillbox hunting in Air Battles.
* A lot of variety of choices for ground ordnance for ground RB.
* Gains a fair bit of speed in a steep dive.
* The two bombs in the middle drop independently.

'''Cons:'''

* Turning is below average so don't expect to last long in a dogfight with any aircraft.
* While turning, speed is bled a lot so maintain your speed or choose carefully on what turn you make.
* Will commonly face air-to-air missiles, any of which it has difficulty evading.
* Most jets will catch up to you due to the poor acceleration.
* The 50. cals are underpowerd for its rank.
* The FFAR rockets are placed at the wing tips, this will result in less accuracy.

== History ==

=== [[wt:en/news/6990-development-f-84f-thunderstreak-en|Devblog]] ===
In the late 1940's, the manufacturer 'Republic' sought to improve the performance of the F-84 in order to bring it closer in line with the F-86 Sabre. As a result, it developed a new variant of the Thunderjet, designated F-84F. The new aircraft featured, among other changes, a new swept wing and a more powerful engine than its predecessor. Although Republic initially intended the new aircraft to be an extensive modernization of the base F-84, possessing a high degree of part compatibility with preceding variants, in the end, only less than 20% of the parts were interchangeable, resulting in the F-84F Thunderstreak becoming its own independent design.

Following its maiden flight in the early 1950's, the F-84F was ordered into production. However, the USAF focus on strategic bombers at the time resulted in some critical component manufacturing processes being prioritized for bomber production, ultimately leading to a staggered production start of the new F-84F.

The Thunderstreak officially entered service with the USAF in 1954, but was quickly phased out of active service due to engine issues before being reactivated in the early 1960's as tensions between the two superpowers began to rise again. Ultimately, the F-84F kept flying under American colors well into the early 1970's before finally being retired as newer aircraft replaced the Thunderstreak in active service.

The F-84F was also widely exported to NATO members. Chiefly among them were Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, China, the Netherlands as well as others. In total, well over 2,100 F-84F Thunderstreaks were built, with the Greek Air Force being the last to retire their F-84Fs in 1991.

== Media ==

<gallery mode="packed" caption="F-84F Thunderstreak Devblog Images" heights="150">
File:F-84F Thunderstreak WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:F-84F Thunderstreak WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
</gallery>

== See also ==

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6990-development-f-84f-thunderstreak-en|[Devblog] F-84F Thunderstreak]]

{{USA jet aircraft}}

B-24D-25-CO

2020-10-04T10:26:47Z

U78120906: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card|code=b_24d}}
{{About
| about = American heavy bomber '''{{Specs|name}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B-24/PB4Y (Family)
}}

== Description ==

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

The Consolidated B-24D Liberator was built to be a long-range four-engine heavy bomber. It is most efficiently used for bombing stationary targets like bases, airfields, and pillboxes from high altitude.

The Liberator can cruise somewhat faster than the Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress and can also carry a heavier payload. Unfortunately, its manoeuvrability and handling are significantly worse thanks to the Davis wing design, which is optimized for efficient level flight only. Evasive manoeuvres are not easy to pull off and typically result in loss of altitude or going into a spin.

In line with the USAAF's philosophy during World War II, the Liberator is equipped with a relatively heavy defensive armament of eleven .50 cal AN/M2 heavy machine guns staffed by gunners. The theory behind this was intended that an American bomber would be able to defend itself from enemy fighters in daylight missions. These guns have excellent coverage and there is no angle from which attackers may come from on which no guns can be brought to bear.

Compared to the B-17E, the Liberator can carry an additional 2 x 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs. However, this maximum payload of 8,000 lb (3,632 kg) compares very unfavourably against other heavy bombers like the [[Yer-2_ACh-30B/L|Yermolayev Yer-2 with ACh-30B engines]] (5,000 kg), [[Do_217_M-1|Dornier Do 217]] series (4,000 kg), and [[Lancaster_B_Mk_I|Lancaster]] series (14,000 lb or 6,363 kg), all of which have much lower battle ratings. On the flip side, while its payload may not have been as great as other nation's bombers, over 18,500 B-24 bombers were built over the duration of the war (the most produced bomber) and were deployed in sheer numbers unmatched by any other bomber.

== 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" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 7,620 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 477 || 465 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 39.1 || 40.2 || 3.0 || 2.9 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 390 || 263 || ~3 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 200 || < 180 || < 180 || > 300
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 6,620 m ||1007||1097
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 9.5 mm Steel - Armour plates behind the pilots
* 9.5 mm Steel - Armour plates in front of the dorsal gunner
* 9.5 mm Steel - Armour plate in front of the ventral gunner
* 9.5 mm Steel - Armour plate behind beam gunners
* 9.5 mm Steel - Armour plates around the tail gunner
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Tail gunner's rear facing window

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

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

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

* 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 20 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 12 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 8 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (8,000 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

* 3 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, nose turret (300 rpg = 900 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (200 rpg = 400 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, ventral turret (275 rpg = 550 total)
* 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turret (250 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, tail turret (400 rpg = 800 total)

== Usage in battles ==

Due to its high battle rating, the Liberator will face many high-altitude dedicated bomber interceptors with 20–30 mm cannons, making for an extremely dangerous environment. The defensive guns should be treated as a last resort; combat with fighters should be avoided at all costs by the use of careful route planning and cloud cover, if available.

If pursued, attempt to manoeuvre the Liberator so that the enemy is forced into a tail-chase, where the Liberator's defensive guns are most effective.

Low-level bombing is not recommended due to the limited manoeuvrability of the aircraft, the Liberator simply doesn't have the performance to get away with it and you will be an easy target for enemy fighters.

====Counter-tactics====

When going up against the B-24D, it is very important that the attacker must never underestimate the sheer defensive power this bomber holds. If not careful, your plane will either become critically damaged or a ball of fire from only a few hits from the 12.7 mm M2 Browning MGs.

The number one rule when fighting a bomber is to '''''never''''' engage it in front or the back; this applies heavily when engaging the B-24D since you will have 6 machine guns facing you. The best way to attack this bomber is from above or the sides. Attacking from below is highly discouraged since you will be forced to pull up in order to engage and end up above the bomber where 4 machine guns will be facing you automatically. Boom & Zoom tactics are highly recommended since it allows you to evade machine gun fire and be on the constant move at high speeds making it difficult for the gunners to get a bead on you.

When engaging the B-24D, you must always keep your momentum and never stall or bleed your speed. Losing speed means you are an easier target to hit, which means you are an easier target to shoot down. Aiming at the engines will also stress your opponent as it will cause the bomber to lose speed rapidly or even better, catch fire. If you wish for an easy kill without wasting precious time, it is recommended to aim for the bomber's wings. Damaging the wings of the plane will cause it to tilt to one side or snap.

The last thing a player should take note is the plane they plane they are flying. As bad as it sounds, a Japanese plane is more likely to be brought down than a German plane due to the difference in armour, it is better to bring an aircraft with some form of protection rather than a plane with no protection, this will determine your chances of survival by a great amount.

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

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
| Protective vest
| SBC-24
| Turret 12 mm
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| MBC-24
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| LBC-24
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Heavy defensive armament, protected from every angle (deadly from frontal and rear attacks)
* Heavier payload than the [[B-17E/L|B-17E]], however comparable to [[B-17G-60-VE|B-17G]]
* Overall better flight performance than the [[B-17E/L|B-17E]] in level flight

'''Cons:'''

* Poor handling, built for top speed a level flight, not manoeuvring
* Significantly lower payload compared to heavy bombers of other nations
* Twin tail configuration reduces manoeuvrability, rectified in [[PB4Y-2|PB4Y-2 ''Privateer'']] with a single tail
* At a bad BR for AB/RB and will likely be shot down before a successful bombing run

== History ==

The B-24 was produced in several variants to fulfil operational and training needs. More Liberators were eventually built than any other US Warplane during World War II. The first B-24 prototype flew in December of 1943 named "XB-24". The aircraft was designed around the "Davis" wing, a long, thin, large area structure mounted high on the fuselage. The long wingspan gave the B-24 excellent high altitude performance and allowed it to extend its range. The twin bomb-bays were called "roller shutter" doors. The doors rolled up into the aircraft. The purpose of this design was to reduce the drag while the bomb bay doors are open. The bomb-load was stored vertically with a catwalk down the middle, this gave crews easy access to the rear of the fuselage. The Liberator was powered by four 1,200 HP Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines. The aircraft also included a twin tail design and tricycle landing gear.

The B-24 made its operational debut in June of 1942. It was tasked with long-range raids on Germany's Romanian oilfields. The B-24 is commonly remembered for its service with the Eighth Air Force but it filled a desperate roll for the navy as a long-range patrol aircraft. After huge losses of allied shipping, the Navy was granted access to Liberators. These aircraft were operated under the designation PB4Y. They were equipped with air to surface radar and depth charges. The B-24 also quickly replaced the B-17 in the Pacific theatre due to its long-range capabilities. The B-24 was used to bring havoc to Japanese land installations and naval vessels. Liberators stayed in service until 1951, they were replaced by the Privateer.

The B-24 is often unfairly compared to the B-17. The B-24 was newer, more efficient, and much more versatile then Boeing's design. The B-24 saw action on all fronts, its most valuable work may have been against U-boats. The aircraft also saw work as a cargo plane, tanker, patrol, and reconnaissance. Even some were armed with additional guns as escorts. The B-24 was not as popular with its crews as the B-17. The B-24 was known to catch fire in battle easier and at times was known to suffer from hydraulic problems.

=== In-game description ===
The Consolidated B-24D "Liberator" heavy bomber was created as a part of "Project A" a program launched to enhance the USA's industrial capacity to meet the needs of the Air Force. The contract for the aircraft, which was to be an improved B-17, was received by Consolidated in March of 1939, with a prototype required by the end of the year. The prototype was finished and made its first flight just two days before the deadline on December 29.

The new aircraft, although more difficult to control, was superior to the B-17 in range, operational ceiling, and maximum speed. In addition, it could carry a significantly larger bomb load (up to 3629 kg), which largely determined its application: the first models delivered to England were mainly used for coastal protection from German submarines.

The first successful modification of the aircraft was the B-24D, which was mass-produced from 1940 to 1942. This model had four 1200 hp engines, and its armament was modified over time, based on pilot feedback. Eventually, it was equipped with eleven 12.7mm machine guns (three in the nose, two remote-controlled guns in the dorsal turret, two in the ventral ball turret, one machine gun in each side window, and two machine guns in the tail turret).

The B-24 was the most mass-produced Allied bomber in World War II - all in all, 18,482 B-24s were produced, 2,696 of which were B-24Ds. These bombers were made in several factories. The factory which produced the most was the Henry Ford plant in Willow Run, which in 1944 released a B-24 every hour, 650 planes per month.

The B-24 was actively used in the Pacific and European theaters of war.

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

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

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

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

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

{{AirManufacturer Consolidated}}
{{USA bombers}}

B-17E

2020-05-06T18:55:15Z

U78120906: /* Modules */

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

== Description ==


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


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

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

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

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

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

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

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

== Usage in battles ==

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

The B-17E is designed specifically to withstand the harshest punishment during combat. The bomber itself provides plenty of armour along the fuselage and tail except for the nose, which is the only area that's not protected by any form of protection. Armour ranges from 6.35 mm sheets to a single 38 mm glass plate protecting the tail gunner. Speaking of armour protection, in order to ensure the greatest chance of survival during an interception, you must not move. The B-17E is not designed to execute sharp defensive manoeuvres (turns, dives, and rolls), but rather designed to use its defensive armament provided (consisting of 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm turrets) to fight back against harassing enemy fighters. Some great advice for novice bombardiers is to included incendiary ammunition in your turret belts almost ALWAYS! This crucial precaution will guarantee more lethal firepower coming from your defensive armament, since not only are you penetrating armour, but you are also setting components ablaze.

In conclusion, the B-17E is a great introduction for players using the American bomber line. If used well, the B-17E is a force be reckoned with.

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

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

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

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

'''Cons:'''

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

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

=== In-game description ===

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

P-51

2020-04-17T10:30:33Z

U78120906: /* Offensive armament */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-51_mk1a_usaaf
|cockpit=334579/1111224
}}
{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| 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 was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]].

The P-51 Mustang retains a lot of the traits that may be found in its later variants. The main difference comes from the limited Allison power plant and its formidable armament of 4 x 20 mm [[Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.II]] cannons. The plane may not climb very well but does retain the traits of an energy fighter. Even with its limited climb rate the aircraft's dive-speed is excellent, but manoeuvrability is average at best. The armament is the true advantage of this aircraft. The 20 mm cannons are powerful, but with only 500 rounds do not try to go for more than what the P-51 can handle. The best way to use the P-51 is for [[Boom & Zoom]].

The P-51, when fully upgraded, is an extremely deadly opponent, especially as a rank III. The engine will have a hard time hitting the "overheated" mark, even when using WEP. Use caution though, as the engine will retain its heat when constantly on 100% power, so it takes a bit to cool down. Also be sure to utilise the flaps: they are a major asset to the plane's overall turn-fighting ability and sometimes allow it to survive a turn-fight with Soviet aircraft. This is an awesome plane for those just starting out in Realistic Battles, as the 20 mm cannons are good at scoring quick victories.

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

"The Need for Speed" is a worthy credo for all [[P-51 (Family)|Mustangs]]. This initial iteration boasts a significant speed advantage over many [[:Category:Third rank aircraft|Rank III]] aircraft, but sacrifices are obvious. On the upside, the good maximum velocity greatly benefits the energy retention coming out of dives and for staying out of trouble.

Manoeuvrability is nothing to write home about (except roll-rate), especially without speed to burn. The control surfaces lock up at high speeds which makes the Mustang a comparatively agile fighter when initiating combat, but this is quickly lost. Fortunately the combat flaps have a very high speed tolerance and greatly benefit it in dogfights. Overall the P-51 likes to bleed speed in manoeuvres and the lost energy cannot be easily regained. For another downside is the sluggish acceleration which further causes a low rate of climb. Managing both disadvantage is the Ace's true skill for this elite [[Boom & Run|Boom and Run]] fighter. However this is for an altitude range up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft). High altitude performance suffers which in combat, due the slow climb rate, is rarely reached anyway.

Thus all engagements, may they be Boom & Zoom or Boom & Run style, should be performed below said altitudes.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,200 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 589 || 577 || rowspan="2" | 8,839  || 21.3 || 22.2 || colspan="2" | 8.5 || rowspan="2" | 491
|-
! Upgraded
| 677 || 631 || 19.6 || 20.0 || 19.9 || 13.1
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 845  || 295  || 652 || 565 || 273 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 600 || < 425 || < 440 || > 325
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Compressor
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
! Setting 1
| 3,597 m || 1,150 hp || 1,598 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 19.5 mm Steel - Upper engine cowl armour plate
* 6.35 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armour plate
* 15.87 mm Steel - Armour plate behind pilot's seat
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

While the Mustang looks quite defensive on first glance, it is a deceptive one. The fuel tanks are wing-mounted and prone to fires (the D-series has got an inline one). The very small engine cowl plate could just as well be absent. Both issues combined leave many pilots a gliding and/or burning example of why to avoid bomber's defensive fire. The P-51's prime form of defence is speed. As a ''Boom & Run'' fighter, avoiding air-drag inducing bullet holes by not getting hit is a far preferable option anyway. Whilst setting up another attack (a.k.a. retreating from combat) the very generous backseat armour will absorb any stray shots. In general the pilot's survivability is great.

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

{{main|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (125 rounds per gun = 500 total)

Quadruple Hispanos are devastating: pressing the trigger will significantly slow down the P-51. Now how is that for firepower? Although this is caused by the too light air-frame which further causes vibrations and heavy shaking due the wing mounted position of all arms. Hence the accuracy is appalling after the first shots leave the barrels. Trigger control is important, even more so as the Hispanos like to overheat. you can only shoot for 12.5 seconds and the reload time is quite long at 40 seconds.

== Usage in battles ==

In an RPG the Mustang would be a rogue, the damage dealer. Quickly darting in and out of combat to deal devastating blows, the P-51 in War Thunder is a DPS main, too. Featured playstyles are [[Boom & Zoom]], repeatedly diving on enemies and returning up high, and [[Boom & Run]], flying into danger zone, picking of a target and retreating, all while running at top speed. Coupled with its manoeuvrability and acceleration deficits, the P-51 punishes any pilot who does not play to its strength, namely the top speed. Only late war or diving aircraft are able to catch a Mustang on the run and for the latter only with the correct timing and plenty of altitude to burn. Maintaining a cool head and areal observation are important. Retreating may look the cowardice choice, but with the speed to disengage many options open up for reversals. Note, do not perform flat turns, but rather slow, deliberate high Yo-Yos or Immelmanns for turning around. A careful approach when leading up for a shot helps in conserving precious momentum, too.

In Arcade Battles the option for in-air reloads may tempt the pilot to spray & pray and dump all the ammunition. However, with the inaccuracy issues and the short fire windows, a more deliberate approach is necessary. Waiting outside a furball or dogfight for the right moment to intercept is key, as the key role for the Mustang is heavy fire support. This is especially helpful against armoured attackers such as the [[Ju 87 (Family)|Stuka]] or [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]]. Due to the lack of climb rate and poor altitude performance, bombers should not be sought out. In general the P-51 plays akin to many heavy fighters in Arcade mode.

In Realistic Battles the combat role is a tricky game. Lacking climb rate and high altitude performance the Mustang pilot needs to wait for the combat to come down to about 4,000 m (13,000 ft). Climbing should be done away from the expected combat zone (a.k.a. side-climbing) and at 20° with or 14° without WEP. At this point initial combat should be Boom & Run, utilizing the superior top speed to avoid combat while the enemy is focused on other team mates. Once the hostiles have dropped to a lower altitude Boom & Zooming can be engaged in. With 125 rounds per gun the fighter has got plenty of ammo to kill about six aircraft and with 30 min of fuel minimum, returning to base will be a rare occurrence. Overall this is a support fighter as in the current climbing meta engagements against higher flying interceptor-fighters are often deadly, as the Mustang then lacks the critical ability to choose the time of engagement.

Simulator Battles is where the P-51 (NA-91) truly shines. Flying at top speed with military rated power (100%) keeps the engine cool and enemies usually far away at one's tail. Most of all combat happens slightly below the Mustang's preferred altitude and the cockpit view is great, albeit with limited rearward view. Without the instructor the manoeuvrability markedly improves in comparison, for the P-51 has generous stall characteristics and is an overall stable gun platform, as long as one does not pull the trigger. Only the lack of acceleration in prolonged dogfights is a trap that even experienced pilots still fall into. An emergency dive to top speed will however fix this, if the pilot remembered to keep some altitude. And one should, for the greatest advantage is the ability to disengage any unfavourable battle and like with many things, the early Mustangs do not disappoint.

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

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<p><br>
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<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 515px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">0</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 465px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">1</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 415px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">2</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 365px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">3</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 315px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">4</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 265px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">5</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 215px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">6</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 165px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">7</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 115px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">8</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 65px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">9</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 15px; width: 18px; height: 1em;" align="right">10</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 50px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">0</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 100px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left"> </div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 150px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">0.34</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 200px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left"> </div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 250px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">0.68</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 300px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left"> </div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 350px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">1.02</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 400px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left"> </div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 450px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">1.36</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 500px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left"> </div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 550px; top:525px; width: 10px;" align="left">1.7</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 220px; top:540px; width: 150px;" align="right">Horsepower in 1000hp</div>
<div style="-ms-transform: rotate(90deg); -webkit-transform: rotate(90deg); transform: rotate(90deg); position: absolute; left: -140px; top:375px; width: 300px; word-wrap: break-word;" align="left">Altitude in 1000m</div>
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<p>Supercharger Stage #1: 100%
</p>
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<p>Supercharger Stage #1: WEP
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=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 20 mm cannons
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Mk.II year 1942
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| Mk.II year 1943
|-
|}

The P-51 Mustang can seem a very underwhelming aircraft at first. The primary module to focus on for early success is the 20 mm ammo belts. Ground targets belts will give more consistent results as an attacker and the Air targets belts can be devastating against flying opponents. After improving the firepower on the aircraft, begin focusing on performance upgrades.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great performance
** Great dive-speed and acceleration
** High energy retention
** Good performance at high speeds
** Good roll rate
* Powerful armament
** Gains access to British belt load-outs, incl. the devastating air-targets belt
** Very efficient at destroying bombers
* 20 mm guns on the Mustang are mounted in close proximity, dealing a deadly double punch when hitting
* Can easily tackle higher BR foes
* Can be very deadly in the hands of a skilled pilot

'''Cons:'''

* Mediocre climb rate
* Low maximum altitude
* No separate gun control
* No payload options available
* Firing guns slows the plane down
* Poor visibility in simulator mode
* Hispano cannons overheat extremely quickly and are inaccurate unless upgraded
* Low ammo capacity compared to machine gun-armed variants
* Priority target when in AB mode due to its reputation of destroying planes with relative ease, smart players will try to eliminate the P-51 first.
* Minimal elevator authority without the engine producing net thrust as the plane relies heavily on streamline effect along the tail for elevator authority. Aircraft should not be landed with flaps down without an engine.

== History ==

The North American P-51 was born when the British Government showed interest in purchasing the Curtiss P-40C. Curtiss was at max production capacity, so the British inquired to North American Aviation if they would build it under license for them. North American agreed, but they wanted to build a better aircraft. A condition of the sale from North American to the British was to supply the U.S. Army with two samples free of charge. The original prototypes were designated XP-51. The U.S. Army was given fourth and tenth aircraft. One of them can still be found at the EAA Museum in OshKosh, Wisconsin. Testing of the two prototypes started in October of 1941. The new aircraft received high marks and were clearly superior to other U.S. fighters at that time. Although, the U.S. Army decided to not immediately place orders.

The first order of Mustangs to the British were designated Mustang I. The RAF received these aircraft behind schedule in October of 1941. Problems showed up immediately including the Allison power-plant and other design flaws. It is also important to note the Mustang Mk I's armament consisting of four .30 Cal machine guns mounted in the wings, as well as a set of two .50 Cal mounted in the wings and two .50 Cal machine guns mounted in the nose.

The next evolution of this aircraft was designated [[Mustang Mk IA (Great Britain)|Mustang Mk IA]]. Due to the recently signed Lend Lease Act the U.S. Army was able to place an order for 150 more Mustangs on behalf of the British. These aircraft were equipped with four 20 mm [[Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.II]] cannons mounted in the wings. Only 93 of the new Mustangs made it to the RAF. The U.S. Army pulled 55 for themselves and they immediately saw service. Two were kept by North American Aviation for internal use.

These P-51 Mustangs first saw service in April 9th of 1943 and the first combat loss came shortly afterwards on April 23rd. Mustangs saw action against the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands but a majority of them found their way to the Mediterranean theatre. The Mustang saw combat early on in the country of Algeria. Over time these P-51 Mustangs were converted to Reconnaissance planes. A K-24 camera was placed in the left window behind the pilot. The camera faced towards the back and down and took pictures providing battlefield reconnaissance. These aircraft saw continued service until the later part of 1944 continuing to fill the Attacker and Recon role.

=== In-game description ===
The North American P-51 Mustang was a single seat fighter which was designed, developed and entered service all during the course of the Second World War. The origins of the aircraft came about in April 1940, when the British Purchasing Commission approached the North American aviation company to design a fighter to augment those already in service with RAF Fighter Command. The prototype first flew on October 26th 1940 and, after a highly successful test and evaluation period, 320 aircraft were ordered and the first production aircraft flew on May 1st 1941. Delivered to No.26 Squadron at Gatwick, the new American fighter was designated the Mustang Mk.I by the RAF. It was considered to be superior to any other American fighter at the time, particularly at low level. However, the 1100 hp Allison V-1710 engine had a poorer performance at high altitude, particularly above 15,000 feet which was above where the engine supercharger was optimized for.

For this reason, the Mustangs were used in support of ground operations rather than in their intended original role as a fighter. The Mustang was very successful in this role and an additional order for a further 300 aircraft was placed. The new batch was modified by fitting self sealing fuel tanks and replacing the earlier Mustang's eight machine guns with a new armament of four 20 mm cannon, to create the Mustang Mk.IA. The RAF's successes with the Mustang led to a good deal of attention from the United States Army Air Force; after highlighting the fighter's only serious shortcoming as its high altitude performance, inquiries were made into fitting the aircraft with a different engine. The British Rolls-Royce Merlin was selected for testing in five converted Mustangs, and the performance of the fighter increased dramatically. The airframe and wings were strengthened to harness the power of the Merlin engine, which also resulted in the fitting of under wing stores now being an option. Mustangs could now carry bombs, rockets or long range drop tanks. Now more than capable of competing across all altitude bands and boasting a particularly long range for a single engine fighter, the Mustang was rapidly evolving into one of the most capable air assets of the entire war. However, with British and American interest in the fighter still growing, future variants of the Mustang would show yet more improvements.

Generally regarded as the greatest American fighter of the Second World War, Mustang pilots were to claim nearly 5,000 air-to-air kills by the end of the conflict. The Mustang would go on to serve the USAF in the Korean War, and was exported to over 50 foreign air forces.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|qsWhqJrd4og|'''"War Thunder Realistic: P-51 Mustang [Speed is Vital]"''' by ''Jengar''|aKgfzlJMxQU|'''"P-51: The Altitude Advantage (Lite New Player Tutorial)"''' by ''MagzTV''}}

* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/393387/en/ <nowiki>[</nowiki>Skin<nowiki>]</nowiki> "Big Mac Junior" - by ''PROx'']
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/359448/en/ <nowiki>[</nowiki>Skin<nowiki>]</nowiki> Fictional; USAAF motto "Aim high... fly, fight, win" - by ''pathaber'']
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/508720/en/ <nowiki>[</nowiki>Skin<nowiki>]</nowiki> RAF experimental marking scheme - by ''JohnnyAlpha65'']

== See also ==


;Related development

* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51 Mustang]] all variants
** [[P-51A|P-51A ''TL'']] Thunder League Event vehicle, [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning HMG]] armed version
** [[Mustang Mk IA (Great Britain)|Mustang Mk IA]] for Great Britain, better horse power due higher manifold pressure
** [[A-36]] Attacker variant, bomb pylons and six 12.7 mm [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Brownings]]
** [[P-51D-5|P-51''D'']] successor with British Merlin engine

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[Fw 190 A-5]]
* [[Typhoon Mk Ib]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:North_American_P-51_Mustang_variants#P-51/Mustang_IA_(NA-91)|[Wikipedia] P-51 (NA-91)]]
* [http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mustang/mustang-I.html <nowiki>[</nowiki>wwiiaircraftperformance.org<nowiki>]</nowiki> P-51 Mustang (Allison Engine) Performance Trials]

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA fighters}}

A-36

2020-04-17T10:18:37Z

U78120906: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-51_a-36
|cockpit=334207/1109946
}}
{{About
| about = American attacker '''{{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 attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].

North American Aviation Company was busy during 1942 building and shipping Mustang Mk.I fighters to England to be incorporated into the Royal Air Force to fight alongside the Curtiss [[P-40 (Family)|P-40]] Tomahawks. Unfortunately for England, lend-lease funds ran out and 93 unshipped Mustang IA/P-51s went to the U.S. Army Air Forces. North American did not want to stop production of the P-51s and pressured the USAAF for a fighter contract. Unfortunately for the fiscal year 1942, no government funds were available for new fighter aircraft, however when observed that attack aircraft funds were available, North American reconfigured the Mustang into a dive bomber, outfitting it with heavier wings, bomb racks and dive brakes. With this dive bomber/attack variant approved for manufacturing, NAA ramped up production and cranked out 500 A-36A aircraft.

The {{PAGENAME}} was outfitted with the Allison V-1710-87 inline water-cooled engine which was a failure for high altitude flying, however for lower altitude dive-bombing, this engine performed quite well. High enough speeds could be developed in a dive to rip the wings, so dive brakes were implemented to regulate the dive speed to around 390 mph (630 kph). Maintaining speed in a dive ensures enough energy is available to zoom climb back up to altitude or to get away from any enemy fighters which may have attempted to intercept you. Depending on the map, if there are a significant amount of ground targets (anti-aircraft batteries, trucks, light tanks...etc…) the dive bomber can convert to a strafing aircraft once the bombs are released. With six 12.7 mm machine guns, softer ground targets are no match and will be easy pickings.

The {{PAGENAME}} has a configuration which few other aircraft (U.S. or otherwise) can be outfitted with and that is two DGP-1 gun pods, with one being mounted under each wing. Each gun pod contains two more 12.7 mm M2 Browning machines guns with 340 RPG, bringing up the total machine gun count to 10 12.7 mm M2 machine guns with 2,700 rounds per load. En mass, these machine guns can produce devastating results both in the air and on the ground. While only two guns are mounted in the fuselage cowling, the other four (or eight if gun pods are equipped) are mounted in the wings and require the pilot to set convergence for best results. For those pilots which like to snipe from a distance, 500 – 650 m convergence may work best while those pilots who like to fight close quarters, a convergence of 250 – 350 m can be extremely devastating when all 10 guns bear down on the target.

As an early war multi-role aircraft, the {{PAGENAME}} can fit the play-style of just about any pilot and can be reconfigured to accommodate different maps and missions. Whether ground-pounding or dismantling aircraft with 10 guns at a time, the Apache (or Mustang as pilots typically referred to it as), this aircraft will help pilots to hone their skills and prepare for the rest of the [[P-51 (Family)|Mustang]] series available to play in War Thunder. Don’t be surprised when heading towards an enemy aircraft that they immediately take evasive manoeuvres to get away from the {{PAGENAME}} as they fully understand what could be in store for them if they stick around.

== 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.''
[[File:A-36 billythekid 001.png|500px|thumb|right|An '''{{PAGENAME}}''' doing what it does best.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 1,760 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 556 || 542 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.4 || 24.2 || 9.7 || 9.7 || 400
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 1,760 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 621 || 589 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.3 || 22.3 || 17.4 || 13.1 || 400
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 652 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
|-
| < 550 || < 230 || < 550 || > 360
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 762 m || 1,325 hp || 1,500 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


;Protective plates and glass

* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
* 11.11 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* 6.35 mm Steel plate in front of the engine
* 6.35 mm Steel plate between engine and pilot

The {{PAGENAME}}’s armour configuration does a decent job of protecting the pilot, especially in frontal or head-on attacks. From behind the pilot’s seat backs up to an 11.11 mm steel plate, however from the front, the canopy windscreen contains 38 mm bulletproof glass. There is also a 6.35 mm steel plate both in front of the engine and behind it between the engine and the cockpit. To get to the pilot, bullets from the front will need to pass through the first plate, the engine and then the second plate. The chances are the engine will be disabled before the pilot is knocked out in a head-on attack. The front-most steel plate will help to protect the engine from smaller calibre machine gun fire, however, it does not fare so well once you start going against +20 mm rounds which have a greater punch.

Keep up speed and manoeuvrability which will make it difficult for any enemy fighter to get a bead on you and the different steel plates should do their job in protecting the fighter from stray bullets. The {{PAGENAME}} when outfitted with gun pods can become an absolute terror especially during head-on attacks, however, don’t think that just because of the armour in the aircraft, you are fine. Remember when performing head-on or diving attacks on bombers fire off rounds and then manoeuvre as bullets headed your way in which you fly into will have a greater impact, it is imperative to move out of their way rather than take a chance and hope that a 6.35 mm steel plate will fully protect the engine or the pilot.

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

[[File:A-36 laggovich 001.jpg|300px|thumb|right|An '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in search of a new target of opportunity.]]
{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, chin-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} is outfitted with six 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, the good thing about this is that they are all the same type of gun and will all have the same amount of bullet-drop, making it easier to predict where the rounds will end up, the unfortunate thing is that two are mounted in the nose while two others are mounted in each wing. The unfortunate part of this is that the pilot now has to consider setting the convergence range to help make the shots more effective. Setting them too close or too far from the range the pilot typically shoots from will most likely guarantee some rounds will miss due to the over/under correction. A good middle range to configure for will be 400 m as this doesn’t require the pilot to follow too close behind, but the bullets still have a bit of punch, however for those pilots which take the fight in closer, a convergence of 200-300 m will concentrate all the rounds into a tight sphere with a solid kick usually dismantling critical components from the aircraft under target.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 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)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wing-mounted (340 rpg = 1,360 total)

Though not what one would typically consider a dive bomber, the {{PAGENAME}} does make a really effective attack aircraft outfitted with 100, 250 or 500 lb bombs. Whereas larger attackers and bombers are typically slow and clumsy when it comes to aiming for a target, the Apache is the opposite and actually a pioneer for later fast, small, single-pilot aircraft to take on this role. The Apache is relatively comfortable at flying at 12,000 ft (3,660 m) or at tree-top level, however, it does excel when it comes to dive-bombing. Though the larger the bombs it carries, the less manoeuvrability it has, that doesn’t matter when it comes to diving on the target, here the only critical issue is not building up too much speed as the wing load can only take so much before the wings snap off. Typically the best method is to approach the target in a dive at about 70° and starting from about 10,000 – 12,000 ft ( 3,040 – 3,660 m), deploy dive brakes and line up for the target. When between 2,000 – 4,000 ft (610 – 1,220 m) release bombs, retract dive brakes, full throttle and pull up in a zoom climb.

The smaller 100 and 250 lb bombs are good for lightly armoured targets such as anti-aircraft cannons, trucks and light tanks. The 500 lb bombs should be reserved for more heavily armoured targets such as pillboxes, medium and heavy tanks or even many targets clustered close together. Though bases could be bombed, these bombs are relatively ineffective, however in a pinch, if all of the other smaller targets have been destroyed, feel free to drop bombs on bases to help rack up some points for ordnance dropped.

For those pilots who don’t have the patience for bombing runs and just want to tear up the playing field with machine guns, the DGP-1 gun pods will be the suspended weapon of choice. Extending the aircraft’s already six .50 calibre machine guns to 10 is enough do some serious damage both in the air and on the ground. The pilot will need to set the convergence to a comfortable distance which suites their needs, however, for those which like to get in close to other aircraft, setting convergence from 200-300 m will allow the ten guns to focus their rounds typically blowing off a wing, the aircraft in half or just pelting the critical components into failure. For those which will use the gun pods for ground-attack, having the convergence a bit farther out, say 500 – 600 m will allow for manoeuvring around the terrain and position for success rather than having to be right on top of the target before you can get a clean shot. The gun pods also allow the pilot to switch up tactics mid-match to air attack or ground attack and even switch back depending on target availability.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:A-36 carrera4s 001.jpg|500px|thumb|right|An '''{{PAGENAME}}''' taking advantage of the soft underside of an He 111 bomber.]]
The A-36 is quite a unique aircraft for its rank. It is a sleek looking fighter-bomber and should be used as such. It has good speed for its rank and designation, decent armament and a good selection of payloads; the A-36's role varies depending on the game mode you play.

'''Air Arcade''' and '''Air Realistic''' - In air battles, you can target ground forces with your .50 cals, equip bombs and take out medium or heavy tanks, but if you have other higher tier planes because than the targets become to heavy to destroy them, than you can better specialize as a fighter. For a slight performance drop, you can equip the gun pods, which makes this plane absolutely formidable against any aircraft, especially during head-on attacks. Fighters and bombers alike will take heavy damage if not fully destroyed by the ten .50 caliber machine guns. Generally, it is best to focus on enemy aircraft in Air Arcade, while leaving the ground attack to more dedicated aircraft.

'''Ground Realistic''' - Ground RB allows you to really let the A-36 shine. It performs very well in the fighter-bomber role. If you equip bombs, you can quickly dive into battle, bomb a target and then begin engaging enemy aircraft. If you instead equip the gun pods, you should also equip the ground targets belt. The high amount of AP ammunition allows you to penetrate most German and Japanese vehicles through the roof, while the belt still retains high levels of effectiveness against aircraft, allowing you to be a true multi-role fighter bomber. The gun pods also allow you to hunt heavily armoured aircraft like the IL2.

'''Tip: taking off in Simulator Battles'''<br>
Sea-level maximum speed (Auto engine control, no secondary weapons): Altitude: just above sea level (minimum safe altitude: 5m/16ft), 100% throttle, elevator trim: 4% up, aileron trim: 1% left, rudder trim: 0%, you should get a true air speed of 523 kph/325 mph/282 kt. Maximum true speed (Auto engine control, no secondary weapons): Altitude: 1,760 m/5,775 ft, 100% throttle, elevator trim: 5% up, aileron trim: 1% left, rudder trim: 0%, you should get a true air speed of 536 kph/333 mph/289 kt.

=== 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" | Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>Auto control available || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Auto control available || rowspan="2" | Combined || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>1 gear || 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
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| FSBC mk.5
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs
|
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
|
| FMBC mk.1
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:A-36 zero zero zeven 001.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Well placed shots are enough to snap a bomber's wing.]]
'''Pros:'''

* Decent armament for its rank
* Fast bomb reload unlike typical fighters in Arcade
* Highly agile for an attacker
* Two of the 6 x M2 12.7 mm machine guns are mounted under the fuselage, increasing accuracy
* Superior firepower than most other planes in rank
* Very good energy retention for an attacker
* Good performance at low altitude
* Very good dive speed
* Has air brakes
* Attacker spawn point, can be used to certain advantage
* It's a modified version the P-51 making it a decent fighter with the addition of two 12.7 mm machine guns in the bottom of the nose
* Can opt to equip 2 x DGP-1 gunpods, adding further 4 x 12.7 mm M2's to it's armament, giving the A-36 a very high burst-mass compared to its contemporaries

'''Cons:'''

* Fuselage mounted M2's are hooked up to a synchronizer, lowering their effective rate of fire (prevents them from shredding the propeller)
* Carrying payload slows you down
* Is not a dedicated attacker unlike the A-20G-25
* Will be easily out turned by fighters of other nations
* Does not have access to rockets or bombs over 500 lb, making it difficult to use against heavily armoured targets

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA attackers}}

PBJ-1H

2020-04-17T10:09:12Z

U78120906: /* Modules and tactics*\

{{Specs-Card|code=pbj_1h}}
{{About
|about=American 75 mm-armed attacker aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|other
|usage-1=the other variant
|link-1=PBJ-1J
|usage-2=other vehicles of the family
|link-2=B-25 (Family)
}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.41]].

The PBJ-1H is U.S. Navy variant of the [[B-25J-20|B-25]] which was operated by the U.S. Marine Corps as a ground attacker. This aircraft is a powerful ground strafing machine and due to the weapons package built-in, it can be viewed as a gunship. With eight 12.7 mm machine guns and a 75 mm cannon, most light ground targets such as AAA positions and Artillery positions can be destroyed. The 75 mm T13E1 cannon is similar to the 75 mm M3 on the Sherman tank and shares its powerful support capability. With Armored Targets belt loaded, it can knock out light pillboxes with ease and greater accuracy than bombs in Realistic and Simulator modes. It is even effective against light and medium tanks, although the low fire rate makes it less than ideal for strafing several targets in a short target window. It is recommended to use the virtual cockpit view to aim the main gun. The 12.7 mm guns should be mainly utilized against "soft" targets such as Armored Cars, AAA and Artillery positions, and the 75 mm Gun against hardened targets such as light pillboxes and tanks. That said, the concentrated MG fire can also be used to destroy light pillboxes (with practice), though will require significant ammo usage to do so.

Despite armament differences, the airframe of the PBJ is still that of the B-25. While this means that it will have a relatively large number of defensive weapons, it also means that it is relatively sluggish compared to other close-support aircraft. It also presents a relatively large and slow-moving, though semi-well-defended target. Beware all variants of the Bell [[P-39N-0|P-39 ''Airacobra'']], [[P-63A-5|P-63 ''Kingcobra'']], [[P-47D-25|P-47 ''Thunderbolt'']], all variants of the [[Me 410 A-1|Me 410s]] and the [[Yak-9T|Yak-9T]]; these aircraft can destroy your aircraft without much difficulty, whereas you will have a difficult time expending numerous 12.7 mm rounds trying to knock them out of the sky or off your tail.

This aircraft has several weaknesses in which the pilot must be aware of which could be exploited by attacking aircraft. First, the twin rudders in the tail section create gunner dead zones. The rudders will prevent the side gunners and to an extent the dorsal gunner from firing on an enemy attacking from the shadow of either of these two spots. The tail gunner should be able to neutralize this weakness as long as he has not been knocked out. The underside of the aircraft is especially vulnerable as there is no ventral turret and the tail gunner, side gunners only have a limited downward angle in which they can shoot, so it may be best to fly as low as possible in certain circumstances. Even with the great fire-power utilized on this aircraft, the pilot's best bet will be to operate under fighter cover when possible.

Other differences from the B-25 are the smaller bomb payload, attacker spawn location (lower altitude than bombers) and the lack of a bomb-sight view for precision bombing.

== 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<br>(km/h at 4,390 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 427 || 414 || 5,800 || 38.9 || 33.9 || 4.1 || 5.3 || 850
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,390 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 477 || 451 || 5,800 || 35.2 || 37.0 || 12.8 || 7.7 || 850
|-
|}

====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<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 580 || 350 || 340 || ~4 || ~2
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
|-
| < 300 || < 270 || < 350 || > 240
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 524 m || 3,000 hp || 3,339 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,700 m || 2,700 hp || 3,005 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 8 mm Steel - Lower nose armour plate
* 8 mm Steel - Pilot and Co-pilot's seats
* 9.5 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armour plate
* 9.5 mm Steel - Side armour cockpit plates
* 9.5 mm Steel - Cockpit rear plate
* 9.5 mm Steel - Dorsal gunner aft plate
* 6.35 mm Steel - Side gunners armour plate x 2
* 9.5 mm Steel - Tail gunner protective armour plate
* 12 mm Bulletproof glass - Dorsal gunner turret
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Tail gunner canopy

Rugged, sturdy, though, the PBJ-1H is all of those things. Featuring crew armour protection that outclasses the [[B-17G-60-VE|B-17 ''Flying Fortress'']] in a handier, smaller design, the PBJ-1 is a tough nut to crack and even harder to devoid of the crew. Calibres above 20 mm are a must for a quick kill, otherwise, the PBJ-1H will repay in kind. Forgoing all defence is good, but all offence, too? It is called overkill, of the pursuit fighter.

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

{{main|T13E1 (75 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 75 mm T13E1 cannon (21 rounds)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, cheek-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
* 8 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===

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

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

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

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, 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 instead, 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). The best way to destroy tanks with the 75 mm cannon is to use first person view because than you are closer to the canon, so the crosshair is more accurate. The shells will almost always penetrate so shoot at the points where the crew is in mixed battles.''

===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
| Protective Vest
| Offensive 12 mm
| SBC-25
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 12 mm MGs
| MBC-25
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 12 mm
| Offensive 75 mm
|-
| IV
|
| Engine Injection
| Cover
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)
| New 75 mm Cannons
|-
|}

* it's really important to research the 75 mm belt, because the stock belt alternates between AP-T and HE-T.

*

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Immense firepower in the form of eight 12.7 mm machine guns and a 75 mm cannon in the nose
* Excellent defensive firepower, utilizing most of the B-25's gun positions
* Durable airframe which can withstand numerous hits before going down
* Tricycle landing gear makes takeoff and landing easier
* 75 mm AP-T shells have 50g of explosive filler, so side-shots into vehicles are mostly one-shot eliminations

'''Cons'''

* 75 mm cannon fires so slow that it is usually impossible to destroy more than 2 tanks when passing over a convoy
* Recoil from 75 mm cannon will literally yank the entire plane's nose off-target
* Default belt for 75mm cannon alternates between HE and APT shells, giving mixed results
* Payload is limited compared to B-25 Mitchell and configured as a dive bomber rather than a level bomber
* Performance is sluggish at best
* Twin tails create a blind spot for gunners, a trait carried by the B-25 family

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

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

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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

;Other B-25 variants in-game

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

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

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

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA attackers}}