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J-7II

2024-10-19T12:46:45Z

U8128791: Corrected grammar

{{About
| about = Chinese jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=j_7_mk2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|J-7II WebsiteImage 1.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

After the Korean War, several nations came out with various aircraft which would out-fly opposing aircraft, especially in a dogfight. The U.S. introduced the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter while European nations France, England and Sweden rolled out the Dassault Mirage F-1, Mirage III, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter and the Saab Draken. At this time the Soviet Union was working on further developing the twin-engine MiG-19 but realized what it actually needed was a fast, single-engine light-weight fighter in what ultimately became the most highly produced supersonic fighter in the world and used by over 60 countries. The basis of this fighter was the Ye-66a (''Ye'' stands for "Yedinitsa" or single-unit), later changed to MiG-21 F-13 or as dubbed by NATO, the ''Fishbed-C''. Due to a shaky political situation, the Chengdu Aircraft Company in China reverse engineered the MiG-21 sent by the Soviet Union without technological documents. In the process, they solved almost 250 inherent problems with the MiG-21, upgraded the fuel system, replaced the ejection seat and reoriented how the cockpit canopy opened. The result was the J-7 interceptor fighter that looked like the original MiG-21 with minor design and performance differences. NATO dubbed this aircraft ''Fishcan''.
[[File:MiG-21_smigol_chat_bann.png|400px|thumb|left|Though the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' looks almost exactly the same as the MiG-21 pictured here, the Chinese made many improvements when reverse-engineering the aircraft.]]
The {{PAGENAME}} was built to be a point defence interceptor, not an air-defence fighter slated for combat missions, basically a short-range day fighter. Due to being cheap, fast, inexpensive and simple to maintain, the essence of this fighter's existence was to be used in large groups to overcome the technologically advanced Western aircraft. Essentially it was a missile which houses a pilot, two 30 mm cannons and two PL-2 air-to-air missiles. The sleek airframe was made with aluminium alloys, steel, magnesium and fibreglass. The air-intake cone automatically adjusts during the flight to help the aircraft remain aerodynamic. The fighter sported a delta wing with a 57° leading edge and even the all-moving tailplane utilizes the swept feature. Everything about this jet focus on speed which lends it reaching out to the Mach 2 range. The strength of the aircraft is its speed in a straight line whether in a climb, level flight or a dive, however, when it turns at all, it haemorrhages its energy and when it gets below 700 km/h, it is difficult to get back up to speed without diving to make up that speed. When caught near the ground and going slow will be extremely frustrating for a J-7 pilot.

The {{PAGENAME}} excels in air-to-air combat. Beware of hard banking; while it can slow you enough to get behind an enemy fighter, doing so will drain the plane's energy and let an attacker get their guns or lock their missiles onto you. Maintain your situational awareness at all times. Although this fighter can be outfitted with rockets or 500 kg bombs, these options should be reserved for destroying light ground targets or for Ground Realistic battles. The PL-2 missiles are difficult to use, in contrast to later missiles such as the PL-5. Newer pilots may elect to outfit the HF-4 rockets and use them to go after bombers. With only 120 rounds of 30 mm cannon ammunition between the two cannons, trigger discipline is a must or else you will be waiting often for a reload timer to count down or will be frequently returning to base to reload.

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

Due to the Chengdu {{PAGENAME}} being a point-defence fighter, the jet's main purpose is to swiftly interdict enemy aircraft. Having a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from the WP-7b jet engine of 3320 kgf, the J-7 is a rocket compared to other contemporary fighters/interceptor aircraft. The closest comparable aircraft in-game are the Hunter F1, Hunter F.6, and the Super Mystère B2. In terms of engine-to-engine statistics, the Hunter F1 is the most similar plane, with a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from a Rolls-Royce Avon Mk. 113 engine with 3188.1 kgf. Nevertheless, the {{PAGENAME}} is able to fly 1,000 km/h faster than the Hunter F1.

Manoeuvrability in the J-7, for the most part, is non-existent. Due to the shape of the wings and the aerodynamics of the entire aircraft, it is built mostly for high-speed low-drag in a straight flight and that becomes apparent when it enters into a manoeuvre or a turn where it begins to bleed speed at a horrendous rate. With no adjustment to the throttle, a {{PAGENAME}} can drop from 1,000 km/h to 600 - 700 km/h when banking. J-7 pilots must take into account when they attempt evasive manoeuvres after a missile is fired at them because they may avoid the missile, but they may also end up flying under 700 km/h which can be difficult to return from if there is no room to dive. The best way to use the {{PAGENAME}} is up at higher altitudes where the jet flies faster and has room to dive if the speed needs to be built up after turning or manoeuvring.

While the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with 500 kg bombs, adding the extra weight impacts this fighter even more. With the bombs placed on under-wing pylons, it decreases the roll rate of the aircraft having that weight away from the centre of the aircraft (or in comparison to a clean aircraft – without bombs). Bombs are an option for the aircraft, however, due to needing to maintain speeds above 700 km/h using the J-7 as a bomber is less effective and can expose this aircraft to other fighters who prey on low and slow aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,233 || 2,219 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.6 || 35.2 || 113.8 || 106.9 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,314 || 2,262 || 31.7 || 33.0 || 158.1 || 135.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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 || 524 || 450 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || 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" | Shenyang Liming WP-7b || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,512 kg || colspan="2" | 325 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel
|-
| 1,190 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,106 kg || 6,817 kg || 7,464 kg || 9,500 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 || 30m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,640 kgf || 5,387 kgf
| 0.88 || 0.79 || 0.72 || 0.57
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,640 kgf (0 km/h) || 5,686 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 0.93 || 0.83 || 0.76 || 0.60
|-
|}

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


;Armour

* 16 mm Steel – behind the pilot's seat
* 25 mm Steel – pilot's headrest
* 65 mm Bulletproof glass – forward canopy windscreen

With the {{PAGENAME}} configured for and operated as an interceptor, not much thought was put into protecting the aircraft as it was relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain. However, protections were put in place for the pilot which on the other hand was a valuable asset. Protective steel behind the seat and the pilot's headrest along with the 65 mm bulletproof glass helped protect the pilot from defensive fire coming from bomber turrets or from smaller calibre guns found on many Western fighters of the time.

The {{PAGENAME}}'s role as an interceptor basically had it scramble from the airfield when enemy fighters/bombers entered the area and it went full afterburner to reach attack altitude where it would make several passes, down the aircraft and return to the airfield. Due to its speed and limited weapon load-out, further protections for the aircraft's critical component were not necessary and thus left off the aircraft to allow for its lightweight and quick intercept capability.

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

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

{{main|Type 30-1 (30 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 30 mm Type 30-1 cannons, belly-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} has been outfitted with dual 30 mm Type 30-1 cannons (Chinese version of [[NR-30 (30 mm)|Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30]] cannon). This gun is the perfect weapon for an interceptor class aircraft as it is large enough calibre to do some serious damage, however, this cannon only houses 60 rounds of ammunition per gun. While the small ammunition pool appears to be a negative point to the aircraft, minimizing weight is necessary to ensure this aircraft can intercept inbound enemy aircraft. Compared to the MiG-21 F-13, the {{PAGENAME}} has a second cannon and double the ammunition (60 rpg), however, trigger control is still a necessary skill the pilot must use to ensure enough rounds available to make the necessary shots before returning to base to reload.

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="15%" | 1 !! width="15%" | 2 !! width="15%" | 3
| rowspan="5" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21_SPS-K_(Germany).png]]</div>
|-
! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
| 1 || || 1
|-
! [[Type 57-1]] rockets
| 32 || || 32
|-
! [[PL-2]] missiles
| 1 || || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| || 1 ||
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
* 1 x 490 l drop tank
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x PL-2 missiles
* 64 x Type 57-1 rockets
{{Navigation-End}}

The PL-2 infrared air-to-air missile is the most important ordnance for air combat and should be familiar to users of the previous J-6A. Although it is a primitive weapon that can be easily dodged or flared, it is useful for picking off distracted or stalled targets and can force supersonic enemies to turn and lose speed. For ground attack, the J-7II's suspended armaments are more limited than the original [[MiG-21F-13]]: it does not have napalm bombs, or more importantly, S-24 heavy rockets with ballistic computer assistance. The 57 mm HEAT rockets are inaccurate and deal relatively little damage. Players who find themselves needing to use the J-7II for CAS in Ground RB are better off with the 500 kg unguided bombs, which are nothing fancy but at least pack a punch.

== Usage in battles ==


Just like the MiG-21, the J-7II was designed to be a fighter interceptor and thus all of its design features shape it into virtually a missile with a cockpit. This aircraft wasn't designed to carry the load the [[F-4C]], [[G.91 YS]] or the [[Super Mystere B2]] can carry, but it was built for speed and to bring along the minimal amount of armament to do its job.

As a fighter interceptor, the J-7II needed to get from Point A (the airbase) to Point B (the inbound enemy aircraft) in the shortest amount of time possible, shoot it, and return to base to get ready for the next one. This jet can remain fast if it is flying in a straight line, however, do not try to sustain dogfights in it. It has a high AoA, meaning it bleeds a good amount of speed in hard turns.

The best use of this aircraft is to utilise its excellent speed and rate of climb and gain altitude and begin to level off when you are either at bomber altitude or just above any enemy fighters flying around. It is here you can use the great [[Boom & Zoom]] qualities of the aircraft and select a target and begin to dive on it. It is during this phase when you can attempt to get a lock with the PL-2 air-to-air missiles and launch it or you can strafe any unwary targets with the pair of 30 mm Type 30-1 autocannons. Extremely short bursts are a must in order to conserve ammunition (60 rpg, only 120 rounds total), but this powerful gun only needs one or two good shots to remove a wing, take out a pilot or disable an engine. Once shots have been taken, regardless of if they hit or missed, engage the afterburner and return to higher altitudes and set up for another Boom & Zoom run. [[Boom & Run]] techniques also work in that you can use the phenomenal speed of the J-7II to outrun just about any aircraft on the map (however beware of the [[F-4C]] which can keep pace if not outrun the J-7II).

Options are available to use this aircraft in the role of ground attack, however, this may be an extreme challenge, especially to any novice fighter jet pilot. While the 30 mm autocannon is standard in all of the ordnance load-outs, when adding a secondary suspended armament, you are limited to only one type. In this case, you will need to choose from 32 lightweight HF-5 rockets or two 500 kg bombs. The added weight and drag when adding either of these options can be difficult to overcome, especially since this aircraft is built for speed over manoeuvrability.

When attacking ground targets, it is best to place the J-7II into a relatively shallow dive, it is important to remember to properly line up for the target ahead of time because with the external ordnance fine-tuned manoeuvring can be difficult especially when corrections need to be made at the last minute. The lack of a bombsight makes bombing smaller targets a bit more difficult to hit. When flying low to take on ground targets, make sure you leave yourself an out when the situation turns bad. The best practice here is to ensure you keep your speed up, slow enough to hit the target, but fast enough to get away when the situation turns.

=== Radars ===

The J-7II is equipped with an SRD-5 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | SRD-5 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 3,000 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Higher acceleration and speed than its Soviet counterparts thanks to its new engine
* Less high-speed compression than the [[J-6A]]
* Can pull high AoA for quick snapshots
* Additional port side gun which doubled the ammo count than [[MiG-21F-13]]
* Great rate of climb
* Missiles have a high explosive mass

'''Cons:'''

* Not very manoeuvrable at low speeds
* Loses energy quickly in hard turns
* Missiles have poor agility and tracking, easily dodged by attentive targets
* Engine tends to overheat on sustained afterburner
* Unlike the MiG-21F-13, no access to S-24 heavy rockets for ground attack or head-ons
* Does not have access to flares, making it hard to operate in up-tiers

== History ==


The Sino-Soviet split, which began in the late 1950s, led to a period of chilled relations between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The most modern fighter aircraft in the inventory of the People's Liberation Army Air Force was the MiG-19, purchased from the USSR. While an effective fighter at the time of its introduction, rapid advancements in fighter jet development lead to new aircraft like the MiG-21 capable of flying at twice the speed of sound. Around 1960, plans were underway for MiG-21s to be license produced in China, but negotiations broke down and Soviet advisors were pulled from the country, leaving the fate of the project in question. A few years later, Khruschev unexpectedly approached Mao with an offer to sell the MiG-21 and its technology. This deal went through and several MiG-21s, parts, and associated documentation were delivered to China. However, it was discovered that the documents were incomplete. In order to manufacture them properly, the MiG-21s were thoroughly reverse-engineered, and a number of improvements were made in the process. The finished product of this effort was firstly named a '''Type 62 Interceptor (62式歼击机)''' then later a '''J-7 (歼-7)''', mostly identical to the original [[MiG-21 F-13]] (NATO: Fishbed; the Chinese variants are sometimes called a '''Fishcan''' to differentiate from Soviet-built ones).

A huge number of J-7 variants were manufactured in the course of its nearly 50-year production run, though development and production stagnated during the chaos of the Cultural Revolution and the PLAAF often had to rely on the outdated [[J-6A|Shenyang J-6]]. The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' first flew in 1978 and featured an improved engine and ejection seat, among other changes. Later J-7B/F-7M incorporated British GEC Marconi avionics and was compatible with Western weapons, these were popular export items to customers like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Iran. The J-7III series was developed from the basis of a reverse-engineered [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]] and attempted to match the MiG-21SM, featuring a larger nosecone and a more powerful radar, but did not see large-scale production. The successful J-7IV (later [[J-7E]]) introduced a unique double-delta wing design that improved the aircraft's agility and fuel capacity tremendously. The J-7 design was also used as a starting point for the Guizhou JL-9 supersonic trainer and the JF-17 multirole export fighter.

At present, the J-7 is still in the inventory of numerous air forces, but they are mostly those based on the later E variants (F-7MG, PG, BG) and only very few of the original delta wing variants are still in service. After PLAAF and PLANAF decommissioned their remaining J-7IIH and J-7B from combat service in 2021, the remaining J-7E and G still served as an inexpensive and quick-response frontline interceptors for PLAAF.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=j_7_mk2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 001.jpg
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 002.jpg
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 003.jpg
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 004.jpg
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 005.jpg
File:J-7 mkII WTWallpaper 006.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|30XMgpkhDio|'''Chengdu J7 - Superior To The MiG-21 - A Guide''' - ''WhooptieDo''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[J-7D]] - Upgraded version based on reverse engineered MiG-21MF (J-7C)
* [[J-7E]] - Double-delta wing version with more advanced avionics

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6360-development-chengdu-j-7ii-domestic-technologies-en|[Development] Chengdu J-7II: Domestic Technologies]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474722-chengdu-j-7ii/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Chengdu}}
{{China jet aircraft}}

F-104A

2024-10-19T12:08:43Z

U8128791: The 104 A has the better engine, than C. See in-game stats as well as Speed Tests done by dogeness and Adam 514 on their spreadsheet of tests.

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

== Description ==

The first production version of the Starfighter series was the F-104A. 140+ F-104A Starfighters were ordered by the USAF and in total 170 Starfighters were in service (some YF-104As were converted to production standard). The F-104A had a stronger airframe as well as additions made to the airframe for stability. The F-104A was planned to replace the ageing F-100 Super Sabre but later didn't fit the requirements set by the USAF. It was stuck in limbo until problems with the production of the Convair-built F-106 let the Starfighter live on in another role, interdiction. At this time, the F-104A was powered by the J79-GE-3A which was riddled with issues. The F-104As were grounded shortly after to resolve the issues with the -3A until the J79-GE-3B came to fruition. Even after the engine change, the USAF still found the F-104A to be lacklustre for air interception due to the lack of all-weather capability and low endurance. Many surplus Starfighters were sent to other countries.

Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]], the '''{{Specs|name}}''' is quite a capable aircraft thanks to its J79 engine, cannon, and missiles. The F-104A regularly faces subsonic aircraft like the F-86 and Yak-38 so players should stick to using its immense speed and boom and zooming targets. The F-104A struggles with manoeuvrability so dogfights are highly discouraged, especially against subsonic aircraft. Furthermore, the F-104A can easily outrun many of its opponents so there is no point in staying slow to try and acquire a kill. In addition to the cannon, the F-104A also comes equipped with two AIM-9B Sidewinders which are mainly helpful in forcing an opponent to turn or against slow targets. The AIM-9B is a very situational missile and depends on a lot of factors. Overall, the {{Specs|name}} is one of the most feared aircraft at its battle rating.

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

[[File:F-104A in the sunset.jpg|alt=F-104 Starfighter breaks the sound barrier at sunset with its afterburner roaring|thumb|An F-104A Starfighter breaks the sound barrier at sunset.]]
The F-104s are generally very fast and the F-104A is no exception. The F-104A also features a better engine tan the F-104C, with thrust about 7% higher. Even when it is stock, the climb rate can be comparable to that of both the MiGs and the Phantoms. Its max speed of 2,079 km/h is just as good, if not better, than other top-tier jets. The acceleration of the F-104A is amazing so even when you are at low speeds it can quickly gain back the lost energy. However, the jet's manoeuvrability leaves much to be desired. Although it can out-turn other jets at its BR, it can only do so when it is going above Mach 1. At low speeds, any other top-tier jet can easily out-turn you.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,104 || 2,076 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.4 || 32.8 || 202.5 || 193.7 || rowspan="2" | 1,180
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,195 || 2,149 || 31.6 || 32.0 || 270.2 || 235.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,527  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 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-3B || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,112 kg || colspan="3" | 509 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,750 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,915 kg || 7,624 kg || 8,380 kg || 8,789 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 || 35m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,190 kgf || 6,571 kgf
| 0.95 || 0.86 || 0.78 || 0.75 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,190 kgf (0 km/h) || 8,584 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.24 || 1.13 || 1.02 || 0.98 || 0.36
|-
|}

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

There is no armour on the F-104A. Since the F-104A relies on high speed, it wouldn't need armour as that would reduce the speed and manoeuvrability of the plane. The F-104A is a very long plane and it is not very manoeuvrable, making it a large, easy target for enemy guns. As such, the only characteristic that should be relied upon for survivability is the plane's speed. It is very quick, and as such is hard to catch.

* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks

=== 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, chin-mounted (750 rpg)

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

{{main|AIM-9B Sidewinder}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==

The F-104A is a high-speed, high-altitude fighter-bomber/interceptor. It performs well in high-altitude flights meant to intercept fighters and mainly bombers at high altitudes. When the F-104A is fighting at low altitudes with a slower plane, the pilot should consider a hit-and-run technique to out-speed and return to the target to avoid getting shot back.

The F-104A has a decent stock turn time of 33 seconds which is the average or decent turn time of most supersonic jets at rank VI for Soviet jets. The F-104A will have difficulties when trying to hit an enemy less than 1 or 2 km away using the 20 mm M61 cannon since this cannon will take some time to warm-up before shooting and turn fights will also be difficult due to high-speed manoeuvres causing an average 8 or more Gs rendering the pilot unconscious for most of the time. Even though stalling should be avoided, it is possible to get an opportunity during stall conditions by extending the landing flap to give the plane extra nose authority, allowing you to control your altitude to a degree that can surprise most opponents.

Using the F-104A's M61 cannon against helicopters would be very easy since they're slow and most of the time is in constant direction and speed, while you are attacking from the side or back with speeds almost or higher than Mach 1, the helicopter won't notice until you strafe at them.

Unfortunately, the AIM-9B sidewinder missiles the F-104A carries are lacking at its BR. Most other jets at the top tier have much better air-to-air missiles which travel, lock and turn better than the AIM-9B. Therefore, they should only be used in situations where they cannot effectively turn or dodge, or don't know it's coming.

The F-104A isn't carrying any flares, so you would have to rely on the plane's decent manoeuvrability, and high speed, and maybe turn off the afterburner and maybe even the engine to reduce the incoming AAMs chance to hit the plane. Always remember the insane climb rate for the plane, this means you can also face the incoming AAM at the sun even when the sun is at a steep angle. This in turn would spend more fuel since you would need to use afterburners to efficiently climb at steep angles, out-running short-range anti-air missiles is tricky since some go Mach 1.7, while others go Mach 2.5, do not expect all missiles to be outrun. An alternative for low-maneuverability missiles, such as AIM-9Bs and the Soviet R-3 variants, is making a turn to cause the missile to lead more, followed by a violent turn in the opposite direction. Note that this maneuver will only work at a sufficiently high speed (around or over Mach 1).

=== Radars ===

The F-104A is equipped with an AN/ASG-14 search and tracking radar. The radar is mounted in the nose of the aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 37,000 m (theoretical) || 15,000 m || ±45° || ±45°
|-
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 18,500 m || 150 m || ±10° || ±10°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed
* Great rate of climb
* Good roll rate
* Decent high-speed manoeuvrability
* Powerful M61 Vulcan cannon with a very high fire rate, great ballistics and high damage

'''Cons:'''

* Very poor overall manoeuvrability and terrible low-speed manoeuvrability
* Bleeds energy quickly in sustained turnfights
* The cannon's high rate of fire requires trigger discipline
* Air-to-air missiles are weak compared to analogues of the rank
* No ground attack payloads whatsoever
* Lacks RWR or countermeasures

== 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 power-plant 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. 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.

=== [[wt:en/news/6731-development-f-104-starfighter-the-manned-missile-en|Devblog]] ===
The development history of the F-104 Starfighter begins in 1951, when Lockheed's lead engineer visited US pilots in Korea. The feedback given to Johnson was clear - US planes were too large and complex and would often find themselves inferior to the much smaller and simpler Soviet MiG-15. On his return to the United States, Johnson assembled a team of engineers and started developing an aircraft that would address the concerns of the pilots.

The result of this undertaking was the F-104 Starfighter, whose first prototype, designated XF-104, first took to the skies on the 4th March 1954. Although both prototypes were lost during testing, the results delivered by the prototypes were promising enough for the USAF to accept the aircraft into service in November 1955.

Soon after entering production, the F-104 quickly also became a highly popular aircraft on the export market. West Germany was, alongside the United States, the primary operator of the Starfighter, owning over 900 F-104s in its air force at the peak of its service career. However, 13 other nations also employed the F-104 such as Canada, Italy, Japan, Spain, and many more.

The F-104 saw most of its combat service with the USAF, most notably taking part in the Vietnam War. Furthermore, the F-104 also saw combat during the Indo-Pakistani Wars in the mid '60s - early '70s while flying under Pakistani colors.

In the end, over 2,500 Starfighters would be built, with most being gradually decommissioned by the end of the Cold War. Italy was the last to decommission its F-104s in the early 2000s.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-104a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:F-104A Starfighter Among the Stars.jpg|F104A Starfighter flying with a full afterburner on a clear starry night
Image:Take off in the f104A.png|F-104A taking off
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QAA4S31Hbhw|'''The Shooting Range #202''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:30 discusses the F-104 Starfighter.|S9qfGHj1YcI|'''The Shooting Range #211''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:15 discusses the F-104 Starfighter.}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-104 (Family)]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Bibliography

* Military Factory - Lockheed F-104 Starfighter: [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=113 website]
* Winchester, Jim - American Military Aircraft: A Century of Innovation - p.238-239 - 1, October 2017: [https://www.amazon.com/American-Military-Aircraft-Innovation-Aviation/dp/1782743197 website]

{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

F-104C

2024-10-19T11:58:23Z

U8128791:

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

== Description ==

The F-104C mainly differs from early variants by being able to carry ground munitions. Although it may have seemed strange considering the overall unstable nature of the Starfighter, the Tactical Air Command decided to propose a ground striker version of the Starfighter. Almost 80 F-104Cs were ordered and had its first flight in 1958. More orders were planned until Starfighter production was rejected. Minor changes included an inflight refuelling probe and a better fire control system. The F-104Cs saw service in Vietnam where they were soon replaced by the superior F-4D Phantom. The Starfighter always had a troubled history and the F-104C was no exception despite the various improvements.

Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]], the '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a sleek, fast jet also capable of carrying a decent bomb load and rockets. The main difference between the F-104C and F-104A is the ability to carry ground attack munitions like 750 lb bombs, FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets, and BLU-1 incendiary bombs. The F-104C also retains the ability to carry two AIM-9B Sidewinders and houses the improved M61A1 cannon. The F-104C is a dangerous aircraft at its battle rating but becomes hopelessly outclassed in uptiers due to the lack of flares and improved missiles.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,097 || 2,070 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.5 || 34.9 || 203.3 || 194.7 || rowspan="2" | 1,200
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,188 || 2,142 || 33.6 || 34.0 || 269.3 || 235.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,527  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 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-7a || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,235 kg || colspan="3" | 514 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,540 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 7,027 kg || 7,740 kg || 8,493 kg || 8,874 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 || 35m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,171 kgf || 6,540 kgf
| 0.93 || 0.84 || 0.77 || 0.74 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,171 kgf (0 km/h) || 8,544 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.22 || 1.10 || 1.01 || 0.96 || 0.36
|-
|}

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

In terms of armour, there is no armour on the F-104C. Since the F-104C relies on high speed, it wouldn't need armour as that would reduce the speed and manoeuvrability of the plane. The F-104C is a very long plane and it is not very manoeuvrable, making it a large, easy target for enemy guns. As such, the only characteristic that should be relied upon for survivability is the plane's speed. It is very quick, and as such is hard to catch.

* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks

=== 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, chin-mounted (750 rpg)

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="6" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || || 19 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || ||2|| || 1
|-
|}

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

* Without load
* 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 2 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


The F-104 is an interceptor which relies solely on its extremely high speed and acceleration. This great speed comes with a great cost; the F-104 undoubtedly has the worst overall turn rate at high tiers (and perhaps in the whole game as well). Keep that in mind when playing it. It is highly recommended not to dogfight in the F-104 as you aren't out-turning anything, and even if you have someone energy trapped, it is hard to capitalize on it as the F-104's manoeuvrability is just so poor. Additionally, if someone gets on your tail, there isn't much you can do. While the F-104 does have a good roll rate, the turning capability makes it so it cannot effectively perform defensive manoeuvres. Even if you manage to get a tailing enemy to overshoot, the F-104 can't turn well enough to use the opportunity to attack.

Due to this, the best way to play the F-104 is to keep its speed up as much as possible and at all times. You will want to play the F-104 primarily in the support role as either a boom and zoom fighter or a hit and run fighter, picking on slow enemies that are preferably distracted and already engaged in a dogfight with teammates. This strategy prioritizes that no enemy gets on a slow F-104's tail, because as discussed before, there is little one can do once this happens. This also means that the F-104 is very team-reliant in most battles, as it does not fare well in any 1v1 scenario. As the F-104's poor manoeuvrability is a well-known weakness, if needed this can be used to bait slower enemy fighters for your teammates. By slowing down to near an enemy fighter's speed and turning, you can fool them into thinking they have you in a turn when in reality you can keep the distance from closing using your acceleration.

At its BR, the F-104C will likely always be the fastest plane on the battlefield. In downtiers, its speed makes it nearly untouchable. However, don't think this means you can carry your team. The F-104's extremely poor manoeuvrability not only means it is highly disadvantaged in a dogfight, but that it also has small nose authority and thus the window to take shots at enemies at higher speeds is small. This means that, when presented with high-angle shots, you may need to turn your aircraft in advance to get the shot.

In an uptier, the F-104 becomes outclassed. Some other fighters can somewhat keep up with its speed while also being much more manoeuvrable and having better missiles. In uptiers, your lack of flares means that a solid launch of the most manoeuvrable missiles found in an uptier (AIM-9J/G/L, R-60/R-60Ms, Magic 1s) mean a nearly unavoidable death. This means that in uptiers, it will be the same support strategy as discussed before, except you will need to be more cautious. The only thing you have is, again, your speed, which will still be strongly competitive. It will be especially important to keep this speed as high as possible at all times. To avoid missiles, you will want to keep your distance from the more dangerous missile-wielding enemies while being cautious and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Again, slow and/or distracted enemies will ideally be your targets. Fast planes and planes with excellent missiles like the [[MiG-19S (Germany)|MiG-19S]], [[MiG-21F-13]], [[Yak-38]], [[Yak-38M]], [[A-5C]], etc. should be prioritized as main threats. Attack when you are sure no one can or will bother to follow you or launch a missile at you.

For the F-104C's gun, it gets the powerful M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. This is arguably one of the best aircraft guns in the game and sports an extremely high rate of fire, high velocity, and high damage. Its only downside is that it only gets 750 rounds of ammunition; while it may seem like a lot, the cannon's extreme fire rate sees that it gets depleted quicker than one would expect. Since this will be your primary weapon when engaging enemy fighters, you should maintain trigger discipline when using it. As for your missiles, you have two AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. These are the basic air-to-air missile and as such aren't very strong. They don't turn well and are sensitive to flares. Due to this, they shouldn't be your main weapon, but they are better than nothing, and can sometimes be useful. They should be launched only when needed, such as at long ranges, at distracted enemies, or to make an enemy drop speed.

In the ground attack role, there are many better choices than the F-104C (such as the F3H-2, F-100D or A-4E), though, unlike the preceding F-104A, the F-104C isn't completely helpless when it comes to the task. It can carry either 3x 750lb bombs, 38x FFAR rockets, or 2x Napalm bombs. Since only 38 rockets can be carried (which even in higher quantities aren't very powerful), it isn't recommended to take them. Napalm can be used to bomb bases in air RB, but in ground RB it has little overall use and shouldn't be taken. This leaves the only acceptable option being the 3x 750lb bombs. These 750lb bombs have an adequate explosion size which is enough to reliably destroy tanks. The two wing-mounted bombs drop together first, followed by the single centerline one, giving two bomb drops. Since the F-104C lacks the luxury of a ballistic computer, you must manually calculate the point of impact for the bombs and rockets. Additionally, the M61 Cannon has decent penetration and can be used to attack lighter targets or the roofs of MBTs, and the two wingtip AIM-9B sidewinders can be taken with any of these for some semblance of multi-role capability. After you drop the bombs, you can either use the cannon for strafing, or you can use the cannon and missiles to engage enemy aircraft (the M61 cannon is great for taking out helicopters).The F-104C's speed will help it get in and out of the battlefield quickly, and the RWR is a helpful tool to alert you of SPAA and SAMs. Keep the F-104C's bad manoeuvrability in mind when doing ground attack runs, as it will prove fatal if you don't pull up in time.

=== Radars ===

The F-104C is equipped with an AN/ASG-14 search and track radar mounted in the nose of the aircraft. This is a relatively simple radar. It has one search mode, which scans 45 degrees to each side and continuously scans from 47 degrees below the radar to 90 degrees above the radar. Its tracking mode can only lock targets directly in front of the aircraft, and upon a successful lock only a diagram showing the angle and range to the target aircraft is displayed; no numbers are shown on the diagram and no lock box is shown around the target in third person. Despite these limitations, the radar is still useful for locating enemies at longer ranges or through clouds. However, the radar will alert enemies with radar warning receivers, so if it is not needed or you are attempting to ambush an enemy, it should be turned off.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 37,000 m || 15,000 m || ±45° || ±45°
|-
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 18,500 m || 150 m || ±10° || ±10°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent top speed and acceleration
* Excellent climb rate
* Good roll rate
* Powerful M61 Vulcan cannon with a very high rate of fire, great ballistics and high damage
* Availability of ground attack ordnance

'''Cons:'''

* Very poor overall manoeuvrability and terrible low-speed manoeuvrability
* The cannon's high rate of fire forces the player to have some trigger discipline
* AIM-9B missiles can be easily dodged
* Lacks countermeasures

== 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 Soviets' 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 power-plant 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.

=== [[wt:en/news/6731-development-f-104-starfighter-the-manned-missile-en|Devblog]] ===
The development history of the F-104 Starfighter begins in 1951, when Lockheed's lead engineer visited US pilots in Korea. The feedback given to Johnson was clear - US planes were too large and complex and would often find themselves inferior to the much smaller and simpler Soviet MiG-15. On his return to the United States, Johnson assembled a team of engineers and started developing an aircraft that would address the concerns of the pilots.

The result of this undertaking was the F-104 Starfighter, whose first prototype, designated XF-104, first took to the skies on the 4th March 1954. Although both prototypes were lost during testing, the results delivered by the prototypes were promising enough for the USAF to accept the aircraft into service in November 1955.

Soon after entering production, the F-104 quickly also became a highly popular aircraft on the export market. West Germany was, alongside the United States, the primary operator of the Starfighter, owning over 900 F-104s in its air force at the peak of its service career. However, 13 other nations also employed the F-104 such as Canada, Italy, Japan, Spain, and many more.

The F-104 saw most of its combat service with the USAF, most notably taking part in the Vietnam War. Furthermore, the F-104 also saw combat during the Indo-Pakistani Wars in the mid '60s - early '70s while flying under Pakistani colors.

In the end, over 2,500 Starfighters would be built, with most being gradually decommissioned by the end of the Cold War. Italy was the last to decommission its F-104s in the early 2000s.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-104c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
File:F104C in the hangar.png|F-104C in the hangar
</gallery>

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-104 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=113 <nowiki>[Military Factory]</nowiki> Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]
* [http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/F-104C_Starfighter_SAC_-_8_December_1958.pdf Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the F-104C]

{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

Yak-9U

2024-10-19T06:27:40Z

U8128791: /* Historical design and development */ Corrected VK-107 to M-107 for 9U

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov M-107A engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov M-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 646 || 631 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the M-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Unfortunately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-9U

2024-10-19T06:24:54Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ Corrected VK-107 to M-107 for 9U

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov M-107A engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov M-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 646 || 631 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the M-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Ultimately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-9U

2024-10-19T06:21:23Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Corrected VK-107 to M-107 for 9U

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov M-107A engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov M-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 646 || 631 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the VK-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Ultimately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-9U

2024-09-25T13:04:31Z

U8128791: /* Description */ query engine model

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov M-107A (according to in-game hangar data) engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov VK (?)-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 646 || 631 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the VK-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Ultimately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-9U

2024-09-25T13:03:44Z

U8128791: /* Description */ edits to engine type

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov M-107A (according to in-game hangar data) engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov VK-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 646 || 631 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the VK-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Ultimately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Talk:Yak-9U

2024-09-25T13:02:13Z

U8128791: Created page with "The engine type and specs differ from game, but when i edit it my edits do not get saved. In the game, the engine is shown as Klimov M-107A: Max power 1582hp. Takeoff powe..."

The engine type and specs differ from game, but when i edit it my edits do not get saved.
In the game, the engine is shown as Klimov M-107A:
Max power 1582hp.
Takeoff power 1676hp

In article, claimed to be Klimov VK-107A:
Power 1650hp

User:U8128791

2024-09-25T12:51:18Z

U8128791: Created page with "Air RB player"

Air RB player

I-225

2024-08-24T10:11:33Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Correted armoured glass - there is none in the WT model

{{Specs-Card
|code=i_225
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was a proposed Soviet high altitude interceptor. It marked the conclusion of the I-220 series which was originally derived from the [[MiG-3-15|MiG-3]]. Compared to its predecessors, the {{Specs|name}} was both the heaviest and the most powerful. Additionally, it had a significantly improved Shchyerbakov pressure cabin, 8mm seat armour, and an arsenal of four synchronized 20mm ShVAK cannons. The {{Specs|name}} was designed to have a top speed of more than 700 km/h and a service ceiling of 12,000 meters, which made it capable of intercepting enemy aircraft at high altitudes. The second prototype, which is the one we have in the game, became the second fastest Soviet piston-engined fighter, only being surpassed by the Yak-3M. Despite its promising performance, the {{Specs|name}} faced too many delays as most of the work was focused on the I-250, and in the end, it ended up being overshadowed by other aircraft designs.

The {{Specs|name}} was introduced in [[Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]]. It is one of the last piston fighters in the Soviet avation tree and is one of the best prop fighters the Soviet Union has to offer. It is best used at high altitudes, where its performance really shines and where it can outperform most of its contemporaries. But it's not a bad idea to only climb as much as you need to, because trying to dive straight on at enemies at lower altitudes can put the {{Specs|name}} at a disadvantage due to its high-speed compression.

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

The I-225 is the latest claim to the throne of Soviet prop-fighters. With its high speed at high altitudes, decent armament, good turning capabilities and insane climb rate, this Super-MiG is the best all-around dogfighter Russia has to offer. Although relatively useless as an interceptor in real life, the I-225 is quite potent in War Thunder, being one of four Soviet props that are good at altitude, which is very unique for the Soviet tech tree that is mostly comprised of low-altitude prop planes. From take-off and into the fight, this MiG is an overall smooth operator and can be very competitive even when facing early jets.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 702 || 682 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.9 || 20.4 || 16.7 || 16.6 || rowspan="2" | 257
|-
! Upgraded
| 751 || 726 || 18.5 || 19.0 || 25.8 || 20.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 354 || 280 || ~12 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 280 || < 400 || > 370
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,800 m || 1,500 hp || 1,610 hp
|-
|}

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

'''Armour plates:'''

* 9 mm steel behind the pilot

'''Critical components'''

* Fuel tank in the fuselage behind the pilot
* Fuel tank in front of the guns and behind the engine
* Liquid cooling systems in front of the spars near the slats
* Oil Cooling systems underneath the nose

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

The default belts of the ShVAK's are quite efficient and the cannons themselves are very accurate, so you should focus on performance upgrades. The most important upgrades are the engine, engine injection and then the survivability modules to help remedy the weak airframe of the I-225.

Your module research should look something like this:

* Fuselage repair
* Radiator
* Compressor
* Airframe
* Wings repair
* Engine
* Engine injection
* Cover
* Offensive 20 mm
* New 20 mm cannons

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

{{main|ShVAK (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (100 rpg = 400 total)

The 20 mm ShVAK cannons are very accurate and are extremely powerful in controlled, well-aimed bursts to enemy wings and critical components. Your default belts are quite powerful and the cannons themselves are highly accurate due to the nose mountings. While most players recommend the "Ground Targets" belt, this is not necessarily the best choice when it comes to the I-225 thanks to the poor ballistics and damage output of the Soviet HEF and FI-T shell. The "Armoured Targets" belt contains three AP-I shell and one HEF shell, and this combination provides the best option as to start fires and damaging modules.

== Usage in battles ==

The I-225 can be used to climb to bomber altitude (4-6 km) and act as an interceptor, and it can perform this role amicably with its good climb rate, high speed and fast-firing quad ShVAK 20 mm cannons that can start fires. Be wary that the I-225 has no bulletproof glass in the front to protect this pilot, so you should never tail any bomber and approach from oblique angles or force head-ons. Also its armament of four 20 mm can be lacking against large aircraft, so I-225 players will likely have to expend all of their ammo in a bomber if they want to bring it down.

If one either destroys all the bombers or there are no bombers to be found, you are free to fly as a fighter versus other fighters. When engaging fighters, primarily try to employ a Boom-&-Zoom or energy fighting tactics which are exceptionally great when performed at high altitudes. Versus less manoeuvrable planes such as the F8F-1B, you can potentially turn-fight but be careful to not lose too much energy, as you may struggle to regain it. Also avoid tunnel visioning, as the I-225's weakness is anything extended due to an increased chance that multiple enemies will engage you.

'''Offensive flying:'''

When offensively engaging an enemy, the pilot should use the amazing performance and superb dive speed to their advantage, as the I-225 is the most vulnerable when it is unable to use these traits. Your go-to flying style should be energy fighting or Boom-&-Zoom, as both of these rely on top speed, energy retention, diving speed, climb rate, and these areas are where the I-225 excels the most. Always make sure to be above your enemy so you maintain an energy advantage. Your ideal altitude is 6 km, as this is where you can make the most out of the powerful turbocharged AM-42 engine and abuse your insane dive speed to its potential.

Do not tail any bombers Due to the lack of bulletproof glass and the frail airframe, tailing a bomber is an invitation for a pilot snipe or destroyed engine of the attacker. Depending on the bomber, attacking from above or below from oblique angles is your best bet. Aim for the engines and the wings if you can't force a head-on.

'''Defensive flying:'''
[[File:Example of the vertical spiral maneuver.jpg|thumb|An example of the Vertical Spiral, which the I-225 can make very good use of.]]

If an enemy manages to get on your tail or has you in their gunsights, you should enter a slight dive in order to make use of your amazing dive speed and excellent acceleration. Being an energy fighter, you can make use of energy-wasting manoeuvres such as spiral climbing, displacement rolls, Immelmann turns or vertical spirals. Vertical spirals are particularly effective thanks to your excellent energy retention.

'''Specific enemies worth noting'''

* [[Spitfire F Mk 22]] and [[Spitfire F Mk 24|Mk 24]] - The extremely powerful Griffon engined Spitfires are some of the most dangerous enemies you will encounter at this BR. They possess an amazing climb rate, amazing roll rate, brutal acceleration, high speed, solid manoeuvrability and excellent high altitude performance. Their quad [[Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Hispano Mk II's]] can load a very potent "Air targets" belt which is filled with HEF-I and HEF-SAPI rounds that will shred your airframe to bits with a quick burst. Try to keep a higher altitude than it and dive on it if it's unaware of your presence. When one is engaging you, try to bleed its energy with vertical manoeuvres or if you're confident enough, you can turn fight it.
* [[Bf 109 K-4]] - The last of the legendary Bf 109's can also be encountered. You can outspeed it by a large margin and have superior acceleration and dive speed. Avoid employing an energy fighting playstyle as the K-4 has amazing energy retention and a solid climb rate, although the I-225 can take advantage of its strange refusal to stall when using WEP in order to beat the 109 in the vertical, although it is not recommended to use it in this way. Always remain on its tail and steer clear of its gunsights, as its powerful array of armaments (1 x 30 mm cannon or 3 x 20 mm cannons, both of which are loaded with the brutal Minengeschoß round) will down you quickly if they land a few good hits. Employ a Boom-&-Zoom playstyle to take advantage of your superior speed and high diving speed.
* [[F8F-1B]] - The feared Bearcat is one of the best prop planes in the game and is the worst enemy for the I-225 to face, as the Bearcat outclasses it in practically every way aside from performance above 6 km. The Bearcat out-turns you, out-rolls you, out-climbs you, and has an extremely devastating set of [[AN/M3 (20 mm)|AN/M3]] cannons which are effectively [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk V's]]. Avoid them at all costs unless they are unaware of your presence, and if one forces an engagement on you, seek assistance from teammates.
* [[Ta 152 H-1]] - While not a major enemy, it is possible to encounter the Ta 152 at higher altitudes where its engine performs the best. The outcome of the fight comes down to the more skilled pilot, as the two planes are fairly even performance-wise. Never let a Ta 152 get you in its gunsights, as it sports an incredibly powerful array of armaments that can shred through you like paper. You have a superior turning rate and energy retention but the 152 beats you in a dive, so focus on vertical manoeuvres.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}
Manual engine controls can be used to counter the rapid overheating caused by using WEP. Following these instructions will allow you to use WEP indefinitely unless on a warm map.

* Set the propeller pitch to 75%. Don't set it any lower as it will cause significant performance drop.
* Set the oil radiator to 100% and the water radiator to 65%. While these values can be lowered at higher altitudes and colder maps, try to keep the oil temperature below 85°C and water temperature below 120°C.
* On takeoff, set the mixture to 35% and keep it there until you reach an altitude of 4,000 m. Between 4,000 and 6,500 m set it to 25%. Between 6,500 and 8,500 m set it to 20%. Above 8,500 m switch back to auto engine control, as overheating is no longer an issue at extreme altitudes.
* The supercharger and turbocharger are automatically controlled and require no player input.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great low speed control and stall characteristics
* Great energy retention, both in the vertical and while manoeuvring
* Excellent high altitude performance
* Great climb rate
* Decent firepower
* Powerful flaps
* Great rudder effect

'''Cons:'''

* Armament can sometimes feel inadequate against sturdy targets like bombers, low ammo count per gun
* Severe elevator compression past ~650 km/h (IAS), and becomes a brick past 700 km/h
* Engine prone to overheating, can be mitigated with use of MEC
* Can face early jets (SB), which pose a huge challenge because of their high speeds
* Lacks combat flaps, usage of takeoff flaps will bleed speed rapidly
* Fairly fragile airframe that is susceptible to fires
* Rudder effect is too great, it often overturns the plane
* Below average manoeuvrability without flaps

== History ==

The experimental high-altitude fighter/interceptor I-225 was created in the Mikoyan design bureau as part of work to develop new prototypes of fighter aircraft with new engines. The first experimental prototype was finished by May 9, 1944. The aircraft was designed to carry a powertrain consisting of a 2,000 horsepower aircraft engine and a turbocharger. Its armament in comparison with previous prototypes was strengthened and consisted of four 20 mm ShVAK cannons. In testing (primarily tests of the fighter's speed and altitude options) the aircraft showed impressive results: it could reach a speed of almost 560 km/h near the ground and 720 km/h at high altitude. Just two I-225s were built for testing purposes. For various reasons, both aircraft crashed in testing. After a range of improvements and upgrades, in March 1947 work on this project was stopped.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5768-development-i-225-high-flyer-en|Devblog]]''

"During the early stages of the war on the Eastern Front, the German Ju-86P high altitude reconnaissance plane saw the Soviets lacking in a capable high altitude interceptor. Deeming it necessary to deal with these high altitude recon planes, an order went out for the creation of an interceptor that could fly high and fast enough to dispose of any intruders. The Mikoyan-Gurevich aircraft company, already successful with the high altitude MiG-3, took on the challenge to develop the fighter. The prototypes began development in 1942 as the I-220 series.

The I-225 the last of this series of aircraft. The I-225 was an improvement on the earlier I-220; compared to its predecessor the I-225 featured a pressurized cockpit, a cut down rear fuselage, and 4 synchronized 20 mm cannons firing through the propeller. The I-225 was powered by "a Mikulin AM-42B 12-cylinder liquid-cooled Vee engine equipped with a TK-300B turbo-supercharger on its starboard side and affording 2,000 hp for take-off and 1,750 hp at 7,500 m."

The all metal aircraft flew for the first time on the 21st of July, 1944. On August 2nd of the same year, the plane hit 707 km/h at an altitude of 8,500 m. During the 15th flight, the aircraft's engine seized at an altitude of 15 m and was deemed irreparable.

The second prototype and its tests were delayed until March 14th, 1945. The second I-225 was fitted with the AM-42-FB, an improvement on the first prototype's engine. This second prototype reached a speed of 726 km/h, one of the fastest speeds reached by any Soviet aircraft.

By the time of the I-225 the Germans had ceased high altitude operations rendering the existence of the plane largely unnecessary. However, development on high altitude aircraft continued thanks to the possibility of the Soviets going to war with the Western powers, who possessed heavy bombers that could operate well outside the effective operational altitudes of Soviet piston-engined planes.

Development on the I-225 and its brethren was ended in March 1947, when nobody saw a need for a high altitude interceptor and native Soviet jet designs were coming into service."

''- Written by War Thunder user Bobertman From [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/316820-mig-i-225/&ct=1606219578|War War Thunder Forum]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=i_225 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
Image:I-225 WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|o24D6yl_VLg|'''The Shooting Range #115''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:22 discusses the I-225.|exEU6fM8wsA|'''{{PAGENAME}} The Holy Grail of Russian Props''' - ''TheDon''}}

== See also ==


* [[MiG-3 (Family)]] - the family the I-225 is based on

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5768-development-i-225-high-flyer-en|[Devblog] I-225: High Flyer!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/425987-i-225/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-9U

2024-08-15T10:02:26Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Corredted engine model

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Yakovlev Yak-9U''' was the sixth variant of the [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yak-9 fighter aircraft family]]. The aircraft was based on the [[Yak-9T]] and included significant aerodynamic and structural upgrades similar to the [[Yak-3]]. The Yak-9U was powered by the new Klimov VK-107A engine, which produced 1,650 horsepower. The burst mass was 2.72 kg/s. During early test flights in 1943, the only comparable Soviet fighter was the Polikarpov I-185 prototype, but it was more difficult to fly and less agile due to its heavier weight. Except for the P-51B Mustang, which could achieve 710 km/h, the Yak-9U's peak speed of 700 km/h at 5,600 m was quicker than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Overheating issues during the test flight stage were resolved by expanding the radiators during production. It was the best high-altitude Soviet fighter of its time. The Yak-9U flew 398 sorties for a total of 299 hours. A total of 26 battles were fought, with the majority of them ending in victory.

Introduced in Update 1.37, the Yak-9U is one of the few Yak fighter planes that excels at operating at high altitudes. Unlike previous Yak-9s that were powered by the Klimov M-105PF engine, the Yak-9U is powered by the Klimov VK-107A engine. As a result, the Yak-9U is among the quickest planes at sea level in its class. Overall, the Yak-9U combines impressive speed, acceleration, climb, and manoeuvrability but comes with a rather mediocre weaponry for its BR. The Yak-9U's engine improvement lets it maintain good performance up to 5,000 m, allowing players to engage in combat with other high-altitude enemy aircraft without being significantly disadvantaged.

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

The Yak-9U is an up-engined Yak-9 equipped with the M-107A engine. It sports competitive speed, far above average turning and roll abilities, good acceleration, a high dive limit (by USSR standards), and keeps nice and crisp controls from speeds as low as 250 km/h to 750 km/h. It is arguably the most underestimated vehicle rank-for-rank in the game and is often skipped by players who view it as just another Yak-9.

Unlike previous Yak-9s equipped with the VK-105PF engine, the Yak-9U gets a significant upgrade in the form of its M-107A engine (which also happens to be the engine utilized by the premium [[Yak-3 (VK-107)]] and the later [[Yak-9P]]/[[Yak-9UT|UT]]). As such, the Yak-9U is one of the fastest planes at sea level at this BR and retains excellent performance up to ~6 km where it can effectively engage higher-speed American and faster climbing German planes. This, combined with the excellent handling and turn-fighting qualities allow the Yak-9U to effectively dictate any engagement- a pilot can turn-fight Bf 109s and P-47s with ease while having the capability to outrun slower yet more manoeuvrable vehicles such as the Spitfire.

At sea level, the Yak-9U can catch most, if not all, planes at its BR, including [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] and [[P-51 (Family)|P-51D]]. Beware, however, as the Yak airframe isn't particularly durable in a dive and will rip at speeds above 720 km/h {{Annotation|IAS|Indicated airspeed}}. Thankfully, forcing an opponent down low effectively seals their fate as you and your team perform optimally at low altitude.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 652 || 634 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 20.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 699 || 677 || 18.6 || 19.1 || 22.9 || 18.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine guns, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The Yak-9U offers incredible speed, acceleration, climb and manoeuvrability with the same complementary firepower. Unlike its VK-105 powered predecessors, which suffered significant power loss above 3,500 m, the VK-107 engine of the Yak-9U retains decent performance up to 5,000 m, allowing you to partake in the initial dogfight of a match without being at a massive disadvantage. Once the air battle has gone down to a lower altitude, your engine performance will go from good to incredible. With a sea level top speed of nearly 600 km/h there's not many planes that can catch or outrun you. Your acceleration, climb rate and energy retention are superior to most other aircraft as well. The turn rate, while not top notch, is still better than a good portion of your competition.

However, the Yak-9U is not without its flaws. The engine suffers from overheating at lower altitudes, and WEP should be used sparingly. Usage of Manual Engine Controls will slow down the overheating, but not eliminate it. Engine performance above 5,000 m is lacking compared to aircraft of other nations.The armament, while perfectly adequate against fighters, will struggle against heavier targets, and engaging heavy bombers is not recommended unless you're confident in your ability to get a pilot snipe. Due to a somewhat low wing rip speed, most aircraft will outdive you. The acceleration below 200 km/h IAS is poor compared to most fighters, and stall fighting should be avoided unless you started the fight with an energy advantage.

After takeoff, you should immediately start climbing up to 5,000 m. The optimal climb speed is around 250 km/h IAS. When initially engaged with the enemy, it's best to start off the fight slowly. Avoid losing altitude immediately. Try to employ hit and run tactics and conserve your ammo. Once all of the enemies in the area start dogfighting and losing altitude, it's time to become more aggressive. With the loss of altitude, you can start to capitalize on your excellent low down engine performance. Stick to boom and zoom tactics if possible, but don't be afraid of engaging in dogfights if necessary. If you find yourself in a bad situation, know that you can outrun and outaccelerate just about any plane that you can meet. Use your superior speed to disengage, and then re-engage after you've built up and energy advantage.

==== In ground & naval battles ====
The Yak-9U offers no bombs, rockets or any secondary payloads, it is an air supremacy fighter armed only with machine guns and cannons. They must be used to defend your ground forces or naval fleets from enemy bombers and fighter bombers. Stay high, use the boom and zoom tactics to your advantage - do not strafe tanks or ships, the 20 mm cannons only offer 120 rounds which will be needed in any air to air combat engagement.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cockpit visibility
* Good handling and manoeuvrability at most speeds
* Good energy retention
* Good rate of climb
* Excellent acceleration above 150 km/h IAS
* Performs identically to the Yak-9P and Yak-9UT while being at a lower BR
* Nose-mounted weaponry

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively low ammo count
* Weaponry inadequate against sturdy targets
* Overheating is a very real issue, MEC will only delay it
* Lower wing rip speed than most of its peers
* Low thrust below 150 km/h IAS

== History ==


=== Historical design and development ===
During December 1943, the creation of a new airframe (Yak-9U) allowed the installation of the M-107A engine, which was more powerful than the previous VK-105PF. The engine mount was brand new and included individual faired exhaust pipes, wings, and fuselage structure that was made of metal while the whole aircraft received a covering of Bakelite skin. The horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced in order to afford the aircraft improved pitch control. The oil cooler intake was re-positioned from beneath the nose to the port wing root as well as an enlarged radiator bath being moved further aft under the fuselage. A supercharger intake was centred on the top decking of the engine cowling. The rear antenna cable was moved inside a lengthened rear canopy which featured a more aerodynamically refined shape with a modified fuselage deck contour. The typical armament of the Yak-9U was a 20 mm (79 cal) ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds that was fired through the aircraft's hollow propeller shaft, and two 12.7 mm (50 cal) Berezin UB machine guns with 340 rounds.

[[File:Yakolev Yak-9U Frank.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-9U Frank]]
January to April 1944 marked the commencement of State trials and revealed that the Yak-9U had a superior top-speed compared to all fighters in service on the Eastern front at 6,000 m (19,685 ft). Unlike the [[I-185 (M-71)|I-185]] the Yak-9U was a much simpler to fly and stable aircraft. Ultimately the M-107A engine inherited all the problems of the VK-105PF engine. The engine was prone to overheating, oil leaks, loss of engine pressure during climbs, spark plugs constantly burning out, and intense vibrations which would fatigue assembly bolts leading to a short engine life. These defects forced the first production batches starting during April 1944 to be powered by the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine. Further changes would include the fuel capacity of the Yak-9U being upgraded to 400 L (106 US gal) and in order to re-balance the aircraft, the wings where moved 9.906 cm (3.9 in) forward and the aircraft's VlSh-107LO propeller being replaced with the older VISH-105S. A total production of 1,134 aircraft where constructed by December 1944.

The model in-game does not sport the production batch's modifications as it is the prototype trial model.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9u Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aaTEkyzWsL0|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Aaand he's dead."''' - ''WeadraPlays''}}

== 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://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109524-yakovlev-yak-9u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France)

2024-06-22T15:01:15Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */ Updated as per British FR Mk XIVe

{{Specs-Card
|code=spitfire_fr_mk14e_belgium
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].

The Spitfire FR Mk. XIVe was a purpose-built low-altitude Reconnaissance airframe. This plane is an example of the 1945 "e" equipped with a clipped "e" type wing, allowing it to mount the respectable armament of 2 cannons and two .50 calibre machine guns. It has a camera for reconnaissance and the "bubble" canopy. The short wing tips vastly increase the roll rate of the aircraft but sacrifice some horizontal and vertical manoeuvrability. The powerful Griffon Mk.65 allowed it to climb better than the majority of enemy fighters at nearly all attitudes; however, the performance drop at altitudes compared to full winged XIVe's is noticeable.

== 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 (km/h at 8,077 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 698 || 676 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.5 || 22.4 || 18.1 || 18.1 || rowspan="2" | 400
|-
! Upgraded
| 776 || 730 || 18.8 || 20.1 || 32.0 || 23.7
|-
|}

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

{| 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}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

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

=== 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|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (135 rpg = 270 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (260 rpg = 520 total)

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

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 1 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bomb (500 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 ===

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

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]

{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
{{France fighters}}

Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France)

2024-06-22T14:57:16Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Added info as per other FR Mk 14e

{{Specs-Card
|code=spitfire_fr_mk14e_belgium
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].

The Spitfire FR Mk. XIVe was a purpose-built low-altitude Reconnaissance airframe. This plane is an example of the 1945 "e" equipped with a clipped "e" type wing, allowing it to mount the respectable armament of 2 cannons and two .50 calibre machine guns. It has a camera for reconnaissance and the "bubble" canopy. The short wing tips vastly increase the roll rate of the aircraft but sacrifice some horizontal and vertical manoeuvrability. The powerful Griffon Mk.65 allowed it to climb better than the majority of enemy fighters at nearly all attitudes; however, the performance drop at altitudes compared to full winged XIVe's is noticeable.

== 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 (km/h at 8,077 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 698 || 676 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.5 || 22.4 || 18.1 || 18.1 || rowspan="2" | 400
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

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

{| 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}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

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

=== 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|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (135 rpg = 270 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (260 rpg = 520 total)

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

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 1 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bomb (500 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 ===

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

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]

{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
{{France fighters}}

MiG-19S (Germany)

2024-04-26T09:16:47Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = German jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-19 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-19s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The MiG-19S was a special variant of the [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19]], incorporating an all-moving slab tail and the ''Svod'' long-range navigation receiver. It was armed with three 30 mm NR-30 cannons in comparison to the two found on most other models. The MiG-19S entered production in 1956, and was exported to multiple countries shortly after. One of the countries to receive and use the MiG-19S was Germany, which operated 12 MiG-19S alongside 12 other aircraft of the MiG-19PM variant. The German MiG-19s would serve until 1969, when they were replaced with mid-life models of the [[MiG-21 (Family)|MiG-21]], such as the [[MiG-21 SPS-K (Germany)|MiG-21SPS-K]] and [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]]

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO designation: "Farmer-C") was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] as the German equivalent to the [[MiG-19PT]] found in the Soviet tech tree. The MiG-19S may seem worse at first, but in the hands of an experienced pilot, it is merely a sidegrade, if not better than its Soviet tree counterpart. Unlike the PT in the Soviet tree, the German MiG-19S lacks any air-to-air missiles or dedicated search and track radar systems. However, due to the absence of such systems, the aircraft is noticeably lighter. The MiG-19S also receives an extra gun, giving it more firepower and ammo to use. All in all, the MiG-19S is a great introduction to supersonic jets, as it has great performance and flight characteristics, allowing players of the German tech tree to learn kinematic missile evasion techniques and higher tier dogfight doctrine, aspects that the [[F-104G (Germany)|F-104G]] on the other side of the tech tree lacks.

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

The MiG-19S 'Farmer' serves as a capable supersonic fighter boasting an incredible thrust-to-weight ratio, a highly competitive top speed, and lethal primary armaments. Thanks to the two afterburning turbojet engines, the MiG-19S is able to accelerate very well at all speeds and can use this thrust to achieve a considerable climb rate matched by nearly no other aircraft at its tier. In exchange for these great engines however, MiG-19S pilots will find their fighter's manoeuvrability moderately worse than their opponents, with the Farmer's rudder being especially poor compared to its contemporaries. Elevator authority is not terrible, but subsonic fighter jets will easily beat out a MiG-19S in a turning engagement.

Thanks to the plane's access to a drogue chute, as well as the relatively strong landing gear, the MiG-19S is capable of pulling of high-speed landings, with a touchdown at over 350 km/h being easily possible. The plane's high thrust-to-weight also allows it to take off quicker than most other jets it will find itself with and against.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,441 || 1,436 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.4 || 24.7 || 164.7 || 156.8 || rowspan="2" | 515
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,465 || 1,451 || 23.6 || 24.0 || 217.2 || 190.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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 || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 540 || < 650 || < 350 || 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" | Mikulin RD-9B || 2
| colspan="2" | 5,550 kg || colspan="2" | 292 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 25m fuel
|-
| 725 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,090 kg || 6,951 kg || 7,350 kg || 8,832 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
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 25m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,296 kgf || 3,218 kgf
| 1.06 || 0.93 || 0.88 || 0.73
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,320 kgf (1,000 km/h) || 3,284 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 1.08 || 0.94 || 0.89 || 0.74
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
* 10 mm Steel plate in front of the cockpit
* 16.5 mm Steel plate in the pilot's seat

As is typical of more modern aircraft, the MiG-19S does not take damage well. Though the pilot is well-protected against HE rounds from the front, almost the entirety of the plane's middle and rear fuselage is taken up by the MiG-19S's two engines which are thus incredibly easy to hit. Thanks to the plane's heavy reliance on the power of those engines, any damage to either or both of them causes massive problems to the Farmer. Loss of thrust harms the plane immensely, as the MiG-19's lack of manoeuvrability leaves it with little options against a persistent foe while it has damaged engines. The MiG-19 can also suffer from asymmetric thrust (when one engine is more damaged than another) causing the plane to struggle heavily at low speeds, due to the weak rudder potentially struggling to compensate.

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

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

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons, chin-mounted (70 rpg)
* 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons, wing-mounted (70 rpg = 140 total)

The MiG-19S's 30 mm NR-30 cannons are highly devastating, rarely dealing anything less than a fatal blow thanks to their high calibre. They also boast a great muzzle velocity, most comparable to the British [[ADEN (30 mm)|30 mm ADEN cannon]], aiding the pilot against high speed targets such as other supersonic jets. Their positions, all close to the nose of the aircraft, further improve the performance of these cannons.

However, the MiG-19S carries a paltry 70 rounds per gun which combines with the high fire rate of 1,000 RPM to punish poor aim and careless trigger discipline heavily, as well as reducing the MiG-19S's ability to engage in prolonged battles, forming one of the MiG-19S's core weaknesses.

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="4" width="20%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 8 || 8 || 8 || 8
|-
|}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 32 x S-5K rockets
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

Farmer pilots will need to rely on the power of their engines above all else to come out victorious in battle. Little at similar tier can match the raw power of the MiG-19S's dual afterburning engines, which allow the pilot the safety to deal with slower aircraft at his or her own pace, as the defender slowly loses their energy.

Though the MiG-19S's top speed is lower than some of its contemporaries, such as the [[F-4C Phantom II]] or [[J-7II]], the Farmer instead boasts an immense thrust-to-weight ratio when the afterburner is active, allowing pilots to engage in energy-burning manoeuvres with faster opponents, who will struggle to keep up with the acceleration of the MiG-19 when recovering speed afterwards. A smart Farmer pilot will abuse this to turn seemingly untouchable faster opponents into easy prey. A reliable tactic when an enemy is on your tail is entering an upward spiral. The MiG's monstrous Thrust-to-Weight Ratio and turn rate will leave most opponents in the dust, forcing the enemy to either disengage or bleed away energy in a futile attempt to keep up. Pilots must keep in mind that some opponents like the [[Mirage IIIC]], [[J35D]], and to a lesser extent [[MiG-21F-13|MiG-21]] can simply turn inside the MiG-19S and shoot you full of holes, so this strategy should be applied with discretion.

Due to the MiG-19S's very low ammunition count, it is important for pilots to consider their shots carefully. The MiG-19S has an amazing climb rate and energy retention, even with high fuel loads, so it may often be better to save ammo, hitting the afterburner to climb away and attempt another attack run later. The Farmer excels in the late game when enemies have run out of missile armament and energy, so players should be mindful to keep an ammo reserve to capitalize on this period.

Though the MiG-19S's selection of secondary armaments is limited, it can nonetheless use those armaments alongside the high top speed to perform hit and run attacks on valuable targets, such as Anti-Air in Combined Battles.

===Radars===

The MiG-19S is equipped with a SRD-1 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | SRD-1 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,000 m || 150 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Three powerful, high velocity 30 mm cannons
* Unparalleled thrust-to-weight ratio, providing excellent acceleration and climb rate
* Amongst the fastest of all aircraft at its BR
* Notably short takeoff run for a high-tier jet
* Access to a drogue chute for high-speed landings (deploys automatically below 300 km/h)
* Can perform combat manoeuvres which even modern fly-by-wire aircraft struggle with

'''Cons:'''

* No access to air-to-air missiles
* Poor ammunition count for primary armament
* No combat flaps setting, only takeoff and landing settings
* Compresses at high speed (1,000-1,200 km/h) without "New boosters" modification
* Incredibly underwhelming rudder performance at all speeds
* Highly susceptible to critical engine damage
* Unlike the PT variant, there is no radar available

== History ==

The MiG-19 'Farmer' was the Soviet Union's first supersonic fighter jet to enter production, a successor to the MiG-17 which was developed itself from the MiG-15. The first MiG-19 entered service with the VSS in the mid-'50s. The MiG-19S is a later production variant of the Farmer, a day fighter with two RD-9B afterburning turbojets, outputting a hair over 7100lbs of thrust each when wet.

Compared to earlier variants of the MiG-19, the 'S' variant was equipped with provisions for rocket packs as well as bombs, giving it limited multi-role capability, though it did not have the radar of the MiG-19P, nor access to air-to-air missiles as with the MiG-19PT. For flight characteristics, the MiG-19S came out around 170kg lighter than the earlier MiG-19 variants and had a slightly redesigned airframe for improved aerodynamics.

On 10 March 1964, a USAF photo-reconnaissance aircraft RB-66 Destroyer was on a mission to observe a military exercise at the Gardelegen training range when it crossed over East German airspace. A pair of Russian MiG-19S Farmer-C fighters from the 24th Air Army base in East Germany were scrambled to intercept the photo-reconnaissance aircraft. Attempts to redirect the RB-66 failed even with warning shots fired from the MiG-19S fighters. Finally, Captain Vitaliy Ivannikov was given the order to shoot down the American aircraft which he successfully did. The three American crew members were captured and held for interrogation for four weeks before they were released.<ref name="Key" />

The MiG-19 did not see much combat under the Soviet flag. However, the MiG-19S, or rather a Chinese license-built MiG-19S called the Shenyang J-6, saw combat over Vietnam during the Vietnam War, flying in 1969 with the North Vietnamese Vietnam People's Air Force against USAF F-4 Phantom IIs. The Farmer scored a total of 7 victories against Phantoms over Vietnam.<ref name="Toperczer" />

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-19s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 001.jpg
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 002.jpg
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 003.jpg
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 004.jpg
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 005.jpg
File:MiG-19S WTWallpaper 006.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|t3xD7JpnHeI|'''Best aircraft for Boom & Zoom''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 5:51 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|GGDkBNydVs4|'''The BEST of the REST! MiG-19S''' - ''Jengar''|ElwYSvbrPvU|'''MiG-19S - The T2Killer''' - ''WhooptieDo''|iL4nYf3M_nc|'''Mig-19 - Nope, Nothing Wrong Here''' - ''WhooptieDo''}}

== See also ==


;Related development
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-19PT]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-17]]
* Shenyang [[J-6A|J6]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* Mitsubishi [[Mitsubishi T-2|T-2]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6047-development-mig-19s-magnificent-performance-en|[Development] MiG-19S: Magnificent Performance]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/445743-mikoyan-gurevich-mig-19s/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

=== References ===
<references>
<ref name="Toperczer">Toperczer, I. (2001). ''MIG-17 and MIG-19 units of the Vietnam War'' (''Osprey Combat Aircraft #25''). Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1841761621</ref>
<ref name="Key">Bridgewater, S., & Gibbs, R. (Eds.). (2019). ''MIG 29 - Red Star Fighters; MiG-1 to MiG-35 & Beyond''. Stamford, UK: KEY Publishing. ISBN 9781912205127</ref>
</references>

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

Airborne radars

2024-04-25T06:06:21Z

U8128791: /* Basic user interface */ Corrected name of linear compass. It is not a "rose" which is the name for the (old, non-HUD) circular compass at top right.

[[File:Radar Engagement.jpg|x400px|border|right]]
==Overview==
'''Airborne Radars''' were added to the game in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]]. Airborne radars are found on aircraft at both low and high ranks, if an aircraft is equipped with radar then a radar display will be present in the right portion of a player's screen, as well as a compass displaying the player's current heading and the directions to detected targets at the top of the screen.

There are two main types of airborne radar in the game, target detection (search) radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars will detect aircraft (both friendly and hostile) and display them as a "blip" on the radar display, it will also place a triangle on the compass showing what direction the detected aircraft is in. Target tracking radars are more advanced; they allow the player to "lock-on" to a target. Once a target has been locked on to, a box will appear around it on the HUD and a read-out will provide the distance to the target and the closing speed between the player's aircraft and the target. Depending on the aircraft being flown tracking radars may also be able to provide an accurate firing lead indicator, once the player closes to within approximately 0.7 km.

==Airborne radar controls==
{{Notice|For information about [[IRST]] see the corrosponding article.}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | Airborne Radar Controls
|-
! Control name
! Default Keybind (PC keyboard & mouse)
! Description
|-
| Switch Radar/IRST search on/off || Alt + R || Turns the vehicle's search radar on or off
|-
|Switch between Radar and IRST
|
|
|-
| Change Radar/IRST mode || Unbound || Switches the radar between search mode and tracking mode for multi-mode radars, or normal and pulse-doppler mode for applicable radars
|-
|Radar/IRST beyond/within visual range combat
|
|
|-
| Change Radar/IRST search mode || Unbound || Toggles between the radar's search modes e.g. narrow scan or wide scan
|-
| Change Radar/IRST scope scale || Unbound || Changes the range scale of the radar display
|-
| Select Radar/IRST target to lock || Alt + T || Selects which target on the display to lock on to
|-
| Lock Radar/IRST on target || Alt + F || Locks onto the selected or nearest target on radar display or turns tracking radar on
|-
|}

==Airborne radars user interface==
===Basic user interface===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_HUD_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD for aircraft equipped with Radar]]
As previously mentioned, aircraft equipped with radars can be identified by the presence of the radar display and compass on the HUD (see image to the right).

Below the linear compass at top centre is a small arrow which displays the aircraft's current heading. Targets detected by the radar will also have their bearing displayed on the compass as a triangle.

One or two radar scopes will be present in the right hand portion of the screen; they are discussed in detail later in the article. If the radar is experiencing surface clutter interference then an icon (visible in the image to the right) will be present next to the power indicator, consisting of two arrows and a series of bars. The number of bars illuminated indicates how severe surface clutter is (one bar means minor interference, four bars means major interference); if the aircraft has two radars activated then each one will have its own surface clutter indicator.

If the radar has been deactivated, a separate icon will be displayed instead of the radar display.

There are several different types of radar target which can appear on the radar display and compass. A basic radar target will appear as a bar on the radar display and a triangle on the compass. The radar target which is selected will appear with a vertical line either side of it; and the radar target which is locked on to will appear with a box around it. Some radars are fitted with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, these radars will display friendly radar targets with a horizontal line above them.

[[File:Radar_Target_Types.png|thumb|600px|left|The different types of targets.]]{{break}}

===Radar display types===
====Plan Position Indicator (PPI)====
[[File:Radar PPI Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The plan position indicator radar display]]
The default display is a "Plan Position Indicator" (PPI) type display. It is in the shape of a sector and represents a top-down view of the area in front of the aircraft. The radar is located in the bottom centre of the display; the distance a target is from the centre point shows how far away it is, while its angle from the centre line shows its azimuth.

{{Notice|The PPI can display the range and azimuth of a target, but not its elevation}}

When the radar is turned on, a bar representing the current scan angle sweeps back and forth, radially, about the centre point. A series of four concentric range rings can be used to determine how far away the detected targets are (to get the distance between rings divide the range scale by 4), and a series of bars (at 15-degree angles) help tell the azimuth of detected targets. If a radar has an azimuth scan angle of less than 180 degrees then the display is still a semicircle.

The readout to the left of the scope shows the azimuth and elevation scan angles, while the readout to the right shows the currently selected range scale.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all approximately 4.5 km away from the player. One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's elevation difference from the player using only the PPI.

====C-scope====
[[File:Radar C-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The C-scope radar display]]
In addition to the PPI some aircraft have access to a C-scope type display (positioned underneath the PPI). The C-scope displays the same radar targets as the PPI, but in a different format. Whereas a PPI is a top-down view, the C-scope is forwards-looking. It is a rectangular display where how far from the azimuth centre line a target is shows its azimuth and how far from the elevation centre line a target is shows its elevation.

{{Notice|The C-scope can display the azimuth and elevation of a target, but not its range}}

In addition to the azimuth and elevation centre lines there are two other horizontal lines on the display, these show the minimum and maximum elevation scan angles of the radar. It should be noted that the degree values shown to the right of the C-scope are the minimum and maximum elevation angles of the scope, not the radar.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all slightly below the player (they are below the elevation centre line). One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's range from the player using only the PPI.

By using a combination of the PPI and C-scope you can work out the range, azimuth and elevation of individual targets.

====B-Scope====
[[File:Radar B-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The B-scope radar display]]

An alternative radar display (instead of the PPI) is available in the form of a "B-Scope" type display. It can be enabled via the "Use rectangular radar indicator" setting. It is a square display providing a 2-D "top-down" representation of space, the vertical axis represents the range to the target and the horizontal axis represents the azimuth (angle) of the target. The maximum and minimum azimuth scan angles are displayed in the top corners of the display, as is the range setting. A series of four range bars can be used to determine how far away detected targets are, and vertical bars can be used to determine what direction the target is in. When the radar is turned on a vertical bar representing the current scan angle moves horizontally, back and forth, across the display.

==Radar operation==
===Basic radar operation===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Angles_Diagram.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Diagram showing the scan angles of a radar]]
When turned on, radars will scan a pyramid or cone-shaped area in front of the player's aircraft (illustrated in the image to the right). Radars can only detect targets which fall within their scanning area, the size and shape of which varies depending on the model of radar. Each radar has a maximum and minimum azimuth scan angle (how far to each side it will scan); and a maximum and minimum elevation scan angle (how far up and down it will scan). Radars also have a minimum detection range (typically 150 - 300 m), below which targets will not be detected (not that you should need a radar to see an aircraft that close).

As with other characteristics, the maximum detection range varies greatly between radars (from as little as 4 km, to in excess of 40 km). Targets are not guaranteed to be detected at the radar's maximum detection range. The range at which a target is detected will depend on how much radar energy it reflects back to the radar, which is in turn determined by its Radar Cross-Section (RCS). Generally larger aircraft have a larger RCS so will be detected at greater ranges; for example the [[AI Mk. X]] radar (fitted to the [[Sea Venom FAW 20]]) can detect the large [[G5N1]] bomber at its maximum detection range of 14 km, however, can only detect the much smaller [[He 162 A-1]] at approximately 9 - 9.5 km.

When a radar detects a target, it appears as a "blip" on the radar display. Its position will not be updated until the radar detects it again (usually on the next scan, as indicated by the sweeping bar). When the target is re-detected, its old blip is removed and a new one plotted at the location it was re-detected at. If enough time elapses without a target being re-detected (either due to the target now being outside of the radar's scanning area, or simply the radar not scanning fast enough) then the target's blip will fade and disappear from the radar display. Likewise after a period of not being detected a target which has been locked onto will be lost.

===Radar modes===
====SRC====
The Search (SRC) mode is the basic search radar mode. It is prone to ground clutter, or clouds cluttering it. This means if behind the enemy is something that reflects radar waves, the enemy will be hidden from your radar. So if you are looking downwards its not recommended to use this mode, but if you are looking upwards and there are no clouds in view you should can use this mode if no better is available.

====SRC PD====
The Pulse-Doppler (PD) mode uses a signal processing filter, which eliminates out returns that have closure rate of your planes speed. So the ground will be filtered out, but also objects moving perpendicular towards your plane (so called notching). It also may have different blind spots resulting from the frequencies used in the radar, so that when chasing a target you might fail to get a lock on. Use fast IR missiles like the [[R-27ET]] then.

====SRC PD HDN====
It works like SRC PDN but is made for head-on engagements. Some radars will completely filter out targets that dont move towards you in this mode.

====SRC PDV HDN====
The display shows the targets not sorted by distance but by velocity. This makes it easier to select the target coming towards you at the fastest speed.

====SRC MTI====
MTI stands for moving target indication. It allows look-down capability, which means it filters out ground clutter. It is harder to notch than SRC PD but has a smaller range. Also even when the radar is able to maintain lock the missiles seeker might be not able to follow the target in a notching situation.

====SRC IR====
Not actually a radar but optical tracking. See [[IRST]].

====TWS====
See below for Track-while-scan mode.

====TWS HDN====
Works like TWS mode but shows only targets that fly towards you.

===Radar range scale===
Some radars allow for the range scale of the radar scope to be changed, in order to change the range scale a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar scope scale" control. The currently selected range scale is shown on the radar display, if the range scale is changed then the display will stay the same size, but the targets will be placed on the display according to the new scale. '''It is worth noting that the default range scale may be less than the radar's maximum detection range''', so you may need to increase the range scale in order to make full use of your radar. Some radars can be set to a range scale far in excess of the radar's maximum detection range; targets will not be detected outside of a radar's maximum detection range, regardless of range scale setting.

===Radar search mode===
Some radars allow for different search modes to be activated. The default search mode on radars usually (although not always) makes use of the radar's full scanning area. While this is useful for detecting targets in a wide area this can come with the drawback of each scan taking longer to complete (as the radar has to scan a larger area), meaning that targets are updated less frequently on the radar display. Some radars allow the operator to change the search mode so that the radar only scans a smaller area, this means that targets can be updated on the radar more often, but has the drawback of targets only being detectable in a more narrow area in front of the player's aircraft. This ability is primarily useful for keeping track of fast moving or manoeuvring targets, where the slower scan time associated with a full scan, would make tracking the movement of such a target difficult. When the radar mode is changed the PPI will remain the same size / shape, but two hard lines will appear indicating the new scanning limits; rang rings and azimuth bars will not be drawn outside of the lines. In order to change radar scanning mode, a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar search mode" control (located under the "Weaponry" heading of the aircraft controls menu).

{{Notice|The modes available vary depending on the specific radar. Some radars change the azimuth scanning angles, while others change the elevation scanning angles.}}

===Detecting/tracking ground targets===
Some search radars and tracking radars are capable of detecting and locking on to ground targets. For these radars ground targets appear on the PPI the same as air targets, and can be locked on to the same way. This functionality is not massively useful, but can come in handy when trying to find player controlled tanks to kill. Ground clutter also limits how effective these radars are at finding ground targets. See individual radar pages to find out if they can detect ground targets.

===Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM)===
Some radars feature a so called Air Combat Maneuvering Mode which will scan for a target in a narrow cone and a reduced range. If a target is found, the radar will switch automatically to Tracking Mode and lock on the target which was just found. The radar on the F-14A features three ACM modes which have different search rectangles for different situations.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:ACM cone.jpg|ACM mode with a centered small rectangle search area.
File:ACM vertical centered.jpg|ACM mode with avertical centered search area.
File:ACM Mode vertical high.jpg|ACM mode with a vertical upwards looking search area.
</gallery>

====ACM HMD====
Some planes have a so called head mounted display (HMD), which allows the pilot to select targets by looking into their direction. Switch the radar into ACM HMD mode and use your look around button to align the square with the target you want to lock on. Then push "select target" to confirm and the radar tries to lock.

==Radar scan patterns==
{{Notice|This topic is included for those who want a better understanding of how different radars scan for targets, it is not essential knowledge, but may be useful.}}
===Raster Scan===
[[File:Radar_Raster_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|right|A 4 bar, one-way, bi-directional raster scan pattern; the green square represents the radar beam.]]
Most search radars in the game use what is known as a bi-directional raster scan (see image to the right). The radar beam starts in the top corner of the scanning area and moves horizontally until it reaches the other side of the scanning area; it then drops down and moves horizontally in the other direction until it reaches the original side of the scanning area. The process repeats until the radar beam has reached the bottom corner of the scanning area. At this point the beam will do one of two things; if the radar uses a one-way raster scan then the beam will move directly upwards from its finishing position until it reaches the top corner of the scanning area, where it starts the process again. If it is a two-way raster scan then when the beam reaches the bottom corner its movement will reverse and it will work its way back up to the top of the scanning area, following the path it just took in reverse.

The raster scan pattern allows the radar to identify targets on different elevations. Each sweep the radar makes on a different elevation is known as a bar; for example the scan pattern shown in the image to the right has 4 bars as the radar completes 4 scans in the process of covering the scan area. The number of bars in the scan, and the height of each bar (measured in degrees) width of the scan in the elevation axis; the width of the scan in the azimuth axis is determined by how far to each side the radar scans.

{{Notice|The PPI shows the radar sweeping over each bar, so on a 4 bar scan a target on the PPI may only be refreshed once every 4 sweeps (due to the radar sweeping over a bar the target is not located in).}}

If you know the number of bars in the radar's scan pattern, the height of each bar, and the vertical offset (more on this later) then you can calculate the minimum and maximum elevation scanning angles of the radar (how far up and down the radar see). You start by calculating the elevation width of the radar as follows:

<code>elevation width = number of bars * height of each bar</code>

At this point it is tempting to just divide the elevation width by 2 and conclude that the resulting number is how far off the elevation centre line in each direction the radar can see (e.g. for a elevation width of 30° the radar can see 15° up and 15° down), however this is not always the case. Some radars have more bars above the elevation centre line than below it (or vice versa), that is to say they can look further up than they can down or vice versa. This gives rise to the concept of a "vertical offset" (measured in degrees), i.e. how far upwards (or downwards) the bars are shifted from being evenly distributed either side of the elevation centre line.

When this is factored in we get the following equations for working out the minimum and maximum elevation limits of the radar:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (elevation width / 2) + vertical offset

minimum elevation angle = (-1 * (elevation width / 2)) + vertical offset
</code>

For example if we take the [[AN/APS-21]] radar. Its scan pattern uses 15 bars, each 2° in height, giving us an elevation width of 30°; with a vertical offset of +5°. If we put this into the equations above we get the following:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (30 / 2) + 5 = '''20°'''

minimum elevation angle = (-1 *(30 / 2)) + 5 = '''-10°'''
</code>

This means the AN/APS-21 radar can detect targets up to 20° above the player and 10° below the player.

===Conical Scan===
[[File:Radar_Conical_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|right|A conical scan pattern; the green circle represents the radar beam.]]
Tracking radars in the game use what is known as a conical scan, instead of a raster scan. In a conical scan the radar beam rotates around a central axis, with a few degrees offset from the centre. The result of this is that the radar scans a narrow cone shaped area in front of the aircraft. The rotation of the beam also means the radar to tell where the target is within the cone, allowing the radar to effectively track the target.
{{clear}}

===Continuously updating radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Constantly_Updated_Radar.jpg|thumb|250px|right|An example of a non-scanning radar, notice how the whole scan area is illuminated at once]]
The German Lichtenstein family of radars (the radars found on German WW2 planes) are unique compared to other radars currently in the game, in that they do not scan for targets. Instead, they constantly emit a cone of radar energy and detect the return. This gives them the advantage of having the radar constantly updating (instead of updating only when the radar scans over a target). However, as a trade-off, these radars have a poor range (only 4 or 5 km) and a narrow scanning area. When these radars are active, instead of seeing a sweeping line the entire scanning area of the radar is illuminated and radar blips update continuously. An example of this can be seen in the image to the right.

==Types of airborne radars==
The two main types of radar are target detection radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars are found on vehicles from rank 1, however, the more advanced target tracking radars are reserved for high-rank vehicles. Vehicles are typically equipped with target tracking radars in addition to target detection radars, with the two working in tandem.

===Target detection radars===
Target detection radars, also known as search radars, have no tracking ability and simply display detected targets on the radar display and compass. The basic operation of target detection radars has been discussed previously in this article. Target detection radars are available from rank 1, radars found at higher ranks have much better characteristics (larger scanning area, better range, etc.).

===Target tracking radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radars_Target_Tracking_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD when a target is being tracked. '''Note:''' Lead indicator is no longer available for the Javelin.]]
Target tracking radars are fitted to some aircraft in addition to target detection radars. They typically have a short range compared to the aircraft's search radar (hence a search radar is equipped to find targets at long ranges), however, they have the ability to track and "lock-on" to targets. Tracking radars typically have different scanning areas than the search radar equipped to the aircraft; when an aircraft is equipped with a tracking radar, its tracking area is shown as a darker area within the radar display (as seen in the image to the right).

A target can only be locked onto if it is within the tracking radars maximum range and search area (the dark section of the radar display). Once a target is locked on to, a box will appear around it, as well as around its icon on the radar display and compass (to differentiate the locked target from other radar targets). An accurate distance to the target will be displayed next to the locked target on the HUD, as well as an accurate closing speed (speed will read negative if the target is moving away from you). If your aircraft supports a lead indicator, then an accurate firing lead indicator will appear once you close to within 500-700 m of the target.

In order to maintain a lock on the target, you need to keep it within the tracking radars maximum range and tracking area; if the target is not detected by the tracking radar in too long the lock will be lost.

=====Obtaining and maintaining a radar lock=====
[[File:Radar_Lockon_Box.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The "lock-on box"]]
There are two ways to lock on to a target when using a tracking radar. When a search radar has detected targets which are within the tracking radar's tracking area one of them will be selected (have a vertical line either side of it). You can change the selected target by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key, when the "Lock radar target on" key is pressed it will turn on the tracking radar and automatically attempt to lock on to the selected target. Alternatively you can press the "Lock radar target on" or "Change radar mode" key (depending on radar type) to turn on (or switch to) the tracking radar. When this happens the tracking radar will begin a conical scan pointing directly forwards; a flashing green square will appear on the screen (image to the right). If you place the box over an aircraft then the tracking radar will try to lock on to it; note that surface clutter and other factors may inhibit the radar from locking on. The target you want to lock on to using this method should be within the range limits listed to the right of the box.

Like with real radars, multiple targets in close proximity to each other can confuse the tracker. If a target is locked and another aircraft flies past it, it is possible for the tracker to lose the lock on the target, or even transition the lock onto the other aircraft (something which also happens to real radar systems). In the previously described scenarios (or depending on how the target is moving relative to the player's aircraft), it is also possible for the target lead indicator to become temporarily inaccurate.

In order for a radar lock to be maintained, the target needs to be kept within the tracking radar's tracking area. If the target leaves this area for more than a short period of time, the lock will be lost. Try to use the whole width of the possible tracking area, which often is beyond the pilots field of view, so you don't have to fly directly towards your target (also see "crank maneouvre").

===Multi-mode radars===
Some radars such as the AN/APQ-100 (found on the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantom II]]) are what are known as multi-mode radars, the same radar antenna functions as both a search and tracking radar, although not at the same time. These radars can be toggled between search and tracking mode by pressing the "Change radar mode" key. Overall they function pretty much the same as aircraft with independent search and tracking radars, however as the antenna is being used for both searching and tracking it cannot do both at the same time. If you are tracking a target then you will lose search functionality.

'''Note:''' The [[RP-5]] does not count as a multi-mode radar as although it is responsible for both searching and tracking it does so using two separate antennas.

===Track While Scan (TWS)===
Some modern radars such as the AN/AWG-9 (found on the [[F-14A Early]]) and PS-46/A (fitted to the [[JA37C]]) feature a "Track While Scan" (TWS) mode, in which targets can be tracked while the radar simultaneously scans for other targets. One big advantage of such a radar is that tracking while in TWS mode doesn't trigger a spike in the enemies' radar warning receivers, because the radar intensity is lower. It can track multiple targets at the same time, making it a very powerful tool in conjunction with other systems such as [[Air-to-air_missiles#Active_Radar_Homing_.28ARH.29_missiles|active radar-homing]] and [[Air-to-air_missiles#Slaving_the_seeker_to_an_aircraft_tracking_radar|radar-slavable]] missiles. However, a hard lock is still required to be able to use [[Air-to-air_missiles#Semi-Active_Radar_Homing_.28SARH.29_missiles|semi-active radar-homing missiles]].

===Radar gunsights===
[[File:Radar_Gunsight.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The indicator present when a radar gunsight is fitted]]
Radar gunsights are fitted to a number of aircraft in the game. If there is no real radar, these aircraft can be identified by the presence of the radar gunsight indicator (see image to the right). A radar gunsight is very similar to a regular gyroscopic gunsight, however whereas on a regular gunsight the pilot would have to manually dial in a range, radar gunsights use a small ranging radar to automatically input the range for the target the pilot is pointing his guns at.

In game radar gunsights will automatically adjust the aircraft's gyroscopic gunsight in the cockpit view, making it more accurate. Modern planes also get a radar gunsight in 3rd person view for the locked target if you come close enough.

You can turn the radar gunsight on and off by pressing the "Lock radar target on" key. Often there is only a short range in which it will work like 200 - 500m distance.

[[File:F-16 ADF Radar gunsight.jpg|thumb|F-16 ADF: Line up the big circle in the right with the locked target to hit it with your gun. Distance must be less than 500m.]]
{{Youtube
|url = 0AbkWMi0ZJ4
|caption = Radar gunsight tutorial by TeaRex
|align = left
|size = 300
}}
{{break}}

==Factors affecting radar performance==
There are a number of factors which affect the performance of airborne radars. The details of different radars can be found on their individual pages, this section explains what the performance characteristics mean and what their significance is.

===Search radars===
====Maximum detection range====
The maximum range of the radar is the maximum theoretically possible distance at which a search radar can detect a target. It is unlikely however that aircraft will be detected until they are much closer than this range. The range at which a target will actually be detected depends on its radar cross section (in basic terms how big it is), and other factors such as surface clutter.

====Base detection range====
This is the range at which a target can be detected regardless of how small its radar cross section is '''before taking into account surface clutter and other factors'''. If the radar is not being affected by surface clutter or you are playing arcade battles (where surface clutter is not modelled) then this is effectively the range at which you are guaranteed to detect a target aircraft, no matter how small it is; larger aircraft may be detected further away than this range.

{{Notice|In Realistic and Simulator Battles where surface clutter is modelled, targets may not be detected until they are much closer than this range|!}}

====Minimum detection range====
Radars have a minimum range, at which they can function, targets closer than the minimum range cannot be detected by the radar.

====Azimuth scan limits====
The azimuth scan limits are how far to each side the radar can scan. For example, scan angles of ±75° means that the radar can see targets up to 75° to the left and 75° to the right.

====Elevation scan limits====
The elevation scan limits are how far to up and down in total, the radar might take multiple scans to cover its entire elevation range, see the [[#Raster Scan|raster scan section]] for more information.

====Period====
The period of the radar is how long it takes to complete one scan of its entire scanning area. This will take multiple individual sweeps, if the scan pattern has more than one raster bar.

===Tracking radars===
====Maximum tracking range====
The maximum tracking range is the maximum range at which a radar can maintain a track on a target.

====Minimum tracking range====
Tracking radars have a minimum range, below which they are unable to track targets. You cannot initiate tracks on targets closer than the minimum range, and if a tracked target comes closer than the minimum range the track will be lost.

====Azimuth tracking limits====
The azimuth tracking limits determine how far to each side the radar can track targets.

====Elevation tracking limits====
The elevation tracking limits determine how far up and down the radar can track targets.

===Clutter===
{{Notice|Surface clutter is not present in Arcade Battles.}}
Radars operate by emitting radio waves which then reflect off of targets and return to the radar. Unfortunately the radio waves also reflect off the ground, and other objects, leading to unwanted returns known as clutter. The type of clutter modelled in War Thunder is surface clutter (radar returns from the ground or sea).

In-game surface clutter is modelled as a green haze covering areas of the PPI, the more severe the ground clutter the more intense the haze gets. Anything more than mild surface clutter is usually enough to prevent the radar from picking up actual targets in the area the clutter is affecting. Likewise clutter can prevent tracking radars from effectively tracking targets.

As surface clutter is caused by reflections from the ground it is more pronounced when the radar is pointing downwards, and as such can prevent you from detecting targets which are below you in some situations. Different radars are affected by ground clutter to different extents, usually more modern radars are affected less than earlier ones.

===Side lobes===
[[File:Radar sidelobes.jpg|thumb|Visualization of radar sidelobes.]]
A radar is not a perfect flashlight, but emits so called "side lobes". These are much weaker than the main radar beam but close to ground they will confuse the radar aswell. They are also the reason why your [[RWR]] is triggered when you are flying close to a friendly aircraft.

==Airborne radars tips and ticks==
Useful information to know about airborne radars:

* If your radar is damaged (by gunfire or otherwise) you will not be able to turn it on until it is repaired
* Left and right, up and down, on the radar display are relative to your aircraft, so if you roll the aircraft it can affect where targets are drawn on the radar display.
* Consider changing the default target locking key from Ctrl+ F to stop yourself from accidentally breaking your flaps if you mis-press the key combo.
* Due to the raster scan pattern, targets may not be updated on every radar sweep, if you need more rapid updates try narrowing the search area.

=== Notching a Pulse-Doppler radar ===
[[File:Notching2.jpg|thumb|Top down view of a player getting notched by their target. The radar lock will break.]]
Some radars have the ability to operate in "pulse-Doppler" mode, which analyses the [[wikipedia:Doppler_effect|Doppler effect]] on returned radar pulses to determine an object's velocity, and thus identify and track targets. In order for the radar to lock a target, it needs to have a significant Doppler shift (difference in velocity compared to the surroundings). This, however, cannot happen when the target is moving perpendicularly to the radar, as the target is not moving towards or away from the radar with a meaningful difference in speed. This perpendicular movement is called "notching" and is the main way to defeat a pulse-Doppler radar. The simplest way to do this is to put the direction where the enemy is coming from to your 3/9 o'clock position, which makes your aircraft 90 degrees in relation to their radar. Keep in mind that notching will have minimal effect on a radar not operating in pulse-Doppler mode, and you should instead dive to take advantage of [[#Clutter|ground clutter]].

==Aircraft equipped with radars==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="13" | Aircraft with radars
|-
! !! Aircraft !! Rank !! [[#Radar gunsights|Radar gunsight]] !! [[#Target detection radars|Search radar]] !! [[#Target tracking radars|Tracking radar]] !! Band !! {{Annotation|Separate antennas|Radars with separate search and track antennas are able to perform both actions at the same time, leading to pseudo-TWS capabilities}} !! {{Annotation|IRST|Infrared search and track}} !! {{Annotation|MTI|Moving target indication}} !! {{Annotation|PD|Pulse-Doppler}} !! {{Annotation|[[#Track While Scan (TWS)|TWS]]|Track-while-Scan}}
!{{Annotation|IFF|Identify Friend or Foe - This does not work if using ACM mode, or in IRST.}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|a2d}} || 5 || - || [[AN/APS-19]] || [[AN/APS-19]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_a32a}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_a32a_red_adam}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_mk1}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_japan}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_aj37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-37A]] || [[PS-37A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ajs37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-37A]] || [[PS-37A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|amx}}
|7
|[[ELTA EL/M-2001B]]
| -
| -
|I
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-65Q]] || [[AN/APG-65Q]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16d_block_40_barak_2}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-68(V)5]] || [[AN/APG-68(V)5]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15a_iaf}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-68(V)5]]
|[[AN/APG-68(V)5]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4}} || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4_hungary}} || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13_mk4_italy}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_canadair_german}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217j_2}} || 1 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217n_1}} || 2 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217n_2}} || 2 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}} || 6 || - || [[DRAA 3D AIDA]] || [[DRAA 3D AIDA]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f2h-2}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f3d_1}} || 5 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f3h-2}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APQ-51]] || [[AN/APQ-51]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f4d_1}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APQ-50]] || [[AN/APQ-50]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n}} || 3 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france}} || 4 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f8u-2}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-67]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f9f-5}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f9f-8}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f11f_1_late}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f1}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-12]] || [[J/AWG-12]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4c}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-100]] || [[AN/APQ-100]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_adtw}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_kai}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66J]] || [[AN/APG-66J]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4f_late}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4f}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4j}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4jk}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4s}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-5e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-159]] || [[AN/APQ-159]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-5e_aidc}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-159]] || [[AN/APQ-159]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-8e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-94]] || - || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-104]] || [[AN/APQ-104]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_14a_early}} || 8 || - || [[AN/AWG-9]] || [[AN/AWG-9]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_14b}} || 8 || - || [[AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS]] || [[AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15a}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15j}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66]] || [[AN/APG-66]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf_italy}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_20_mlu}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)3]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)3]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16aj}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-68(V)7]] || [[AN/APG-68(V)7]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_france}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_germany}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_israel_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_italy}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g_italy}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g-31-re_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-2}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-25}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_japan}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-35}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_german}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-89b}} || 5 || - || - || [[AN/APG-33]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-89d}} || 5 || - || - || [[AN/APG-33]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100d}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_100f_china}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30A]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104a}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104a_china}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104c}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}} || 7 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g_italy}} || 6 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104j}} || 6 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}} || 7 || - || [[US R21G M1]] || [[US R21G M1]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s_cb}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-105d}} || 7 || - || [[AN/ASG-19]] || [[AN/ASG-19]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|fj_4b}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|he_219a_7}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f1}} || 6 || [[ARI.5820]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f6}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f58_switzerland}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f9_rhodesia}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j32b}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f50_sweden}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35a}} || 6 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35d}} || 7 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19j_6a}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7d}} || 7 || - || [[JL-7A]] || [[JL-7A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7e}} || 7 || [[Marconi Type 226]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7_mk2}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_8b}} || 7 || - || [[Type 208a]] || [[Type 208a]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_8f}} || 8 || - || [[Type 1492]] || [[Type 1492]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|j_11}}
|8
| -
|[[N001]]
|[[N001]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-46/A]] || [[PS-46/A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37d}} || 8 || - || [[PS-46/A]] || [[PS-46/A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39a}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_south_africa}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_hungary}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|javelin_fmk9}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ju-388j}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ka_52}} || 7 || - || [[RN-01 Crossbow]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_c2}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_c7}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_canard}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e_iaf}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e_kurnass_2000}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-76]] || [[AN/APG-76]] || J || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|la_200_toriy}} || 5 || - || [[Thorium]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|lightning_f6}} || 6 || - || [[AI Mk.23]] || [[AI Mk.23]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|lightning_f53}} || 6 || - || [[AI Mk.23]] || [[AI Mk.23]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|me-410b-6_r3}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-200]] || - || C || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|meteor_nfmk13}} || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mi_28nm}} || 7 || - || [[N-025]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-17p_lim_5p}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-17pf_hungary}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19pt}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19s}} || 6 || [[SRD-1]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_lazur}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_sps_k}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_21_bis_finland}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_pfm}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_s}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_smt}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23m}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_germany}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23ml}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mla}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mld}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12_germany}} || 8 || - || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12b_hungary}} || 8 || - || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_13}} || 8 || - || [[N019/OEPS-29]] || [[N019/OEPS-29]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12g}}
|8
| -
|[[N019E/OEPS-29E]]
|[[N019E/OEPS-29E]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29smt_9_19}} || 8 || - || [[N010M Zhuk-M]] || [[N010M Zhuk-M]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_milan}} || 6 || [[Aida II]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000_5f}} || 8 || - || [[Thales RDY]] || [[Thales RDY]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}} || 8 || - || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000d_r1}} || 8 || - || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|mirage_4000}}
|8
| -
|[[Thomson-CSF RDM-3]]
|[[Thomson-CSF RDM-3]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IV]] || [[Cyrano-IV]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c_200}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IV]] || [[Cyrano-IV]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1ct}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IVMR]] || [[Cyrano-IVMR]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano II]] || [[Cyrano II]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|nesher}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10_iaf}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66]] || [[AN/APG-66]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|p-61a_1}} || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|p-61c_1}} || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4k}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4m_fgr2}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n}} || 6 || - || [[DRAC-25A]] || [[DRAC-25A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_late}} || 5 || - || [[DRAC-32A]] || [[DRAC-32A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_saar}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35xs}} || 7 || - || [[PS-011/A 71H(IR)]] || [[PS-011/A 71H(IR)]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_sambad}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_i_saraph}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|harrier_frs1}} || 7 || - || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|harrier_frs1_early}} || 7 || - || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|sea_venom_faw20}} || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}} || 5 || - || [[AI Mk.18]] || [[AI Mk.18]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3cj}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
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| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7b}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7bkl}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7bmk}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_17m2}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_17m4}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m3}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m3_hungary}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m4}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22um3k}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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|[[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|su_27}}
|8
| -
|[[N001]]
|[[N001]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|super_etendard_97}} || 7 || - || [[Anemone]] || [[Anemone]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_yt_cup_2019}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
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| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|swift_f1}} || 5 || [[ARI.5857]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
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| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|swift_f7}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
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| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|t2}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-11]] || [[J/AWG-11]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
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| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|t2_early}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-11]] || [[J/AWG-11]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_adv}} || 8 || - || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_f3}} || 8 || - || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_gr1}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_mfg}} || 8 || - || [[ARI 23274]] || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
|[[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_wtd61}}
|7
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|[[ARI 23274]]
|[[ARI 23274]]
|J
| -
| -
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| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_it_mod95}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_assta1}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tu-1}} || 4 || - || [[GNEYS-5S]] || - || A || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_iaf}} || 6 || - || [[DRAC-25A]] || [[DRAC-25A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|yak_141}} || 8 || - || [[N010]] || [[N010]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|z_19}} || 6 || - || [[RN-01-II]] || - || K || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
|}

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|n78r6klLlEQ|'''Aircraft Radar: The Complete Guide (Current 2023)''' - ''Tims Variety''|bsBtBghAkyc|'''Complete Guide - Radar 101''' - ''DEFYN''|2NZVMgMpZSU|'''Boot Camp: Radar Systems''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''.|tQhEl042QE8|'''The Shooting Range #275''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 07:55 discusses aircraft radar systems.|tcIeR_s6fp8|'''The Shooting Range #204''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 09:23 discusses the radars.}}

== See also ==


* [[Air-to-air missiles]]
* [[Air-to-ground missiles]]
* [[:Category:Countermeasures]]
* [[SPAA radars]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6064-development-radar-station-new-opportunities-in-the-game-en|[Devblog] Radar Station: New opportunities in the game]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Radars]]

Airborne radars

2024-04-25T05:51:36Z

U8128791: /* Airborne radar controls */ Added recent additions to radar controls to "Airborne radar controls" table. But need descriptions as I'm not sure how these controls function. Corrected recent control description word-order changes in table.

[[File:Radar Engagement.jpg|x400px|border|right]]
==Overview==
'''Airborne Radars''' were added to the game in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]]. Airborne radars are found on aircraft at both low and high ranks, if an aircraft is equipped with radar then a radar display will be present in the right portion of a player's screen, as well as a compass displaying the player's current heading and the directions to detected targets at the top of the screen.

There are two main types of airborne radar in the game, target detection (search) radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars will detect aircraft (both friendly and hostile) and display them as a "blip" on the radar display, it will also place a triangle on the compass showing what direction the detected aircraft is in. Target tracking radars are more advanced; they allow the player to "lock-on" to a target. Once a target has been locked on to, a box will appear around it on the HUD and a read-out will provide the distance to the target and the closing speed between the player's aircraft and the target. Depending on the aircraft being flown tracking radars may also be able to provide an accurate firing lead indicator, once the player closes to within approximately 0.7 km.

==Airborne radar controls==
{{Notice|For information about [[IRST]] see the corrosponding article.}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | Airborne Radar Controls
|-
! Control name
! Default Keybind (PC keyboard & mouse)
! Description
|-
| Switch Radar/IRST search on/off || Alt + R || Turns the vehicle's search radar on or off
|-
|Switch between Radar and IRST
|
|
|-
| Change Radar/IRST mode || Unbound || Switches the radar between search mode and tracking mode for multi-mode radars, or normal and pulse-doppler mode for applicable radars
|-
|Radar/IRST beyond/within visual range combat
|
|
|-
| Change Radar/IRST search mode || Unbound || Toggles between the radar's search modes e.g. narrow scan or wide scan
|-
| Change Radar/IRST scope scale || Unbound || Changes the range scale of the radar display
|-
| Select Radar/IRST target to lock || Alt + T || Selects which target on the display to lock on to
|-
| Lock Radar/IRST on target || Alt + F || Locks onto the selected or nearest target on radar display or turns tracking radar on
|-
|}

==Airborne radars user interface==
===Basic user interface===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_HUD_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD for aircraft equipped with Radar]]
As previously mentioned, aircraft equipped with radars can be identified by the presence of the radar display and compass on the HUD (see image to the right).

Below the compass rose is a small arrow which displays the aircraft's current heading. Targets detected by the radar will also have their bearing displayed on the compass as a triangle.

One or two radar scopes will be present in the right hand portion of the screen; they are discussed in detail later in the article. If the radar is experiencing surface clutter interference then an icon (visible in the image to the right) will be present next to the power indicator, consisting of two arrows and a series of bars. The number of bars illuminated indicates how severe surface clutter is (one bar means minor interference, four bars means major interference); if the aircraft has two radars activated then each one will have its own surface clutter indicator.

If the radar has been deactivated, a separate icon will be displayed instead of the radar display.

There are several different types of radar target which can appear on the radar display and compass. A basic radar target will appear as a bar on the radar display and a triangle on the compass. The radar target which is selected will appear with a vertical line either side of it; and the radar target which is locked on to will appear with a box around it. Some radars are fitted with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, these radars will display friendly radar targets with a horizontal line above them.

[[File:Radar_Target_Types.png|thumb|600px|left|The different types of targets.]]{{break}}

===Radar display types===
====Plan Position Indicator (PPI)====
[[File:Radar PPI Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The plan position indicator radar display]]
The default display is a "Plan Position Indicator" (PPI) type display. It is in the shape of a sector and represents a top-down view of the area in front of the aircraft. The radar is located in the bottom centre of the display; the distance a target is from the centre point shows how far away it is, while its angle from the centre line shows its azimuth.

{{Notice|The PPI can display the range and azimuth of a target, but not its elevation}}

When the radar is turned on, a bar representing the current scan angle sweeps back and forth, radially, about the centre point. A series of four concentric range rings can be used to determine how far away the detected targets are (to get the distance between rings divide the range scale by 4), and a series of bars (at 15-degree angles) help tell the azimuth of detected targets. If a radar has an azimuth scan angle of less than 180 degrees then the display is still a semicircle.

The readout to the left of the scope shows the azimuth and elevation scan angles, while the readout to the right shows the currently selected range scale.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all approximately 4.5 km away from the player. One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's elevation difference from the player using only the PPI.

====C-scope====
[[File:Radar C-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The C-scope radar display]]
In addition to the PPI some aircraft have access to a C-scope type display (positioned underneath the PPI). The C-scope displays the same radar targets as the PPI, but in a different format. Whereas a PPI is a top-down view, the C-scope is forwards-looking. It is a rectangular display where how far from the azimuth centre line a target is shows its azimuth and how far from the elevation centre line a target is shows its elevation.

{{Notice|The C-scope can display the azimuth and elevation of a target, but not its range}}

In addition to the azimuth and elevation centre lines there are two other horizontal lines on the display, these show the minimum and maximum elevation scan angles of the radar. It should be noted that the degree values shown to the right of the C-scope are the minimum and maximum elevation angles of the scope, not the radar.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all slightly below the player (they are below the elevation centre line). One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's range from the player using only the PPI.

By using a combination of the PPI and C-scope you can work out the range, azimuth and elevation of individual targets.

====B-Scope====
[[File:Radar B-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The B-scope radar display]]

An alternative radar display (instead of the PPI) is available in the form of a "B-Scope" type display. It can be enabled via the "Use rectangular radar indicator" setting. It is a square display providing a 2-D "top-down" representation of space, the vertical axis represents the range to the target and the horizontal axis represents the azimuth (angle) of the target. The maximum and minimum azimuth scan angles are displayed in the top corners of the display, as is the range setting. A series of four range bars can be used to determine how far away detected targets are, and vertical bars can be used to determine what direction the target is in. When the radar is turned on a vertical bar representing the current scan angle moves horizontally, back and forth, across the display.

==Radar operation==
===Basic radar operation===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Angles_Diagram.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Diagram showing the scan angles of a radar]]
When turned on, radars will scan a pyramid or cone-shaped area in front of the player's aircraft (illustrated in the image to the right). Radars can only detect targets which fall within their scanning area, the size and shape of which varies depending on the model of radar. Each radar has a maximum and minimum azimuth scan angle (how far to each side it will scan); and a maximum and minimum elevation scan angle (how far up and down it will scan). Radars also have a minimum detection range (typically 150 - 300 m), below which targets will not be detected (not that you should need a radar to see an aircraft that close).

As with other characteristics, the maximum detection range varies greatly between radars (from as little as 4 km, to in excess of 40 km). Targets are not guaranteed to be detected at the radar's maximum detection range. The range at which a target is detected will depend on how much radar energy it reflects back to the radar, which is in turn determined by its Radar Cross-Section (RCS). Generally larger aircraft have a larger RCS so will be detected at greater ranges; for example the [[AI Mk. X]] radar (fitted to the [[Sea Venom FAW 20]]) can detect the large [[G5N1]] bomber at its maximum detection range of 14 km, however, can only detect the much smaller [[He 162 A-1]] at approximately 9 - 9.5 km.

When a radar detects a target, it appears as a "blip" on the radar display. Its position will not be updated until the radar detects it again (usually on the next scan, as indicated by the sweeping bar). When the target is re-detected, its old blip is removed and a new one plotted at the location it was re-detected at. If enough time elapses without a target being re-detected (either due to the target now being outside of the radar's scanning area, or simply the radar not scanning fast enough) then the target's blip will fade and disappear from the radar display. Likewise after a period of not being detected a target which has been locked onto will be lost.

===Radar modes===
====SRC====
The Search (SRC) mode is the basic search radar mode. It is prone to ground clutter, or clouds cluttering it. This means if behind the enemy is something that reflects radar waves, the enemy will be hidden from your radar. So if you are looking downwards its not recommended to use this mode, but if you are looking upwards and there are no clouds in view you should can use this mode if no better is available.

====SRC PD====
The Pulse-Doppler (PD) mode uses a signal processing filter, which eliminates out returns that have closure rate of your planes speed. So the ground will be filtered out, but also objects moving perpendicular towards your plane (so called notching). It also may have different blind spots resulting from the frequencies used in the radar, so that when chasing a target you might fail to get a lock on. Use fast IR missiles like the [[R-27ET]] then.

====SRC PD HDN====
It works like SRC PDN but is made for head-on engagements. Some radars will completely filter out targets that dont move towards you in this mode.

====SRC PDV HDN====
The display shows the targets not sorted by distance but by velocity. This makes it easier to select the target coming towards you at the fastest speed.

====SRC MTI====
MTI stands for moving target indication. It allows look-down capability, which means it filters out ground clutter. It is harder to notch than SRC PD but has a smaller range. Also even when the radar is able to maintain lock the missiles seeker might be not able to follow the target in a notching situation.

====SRC IR====
Not actually a radar but optical tracking. See [[IRST]].

====TWS====
See below for Track-while-scan mode.

====TWS HDN====
Works like TWS mode but shows only targets that fly towards you.

===Radar range scale===
Some radars allow for the range scale of the radar scope to be changed, in order to change the range scale a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar scope scale" control. The currently selected range scale is shown on the radar display, if the range scale is changed then the display will stay the same size, but the targets will be placed on the display according to the new scale. '''It is worth noting that the default range scale may be less than the radar's maximum detection range''', so you may need to increase the range scale in order to make full use of your radar. Some radars can be set to a range scale far in excess of the radar's maximum detection range; targets will not be detected outside of a radar's maximum detection range, regardless of range scale setting.

===Radar search mode===
Some radars allow for different search modes to be activated. The default search mode on radars usually (although not always) makes use of the radar's full scanning area. While this is useful for detecting targets in a wide area this can come with the drawback of each scan taking longer to complete (as the radar has to scan a larger area), meaning that targets are updated less frequently on the radar display. Some radars allow the operator to change the search mode so that the radar only scans a smaller area, this means that targets can be updated on the radar more often, but has the drawback of targets only being detectable in a more narrow area in front of the player's aircraft. This ability is primarily useful for keeping track of fast moving or manoeuvring targets, where the slower scan time associated with a full scan, would make tracking the movement of such a target difficult. When the radar mode is changed the PPI will remain the same size / shape, but two hard lines will appear indicating the new scanning limits; rang rings and azimuth bars will not be drawn outside of the lines. In order to change radar scanning mode, a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar search mode" control (located under the "Weaponry" heading of the aircraft controls menu).

{{Notice|The modes available vary depending on the specific radar. Some radars change the azimuth scanning angles, while others change the elevation scanning angles.}}

===Detecting/tracking ground targets===
Some search radars and tracking radars are capable of detecting and locking on to ground targets. For these radars ground targets appear on the PPI the same as air targets, and can be locked on to the same way. This functionality is not massively useful, but can come in handy when trying to find player controlled tanks to kill. Ground clutter also limits how effective these radars are at finding ground targets. See individual radar pages to find out if they can detect ground targets.

===Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM)===
Some radars feature a so called Air Combat Maneuvering Mode which will scan for a target in a narrow cone and a reduced range. If a target is found, the radar will switch automatically to Tracking Mode and lock on the target which was just found. The radar on the F-14A features three ACM modes which have different search rectangles for different situations.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:ACM cone.jpg|ACM mode with a centered small rectangle search area.
File:ACM vertical centered.jpg|ACM mode with avertical centered search area.
File:ACM Mode vertical high.jpg|ACM mode with a vertical upwards looking search area.
</gallery>

====ACM HMD====
Some planes have a so called head mounted display (HMD), which allows the pilot to select targets by looking into their direction. Switch the radar into ACM HMD mode and use your look around button to align the square with the target you want to lock on. Then push "select target" to confirm and the radar tries to lock.

==Radar scan patterns==
{{Notice|This topic is included for those who want a better understanding of how different radars scan for targets, it is not essential knowledge, but may be useful.}}
===Raster Scan===
[[File:Radar_Raster_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|right|A 4 bar, one-way, bi-directional raster scan pattern; the green square represents the radar beam.]]
Most search radars in the game use what is known as a bi-directional raster scan (see image to the right). The radar beam starts in the top corner of the scanning area and moves horizontally until it reaches the other side of the scanning area; it then drops down and moves horizontally in the other direction until it reaches the original side of the scanning area. The process repeats until the radar beam has reached the bottom corner of the scanning area. At this point the beam will do one of two things; if the radar uses a one-way raster scan then the beam will move directly upwards from its finishing position until it reaches the top corner of the scanning area, where it starts the process again. If it is a two-way raster scan then when the beam reaches the bottom corner its movement will reverse and it will work its way back up to the top of the scanning area, following the path it just took in reverse.

The raster scan pattern allows the radar to identify targets on different elevations. Each sweep the radar makes on a different elevation is known as a bar; for example the scan pattern shown in the image to the right has 4 bars as the radar completes 4 scans in the process of covering the scan area. The number of bars in the scan, and the height of each bar (measured in degrees) width of the scan in the elevation axis; the width of the scan in the azimuth axis is determined by how far to each side the radar scans.

{{Notice|The PPI shows the radar sweeping over each bar, so on a 4 bar scan a target on the PPI may only be refreshed once every 4 sweeps (due to the radar sweeping over a bar the target is not located in).}}

If you know the number of bars in the radar's scan pattern, the height of each bar, and the vertical offset (more on this later) then you can calculate the minimum and maximum elevation scanning angles of the radar (how far up and down the radar see). You start by calculating the elevation width of the radar as follows:

<code>elevation width = number of bars * height of each bar</code>

At this point it is tempting to just divide the elevation width by 2 and conclude that the resulting number is how far off the elevation centre line in each direction the radar can see (e.g. for a elevation width of 30° the radar can see 15° up and 15° down), however this is not always the case. Some radars have more bars above the elevation centre line than below it (or vice versa), that is to say they can look further up than they can down or vice versa. This gives rise to the concept of a "vertical offset" (measured in degrees), i.e. how far upwards (or downwards) the bars are shifted from being evenly distributed either side of the elevation centre line.

When this is factored in we get the following equations for working out the minimum and maximum elevation limits of the radar:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (elevation width / 2) + vertical offset

minimum elevation angle = (-1 * (elevation width / 2)) + vertical offset
</code>

For example if we take the [[AN/APS-21]] radar. Its scan pattern uses 15 bars, each 2° in height, giving us an elevation width of 30°; with a vertical offset of +5°. If we put this into the equations above we get the following:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (30 / 2) + 5 = '''20°'''

minimum elevation angle = (-1 *(30 / 2)) + 5 = '''-10°'''
</code>

This means the AN/APS-21 radar can detect targets up to 20° above the player and 10° below the player.

===Conical Scan===
[[File:Radar_Conical_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|right|A conical scan pattern; the green circle represents the radar beam.]]
Tracking radars in the game use what is known as a conical scan, instead of a raster scan. In a conical scan the radar beam rotates around a central axis, with a few degrees offset from the centre. The result of this is that the radar scans a narrow cone shaped area in front of the aircraft. The rotation of the beam also means the radar to tell where the target is within the cone, allowing the radar to effectively track the target.
{{clear}}

===Continuously updating radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Constantly_Updated_Radar.jpg|thumb|250px|right|An example of a non-scanning radar, notice how the whole scan area is illuminated at once]]
The German Lichtenstein family of radars (the radars found on German WW2 planes) are unique compared to other radars currently in the game, in that they do not scan for targets. Instead, they constantly emit a cone of radar energy and detect the return. This gives them the advantage of having the radar constantly updating (instead of updating only when the radar scans over a target). However, as a trade-off, these radars have a poor range (only 4 or 5 km) and a narrow scanning area. When these radars are active, instead of seeing a sweeping line the entire scanning area of the radar is illuminated and radar blips update continuously. An example of this can be seen in the image to the right.

==Types of airborne radars==
The two main types of radar are target detection radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars are found on vehicles from rank 1, however, the more advanced target tracking radars are reserved for high-rank vehicles. Vehicles are typically equipped with target tracking radars in addition to target detection radars, with the two working in tandem.

===Target detection radars===
Target detection radars, also known as search radars, have no tracking ability and simply display detected targets on the radar display and compass. The basic operation of target detection radars has been discussed previously in this article. Target detection radars are available from rank 1, radars found at higher ranks have much better characteristics (larger scanning area, better range, etc.).

===Target tracking radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radars_Target_Tracking_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD when a target is being tracked. '''Note:''' Lead indicator is no longer available for the Javelin.]]
Target tracking radars are fitted to some aircraft in addition to target detection radars. They typically have a short range compared to the aircraft's search radar (hence a search radar is equipped to find targets at long ranges), however, they have the ability to track and "lock-on" to targets. Tracking radars typically have different scanning areas than the search radar equipped to the aircraft; when an aircraft is equipped with a tracking radar, its tracking area is shown as a darker area within the radar display (as seen in the image to the right).

A target can only be locked onto if it is within the tracking radars maximum range and search area (the dark section of the radar display). Once a target is locked on to, a box will appear around it, as well as around its icon on the radar display and compass (to differentiate the locked target from other radar targets). An accurate distance to the target will be displayed next to the locked target on the HUD, as well as an accurate closing speed (speed will read negative if the target is moving away from you). If your aircraft supports a lead indicator, then an accurate firing lead indicator will appear once you close to within 500-700 m of the target.

In order to maintain a lock on the target, you need to keep it within the tracking radars maximum range and tracking area; if the target is not detected by the tracking radar in too long the lock will be lost.

=====Obtaining and maintaining a radar lock=====
[[File:Radar_Lockon_Box.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The "lock-on box"]]
There are two ways to lock on to a target when using a tracking radar. When a search radar has detected targets which are within the tracking radar's tracking area one of them will be selected (have a vertical line either side of it). You can change the selected target by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key, when the "Lock radar target on" key is pressed it will turn on the tracking radar and automatically attempt to lock on to the selected target. Alternatively you can press the "Lock radar target on" or "Change radar mode" key (depending on radar type) to turn on (or switch to) the tracking radar. When this happens the tracking radar will begin a conical scan pointing directly forwards; a flashing green square will appear on the screen (image to the right). If you place the box over an aircraft then the tracking radar will try to lock on to it; note that surface clutter and other factors may inhibit the radar from locking on. The target you want to lock on to using this method should be within the range limits listed to the right of the box.

Like with real radars, multiple targets in close proximity to each other can confuse the tracker. If a target is locked and another aircraft flies past it, it is possible for the tracker to lose the lock on the target, or even transition the lock onto the other aircraft (something which also happens to real radar systems). In the previously described scenarios (or depending on how the target is moving relative to the player's aircraft), it is also possible for the target lead indicator to become temporarily inaccurate.

In order for a radar lock to be maintained, the target needs to be kept within the tracking radar's tracking area. If the target leaves this area for more than a short period of time, the lock will be lost. Try to use the whole width of the possible tracking area, which often is beyond the pilots field of view, so you don't have to fly directly towards your target (also see "crank maneouvre").

===Multi-mode radars===
Some radars such as the AN/APQ-100 (found on the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantom II]]) are what are known as multi-mode radars, the same radar antenna functions as both a search and tracking radar, although not at the same time. These radars can be toggled between search and tracking mode by pressing the "Change radar mode" key. Overall they function pretty much the same as aircraft with independent search and tracking radars, however as the antenna is being used for both searching and tracking it cannot do both at the same time. If you are tracking a target then you will lose search functionality.

'''Note:''' The [[RP-5]] does not count as a multi-mode radar as although it is responsible for both searching and tracking it does so using two separate antennas.

===Track While Scan (TWS)===
Some modern radars such as the AN/AWG-9 (found on the [[F-14A Early]]) and PS-46/A (fitted to the [[JA37C]]) feature a "Track While Scan" (TWS) mode, in which targets can be tracked while the radar simultaneously scans for other targets. One big advantage of such a radar is that tracking while in TWS mode doesn't trigger a spike in the enemies' radar warning receivers, because the radar intensity is lower. It can track multiple targets at the same time, making it a very powerful tool in conjunction with other systems such as [[Air-to-air_missiles#Active_Radar_Homing_.28ARH.29_missiles|active radar-homing]] and [[Air-to-air_missiles#Slaving_the_seeker_to_an_aircraft_tracking_radar|radar-slavable]] missiles. However, a hard lock is still required to be able to use [[Air-to-air_missiles#Semi-Active_Radar_Homing_.28SARH.29_missiles|semi-active radar-homing missiles]].

===Radar gunsights===
[[File:Radar_Gunsight.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The indicator present when a radar gunsight is fitted]]
Radar gunsights are fitted to a number of aircraft in the game. If there is no real radar, these aircraft can be identified by the presence of the radar gunsight indicator (see image to the right). A radar gunsight is very similar to a regular gyroscopic gunsight, however whereas on a regular gunsight the pilot would have to manually dial in a range, radar gunsights use a small ranging radar to automatically input the range for the target the pilot is pointing his guns at.

In game radar gunsights will automatically adjust the aircraft's gyroscopic gunsight in the cockpit view, making it more accurate. Modern planes also get a radar gunsight in 3rd person view for the locked target if you come close enough.

You can turn the radar gunsight on and off by pressing the "Lock radar target on" key. Often there is only a short range in which it will work like 200 - 500m distance.

[[File:F-16 ADF Radar gunsight.jpg|thumb|F-16 ADF: Line up the big circle in the right with the locked target to hit it with your gun. Distance must be less than 500m.]]
{{Youtube
|url = 0AbkWMi0ZJ4
|caption = Radar gunsight tutorial by TeaRex
|align = left
|size = 300
}}
{{break}}

==Factors affecting radar performance==
There are a number of factors which affect the performance of airborne radars. The details of different radars can be found on their individual pages, this section explains what the performance characteristics mean and what their significance is.

===Search radars===
====Maximum detection range====
The maximum range of the radar is the maximum theoretically possible distance at which a search radar can detect a target. It is unlikely however that aircraft will be detected until they are much closer than this range. The range at which a target will actually be detected depends on its radar cross section (in basic terms how big it is), and other factors such as surface clutter.

====Base detection range====
This is the range at which a target can be detected regardless of how small its radar cross section is '''before taking into account surface clutter and other factors'''. If the radar is not being affected by surface clutter or you are playing arcade battles (where surface clutter is not modelled) then this is effectively the range at which you are guaranteed to detect a target aircraft, no matter how small it is; larger aircraft may be detected further away than this range.

{{Notice|In Realistic and Simulator Battles where surface clutter is modelled, targets may not be detected until they are much closer than this range|!}}

====Minimum detection range====
Radars have a minimum range, at which they can function, targets closer than the minimum range cannot be detected by the radar.

====Azimuth scan limits====
The azimuth scan limits are how far to each side the radar can scan. For example, scan angles of ±75° means that the radar can see targets up to 75° to the left and 75° to the right.

====Elevation scan limits====
The elevation scan limits are how far to up and down in total, the radar might take multiple scans to cover its entire elevation range, see the [[#Raster Scan|raster scan section]] for more information.

====Period====
The period of the radar is how long it takes to complete one scan of its entire scanning area. This will take multiple individual sweeps, if the scan pattern has more than one raster bar.

===Tracking radars===
====Maximum tracking range====
The maximum tracking range is the maximum range at which a radar can maintain a track on a target.

====Minimum tracking range====
Tracking radars have a minimum range, below which they are unable to track targets. You cannot initiate tracks on targets closer than the minimum range, and if a tracked target comes closer than the minimum range the track will be lost.

====Azimuth tracking limits====
The azimuth tracking limits determine how far to each side the radar can track targets.

====Elevation tracking limits====
The elevation tracking limits determine how far up and down the radar can track targets.

===Clutter===
{{Notice|Surface clutter is not present in Arcade Battles.}}
Radars operate by emitting radio waves which then reflect off of targets and return to the radar. Unfortunately the radio waves also reflect off the ground, and other objects, leading to unwanted returns known as clutter. The type of clutter modelled in War Thunder is surface clutter (radar returns from the ground or sea).

In-game surface clutter is modelled as a green haze covering areas of the PPI, the more severe the ground clutter the more intense the haze gets. Anything more than mild surface clutter is usually enough to prevent the radar from picking up actual targets in the area the clutter is affecting. Likewise clutter can prevent tracking radars from effectively tracking targets.

As surface clutter is caused by reflections from the ground it is more pronounced when the radar is pointing downwards, and as such can prevent you from detecting targets which are below you in some situations. Different radars are affected by ground clutter to different extents, usually more modern radars are affected less than earlier ones.

===Side lobes===
[[File:Radar sidelobes.jpg|thumb|Visualization of radar sidelobes.]]
A radar is not a perfect flashlight, but emits so called "side lobes". These are much weaker than the main radar beam but close to ground they will confuse the radar aswell. They are also the reason why your [[RWR]] is triggered when you are flying close to a friendly aircraft.

==Airborne radars tips and ticks==
Useful information to know about airborne radars:

* If your radar is damaged (by gunfire or otherwise) you will not be able to turn it on until it is repaired
* Left and right, up and down, on the radar display are relative to your aircraft, so if you roll the aircraft it can affect where targets are drawn on the radar display.
* Consider changing the default target locking key from Ctrl+ F to stop yourself from accidentally breaking your flaps if you mis-press the key combo.
* Due to the raster scan pattern, targets may not be updated on every radar sweep, if you need more rapid updates try narrowing the search area.

=== Notching a Pulse-Doppler radar ===
[[File:Notching2.jpg|thumb|Top down view of a player getting notched by their target. The radar lock will break.]]
Some radars have the ability to operate in "pulse-Doppler" mode, which analyses the [[wikipedia:Doppler_effect|Doppler effect]] on returned radar pulses to determine an object's velocity, and thus identify and track targets. In order for the radar to lock a target, it needs to have a significant Doppler shift (difference in velocity compared to the surroundings). This, however, cannot happen when the target is moving perpendicularly to the radar, as the target is not moving towards or away from the radar with a meaningful difference in speed. This perpendicular movement is called "notching" and is the main way to defeat a pulse-Doppler radar. The simplest way to do this is to put the direction where the enemy is coming from to your 3/9 o'clock position, which makes your aircraft 90 degrees in relation to their radar. Keep in mind that notching will have minimal effect on a radar not operating in pulse-Doppler mode, and you should instead dive to take advantage of [[#Clutter|ground clutter]].

==Aircraft equipped with radars==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="13" | Aircraft with radars
|-
! !! Aircraft !! Rank !! [[#Radar gunsights|Radar gunsight]] !! [[#Target detection radars|Search radar]] !! [[#Target tracking radars|Tracking radar]] !! Band !! {{Annotation|Separate antennas|Radars with separate search and track antennas are able to perform both actions at the same time, leading to pseudo-TWS capabilities}} !! {{Annotation|IRST|Infrared search and track}} !! {{Annotation|MTI|Moving target indication}} !! {{Annotation|PD|Pulse-Doppler}} !! {{Annotation|[[#Track While Scan (TWS)|TWS]]|Track-while-Scan}}
!{{Annotation|IFF|Identify Friend or Foe - This does not work if using ACM mode, or in IRST.}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|a2d}} || 5 || - || [[AN/APS-19]] || [[AN/APS-19]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_a32a}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_a32a_red_adam}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_mk1}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_japan}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_aj37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-37A]] || [[PS-37A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ajs37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-37A]] || [[PS-37A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|amx}}
|7
|[[ELTA EL/M-2001B]]
| -
| -
|I
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-65Q]] || [[AN/APG-65Q]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16d_block_40_barak_2}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-68(V)5]] || [[AN/APG-68(V)5]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15a_iaf}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-68(V)5]]
|[[AN/APG-68(V)5]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4}} || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4_hungary}} || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13_mk4_italy}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_canadair_german}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217j_2}} || 1 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217n_1}} || 2 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|do_217n_2}} || 2 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}} || 6 || - || [[DRAA 3D AIDA]] || [[DRAA 3D AIDA]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f2h-2}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f3d_1}} || 5 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f3h-2}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APQ-51]] || [[AN/APQ-51]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f4d_1}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APQ-50]] || [[AN/APQ-50]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n}} || 3 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france}} || 4 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f8u-2}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-67]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f9f-5}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f9f-8}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f11f_1_late}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f1}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-12]] || [[J/AWG-12]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4c}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-100]] || [[AN/APQ-100]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_adtw}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_kai}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66J]] || [[AN/APG-66J]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4f_late}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4f}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4j}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4jk}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4s}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-5e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-159]] || [[AN/APQ-159]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-5e_aidc}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-159]] || [[AN/APQ-159]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-8e}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-94]] || - || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-104]] || [[AN/APQ-104]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_14a_early}} || 8 || - || [[AN/AWG-9]] || [[AN/AWG-9]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_14b}} || 8 || - || [[AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS]] || [[AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15a}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|f_15j}}
|8
| -
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|[[AN/APG-63]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66]] || [[AN/APG-66]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf_italy}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_20_mlu}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)3]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)3]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16aj}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || [[AN/APG-66(V)1]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-68(V)7]] || [[AN/APG-68(V)7]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_france}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_germany}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_israel_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_italy}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84f_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g_italy}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-84g-31-re_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-2}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-25}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_japan}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-35}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_china}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_german}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-89b}} || 5 || - || - || [[AN/APG-33]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-89d}} || 5 || - || - || [[AN/APG-33]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100d}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_100f_china}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30A]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104a}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104a_china}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104c}} || 6 || - || [[AN/ASG-14]] || [[AN/ASG-14]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}} || 7 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104g_italy}} || 6 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104j}} || 6 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}} || 7 || - || [[US R21G M1]] || [[US R21G M1]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-104s_cb}} || 7 || - || [[NASARR]] || [[NASARR]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-105d}} || 7 || - || [[AN/ASG-19]] || [[AN/ASG-19]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|fj_4b}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|he_219a_7}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f1}} || 6 || [[ARI.5820]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f6}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f58_switzerland}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f9_rhodesia}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j32b}} || 6 || - || [[PS-42 TA]] || [[PS-42 TT]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|hunter_f50_sweden}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35a}} || 6 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35d}} || 7 || - || [[PS-03]] || [[PS-03]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19j_6a}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7d}} || 7 || - || [[JL-7A]] || [[JL-7A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7e}} || 7 || [[Marconi Type 226]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_7_mk2}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_8b}} || 7 || - || [[Type 208a]] || [[Type 208a]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|j_8f}} || 8 || - || [[Type 1492]] || [[Type 1492]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|j_11}}
|8
| -
|[[N001]]
|[[N001]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37}} || 7 || - || [[PS-46/A]] || [[PS-46/A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37d}} || 8 || - || [[PS-46/A]] || [[PS-46/A]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39a}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_south_africa}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_hungary}}
|8
| -
|[[PS-05A]]
|[[PS-05A]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|javelin_fmk9}} || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ju-388j}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || B || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ka_52}} || 7 || - || [[RN-01 Crossbow]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_c2}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_c7}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|kfir_canard}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e_iaf}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APQ-120]] || [[AN/APQ-120]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4e_kurnass_2000}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-76]] || [[AN/APG-76]] || J || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|la_200_toriy}} || 5 || - || [[Thorium]] || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|lightning_f6}} || 6 || - || [[AI Mk.23]] || [[AI Mk.23]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|lightning_f53}} || 6 || - || [[AI Mk.23]] || [[AI Mk.23]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|me-410b-6_r3}} || 4 || - || [[FuG-200]] || - || C || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|meteor_nfmk13}} || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mi_28nm}} || 7 || - || [[N-025]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-17p_lim_5p}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-17pf_hungary}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19pt}} || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || I || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-19s}} || 6 || [[SRD-1]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_lazur}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_sps_k}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_21_bis_finland}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_pfm}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_s}} || 6 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig-21_smt}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-21]] || [[Sapphire-21]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23m}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_germany}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_hungary}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || [[Sapphire-23D/TP-23]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23ml}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mla}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_23mld}} || 7 || - || [[Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M]] || [[Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M]] || J || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12_germany}} || 8 || - || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12b_hungary}} || 8 || - || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || [[N019E/OEPS-29E]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_13}} || 8 || - || [[N019/OEPS-29]] || [[N019/OEPS-29]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} ||{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12g}}
|8
| -
|[[N019E/OEPS-29E]]
|[[N019E/OEPS-29E]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mig_29smt_9_19}} || 8 || - || [[N010M Zhuk-M]] || [[N010M Zhuk-M]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_milan}} || 6 || [[Aida II]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000_5f}} || 8 || - || [[Thales RDY]] || [[Thales RDY]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}} || 8 || - || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000d_r1}} || 8 || - || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || [[Thomson-CSF RDI]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
|[[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|mirage_4000}}
|8
| -
|[[Thomson-CSF RDM-3]]
|[[Thomson-CSF RDM-3]]
|I
| -
| -
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IV]] || [[Cyrano-IV]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c_200}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IV]] || [[Cyrano-IV]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1ct}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano-IVMR]] || [[Cyrano-IVMR]] || I || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano II]] || [[Cyrano II]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a_iaf}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|nesher}} || 7 || [[ELTA EL/M-2001B]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10_iaf}} || 8 || - || [[AN/APG-66]] || [[AN/APG-66]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|p-61a_1}} || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|p-61c_1}} || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4k}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|f-4m_fgr2}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n}} || 6 || - || [[DRAC-25A]] || [[DRAC-25A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_late}} || 5 || - || [[DRAC-32A]] || [[DRAC-32A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_saar}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|saab_j35xs}} || 7 || - || [[PS-011/A 71H(IR)]] || [[PS-011/A 71H(IR)]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_sambad}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_i_saraph}} || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-78]] || - || K || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|harrier_frs1}} || 7 || - || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|harrier_frs1_early}} || 7 || - || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || [[Ferranti Blue Fox]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|sea_venom_faw20}} || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || F || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}} || 5 || - || [[AI Mk.18]] || [[AI Mk.18]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|mirage_3cj}} || 7 || - || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || [[Cyrano Ibis]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7b}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7bkl}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su-7bmk}} || 6 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_17m2}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_17m4}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m3}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m3_hungary}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22m4}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|su_22um3k}} || 7 || [[SRD-5]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
|[[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|su_27}}
|8
| -
|[[N001]]
|[[N001]]
|I
| -
|{{Tick}}
| -
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|super_etendard_97}} || 7 || - || [[Anemone]] || [[Anemone]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|md_460_yt_cup_2019}} || 6 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|swift_f1}} || 5 || [[ARI.5857]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|swift_f7}} || 5 || [[AN/APG-30]] || - || - || I || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|t2}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-11]] || [[J/AWG-11]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|t2_early}} || 6 || - || [[J/AWG-11]] || [[J/AWG-11]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_adv}} || 8 || - || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_f3}} || 8 || - || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || [[GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G]] || I || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_gr1}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_mfg}} || 8 || - || [[ARI 23274]] || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
|[[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]]
|{{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_wtd61}}
|7
| -
|[[ARI 23274]]
|[[ARI 23274]]
|J
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_it_mod95}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_assta1}} || 8 || - || - || [[ARI 23274]] || J || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|tu-1}} || 4 || - || [[GNEYS-5S]] || - || A || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
| [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_iaf}} || 6 || - || [[DRAC-25A]] || [[DRAC-25A]] || I || - || - || - || - || -
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|yak_141}} || 8 || - || [[N010]] || [[N010]] || I || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|{{Tick}}
|-
| [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || {{Specs-Link|z_19}} || 6 || - || [[RN-01-II]] || - || K || - || - || - || - || -
| -
|-
|}

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|n78r6klLlEQ|'''Aircraft Radar: The Complete Guide (Current 2023)''' - ''Tims Variety''|bsBtBghAkyc|'''Complete Guide - Radar 101''' - ''DEFYN''|2NZVMgMpZSU|'''Boot Camp: Radar Systems''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''.|tQhEl042QE8|'''The Shooting Range #275''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 07:55 discusses aircraft radar systems.|tcIeR_s6fp8|'''The Shooting Range #204''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 09:23 discusses the radars.}}

== See also ==


* [[Air-to-air missiles]]
* [[Air-to-ground missiles]]
* [[:Category:Countermeasures]]
* [[SPAA radars]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6064-development-radar-station-new-opportunities-in-the-game-en|[Devblog] Radar Station: New opportunities in the game]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Radars]]

Yak-9UT

2024-03-24T03:31:51Z

U8128791: /* General info */ grammar

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-9 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-9ut
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]].

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


The Yak-9UT has an extremely high acceleration rate which is enhanced compared to earlier Yaks due to using the new Klimov M-107 engine. Unfortunately, like all Yaks, it has a poor engine performance at high altitude, though not as bad as VK-105 powered Yaks. It also has good manoeuvrability that gets better at higher speeds (above 400 km/h), but you will still be outmanoeuvred by Zeroes and Spitfires. Keep in mind that the ailerons will start to compress above 500 km/h

The Yak-9UT doesn't have the ability to carry bombs, however, it does have access to other gun configuration options many other aircraft do not have. By default, you have twin B-20S 20 mm cannons mounted on the top of the nose cowling and a single 23 mm cannon mounted in the propeller shaft, you have also access to the twin B-20S and an N-37 37 mm cannon with higher damage but less ammo and fire rate. Finally, the last gun setting, a single B-20S and an N-45 45 mm cannon with only HEFI-T rounds (High Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary Tracers) that has a benefit of higher bullet speed and an additional round of ammo over the 37 mm configuration.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 651 || 634 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.2 || 20.8 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 380
|-
! Upgraded
| 696 || 672 || 18.8 || 19.3 || 22.3 || 18.3
|-
|}

==== 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 720  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~11 || ~8
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 420 || < 490 || > 450
|-
|}

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

The aircraft features:

* Single frontal 64 mm bulletproof glass plate.
* Single rear 64 mm bulletproof glass plate located at the headrest of the cockpit.
* 8 mm steel plate located behind the pilot's seat.

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

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

{{main|NS-45 (45 mm)|N-37 (37 mm)|NS-23 (23 mm)|B-20S (20 mm)}}

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

* A choice between three presets:
** 1 x 23 mm NS-23 cannon, nose-mounted (80 rpg) + 2 x 20 mm B-20S cannons, nose-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)
** 1 x 37 mm N-37 cannon, nose-mounted (28 rpg) + 2 x 20 mm B-20S cannons, nose-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)
** 1 x 45 mm NS-45 cannon, nose-mounted (29 rpg) + 1 x 20 mm B-20S cannon, nose-mounted (170 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==


Since this aircraft has a very high low-to-middle altitude acceleration, you should use this plane primarily as a dogfighter at those altitudes. It is also important to note that this plane like all Yaks and like most other Soviet-built fighters, low high-altitude performance, however, even at higher altitudes, this fighter can be used as a Boom & Zoom aircraft, provided you pay attention to your speed. Turnfighting and dogfighting above 4,500 m are discouraged as at this altitude, many other aircraft will have superior turn capabilities and engine performance compared to the Yak-9UT, leaving it to struggle for any flight advantage.

While performance tends to suffer at higher altitudes, when kept closer to the ground, the Yak's performance starts to shine. This is especially true with its energy retention, such as performing a ~270-degree turn with minimal speed loss (~30 km/h) and the ability to regain this speed extremely fast.

====Engaging fighters & bombers ====
Most enemy fighters will be between 3,000 and 4,500 m, with bombers being around 4,000 to 5,600 m. It's important to use your height advantage, drop down from your height and get behind the enemy. Once behind the fighter or bomber, do not engage it until you are close enough to see their tails in your crosshairs. Aim forward and fire only a single shot or a short burst, if armed with the 45 mm cannon (which is no longer than two seconds). Using the 37 mm N-37 cannon or the 23 mm NS-23 cannon, use a burst which is around two and half seconds.

If you miss your shot and they turn, depending on how sharp their turn is, follow them. If it's a very sharp turn do not make the turn, instead, open the throttle and climb back up to gain a height advantage. Once here, you can then attempt to line up another shot on them or find a new target to go after.

====Ground & Naval Battles====
While the earlier Yak-9T/K are able to reliably destroy enemies at their lower BR, the Yak-9UT will struggle to inflict serious damage to medium and heavy tanks with the 45 mm, while the 37 mm is barely capable of penetrating most medium tanks even from high angles of attack, and the 23 mm is all but useless against these targets. Still, it will often require multiple accurate passes with the 45 mm to knock out the crew of such tanks, and with the limited ammunition supply of 29 rounds, a more reliable yet slower strategy is to aim for the engine deck in order to set the tank's fuel alight multiple times and deplete their FPE reserves, this has the added benefit of immobilising the target for a significant period of time, which may allow your team to capitalise on the enemy tank's lack of mobility in certain situations.

The Yak-9UT is ultimately rather unsuitable for CAS at its BR, only truly effective at destroying light tanks and SPAA with the 37 mm and 45 mm. The 23 mm and 20 mm configuration has decent effect against such targets, but a diving attack is necessitated as both cannons will have very little effect at low to medium angles of attack against all but the most weakly armoured enemies.

The Yak-9UT is all but completely useless for attacking naval targets in Naval RB at its BR.

In Ground RB and especially in Naval battles, the Yak-9UT is best suited as an air superiority fighter. As the 37 mm and 45 mm AP shells required to penetrate tanks provide extremely inconsistent damage against enemy air targets, and neither provide substantial post-penetration damage against armoured targets, you will find much more success loading full HE belts and destroying enemy CAS.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent lower speed manoeuvrability that gets even better above 400 km/h (250 mph)
* Flaps are fast to deploy and are helpful if used properly
* Nose-mounted 23 mm and 37 mm cannons are effective against all types of aerial targets
* Able to choose between various cannons
* Decent low-to-mid altitude acceleration and climb
* Decent energy retention at lower altitudes
* Able to exceed 550 km/h IAS at low altitudes and 500 km/h IAS at 4,000 m
* Very short engine spool up and spool down time

'''Cons:'''

* Low diving speed (you lose wings over 720 km/h IAS)
* Low ammunition capacity for the cannon
* Engine easily overheats above 96% throttle (use 94 to 95% throttle to cool down)
* 20 mm B-20S cannons are very weak compared to contemporaries
* Engine power drops past 5 km altitude, which means less acceleration, climb, and overall speed
* Ailerons stiffen above 500 km/h
* Flaps break if fully deployed past 280 km/h IAS
* Flaps only have Landing position
* The 45 mm NS-45 cannon is a challenge to effectively use
* Unable to switch between the N-37 and the NS-23 without going back to the hangar

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Yak-9 was a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau. The most mass-produced Soviet fighter of the war, it remained in production from October 1942 to December 1948, with a total of 16,769 built.

The Yak-9 was a further modification of the Yak-1 and Yak-7. In its core design, it was a redesign of the Yak-7. With few external differences, Yak-9 was at the same time much more advanced internally. This is not unexpected, as almost two years of design and combat experience of the Yak series went into the Yak-9. Also, at the time aluminium was in much greater supply than it had been two years previously at the start of the war. Amongst other things, the use of metal allowed the plane's weight to be significantly reduced, meaning that more fuel could be stored and that the aircraft could be equipped with more powerful armament and more specialized equipment.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-9ut Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|j-95iL_T0kE|'''War Thunder Sub's Choice Ep 40: Yak-9UT [Packing 45 mm Shotgun!]"''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Yak-9 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/109523-yakovlev-yak-9ut/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Bf 109 F-2

2024-03-24T02:56:44Z

U8128791: /* Description */ coorected reference to previous Bf109 from F-2 to F-1

{{About
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=bf-109f-2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]]. Setting the basis for the definitive version of the Bf 109, the F-4, the Bf 109 F-2, alongside the Bf 109 F-1, saw substantial improvement over the earlier Emil series.

The second Bf 109 of the F series in War Thunder, the Bf 109 F-2 plays like the [[Bf 109 F-1]]. Successful F-1 pilots should feel at home with the F-2 almost instantaneously, allowing the player to acquire valuable 109 experience before grabbing the [[Bf 109 F-4]].

As with the F-1, the most notable change of the Friedrich over the Emil is its performance. Having a more aerodynamically efficient design, especially in the nose, the F-2 is identical to the F-1 in its performance, propelled forward by a powerful DB 601 N producing up to 1,175 hp. Reaching speeds to up to 615 km/h at 5.2 km of altitude, the Friedrich is testimony to the trademark acceleration and speed found in the 109s. A powerful climber, the F-2 reaches altitude quickly and can easily outclimb most of its historic counterparts. As with all 109s, the optimal climbing speed is 270 km/h (IAS). As such, the Bf 109 F-2 should largely be played like the Emils, with the added bonus of additional performance making the flying and fighting even easier. As with the Emil, fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed use of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres, enable the Friedrich to quickly change an engagement to its favour.

The most striking change is its main armament. Although the player has had access to a 20 mm cannon with the [[Bf_109_E-3|E-3]] and [[Bf 109 F-1|F-1]], they are now presented with a 15 mm cannon. This may seem a disadvantage at first, but the [[MG 151/15 (15 mm)|15 mm MG 151]] is respectable. While a single shot tends to be less effective than a shot by the MG FF/M's mineshell available on the [[Bf_109_F-1|F-1]], it has some upsides: overall better ballistics and a higher ammo count, sporting 200 rounds instead of the MG FF's characteristic 60 round magazine. Hitting a target no longer takes the extreme care that it does with the F-1, making long-range shooting possible but inadvisable. Despite these advantages, the lower calibre and lack of proper HE ammunition in the 15 mm cannon make it lacklustre in the damage department. Quick, clean kills aren't very common with this armament. Bomber hunting requires hitting the target with some good, steady bursts. Therefore, it is best to take care when engaging a bomber and mind its gunners. The rockets this fighter mounts optionally are an effective weapon to take down well-defended bombers (one hit with a rocket) as well as to pick off ground targets including tanks, but they also cause a lot of drag, degrading the performance.

Regarding the change that the higher battle rating brings to this aircraft, the fighting style shifts a little bit in that an advancement in BR means a shift in the characteristics of its opponents to better-diving, better-climbing, but worse-turning opponents. This means that, in some occasions, sustained turning is a viable option especially against its American counterparts. Diving as a means of escape will often end up with the pilot losing a fight, particularly when facing the heavy, streamlined aircraft of the U.S. line, such as [[F4U (Family)|Corsairs]] or [[P-47 (Family)|Thunderbolts]]. Fighting better climbing opponents means that having an energy advantage at a start of an engagement, obtained by climbing upon spawning, is very important.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 592 || 574 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.0 || 19.7 || 16.8 || 16.8 || rowspan="2" | 358
|-
! Upgraded
| 638 || 614 || 17.1 || 18.0 || 24.0 || 20.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 437 || 408 || 260 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

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

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

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


* 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 10 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass

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

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

{{main|MG 151 (15 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 15 mm MG 151 cannon, nose-mounted (200 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

The two machine guns are mounted in the upper fuselage just in front of the pilot and fire through the propeller arc. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that both guns will fire together until empty. The 15 mm cannon is mounted in the propeller shaft and fires through the propeller hub.

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

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)|SC250JA (250 kg)|RZ.65|Flam C 250 incendiary}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
* 8 x RZ.65 rockets
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
* 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

== Usage in battles ==

Just as the with the E-3, new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s. While often called BnZ aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom'n'Zoomers and many other aircraft such as the [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]] do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom and Zooming approach can be used for the 109s, limiting oneself to this enormously undermines plane efficiency. It is a pure bred energy fighter.

Keep in mind that while the B-1 and Emil were respectable turners, the Friedrichs turn somewhat worse, and you should begin to think twice before going into a turning engagement. Should you be shot down often and struggle when fighting enemies with the F-2, consider it a helpful and fair warning: you are most likely using the plane wrongly and need to brush up on your flying before attempting the later 109s that nearly all have tough matchmaking.

While the Bf 109 F-2 loses out on the mine shell of the MG FF/M second cannon of the E-4, it still performs adequately. When necessary, use the [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 17]] to hose down an enemy or force them to break off from a friendly when you can't get a sure shot in with your cannon. Engaging bombers in the F-2 is a thankless task, since they will most likely soak up a great number of hits. Unless you enjoy being out of ammo and thus defenceless, bombers are just about your lowest priority in the F-2. If you are forced to attack one, aim for its wings, engines and fuel tanks, not the center.

The F-2 can load either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg bombs. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match, for example after refueling/restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near large enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it. While the 8 x RZ.65 rockets might look enticing, their actual use is next to nothing, only serving to reduce the planes performance. When using AP-heavy ammo belts, the cannon can penetrate light and medium tanks, but time is better spent fighting planes and practising your skills. Additionally, save the bomb unlocks while grinding out the plane until last and focus on performance.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good rate of climb
* Above average speed
* Good ammo load
* Easy to aim 15 mm cannon
* Fair manoeuvrability
* Good performance at altitude
* Ability to mount rockets and bombs
* Ammo counter in the cockpit (useful for SB)
* All weaponry mounted in the nose, allowing easy aiming without having to worry about convergence

'''Cons:'''

* Poor one-burst firepower
* Despite lack of weaknesses, no unmatched strength in any characteristic
* For Sim, the numerous canopy frames and razorback greatly limit the all-round view, and huge engine torque causes severe turning when taking off

== History ==

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

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

Just under 1,400 Bf 109 F-2s were built during the war. Several were retrofitted with the MG 151/20 after it became available. A tropicalized version existed, featuring the distinctive filter mounted in front of the air intake.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=bf-109f-2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51]] Mustang
* Kawasaki [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]
* [[IAR-81C|IAR-81]]
* Macchi [[C.205 serie 1|C.205]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/155547-messerschmitt-bf-109-f-1-and-f-2/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmit Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
* [http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/web.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=bf109b&versionscategory=8 "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109F subpage] 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#F-0.2C_F-1.2C_F-2 English Wikipedia: "Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 F"] 
* [http://kurfurst.org/#Friedrich "Performance Information Bf 109F"]

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

Bf 109 F-2

2024-03-24T02:55:50Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ corrected grammar

{{About
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=bf-109f-2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]]. Setting the basis for the definitive version of the Bf 109, the F-4, the Bf 109 F-2, alongside the Bf 109 F-1, saw substantial improvement over the earlier Emil series.

The second Bf 109 of the F series in War Thunder, the Bf 109 F-2 plays like the [[Bf 109 F-1]]. Successful F-1 pilots should feel at home with the F-2 almost instantaneously, allowing the player to acquire valuable 109 experience before grabbing the [[Bf 109 F-4]].

As with the F-2, the most notable change of the Friedrich over the Emil is its performance. Having a more aerodynamically efficient design, especially in the nose, the F-2 is identical to the F-1 in its performance, propelled forward by a powerful DB 601 N producing up to 1,175 hp. Reaching speeds to up to 615 km/h at 5.2 km of altitude, the Friedrich is testimony to the trademark acceleration and speed found in the 109s. A powerful climber, the F-2 reaches altitude quickly and can easily outclimb most of its historic counterparts. As with all 109s, the optimal climbing speed is 270 km/h (IAS). As such, the Bf 109 F-2 should largely be played like the Emils, with the added bonus of additional performance making the flying and fighting even easier. As with the Emil, fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed use of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres, enable the Friedrich to quickly change an engagement to its favour.

The most striking change is its main armament. Although the player has had access to a 20 mm cannon with the [[Bf_109_E-3|E-3]] and [[Bf 109 F-1|F-1]], they are now presented with a 15 mm cannon. This may seem a disadvantage at first, but the [[MG 151/15 (15 mm)|15 mm MG 151]] is respectable. While a single shot tends to be less effective than a shot by the MG FF/M's mineshell available on the [[Bf_109_F-1|F-1]], it has some upsides: overall better ballistics and a higher ammo count, sporting 200 rounds instead of the MG FF's characteristic 60 round magazine. Hitting a target no longer takes the extreme care that it does with the F-1, making long-range shooting possible but inadvisable. Despite these advantages, the lower calibre and lack of proper HE ammunition in the 15 mm cannon make it lacklustre in the damage department. Quick, clean kills aren't very common with this armament. Bomber hunting requires hitting the target with some good, steady bursts. Therefore, it is best to take care when engaging a bomber and mind its gunners. The rockets this fighter mounts optionally are an effective weapon to take down well-defended bombers (one hit with a rocket) as well as to pick off ground targets including tanks, but they also cause a lot of drag, degrading the performance.

Regarding the change that the higher battle rating brings to this aircraft, the fighting style shifts a little bit in that an advancement in BR means a shift in the characteristics of its opponents to better-diving, better-climbing, but worse-turning opponents. This means that, in some occasions, sustained turning is a viable option especially against its American counterparts. Diving as a means of escape will often end up with the pilot losing a fight, particularly when facing the heavy, streamlined aircraft of the U.S. line, such as [[F4U (Family)|Corsairs]] or [[P-47 (Family)|Thunderbolts]]. Fighting better climbing opponents means that having an energy advantage at a start of an engagement, obtained by climbing upon spawning, is very important.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 592 || 574 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.0 || 19.7 || 16.8 || 16.8 || rowspan="2" | 358
|-
! Upgraded
| 638 || 614 || 17.1 || 18.0 || 24.0 || 20.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 437 || 408 || 260 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

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

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

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


* 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 10 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass

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

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

{{main|MG 151 (15 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 15 mm MG 151 cannon, nose-mounted (200 rpg)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

The two machine guns are mounted in the upper fuselage just in front of the pilot and fire through the propeller arc. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that both guns will fire together until empty. The 15 mm cannon is mounted in the propeller shaft and fires through the propeller hub.

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

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)|SC250JA (250 kg)|RZ.65|Flam C 250 incendiary}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
* 8 x RZ.65 rockets
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
* 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

== Usage in battles ==

Just as the with the E-3, new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s. While often called BnZ aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom'n'Zoomers and many other aircraft such as the [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]] do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom and Zooming approach can be used for the 109s, limiting oneself to this enormously undermines plane efficiency. It is a pure bred energy fighter.

Keep in mind that while the B-1 and Emil were respectable turners, the Friedrichs turn somewhat worse, and you should begin to think twice before going into a turning engagement. Should you be shot down often and struggle when fighting enemies with the F-2, consider it a helpful and fair warning: you are most likely using the plane wrongly and need to brush up on your flying before attempting the later 109s that nearly all have tough matchmaking.

While the Bf 109 F-2 loses out on the mine shell of the MG FF/M second cannon of the E-4, it still performs adequately. When necessary, use the [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 17]] to hose down an enemy or force them to break off from a friendly when you can't get a sure shot in with your cannon. Engaging bombers in the F-2 is a thankless task, since they will most likely soak up a great number of hits. Unless you enjoy being out of ammo and thus defenceless, bombers are just about your lowest priority in the F-2. If you are forced to attack one, aim for its wings, engines and fuel tanks, not the center.

The F-2 can load either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg bombs. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match, for example after refueling/restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near large enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it. While the 8 x RZ.65 rockets might look enticing, their actual use is next to nothing, only serving to reduce the planes performance. When using AP-heavy ammo belts, the cannon can penetrate light and medium tanks, but time is better spent fighting planes and practising your skills. Additionally, save the bomb unlocks while grinding out the plane until last and focus on performance.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good rate of climb
* Above average speed
* Good ammo load
* Easy to aim 15 mm cannon
* Fair manoeuvrability
* Good performance at altitude
* Ability to mount rockets and bombs
* Ammo counter in the cockpit (useful for SB)
* All weaponry mounted in the nose, allowing easy aiming without having to worry about convergence

'''Cons:'''

* Poor one-burst firepower
* Despite lack of weaknesses, no unmatched strength in any characteristic
* For Sim, the numerous canopy frames and razorback greatly limit the all-round view, and huge engine torque causes severe turning when taking off

== History ==

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

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

Just under 1,400 Bf 109 F-2s were built during the war. Several were retrofitted with the MG 151/20 after it became available. A tropicalized version existed, featuring the distinctive filter mounted in front of the air intake.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=bf-109f-2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51]] Mustang
* Kawasaki [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]
* [[IAR-81C|IAR-81]]
* Macchi [[C.205 serie 1|C.205]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/155547-messerschmitt-bf-109-f-1-and-f-2/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmit Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
* [http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/web.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=bf109b&versionscategory=8 "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109F subpage] 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#F-0.2C_F-1.2C_F-2 English Wikipedia: "Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 F"] 
* [http://kurfurst.org/#Friedrich "Performance Information Bf 109F"]

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

B-239 (Sweden)

2024-03-16T13:35:57Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Plane has been upped in BR, so it is no longer faster than its contemporaries. In fact, it is pretty slow for 2.7.

{{Specs-Card
|code=b_239_finland
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a denavalized version of the F2A-1 Buffalo, ordered by Finland in 1939 as a means of acquiring a modern fighter plane. Unlike the US Navy F2A-1, the plane had better performance due to being stripped of arresting gear and all other equipment necessary for carrier landings, together with a more powerful Wright R-1820-G5 engine producing 10 hp more compared to the US Navy Buffalos. Another difference was mountings for four machine guns with two in the engine cowling and two in wings. The planes themselves arrived too late to participate in the Winter War, but were used extensively in the Continuation War all the way to late 1944 when they were withdrawn from service. Finnish pilots regarded the plane as very manoeuvrable, easy to fly, and also not requiring extensive maintenance. LeLV 24 had a score of 26:1 using B-239 as they claimed 477 Soviet planes shot down for a loss of just 19 B-239s.

Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]], the B-239 has big potential even in the hands of a not so skilled pilot. Its manoeuvrability and armament compared to contemporaries make it a very dangerous foe. The B-239 is best utilized in a role similar to the Bf 109 as a boom and zoom fighter, although the ability to turnfight not only at high speed is better when compared to the Messerschmitt.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
The B-239 is a relatively slow aircraft. With a top speed of only 460 km/h, many other fighters like the [[Bf 109 E-3]] and [[Yak-1]] will be able to outrun or catch the B-239. The B-239’s climb rate is quite average at a climb rate of 14.2 m/s, and with a 9-cylinder radial engine, it also suffers in vertical manoeuvres. Although the B-239 struggles in speed, it can turn extremely well and players will easily be able to outturn many contemporaries and stay competitive with nimble Japanese fighters. It is also very controllable at high speeds even up to its structural rip speed of 761 km/h (475.63 mph).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 5,400 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 438 || 421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 16.7 || 17.2 || 10.5 || 10.5 || rowspan="2" | 130
|-
! Upgraded
| 484 || 460 || 15.8 || 16.0 || 19.1 || 14.2
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 761  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 425 || 380 || 240 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ~300 || < ~320 || < ~350 || > ___
|-
|}

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


;Armour

* 8.5 mm steel - Pilot seat

;Survivability

* Self-sealing wing tanks
* Exposed engine and oil cooling system, prone to damage

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}The first modification players should research should be ammunition belts. The default belt will struggle with quickly downing enemy fighters as it lacks any meaningful amount of incendiary rounds. Next, the radiator mod should be researched to reduce the common overheating with this plane. The new machine gun modification is not essential as .50 cals still have a sufficient amount of range and round dispersion is manageable while stock. Flight performance mods should be the utmost of importance at this point and players can choose between the airframe or engine mods.

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

{{main|LKk/42 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

The B-239 has four .50 cals with two mounted in the nose and two mounted in the wings. The guns mounted in the wing have 400 rpg meanwhile the nose-mounted machine guns only have 250 rpg. With a fire rate of 1100 rounds per minute, the nose-mounted MGs will only have around 13.5 seconds of trigger time meanwhile the wing-mounted MGs will last for 21.8 seconds of trigger time. These guns have a much higher fire rate compared to other nations' .50 caliber machine guns so players must be wary of the ammo consumption.

Six different ammunition belts are available to players: default, universal, ground target, air target, tracer, and stealth. For air targets, the best belt, unsurprisingly, is the air target belt due to its belt composition of incendiary rounds with 75% incendiary rounds and 25% AP. The 2nd best belt will be the stealth belt with a composition of 50% incendiary, 50% AP and with the added benefit of enemies being unable to see incoming rounds. Although the B-239 isn’t well suited for ground attack, there are belts for attacking targets like light pillboxes. The ground target and tracer belt are functionally identical in terms of damage. Both belts are fully composed of AP rounds however the ground target belt is 50% AP-T (tracer) and 50% AP meanwhile the tracer belt is full AP-T. The default belt and universal belt are also functionally identical in terms of damage. The main difference between them is that the default belt has a composition of AP-T/AP/I meanwhile the universal belt is AP-T/AP-T/I.

== Usage in battles ==


The B-239 is best used as a fighter although it can be used for ground attacking.

'''Fighter'''

The B-239 is a solid fighter for its BR of 2.7. Although it lacks in some departments like speed, climb rate, and energy retention, it excels in its turning ability and many fighters will be unable to keep up in a turn fight. However, the unfortunate reality of many turn fighters is that faster and overall better-performing planes will be able to dictate the fight. They can choose whether or not they want to fight a B-239. B-239 pilots can try and bring enemy planes down to a lower altitude for teammates but it’s important to not do this with a lot of enemies nearby.

If an enemy plane is bearing down, players must perform a reversal. The best way to conduct a reversal in the B-239 is to enter a shallow dive and throttle down as the enemy plane will gain speed and become less manoeuvrable. Once the enemy plane is within gun range, perform a sharp turn to either side and allow the enemy plane to overshoot. This will allow for a quick window to fire guns if the enemy plane climbs away. If the enemy plane decides to start turning, the fight will be over quickly as there are very few planes that will be able to outturn the B-239. B-239 pilots should also stray away from engaging in vertical fights as they will lose much of their energy and stall out. Horizontal or downward fights are where the B-239 will succeed in.

Sideclimbing is also a valid strategy but it’s important to not overdo it. If done too aggressively, players will be too far from the battlefield to have a significant early-game impact. B-239 pilots can also try and bait enemies down for teammates as well but it will be difficult to score kills with this method.

'''Countering the Bf 109 F-1'''

One common enemy for the B-239 is the German [[Bf 109 F-1]]. It shares the same battle rating and Sweden regularly faces Germany in Air Realistic Battles. The F-1 is much faster and has a better climb rate than the B-239 however it struggles with turning. B-239 pilots should avoid climbing up toward a 109 F-1. If a B-239 pilot decides to pitch up for an F-1, the F-1 pilot can easily go into a spiral climb and stall out the B-239. The F-1 will always dictate the fight and it’s important to not play its game. B-239 pilots must try and force a turn fight or reverse the F-1 to take it down. Head ons will be a risky option as the F-1 has all of its guns mounted in the nose but has less range compared to the .50 cals on the B-239. Head ons in general shouldn’t be taken so pilots should try and fire from .8 or 1 km (~.6 mi) and then dodge.

'''Attacker'''

Firstly, all of the belts will be sufficient in taking out light AA targets like AA or howitzers. If players wish to destroy light pillboxes then either the tracer or ground target belt will be needed. Otherwise, it will take a significant amount of rounds to destroy one light pillbox and the B-239 does not have a large ammo pool. The B-239 has no access to bombs or rockets so medium and heavy tanks are safe from the B-239 in Air Realistic Battles. In Ground Realistic Battles, however, the ground target/tracer belt will be decent in penetrating the engine decks or roofs of many vehicles. The AP rounds can penetrate up to 28 mm of armor which is more than enough for many light tanks and some medium tanks at this BR.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very manoeuvrable even at high speeds
* Effective weaponry
* Above average climb rate

'''Cons:'''

* Quite slow
* Vital components not protected by armour
* Loses a lot of energy in vertical manoeuvres
* Runs out of ammo quickly
* Weak acceleration

== History ==

At the beginning of 1939, Finland was looking to purchase modern fighter aircraft. They contacted the USA with the only demand being that the plane was already in service and had the ability to use 87-octane fuel. 44 F2A-1 Buffalo fighters intended originally for the US Navy were sold to Finland after the USN agreed to wait for the F2A-2 variant instead. Model B-239E was built with a more powerful Wright R-1820-G5 engine producing 950 hp as opposed to the 940 hp Wright R-1820-34 engine used in USN planes and featured mountings allowing installation of four machine guns instead of two on the American counterpart. The planes were also de-navalised, which meant they weighed less while having better performance.

The planes were delivered in January and February 1940 to Bergen, Norway, then sent by railway to Sweden where they were assembled in SAAB factory at Trollhättan. There, they were equipped with armoured backrests, metric flight instruments, a domestic Väisälä T.h.m.40 gunsight, and four 12.7 mm machine guns. Unimpressed with the plane at first, the Finnish view on it changed drastically after a Brewster company test pilot demonstrated that the B-239E was able to out-turn the Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter, although it was slower in level flight than the G.50. None of the B-239s saw combat during the Winter War.

Finnish pilots regarded the B-239 as an easy to fly plane, while its relatively long range and easy maintenance allowed to keep them operational without much effort. It earned a reputation as one of the best Finnish fighters alongside the Fiat G.50 which had a kill-loss ratio of 33:1, while Lentolaivue 24 (Fighter Squadron 24) managed to score 26:1 ratio with 477 Soviet planes claimed destroyed with loss of only 19 B-239s. Finnish B-239s were in service from 1940 all the way to 1948 with the last eight remaining since the end of war in Lapland. The last victory of a B-239 over Soviet aircraft was claimed on 17th June 1944 near the Karelian Isthmus, while the last victory of a B-239 in WWII was achieved on 3rd October 1944 when HLeLV 26 intercepted German Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers and claimed two shot down.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=b_239_finland Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F2A (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{AirManufacturer Brewster}}
{{Sweden fighters}}

B-239 (Sweden)

2024-03-16T13:34:12Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ Coorected incorrect BR

{{Specs-Card
|code=b_239_finland
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a denavalized version of the F2A-1 Buffalo, ordered by Finland in 1939 as a means of acquiring a modern fighter plane. Unlike the US Navy F2A-1, the plane had better performance due to being stripped of arresting gear and all other equipment necessary for carrier landings, together with a more powerful Wright R-1820-G5 engine producing 10 hp more compared to the US Navy Buffalos. Another difference was mountings for four machine guns with two in the engine cowling and two in wings. The planes themselves arrived too late to participate in the Winter War, but were used extensively in the Continuation War all the way to late 1944 when they were withdrawn from service. Finnish pilots regarded the plane as very manoeuvrable, easy to fly, and also not requiring extensive maintenance. LeLV 24 had a score of 26:1 using B-239 as they claimed 477 Soviet planes shot down for a loss of just 19 B-239s.

Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]], the B-239 has big potential even in the hands of a not so skilled pilot. Its manoeuvrability, armament, and speed compared to contemporaries make it a very dangerous foe. The B-239 is best utilized in a role similar to the Bf 109 as a boom and zoom fighter, although the ability to turnfight not only at high speed is better when compared to the Messerschmitt.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
The B-239 is a relatively slow aircraft. With a top speed of only 460 km/h, many other fighters like the [[Bf 109 E-3]] and [[Yak-1]] will be able to outrun or catch the B-239. The B-239’s climb rate is quite average at a climb rate of 14.2 m/s, and with a 9-cylinder radial engine, it also suffers in vertical manoeuvres. Although the B-239 struggles in speed, it can turn extremely well and players will easily be able to outturn many contemporaries and stay competitive with nimble Japanese fighters. It is also very controllable at high speeds even up to its structural rip speed of 761 km/h (475.63 mph).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 5,400 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 438 || 421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 16.7 || 17.2 || 10.5 || 10.5 || rowspan="2" | 130
|-
! Upgraded
| 484 || 460 || 15.8 || 16.0 || 19.1 || 14.2
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 761  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 425 || 380 || 240 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ~300 || < ~320 || < ~350 || > ___
|-
|}

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


;Armour

* 8.5 mm steel - Pilot seat

;Survivability

* Self-sealing wing tanks
* Exposed engine and oil cooling system, prone to damage

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}The first modification players should research should be ammunition belts. The default belt will struggle with quickly downing enemy fighters as it lacks any meaningful amount of incendiary rounds. Next, the radiator mod should be researched to reduce the common overheating with this plane. The new machine gun modification is not essential as .50 cals still have a sufficient amount of range and round dispersion is manageable while stock. Flight performance mods should be the utmost of importance at this point and players can choose between the airframe or engine mods.

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

{{main|LKk/42 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

The B-239 has four .50 cals with two mounted in the nose and two mounted in the wings. The guns mounted in the wing have 400 rpg meanwhile the nose-mounted machine guns only have 250 rpg. With a fire rate of 1100 rounds per minute, the nose-mounted MGs will only have around 13.5 seconds of trigger time meanwhile the wing-mounted MGs will last for 21.8 seconds of trigger time. These guns have a much higher fire rate compared to other nations' .50 caliber machine guns so players must be wary of the ammo consumption.

Six different ammunition belts are available to players: default, universal, ground target, air target, tracer, and stealth. For air targets, the best belt, unsurprisingly, is the air target belt due to its belt composition of incendiary rounds with 75% incendiary rounds and 25% AP. The 2nd best belt will be the stealth belt with a composition of 50% incendiary, 50% AP and with the added benefit of enemies being unable to see incoming rounds. Although the B-239 isn’t well suited for ground attack, there are belts for attacking targets like light pillboxes. The ground target and tracer belt are functionally identical in terms of damage. Both belts are fully composed of AP rounds however the ground target belt is 50% AP-T (tracer) and 50% AP meanwhile the tracer belt is full AP-T. The default belt and universal belt are also functionally identical in terms of damage. The main difference between them is that the default belt has a composition of AP-T/AP/I meanwhile the universal belt is AP-T/AP-T/I.

== Usage in battles ==


The B-239 is best used as a fighter although it can be used for ground attacking.

'''Fighter'''

The B-239 is a solid fighter for its BR of 2.7. Although it lacks in some departments like speed, climb rate, and energy retention, it excels in its turning ability and many fighters will be unable to keep up in a turn fight. However, the unfortunate reality of many turn fighters is that faster and overall better-performing planes will be able to dictate the fight. They can choose whether or not they want to fight a B-239. B-239 pilots can try and bring enemy planes down to a lower altitude for teammates but it’s important to not do this with a lot of enemies nearby.

If an enemy plane is bearing down, players must perform a reversal. The best way to conduct a reversal in the B-239 is to enter a shallow dive and throttle down as the enemy plane will gain speed and become less manoeuvrable. Once the enemy plane is within gun range, perform a sharp turn to either side and allow the enemy plane to overshoot. This will allow for a quick window to fire guns if the enemy plane climbs away. If the enemy plane decides to start turning, the fight will be over quickly as there are very few planes that will be able to outturn the B-239. B-239 pilots should also stray away from engaging in vertical fights as they will lose much of their energy and stall out. Horizontal or downward fights are where the B-239 will succeed in.

Sideclimbing is also a valid strategy but it’s important to not overdo it. If done too aggressively, players will be too far from the battlefield to have a significant early-game impact. B-239 pilots can also try and bait enemies down for teammates as well but it will be difficult to score kills with this method.

'''Countering the Bf 109 F-1'''

One common enemy for the B-239 is the German [[Bf 109 F-1]]. It shares the same battle rating and Sweden regularly faces Germany in Air Realistic Battles. The F-1 is much faster and has a better climb rate than the B-239 however it struggles with turning. B-239 pilots should avoid climbing up toward a 109 F-1. If a B-239 pilot decides to pitch up for an F-1, the F-1 pilot can easily go into a spiral climb and stall out the B-239. The F-1 will always dictate the fight and it’s important to not play its game. B-239 pilots must try and force a turn fight or reverse the F-1 to take it down. Head ons will be a risky option as the F-1 has all of its guns mounted in the nose but has less range compared to the .50 cals on the B-239. Head ons in general shouldn’t be taken so pilots should try and fire from .8 or 1 km (~.6 mi) and then dodge.

'''Attacker'''

Firstly, all of the belts will be sufficient in taking out light AA targets like AA or howitzers. If players wish to destroy light pillboxes then either the tracer or ground target belt will be needed. Otherwise, it will take a significant amount of rounds to destroy one light pillbox and the B-239 does not have a large ammo pool. The B-239 has no access to bombs or rockets so medium and heavy tanks are safe from the B-239 in Air Realistic Battles. In Ground Realistic Battles, however, the ground target/tracer belt will be decent in penetrating the engine decks or roofs of many vehicles. The AP rounds can penetrate up to 28 mm of armor which is more than enough for many light tanks and some medium tanks at this BR.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very manoeuvrable even at high speeds
* Effective weaponry
* Above average climb rate

'''Cons:'''

* Quite slow
* Vital components not protected by armour
* Loses a lot of energy in vertical manoeuvres
* Runs out of ammo quickly
* Weak acceleration

== History ==

At the beginning of 1939, Finland was looking to purchase modern fighter aircraft. They contacted the USA with the only demand being that the plane was already in service and had the ability to use 87-octane fuel. 44 F2A-1 Buffalo fighters intended originally for the US Navy were sold to Finland after the USN agreed to wait for the F2A-2 variant instead. Model B-239E was built with a more powerful Wright R-1820-G5 engine producing 950 hp as opposed to the 940 hp Wright R-1820-34 engine used in USN planes and featured mountings allowing installation of four machine guns instead of two on the American counterpart. The planes were also de-navalised, which meant they weighed less while having better performance.

The planes were delivered in January and February 1940 to Bergen, Norway, then sent by railway to Sweden where they were assembled in SAAB factory at Trollhättan. There, they were equipped with armoured backrests, metric flight instruments, a domestic Väisälä T.h.m.40 gunsight, and four 12.7 mm machine guns. Unimpressed with the plane at first, the Finnish view on it changed drastically after a Brewster company test pilot demonstrated that the B-239E was able to out-turn the Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter, although it was slower in level flight than the G.50. None of the B-239s saw combat during the Winter War.

Finnish pilots regarded the B-239 as an easy to fly plane, while its relatively long range and easy maintenance allowed to keep them operational without much effort. It earned a reputation as one of the best Finnish fighters alongside the Fiat G.50 which had a kill-loss ratio of 33:1, while Lentolaivue 24 (Fighter Squadron 24) managed to score 26:1 ratio with 477 Soviet planes claimed destroyed with loss of only 19 B-239s. Finnish B-239s were in service from 1940 all the way to 1948 with the last eight remaining since the end of war in Lapland. The last victory of a B-239 over Soviet aircraft was claimed on 17th June 1944 near the Karelian Isthmus, while the last victory of a B-239 in WWII was achieved on 3rd October 1944 when HLeLV 26 intercepted German Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers and claimed two shot down.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=b_239_finland Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F2A (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{AirManufacturer Brewster}}
{{Sweden fighters}}

F2A-3

2024-03-16T12:45:54Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Corrected opinion that the plane is weak at its BR. It can manage a KDR of 4:1 when used correctly, not weak at all.

{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F2A (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f2a-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f2a-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==


The final version of the Brewster Buffalo was the F2A-3. Parts of the F2A-3's airframe were revised and the fuel capacity was increased to 908 L (240 gal). Although the fuel capacity was increased, the engine stayed the same which greatly diminished performance. The climb rate, top speed, and overall flight performance fell and pilots didn't enjoy flying it. The US Navy grew tired and annoyed at Brewster's constant issues with delivering aircraft on time and other problems. Squadrons using the F2A-3 quickly switched to the F4F Wildcat and were eventually sent to the Marine Corps. The F2A-3 saw its first major combat in the Battle of Midway where Buffalo pilots were hopelessly outmatched by A6M Zeroes. High-ranking officials within the US armed forces were greatly disappointed by the F2A-3's performance. Captain Phillip R. White would later say, "''It is my belief that any commander who orders pilots out for combat in a F2A-3 should consider the pilot lost before leaving the ground.''" This marked the end of the Buffalo in active service and all Buffalos were relegated to training.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The climb rate, top speed, and overall handling leave much to be desired. In the hands of a skilled pilot, however, it can account for itself very well due to excellent turning with judicious use of flaps and good handling characteristics. It also has no armour which leaves very critical components like the engine and fuel tanks vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the F2A-3 does come armed with four 12.7 mm machine guns, two firing through the propellor and two mounted in the wings, which is an improvement over the F2A-1's armament. It can also carry two 100 lb bombs which are mainly effective against open-topped vehicles, light tanks, and other soft ground targets.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,492 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 495 || 477 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.3 || 13.1 || 13.1 || rowspan="2" | 200
|-
! Upgraded
| 548 || 518 || 16.7 || 17.6 || 20.9 || 16.4
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 761  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 437 || 408 || 260 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 465 || < 400 || < 500 || > 310
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 in each wing)

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

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

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

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

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

The characteristics of the F2A-3 means that its pilots shouldn't try to turn-fight their opponents and that they should also strictly maintain their energy. However, its weight and energy retention ability mean that any Buffalo pilot that cares to climb high (3,000 - 4,000 m) will be able to combat opponents with relative ease. However, they should be wary of adept climbers (such as [[Bf 109 E-3|Bf 109s]] and the US' own [[P-47D-25|P-47]], at least in Arcade) as they are more than a match for the F2A's climb rate. In a dive, the Buffalo can rapidly catch up to virtually anything it faces, and, when it does, a battery of 4 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns will make short work of any target, save well-armoured bombers such as the [[B-25J-1|B-25]] or [[Ju 88 A-4|Ju 88]], which an F2A pilot will probably rarely meet.

Discipline is a vital trait needed to master this plane. If you are used to simply engaging with the first opponent you find and turn-fighting, the F2A is not for you, as is much of the US fighter line. The recommended tactic to use with the F2A is Boom & Zoom. At the beginning of the battle, it is vital to climb - not climbing reduces your energy capabilities drastically due to the low level-flight speed of the F2A - climbing significantly improves performance of the F2A due to its weight and diving capabilities. After attempting a diving engagement on an enemy, whether successful or not, one should always pull out of the engagement shortly after the first attacking pass, so as not to waste speed and/or altitude (a.k.a. energy).

Four M2 Browning .50 MGs are plenty for a 2.7 BR plane - the heavy bullets rip through almost all fighters at this rank. Universal and Stealth rounds are the most effective belts - the Stealth being especially effective due to the M8 API bullets which allow F2A pilots to easily set opponents afire. Against bombers, the capabilities of the M2s are greatly reduced- aiming for engines is the most effective way to combat a bomber. You should always use the boom and zoom tactic as it works well for Japanese fighters at its rank. However, Japanese fighters will outturn you.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good dive speed and energy retention
* Highly manoeuvrable, very good in dog fights
* Great stealth armament
* Tail-hook for carrier landings

'''Cons:'''

* Poor acceleration
* Vulnerable fuel tanks (very prone to explosions)
* Poor level flight speed
* Engine overheats quickly. Loses lots of power due to minor damage or if left unchecked
* No armour to protect pilot; avoid any kind of head-ons or pursuit of heavy armoured planes with good defensive armament like the [[IL-2 (1941)|IL-2]] or [[BV 238]]

== History ==


The F2A-3 Buffalo was an interwar to early-WWII fighter aircraft of the United States Navy. Designed for the Navy's use on aircraft carriers, the F2A Buffalo was the first American monoplane naval fighter to enter service, beating the biplane XF4F design (which would later be redeveloped into the monoplane F4F Wildcat). The F2A served during the early days of WWII with the US navy, where it proved to be an ineffective fighter. The aircraft would be retired partway through the war with the development of more advanced aircraft.

In 1935, the Navy issued a requirement for a new monoplane fighter to replace the older F3F biplane naval aircraft. Several firms would design aircraft for the competition, including Brewster, who developed the XF2A Buffalo. Grumman submitted the XF4F, a traditional biplane fighter. After flight testing, the XF2A considerably outperformed the Grumman fighter, which wouldn't be produced in its biplane form, but would later reappear as the monoplane F4F Wildcat. Thus, the XF2A was ordered into production as the F2A Buffalo.

The F2A-3 was the last variant of the F2A to enter production, with 108 aircraft produced in total. The F2A-3 received additional fuel tanks and armour protection, but this made the aircraft significantly heavier and less agile. In American service, the F2A-3 Buffalo proved to be an ineffective aircraft, weaker than the highly-agile A6M Zero in most respects. They would be retired from active service with the introduction of newer, more advanced aircraft including the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was the first monoplane carrier-based fighter that served in the American fleet. The aircraft had an all-metal construction, with the exception of the control surfaces, which were covered with cloth.

In 1935, the U.S. Navy announced a competition to create a carrier-based fighter which was to replace the obsolete biplanes. The competition was won by the Brewster company and mass production of their F2A began in the summer of 1938. Of the 55 F2A-1s produced, only 11 entered service in the U.S. Finland, which was less demanding than other countries with regards to fighter specs, purchased the rest of the planes, which were then slightly altered for use on airfields.

The F2A-2 variant had a more powerful engine and a pitched Curtiss Electric propeller. The subsequent F2A-3 had a stronger chassis and larger fuel tank. This last modification increased the aircraft's weight significantly, and the engine did not provide sufficient power, making the F2A-3 inferior even to the F2A-2 in handling and speed.

The F2A was exported to a number of countries, including Finland and Great Britain.

Of the 509 Buffaloes built, 107 were F2A-3s and 20 were B-439s (an export model of the F2A-3 transferred to the Dutch West Indies).
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f2a-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|PNkoJ-MFERc|'''Best naval fighters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:27 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|t3xD7JpnHeI|'''Best aircraft for Boom & Zoom''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:01 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|aBGRGu-o9us|'''The Shooting Range #3''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:06 discusses the F2A.}}

== 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/303475-brewster-f2a-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Brewster}}
{{USA fighters}}

F2A-3

2024-03-16T12:40:11Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Corrected gun mounting position

{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F2A (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f2a-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f2a-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==


The final version of the Brewster Buffalo was the F2A-3. Parts of the F2A-3's airframe were revised and the fuel capacity was increased to 908 L (240 gal). Although the fuel capacity was increased, the engine stayed the same which greatly diminished performance. The climb rate, top speed, and overall flight performance fell and pilots didn't enjoy flying it. The US Navy grew tired and annoyed at Brewster's constant issues with delivering aircraft on time and other problems. Squadrons using the F2A-3 quickly switched to the F4F Wildcat and were eventually sent to the Marine Corps. The F2A-3 saw its first major combat in the Battle of Midway where Buffalo pilots were hopelessly outmatched by A6M Zeroes. High-ranking officials within the US armed forces were greatly disappointed by the F2A-3's performance. Captain Phillip R. White would later say, "''It is my belief that any commander who orders pilots out for combat in a F2A-3 should consider the pilot lost before leaving the ground.''" This marked the end of the Buffalo in active service and all Buffalos were relegated to training.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. Much like in real life, the F2A-3 has weak performance in-game. The climb rate, top speed, and overall handling leave much to be desired. It also has no armour which leaves very critical components like the engine and fuel tanks vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the F2A-3 does come armed with four 12.7 mm machine guns, two firing through the propellor and two mounted in the wings, which is an improvement over the F2A-1's armament. It can also carry two 100 lb bombs which are mainly effective against open-topped vehicles, light tanks, and other soft ground targets.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,492 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 495 || 477 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.3 || 13.1 || 13.1 || rowspan="2" | 200
|-
! Upgraded
| 548 || 518 || 16.7 || 17.6 || 20.9 || 16.4
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 761  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 437 || 408 || 260 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 465 || < 400 || < 500 || > 310
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 in each wing)

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

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

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

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

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

The characteristics of the F2A-3 means that its pilots shouldn't try to turn-fight their opponents and that they should also strictly maintain their energy. However, its weight and energy retention ability mean that any Buffalo pilot that cares to climb high (3,000 - 4,000 m) will be able to combat opponents with relative ease. However, they should be wary of adept climbers (such as [[Bf 109 E-3|Bf 109s]] and the US' own [[P-47D-25|P-47]], at least in Arcade) as they are more than a match for the F2A's climb rate. In a dive, the Buffalo can rapidly catch up to virtually anything it faces, and, when it does, a battery of 4 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns will make short work of any target, save well-armoured bombers such as the [[B-25J-1|B-25]] or [[Ju 88 A-4|Ju 88]], which an F2A pilot will probably rarely meet.

Discipline is a vital trait needed to master this plane. If you are used to simply engaging with the first opponent you find and turn-fighting, the F2A is not for you, as is much of the US fighter line. The recommended tactic to use with the F2A is Boom & Zoom. At the beginning of the battle, it is vital to climb - not climbing reduces your energy capabilities drastically due to the low level-flight speed of the F2A - climbing significantly improves performance of the F2A due to its weight and diving capabilities. After attempting a diving engagement on an enemy, whether successful or not, one should always pull out of the engagement shortly after the first attacking pass, so as not to waste speed and/or altitude (a.k.a. energy).

Four M2 Browning .50 MGs are plenty for a 2.7 BR plane - the heavy bullets rip through almost all fighters at this rank. Universal and Stealth rounds are the most effective belts - the Stealth being especially effective due to the M8 API bullets which allow F2A pilots to easily set opponents afire. Against bombers, the capabilities of the M2s are greatly reduced- aiming for engines is the most effective way to combat a bomber. You should always use the boom and zoom tactic as it works well for Japanese fighters at its rank. However, Japanese fighters will outturn you.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good dive speed and energy retention
* Highly manoeuvrable, very good in dog fights
* Great stealth armament
* Tail-hook for carrier landings

'''Cons:'''

* Poor acceleration
* Vulnerable fuel tanks (very prone to explosions)
* Poor level flight speed
* Engine overheats quickly. Loses lots of power due to minor damage or if left unchecked
* No armour to protect pilot; avoid any kind of head-ons or pursuit of heavy armoured planes with good defensive armament like the [[IL-2 (1941)|IL-2]] or [[BV 238]]

== History ==


The F2A-3 Buffalo was an interwar to early-WWII fighter aircraft of the United States Navy. Designed for the Navy's use on aircraft carriers, the F2A Buffalo was the first American monoplane naval fighter to enter service, beating the biplane XF4F design (which would later be redeveloped into the monoplane F4F Wildcat). The F2A served during the early days of WWII with the US navy, where it proved to be an ineffective fighter. The aircraft would be retired partway through the war with the development of more advanced aircraft.

In 1935, the Navy issued a requirement for a new monoplane fighter to replace the older F3F biplane naval aircraft. Several firms would design aircraft for the competition, including Brewster, who developed the XF2A Buffalo. Grumman submitted the XF4F, a traditional biplane fighter. After flight testing, the XF2A considerably outperformed the Grumman fighter, which wouldn't be produced in its biplane form, but would later reappear as the monoplane F4F Wildcat. Thus, the XF2A was ordered into production as the F2A Buffalo.

The F2A-3 was the last variant of the F2A to enter production, with 108 aircraft produced in total. The F2A-3 received additional fuel tanks and armour protection, but this made the aircraft significantly heavier and less agile. In American service, the F2A-3 Buffalo proved to be an ineffective aircraft, weaker than the highly-agile A6M Zero in most respects. They would be retired from active service with the introduction of newer, more advanced aircraft including the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was the first monoplane carrier-based fighter that served in the American fleet. The aircraft had an all-metal construction, with the exception of the control surfaces, which were covered with cloth.

In 1935, the U.S. Navy announced a competition to create a carrier-based fighter which was to replace the obsolete biplanes. The competition was won by the Brewster company and mass production of their F2A began in the summer of 1938. Of the 55 F2A-1s produced, only 11 entered service in the U.S. Finland, which was less demanding than other countries with regards to fighter specs, purchased the rest of the planes, which were then slightly altered for use on airfields.

The F2A-2 variant had a more powerful engine and a pitched Curtiss Electric propeller. The subsequent F2A-3 had a stronger chassis and larger fuel tank. This last modification increased the aircraft's weight significantly, and the engine did not provide sufficient power, making the F2A-3 inferior even to the F2A-2 in handling and speed.

The F2A was exported to a number of countries, including Finland and Great Britain.

Of the 509 Buffaloes built, 107 were F2A-3s and 20 were B-439s (an export model of the F2A-3 transferred to the Dutch West Indies).
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f2a-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|PNkoJ-MFERc|'''Best naval fighters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:27 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|t3xD7JpnHeI|'''Best aircraft for Boom & Zoom''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:01 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|aBGRGu-o9us|'''The Shooting Range #3''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:06 discusses the F2A.}}

== 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/303475-brewster-f2a-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Brewster}}
{{USA fighters}}

F2H-2

2024-03-08T11:16:35Z

U8128791: /* Suspended armament */ Added that droptanks can be removed now.

{{Specs-Card
|code=f2h-2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f2h-2.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The Banshee first started life as the XFD-1 Phantom (not to be confused with the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantom II]]) in the very late stages of World War 2. It was intended to be used during the planned invasion of Japan in 1946. A decent number of Phantoms were built, but they were quickly out of service when the far improved XF2D-1 Banshee was designed. It was more powerful and had more range thanks to its better engines and larger airframe. The F2H-2 Banshee was the second production variant of the Banshee. It had provisions for more fuel tanks and better engines than the F2H-1. The Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engine provided an 8% increase in thrust and allowed for more pylons to be added to the airframe. This would also be the most produced variant, with over 300 being built.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The F2H-2 Banshee is a fantastic jet fighter with great overall speed and good manoeuvrability. The Banshee is a very stable platform at high speeds. With a structural speed limit of just under 1,000 km/h (621 mph), the Banshee can easily out-dive many early jet fighters. Furthermore, the Banshee comes armed with four chin-mounted 20 mm cannons, which are devastating to enemy aircraft with the air target belt. Overall, this jet is one of the best early US jets; its BR coupled with its very good performance make it a very pleasant aircraft to fly and grind the whole US air tree.

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


The F2H-2 Banshee is a carrier-based jet fighter aircraft. The plane is powered by the Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engine, the same that can be found in the F3D-1, although it is over 90 km/h faster than the former in level flight at sea level, it can reach 933 km/h. The Banshee is significantly faster than the F-80C and slower than jets from other nations, the Yak-30, M.D.452, J29 or export versions of the F-84G, also the structural speed which is 994 km/h is lower than their maximum level speed, so it can struggle with catching up to them.
Its level acceleration is decent, it varies a lot on the fuel amount since the plane carries a lot of it and when there is 30 minutes or less left it is very comparable to jets at similar battle rating, but any F-86 or MiG-15 version will easily outperform it. When it comes to climbing it can start struggling against any other planes, when the plane is fully loaded it is only 27 m/s and increases to ~37 m/s when there is only 20 minutes (30%) of fuel left.
The F2H can fly for around 30 minutes at 100% of power, then it can start to overheat. There is no time limit for flying at 94%.

The manoeuvrability is also decent: at low and medium speed it can give a hard time to jets with swept wings and some other like the F-84G, performing a full horizontal circle will take 25 seconds at 1000 m with full fuel tanks and around 20 seconds with 20 minutes of fuel. The flaps also can decrease the turn time by 20% but their drawback is their quite low speed limit. The plane will suffer from high speed compressibility near 1000 km/h IAS. Since it is a carrier-based jet, its stall speed is low: it varies from 185 to 205 km/h IAS, depending on the weight.
The positive and negative G limit for wings are very low, the plane can suffer from wing failure after reaching close to 9G with full loadout. When rolling, it can reach up to 100 degrees per second at 600 km/h IAS and it is mediocre below 300 km/h IAS, 50 degrees per second and lower. The Banshee has also access to airbrakes which can help during landing or in combat situations to slow down the plane.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 910 || 884 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.8 || 27.8 || 21.6 || 20.2 || rowspan="2" | 670
|-
! Upgraded
| 947 || 933 || 25.8 || 26.0 || 33.9 || 27.4
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 503 || 473 || 325 || ~8 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 620 || < 650 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Westinghouse J34-WE-34 || 2
| colspan="3" | 5,620 kg || colspan="3" | 335 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 69m fuel
|-
| 600 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,674 kg || 7,178 kg || 7,980 kg || 8,689 kg || 9,142 kg || 11,000 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="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 69m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,469 kgf || N/A
| 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.32 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,469 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.32 || 0.27
|-
|}

=== 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}}

''Compressor'' and ''Engine'' are always useful upgrades and all acceleration unlocks are a top priority. Given the ''uniqueness'' of the AN/M3 armament ''New 20 mm cannons'' and ''[[G-Suit]]'' should be preferable tier 4 goals. The stock belts are better than any other type of ammo, due to more two times more HEFI-T inside of them, but for the improved cannons, they need to be researched, albeit that can wait past the G-Suit. To help with the manoeuvrability issues, boosters should be considered a priority as well.

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

{{main|M3 (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10
| rowspan="6" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[AN-M57 (250 lb)|250 lb AN-M57]] bombs
| || || || 1* || 1 || 1 || 1* || || ||
|-
! [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500 lb AN-M64A1]] bombs
| || || || || 1* || 1* || || || ||
|-
! [[HVAR]] rockets
| || 1 || 1 || 1* || 1 || 1 || 1* || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! 200 gal drop tanks
| 1† || || || || || || || || || 1†
|-
| colspan="11" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 300 kg
|-
| colspan="12" | * 500 lb bombs cannot be equipped with ordnance in the adjacent hardpoint † Drop tanks must be equipped together. Since late 2023, drop tanks can be removed entirely.
|-
|}

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

* 2 x 200 gal drop tanks
* 8 x HVAR rockets
* 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The Banshee is first in the US naval jet lineup and possesses many characteristics that make it a fantastic start for jet players.

Some tips to use it effectively are:

*Staying at a high altitude (side-climbing)
*Avoiding/evading higher-flying prop and jet planes (Stay aware of your surroundings and watch for enemy fighters)
*Using Boom & Zoom or Hit & Run tactics

In AB, the F2H is actually quite mediocre. Its high BR makes it liable to be put with superior jets such as the Me-262 (which has unlimited fuel, as is characteristic of AB) or the F-86 Sabre.

AB will initially be frustrating as the un-upgraded Banshee is a very poor performer. Its cannons jam, it has a relatively poor climb rate, and acceleration is poor as well.

Once upgraded, however, the Banshee can be a very effective and useful plane.

The F2H-2 is most effectively used as an energy fighter. It has great energy retention, turns well, and accelerates quite well once fully researched. However, the stock Banshee is terrible compared to super-props such as the [[Tempest Mk II]], [[F8F-1B]], [[La-9]], and others. Therefore, it is recommended to climb at the beginning of a match to at least 4-6 km as the Banshee performs extremely well at these altitudes. However, keep in mind that evasion of superior planes such as the F8F-1B or the [[MiG-15]] is key. Once optimal altitude is reached, Boom & Zoom can be employed. The F2H has sluggish controls at speeds below 482 km/h (300 mph) so try to maintain above that speed in level flight. But when facing super-props, low-speed stability coupled with an airbrake makes the Banshee an extremely good prop-killer.

If you are unlucky, you will face the [[F-86A-5|F-86A]] and [[MiG-15]] in some battles, be sure to avoid them at all costs as they climb far better than the Banshee and have superior top speed.

Unfortunately, like most other jets, modifications take a long while to grind. Go for anything that increases the Banshee's climb rate. Leave the cannon ammo belts alone because default has the most HE shells (besides Stealth), and research the ''New Cannons'' modification; It will markedly improve the terrible spread of the cannon.

The cockpit of the F2H-2 is fantastic- the bubble canopy provides good visibility to the front and back of the aircraft.

Even with good advantages as a starting jet fighter (if you went with the Naval Line of USA Fighters), it has some disadvantages going up against MiG-15's and MiG-17's. It can certainly outrun La-174's and La-15's with splendid ease, but it will never be able to outrun a MiG once it's on your tail. As for MiG-9's, they can't outrun the Banshee but can probably out-turn it if the MiG-9 pilot is properly trained and experienced.

It's best used as a support fighter in EVERY situation unless you are down-tiered and you are put against Ho-229's and Me-262's. In this case, you can become an aggressive fighter and easily score some kills. Although if you are put up against MiG-17's, MiG-15's and La-15's, best prepare yourself to side-climb and get behind your allies. Get some altitude and be patient to pursue MiG's that are either chasing Hunters or Sabres or an unfortunate bomber.

A good recommendation is that you should never go for [[IL-28|IL-28s]] alone. Other recommendations are that you should never take rockets or bombs unless you're in a squad and you bomb points together. It is NOT recommended either way. Another tip is to try holding your speed and use airbrakes when being tailed by a MiG.

=== Radars ===

The F2H-2 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amazing firepower (especially when spaded)
* Very good energy retention
* Good sustained turn rate
* Landing hook for carriers

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon jams quickly and are very inaccurate when stock
* Large turn radius
* Poor acceleration
* Poor instantaneous turn rate

== History ==

The twin-engine F2H Banshee was a follow up to McDonnell's successful FH-1 Phantom and was designed to become the Navy's next carrier-borne aircraft. The two aircraft appear very similar but the F2H was improved in several ways. Primary upgrades include larger airframe, heavier armament, and better power-plants. Nearly 800 Banshees were built for the Navy and Marine Corps during the early 1950s.

The Banshee saw use in Korea with the Navy and Marines escorting Air Force B-29s on bombing missions but would never encounter an enemy fighter throughout the whole war. As a fighter/bomber, the Banshee saw limited use, but the greatest role the F2H performed in the war was doing reconnaissance over hostile territory. A majority of the F2H's service took place in the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans but its appeal came from its ability to go unnoticed by enemy forces and would primarily serve recon or escort purposes. The Navy and Marine Corps would retire the Banshee from active service around the early 1960s and would replace it with aircraft such as the F9F Cougar, F3H Demon, and the F4D Skyray. In the 1950s several refurbished Banshees were purchased by the Canadian government where they saw limited service on the HMCS ''Bonaventure'' until the early 1960s when they were finally retired from military service.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f2h-2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:FighterImage_Banshee2.jpg|The Banshee in flight with other identical aircraft.
File:FighterImage_Banshee1.jpg|F2H attacking swarm of Me 262s in test flight mode.
</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 ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/264956-mcdonnell-f2h-2/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

AIM-9B Sidewinder

2024-02-17T11:42:06Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Spelling correction

{{About
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
}}
[[File:Missile AIM-9B Fired.jpg|thumbnail|right|x250px|An AIM-9B being fired]]

== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9B Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9B Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]] which was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]]. The AIM-9B is the earliest and least capable member of the Sidewinder family of missiles found in the game. It was the basis for the later Sidewinder missiles, as well as many other missiles found in the game. The [[Rb24]] is an AIM-9B built under license in Sweden, while the [[R-3S]], [[R-13M1]] and [[PL-2]] are all decendents of the Vympel R-3 missile, which was a Soviet reverse-engineered version of the AIM-9B. The AIM-9B also served as the basis for the design of the Israeli [[Shafrir]] missile, although there are notable differences between the two.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|USA}}{{Specs-Link|f3h-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4d_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8u-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e}}
{{Navigation-Line| }}{{Specs-Link|f9f-8}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f11f_1_late}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_111a}}

{{Navigation-Line|Germany}}{{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_german}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_r4_german}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sea_hawk_mk100}}

{{Navigation-Line|Britain}}{{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}}

{{Navigation-Line|Japan}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104j}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f1}}

{{Navigation-Line|China}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_100f_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}

{{Navigation-Line|Italy}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_italy}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104s}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104s_cb}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_r4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_ys}}

{{Navigation-Line|France}}{{Specs-Link|md_460}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|md_460_yt_cup_2019}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_milan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_5f}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early_iaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_late_iaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==


Like other early air-to-air missiles, the AIM-9B is limited in is destructive capabilities. Although it contains enough explosive filler to eliminate or cripple an enemy given a direct hit, those direct hits may be hard to come by. For one, this missile only has a 10G overload. Therefore, it is quite easy for an enemy to dodge it. All the enemy needs to do is to turn slightly, and the missile will likely miss. For greatest lethality, use this missile on slow targets that cannot manoeuvre well (though, in this case, guns may be just as effective).

Still, as one of the first air-to-air missiles in the game, the missile is quite effective for dealing with enemies in the right circumstances. Careful positioning and trigger discipline are required. In lower-tier jet combat, the AIM-9B is the gold standard for long to medium range air-to-air combat.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 72 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-aspect
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 4 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 1.7 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 10 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 20 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 7.62 kg
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

With a 4.76 kg HBX explosive (7.62 kg TNT equivalent) warhead, the AIM-9B Sidewinder can ensure the destruction of the hit aircraft's tail section. Even a near-miss with the proximity fuse detonating can cause significant damage to the rear control surfaces so that a critical hit will cause the plane to lose air controllability, leading to a credit when the plane eventually smashes into the ground.

=== Comparison with analogues ===


* [[AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder]] - A European-licensed version of the AIM-9B with their own improvements; however the performance in-game are quite similar.
* [[R-3S]]/[[PL-2]] - Infamous as a reverse-engineered variant of the AIM-9B, the R-3 missile shares many of its in-game performances with the AIM-9B, only falling slightly short in locking and launching range.
* [[Shafrir]] - Shares in-game performance values despite their design differences
* [[Rb24]] - Licensed-produced version of the AIM-9B for the Swedish, and as such shares in-game performance values.

== Usage in battles ==

This missile is best utilised when trailing an enemy. This will allow the pilot enough time to close the distance and acquire a target lock before firing the missile. The AIM-9B is especially effective against jet bombers, such as the [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)]], which generally have poor manoeuvrability.

The missile can hit targets at up to 2.7 km of range if they are moving in a straight line and make no effort to dodge. You can use this to your advantage by launching at aircraft high above you, who believe themselves to be safe due to their altitude, and may thus neglect to check their rear.

Firing the missile at aircraft moving in a straight line less than 900 m away usually guarantees a kill, as by the time the target can react to the missile, it is already upon them.

When firing this missile, watch out for nearby friendly aircraft, and for the sun. The missile may lock onto either of these, causing at the best a miss, and at worst an unintended teamkill.

The AIM-9B may be used to force the enemy to manoeuvre and bleed their speed, making it easier for the pilot to acquire a traditional firing solution and destroy the enemy with cannon fire.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent effective range; can travel fairly far in a straight line to intercept
* Effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability, aircraft compressing at high speed, and low energy targets

'''Cons:'''

* Narrow firing circle compared to later missiles with uncaged seekers
* Poorest range out of all AIM-9 variants
* Often loses track when the target manoeuvres in more than one dimension or turns sharply.

== History ==

===Development===
The missile's history starts at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) at China Lake in 1947.<ref name="Goebel2019">Goebel 2019</ref> Under William B. McLean, the missile conception sprang from mating lead-sulfide proximity fuzes that were sensitive to infrared radiation with a guidance system to home onto the infrared source.<ref name="HollwayFOX2">Hollway "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!"</ref> Initially his own private project, McLean eventually received approval by Admiral William S. Parsons for development.<ref name="Goebel2019" />These missiles were first test fired in 1951, with the first air-to-air hit was made on 11 September 1953 on a drone.<ref name="ParschAIM9">Parsch 2008</ref> This experimental missile would be designated as the ''XAAM-N-7''. The missile would also earn the name "Sidewinder" by the development team, named after the desert rattlesnake that senses its prey's heat and moves in a winding motion.<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="HollwayFOX2" />

Initially a US Navy project, the US Air Force was urged into participating by Howard Wilcox, the next project lead after McLean was promoted to upper management at NOTS in 1954.<ref name="Goebel2019" /> This culminated in a shoot-off in June 1955 between the Navy's Sidewinder against the Air Force's GAR-2 Falcon missile. The Sidewinder's performance in this event resulted in the US Air Force putting their support in the Sidewinder.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> By May 1956, the missile was officially adopted as the ''AAM-N-7'' for the US Navy and the ''GAR-8'' for the US Air Force.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /><ref name="GervasiArsenal">Gervasi 1984, p.256</ref> These designation would remain until 27 June 1963, when the Sidewinder's designations were standardised across all armed services as the '''AIM-9'''.<ref name="ParschDesignation">Parsch 2020</ref>

===AIM-9B===
The '''AIM-9B''' (pre-1963 Navy designation ''AAM-N-7 Sidewinder IA'') was the initial production version of the Sidewinder.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> More than 80,000 units of the AIM-9B Sidewinder would be produced.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" />
[[File:AIM-9B-9D-9C NAN3-71.jpg|x250px|right|thumb|none|A rack of Sidewinder missiles used by the US Navy. From top to bottom: [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]], [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], and AIM-9C.]]

The AIM-9B would see combat first over the Taiwan Strait in 1958, where Chinese MiGs and Taiwanese F-86 Sabres faced off in air battles. The first AIM-9B were sent in September to assist the ROC air force, which were equipped onto their Sabres.<ref name="HollwayFOX2" /> The first air-to-air kill with a Sidewinder was recorded on 24 September 1958, in which a Sabre shot down a MiG-15 with an AIM-9B. During these battles, an AIM-9B Sidewinder successfully hit a Chinese MiG, but failed to explode, leaving it lodged in the fuselage. The MiG flew back to China with its baggage of an intact example of a heat-seeking missile. The AIM-9B was looked at by Soviet engineers, who reversed engineered the design into the [[R-3S|R-3]], or K-13, missile (NATO reporting name: AA-2 Atoll).<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="LaiDragon">Lai 2016</ref>

The AIM-9B would also see widespread service in Vietnam. Its first aerial victory over Vietnam is on 10 July 1965, when two [[F-4C Phantom II]] from the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron downed two [[MiG-17]] with AIM-9Bs.<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg1">Siemann 1974, p.xii</ref> The AIM-9B would eventually account for around 28 MiG kills with 175 launches between 1965 to 1968.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> However, the missile's limitations became more apparent overtime. The range was short, the manoeuvrability leaves a lot to be desired, the reliability is poor, and the missile's IR lock can be easily interfered by sun, cloud, and even the ground.<ref name="HollwayFOX2" /><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9" /> These problems led to continued development of the Sidewinder. The US Navy's efforts became the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]] variant, while the US Air Force developed the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]].<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="ParschAIM9" /><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9" />

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KpWGXcI9PQc|'''The Shooting Range #129''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 10:42 discusses the AIM-9B Sidewinder.}}

== See also ==


;[[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)|Related development]]

* [[AIM-9D Sidewinder]] - Improved variant by the US Navy
* [[AIM-9E Sidewinder]] - Improved variant by the US Air Force
* [[AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder]]

;Similar-performing missiles

* [[R-3S]]
* [[PL-2]]
* [[Rb24]]
* [[Shafrir]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Gervasi, Tom. ''America's War Machine: the Pursuit of Global Dominance: Arsenal of Democracy III''. Grove Press, Inc., 1984.
* Goebel, Greg. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." ''Air Vectors'', 01 Apr. 2019, [http://www.airvectors.net/avsdaam.html#m5 Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034852/http://www.airvectors.net/avsdaam.html Web Archive] from 12 Nov 2020)
* Hollway, Don. "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!" ''HistoryNet'', [https://www.historynet.com/fox-two.htm Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210323093357/https://www.historynet.com/fox-two.htm Web Archive] from 23 Mar 2021)
* Kopp, Carlo. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." ''Air Power Australia'', 27 Jan 2014, [http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402165256/http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Web Archive] from 02 Apr 2021)
* Lai, Benjamin. ''The Dragon's Teeth: The Chinese People's Liberation Army - Its History, Traditions, and Air Sea and Land Capability in the 21st Century.'' Casemate Publishers, 14 July 2016.
* Parsch, Andreas. "AIM-9." ''Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles'', Designation-Systems.Net, 09 July 2008, [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402165800/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Web Archive] from 02 Apr 2021)
* Parsch, Andreas. "Current Designations of U.S. Unmanned Military Aerospace Vehicles." ''U.S. Military Aviation Designation Systems'', Designation-Systems.Net, 30 March 2020, [http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/missiles.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210603010107/http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/missiles.html Web Archive] from 03 Jun 2021)
* Siemann, John W. ''Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. COMBAT SNAP (AIM-9J Southeast Asia Introduction)''. Defense Technical Information Center, 24 Apr 1974.

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Lightning F.6

2024-02-17T11:30:43Z

U8128791: /* Description */ Spelling corected

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = Lightning F.53
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=lightning_f6
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|Lightning Red Top Kill.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_lightning_f6.jpg
}}

== Description ==

Development of the English Electric Lightning began in the late 1940s, following the cancellation of the Miles M.52 supersonic research aircraft program. It was designed as a high performance interceptor aircraft, to defend against Soviet bombers, with its unique stacked dual engine design. The Lightning F.6, entering service in December 1965, was the final production variant, and featured an enlarged ventral fuel tank, a new wing design, and reintroduction of the 30 mm ADEN cannons. The Lightning served as the RAF's primary interceptor throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s, and was gradually phased out of service in the late 1980s, being replaced by the McDonnell Douglas [[Phantom FGR.2]].

Introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]], the Lightning is a very distinctive aircraft, with its unique stacked engine design, highly swept wings, and large ventral fuel tank. It has decent acceleration, climb rate, and top speed; and can carry two Firestreak or Red Top missiles. While its missiles are not the best in the game they are still powerful weapons, although the limited quantity does require you to choose your shots carefully.

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


The Lightning F.6 possesses good acceleration and climb performance, although arguably not as good as late model MiG-21s, and some [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|Phantoms]]. The Lightning's two powerful Avon 302 engines do however give it the unique capability of being able to supercruise (fly supersonic without afterburner) at all altitudes, something very few other aircraft in the game can do. At sea level the Lightning can supercruise at Mach 1.03, with this generally increasing with altitude (for example at 5,000 m it can supercruise at Mach 1.07). The Lightning has a lower listed wing rip speed than other top tier jets such as MiG-21s and [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]], however it due to its powerful engines it is capable of reaching (and exceeding) this speed in level flight, even with a full missile armament. This means that the Lightning is actually faster than many of its competitors in a low altitude chase situation, being able to reach Mach 1.08 safely at sea level and Mach 1.10 if you want to push it (structural failure tends to occur at this speed so be careful); Mach 1.14 can be safely reached at 1,000 m. Enemy aircraft can still catch you if they are coming out of a dive, but a surprising number will not be able to keep up in a prolonged chase with a Lightning. Supercruise can be used to give the Lightning longer endurance than other top tier jets, without having to sacrifice speed.

In real life the Lightning's optimal climb profile was to accelerate to 450 knots (833 km/h) and then enter a climb, adjusting the climb angle to maintaining 450 kts / Mach 0.87 (whichever is lower)<ref name="LightningF6ODM" />, and this method works well in game however a simpler approach can just be to accelerate to a reasonably high speed (around 1,000 km/h and enter a 30 degree climb). The Lightning is not a particularly manoeuvrable aircraft, however it can turn fairly well when at high subsonic speed and lower altitude, turning off the afterburner can also improve turning performance in some situations. The roll rate varies with speed and altitude, but is generally nothing special (bar a few speed / altitude combinations, where it rolls surprisingly well).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 12,192 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,240 || 2,213 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.8 || 28.0 || 124.6 || 115.4 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,353 || 2,290 || 24.4 || 26.0 || 177.8 || 150.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 654 || 463 || ~10 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 700 || < 700 || 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" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.302 || 2
| colspan="2" | 14,020 kg || colspan="2" | 436 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel || 22m fuel
|-
| 1,310 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 15,382 kg || 18,109 kg || 18,559 kg || 19,000 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
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel || 22m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,616 kgf || 7,413 kgf
| 0.96 || 0.82 || 0.80 || 0.78
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,616 kgf (0 km/h) || 7,747 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 1.01 || 0.86 || 0.83 || 0.82
|-
|}

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


In line with its role as a high-performance interceptor aircraft the Lightning F.6 has no armoured plating or bulletproof glass, such additions would have increased the weight of the aircraft, while offering no real benefit for its intended role.

Most of the inside of the wings (including the flaps) consists of fuel tanks, fuel is also stored in the ventral tank. The top engine is mounted above and to the rear of the bottom engine, this leaves it exposed to enemy fire; on the flip side the bottom engine is shielded from enemy fire by the top engine and wing fuel tanks, this makes is surprisingly resilient to damage, it is not uncommon for it to even continue functioning after the aircraft has been hit by a missile (although the rest of the aircraft will be well and truly broken afterwards).

The large belly tank and high wings of the Lightning mean it is able to survive belly landings very well.

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

The Lightning is a difficult aircraft to use when stock. If you particularly dislike the stock ADEN cannons then you may wish to priorities the cannon upgrades, however generally it is advisable to focus on flight performance and missile upgrades. Once you gain the ability to unlock tier 2 modifications you should prioritise the Red Tops, they are far from the best missiles in the game, but they can be useful; after that the new boosters modification is worth getting to improve the general handling of the aircraft. For tier 3 modifications you should get the wings repair and engine upgrades (unless you really want the ADEN upgrades). After this you can research the rest of the upgrades according to personal preference.

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

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, mounted in belly tank (120 rpg = 240 total)

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

{{main|Firestreak|Red Top}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x Firestreak missiles
* 2 x Red Top missiles

== Usage in battles ==


In combined battles, pilots of the {{PAGENAME}} may find themselves unable to deal much damage against ground vehicles, especially without the use of rockets, anti-tank missiles, or bombs. As such, this fighter is better suited to dealing with enemy air targets such as helicopters, which are plentiful at the Lightning's battle rating.

Although it faces challenges there, air realistic battles are where the Lightning truly belongs. The F.6 is able to use its Red Top missiles to dispatch enemies from a distance. Best practice with the missiles is to fire when there is about a 1.5 km gap between the F.6 and the enemy aircraft. This gap gives the missile time to lock on its target and track the enemy. One downside to the Red Tops is that they are not particularly fast compared to other missiles at its tier and may have trouble manoeuvring to catch an enemy aircraft travelling at top speed.

The {{PAGENAME}} handles well at subsonic speeds, although dogfights at those speeds are not common at this battle rating. Flying slowly leaves the pilot vulnerable to nearby enemies. Among those enemies may be the [[MiG-21 F-13]], which the Lightning can often out-dogfight and the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4C]], which the Lightning has an extremely difficult time trying to out-dogfight. The Lightning just doesn't have the energy retention that the Phantom does.

Keeping this in mind, it is advised that pilots use this plane as part of a team, rather than as an attempted solo carry. It is recommended that they climb to higher altitude early on in the match and by gaining as much energy as possible before dumping it in dogfight manoeuvres.

Enemy planes that the Lightning F.6 is well-suited to take on in a fight are the [[Mitsubishi T-2]], the [[F-100D]], and the [[MiG-19 (Family)|Mig-19s]] of all variants.

===Radars===
The Lightning F.6 is equipped with an AI.23 search and tracking radar. The radar is mounted in the nose of the aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AI.23 - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 100,000 m (theoretical) || 50,000 m || ±50.0° || ±8.0°
|-
! colspan="4" | AI.23 - Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 100,000 m || 300 m || ±50.0° || ±30.0°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extraordinarily competitive climb rate & acceleration
** Can out-speed & out-accelerate aircraft even in a full up-tier
* Formidable angle-of-attack above low speeds
* Highly versatile missiles
** Capable of all-aspect tracking via radar slaving
** Unlikely to encounter countermeasures
* Surprisingly good turn rate between 800 and 1,000 km/h IAS
* Comparatively survivable
** One engine is sufficient to power aircraft
** Engines rarely overheat
** Enemies aiming centre-mass are unlikely to kill the pilot

'''Cons:'''

* Vulnerable to itself
** Can rip wings and avionics easily at 1,360 km/h IAS
** Very high fuel consumption when using afterburner
* Awkward cannon handling
** Cannons are mounted under the fuselage
** Low muzzle velocity
** Low fire rate
* Poor manoeuvrability
** Controls are unresponsive at low speeds
** Poor energy retention at high-subsonic speeds
** Avionics lock-up (compress) at transonic/supersonic speeds
* Lack of versatility
** No strike ordnance
* Engines run very hot and are therefore incredibly vulnerable to infrared-guided missiles

== History ==

===Background===
In February 1946 the British government cancelled the Miles M.52 programme, only a few months before the first prototype was due to fly. The M.52 was a supersonic research aircraft, designed to reach speeds in excess of 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) and potentially become the first aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds in level flight.<ref name="LightningStrikesTwice">Bowman 2009</ref> The cancellation sent a message to the aviation industry that the British Government had little interest in the development of supersonic aircraft. This did not deter English Electric Company engineer W. E. W. Petter; from his work designing the Canberra bomber he could tell that current fighters would be incapable of intercepting such an aircraft, and so began sketching designs for a new supersonic fighter.<ref name="IconsLightningStory">Chorlton 2012</ref>

Petter lobbied the government to pursue supersonic aircraft development and in early 1947 presented his proposed design to the Ministry of Supply (MoS), to his surprise this lead to the MoS issuing specification ER.103 calling for companies to produce designs for a supersonic research aircraft capable of Mach 1.5 at 36,000 ft.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" /> English Electric set to work on their proposal, which would later be known as the P.1.

===Development===
By the middle of 1948 most of the P.1's key design features were in place, the aircraft would have two engines stacked one on top of the other (this allowed for 2x increase in thrust while only increasing frontal area by 1.5x) and highly swept wings. English Electric was given a contract to develop the design further through 1949; wind tunnel testing indicated that the tailplane should be moved from the top of the vertical stabiliser to the bottom of the fuselage, and the wing sweep increased from 40° to 60°.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft">Ransom and Fairclough 1987</ref> By the end of 1949 most of the P.1's design had been finalised.

In September 1949, the MoS released the first draft of specification F.23/49 laying out the requirements for a supersonic fighter aircraft. English Electric decided they could modify the P.1 design to meet the new F.23/49 specification. In April 1950, they received a contract to produce three prototype P.1 aircraft (two for flight testing and one for static testing).<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> Engineers at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) doubted English Electric's design for the P.1, believing that the aircraft should have had a 50° swept wing and kept the original high-mounted tailplane; this would lead to a second contract being handed to Short Brothers to produce an aircraft known as the SB.5. The SB.5 was a low-speed research aircraft (resembling the P.1) which facilitated the wings and tail being mounted in different configurations, with the aim being to find out whether English Electric or the RAE were correct. Later during testing it would be found that 60° was the optimal wing sweep and the high tail design would prove to be unstable in flight; proving English Electric correct in their design choices.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" />

In July 1952, while English Electric was working on building the P.1 prototypes, they were notified that the government intended to order a number of prototype fighters built to the F.23/49 specification, and so detailed design on the modified P.1 began. To avoid confusion, the two original P.1 aircraft would be known as P.1 and P.1A with the new fighter version known as the P.1B.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> The official order for 3 P.1B prototypes was placed in August 1953 and was followed in February 1954 by an order for 20 P.1B development aircraft. The P.1 / P.1A were visually similar to the Lightning but had distinct differences; most notable were its use of non-afterburning Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire SA.5 engines and a significantly different cockpit and forward fuselage. The P.1 lacked the Lightning's distinctive shock cone intake, instead having a pear-shaped intake in the nose and also initially lacked the ventral fuel tank of production Lightnings. The P.1B was much closer to the production Lightning F.1 aircraft, being visually very similar, and incorporating most of the features of the production aircraft.<ref name="BurkeLightning">Burke 2016</ref>

The first P.1 was finished in May 1954 and taken to Boscombe Down, where it spent the next couple of months carrying out ground tests and fast taxi runs.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> With tests progressing well, the first flight for the P.1 was set to be the 3rd August 1954. However, as test pilot Roland Beamont climbed into the cockpit for the first flight, he accidentally triggered the engine bay fire extinguishers; with the rest of the day spent cleaning up the fire retardant the flight had to be postponed until the next day.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" /> The P.1 first flew on 4th August 1954, and shortly afterwards on its third flight it went supersonic, supercruising at Mach 1.02; in subsequent flights supercruise at Mach 1.08 in level flight would be achieved and in one flight the aircraft would eventually reach a speed of Mach 1.22.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> The second P.1 prototype, known as P.1A, flew on 18th July 1955, featuring a ventral tank, twin 30 mm ADEN cannons mounted above the intake, and redesigned flaps.<ref name="LightningMk1_6">Darling 2008</ref> While the P.1A was undergoing testing, the original P.1 prototype was modified with Sapphire SA.5R engines which produced less dry thrust than the SA.5's but featured reheat (afterburner) which gave them much greater thrust than the SA.5 when engaged. With the new engines the P.1 could reach Mach 1.56; the P.1A was never fitted with the new engines. During testing of the P.1, problems with the cockpit canopy became apparent, on one test flight in August 1955 while the aircraft was flying at Mach 0.95 the canopy broke away from the aircraft. The test pilot was able to land without further incident, and the canopy locking mechanism was adjusted; however a few weeks later the canopy broke loose again. After further modifications English Electric believed the problem was resolved; until once more the canopy came away from the aircraft, this time while the aircraft was flying at supersonic speed.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> Following this incident, English Electric decided to completely redesign the canopy locking mechanism, finally fixing the issue, luckily none of the pilots were seriously injured in any of the incidents.<ref name="LightningMk1_6" />

The P.1B first flew on the 4th April 1957 and was successfully taken to Mach 1.2 on its first flight.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> On the same day the P.1B first flew, the Government published the now infamous 1957 Defence White Paper, which cancelled most of Britain's advanced aircraft programmes under the (now known to be incorrect) belief that missile technology would make manned aircraft irrelevant; the P.1 was one of the few aircraft programmes not cancelled.<ref name="LightningStrikesTwice" /> On the 23rd of October 1958 the P.1B was officially renamed to the Lightning.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> Development of the P.1B continued with no major problems and on 25th November 1958 the P.1B became the first British aircraft to achieve Mach 2, sustaining it in level flight and with engines on the lowest of their four reheat settings.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> Development continued with the last of the 20 P.1B pre-production aircraft taking to the air in September 1959;<ref name="LightningMk1_6" /> this was followed by the first P.1B Lightnings being delivered to RAF service in December 1959.

===RAF Service===
The first production version of the Lightning to enter RAF service was the Lightning F.1, which differed only slightly from the pre-production P.1Bs, it entered service with 74 squadron at Coltishall in 1960.<ref name="BurkeLightning" /> The F.1 was powered by two Avon 200R engines each producing 11,200 lb of dry thrust or 14,400 lb of thrust with maximum reheat (afterburner).<ref name="LightningF1PilotsNotes">Pilot's Notes, Lightning F.Mk 1 & F.Mk 1A</ref><ref name="IconsLightningStory" /> In terms of armament, the F.1 had two 30 mm ADEN cannons mounted above the air intake and provision for three different interchangeable weapon packs to be fitted in the weapons bay. The most common weapons pack (and the only one most people are aware of) was the Firestreak pack; the internals of the pack contained electronic and cooling systems, while pylons protruding from either side of the pack allowed the lightning to carry two Firestreak air-to-air missiles, one on either side of the fuselage. The other two packs were less well known, one allowed the fitment of two additional 30 mm ADEN cannons (bringing the total to four), and the other allowed the cartridge of 48 x 2" unguided air-to-air rockets.<ref name="LightningF1PilotsNotes" /> During normal flight the rockets would be stored internally, when the rockets were to be fired two launchers (each containing 24 rockets) would fold outwards from the weapon pack.<ref name="LightningMk1_6" />

A total of 22 production standard Lightning F.1s were built before production was switched to the improved F.1A standard. The F.1A was only slightly different to the F.1, featuring provision for an in-flight refuelling probe, some re-routed cabling from inside the engine bay to external cable ducts on the side of the fuselage, and Avon 210R engines; the engines had modifications to the reheat control system, but preformed the same as the Avon 200R engines of the F.1.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" /><ref name="EngineDatabaseHandbook">Roux 2007</ref> The F.1A entered service in December 1960 serving alongside the Lightning F.1s. The first two-seat Lightning trainers, known as T.4s were also delivered in 1960; the T.4 was based on the F.1A and featured two pilots sat side by side in the cockpit.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" /> By 1965 the F.1s and F.1As had been withdrawn from front-line service, joining the T.4s in being used for pilot training and other duties into the 1970s.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" />

The next version of the Lightning to enter service was the F.2, planned as an interim version to enter service while the more advanced F.3 was still being developed. Externally it looked almost identical to the F.1A, with the only difference being the addition of a small air scoop on the "spine" of the aircraft. Internally however there were more changes; the engines were upgraded with fully variable reheat (instead of the 4 position reheat on earlier models), a significantly lighter and more compact oxygen system for the pilot, and an improved navigation system.<ref name="LightningMk1_6" /> The F.2 entered service with two squadrons in 1961, and became the first Lighting variant to serve outside of the UK, being based at RAF bases in West Germany.<ref name="IconsLightningStory" />

After the Lightning F.2 came the Lightning F.3; which was a major upgrade over all previous models of the Lightning. The most obvious external feature of the F.3 was a new, larger, squared-off tail; this was necessary to allow the F.3 to safely carry the new Red Top missile. The Red Top was a major improvement over the Firestreak, having improved range, a more destructive warhead, and a new seeker giving the missile limited all-aspect capability. Internally, the F.3 featured a more advanced AI.23B radar, new navigation equipment, and most significantly new Avon 301R engines.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> The Avon 301s produced significantly more thrust than previous Avon engines with 12,600 lb of dry thrust and 16,300 lb of thrust each on full reheat. The Lightning F.3 entered RAF service in January 1964.<ref name="LightningStrikesTwice" />

The F.3 was followed into service by the F.3A and the T.5 (a two-seat trainer variant of the F.3) in 1965. The F.3A was an interim version which designed to address the Lightning's limited range before the planned F.6 version was ready. The F.3A significantly increased the size of the ventral fuel tank, in addition it was fitted with a new wing featuring a kinked and cambered leading edge; this wing reduced subsonic drag leading to a 20% increase in cruising range. The new wing also improved the handling characteristics of the Lightning; it did however come at the cost of reducing supersonic acceleration.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" />

The final production model of Lightning to enter RAF service was the F.6. The Lightning F.6 had been intended to fix some of the shortfalls of the F.3; it included the enlarged ventral tank and new wing design of the F.3A, and returned the cannon armament with two 30 mm ADEN cannons mounted in the front of the ventral fuel tank. The F.6 also included support for a pair of over-wing fuel tanks, further improving the aircraft's range. The F.6 entered service in December 1965, serving alongside the F.3s; the superior range of the F.6 led to them being used for long-range interception missions, while the higher performance F.3 lent itself to being used for shorter range missions.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> Although originally retaining the Avon 301 engines of the F.3 and F.3A, the F.6 would later be upgraded with Avon 302 engines; these engines provided better high altitude flight performance and reduced fuel consumption.<ref name="LightningF6ODM">Lightning F.Mk 6, Operating Data Manual</ref>

The improved range of the Lightning F.6 proved popular with the RAF and so it was decided to rebuild 31 of the Lightning F.2s stationed in Germany to near F.6 standard.<ref name="LightningStrikesTwice" /> These aircraft were known as F.2As and began entering service in 1968, they featured the enlarged ventral tank and new wings of the F.6, but retained the less powerful Avon 211 engines as well as the 30 mm cannons mounted in their original location above the intake.<ref name="LightningF2AAircrewManual">Lightning F Mk 2A, Aircrew Manual</ref> As the F.2A also lacked the updated avionics of later models it was incapable of carrying Red Top missiles, instead carrying either Firestreaks or a gun pack containing two additional ADEN cannons.<ref name="LightningF2AAircrewManual" /> The F.2A was well-liked by its pilots, the fitment of ADEN cannons above the intake allowed the entire ventral tank to be filled with fuel (instead of partly being taken up by cannons); coupled with less fuel-hungry engines this gave it the best endurance of any Lightning variant. The F.2A spent most of its service life carrying out low-level interceptions missions in Germany, where the increased endurance was greatly appreciated.<ref name="LightningBoys">Pike 2011</ref>

The English Electric Lightning was the RAF's primary front-line interceptor from its introduction in 1959 up until the mid-1970s when it began to be replaced by the Phantom FGR.2. Even so, the Lightning would continue to serve in the interceptor role with the RAF until 1988, leaving RAF service less than two years before the first Phantoms began to be retired from service. Although the Lightning was primary used to intercept Soviet bombers entering UK airspace it was also stationed outside of the UK, most notably in Germany; the Lightning did also see service at RAF Tengah in Singapore and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.<ref name="LightningBoys" /> Despite serving in the RAF for 29 years the Lightning never once shot down a hostile aircraft. Officially the only aircraft ever shot down by a Lightning was a pilotless Harrier; the pilot had ejected however the Harrier kept flying, it was decided to shoot it down rather than risk it entering Soviet territory.

===Export Service===
As well as RAF service, the Lightning did also see some export service with the Kuwait Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force. The first Lightnings delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force arrived in 1966; they came in the form of five Lightning F.52s and two T.54s. These aircraft were simply ex-RAF Lightning F.2s and T.4s.<ref name="DerryLightning">Derry 2016</ref> Through 1968 - 1969 the Royal Saudi Air Force took delivery of more advanced Lightning F.53s and T.55s; the Kuwait Air Force would also receive its F.53s and T.55s in the same time span.<ref name="DerryLightning" />

The Lightning F.53 was effectively a Lightning F.6 upgraded to become a multi-role fighter. The most notable change was the addition of underwing hardpoints capable of carrying 1,000 lb bombs and SNEB rocket pods. In addition, the 2" rocket pack from the Lightning F.1 was returned to carry air-to-air or air-to-ground rockets, and a new photo-reconnaissance pack was made available, in addition to the Firestreak and Red Top weapon packs.<ref name="LightningF53PilotsNotes">Lightning F Mk. 53, Pilots Notes</ref> Various improvements were proposed for the F.53 including adapters to allow two bombs or rocket pods to be fitted to each underwing pylon, and dual rocket pods to be carried on the over-wing pylons (originally used for the fuel tanks on the F.6). While the dual underwing adapter would be approved for use on Saudi Lightnings the over-wing rocket pods never made it past mock-up stage.<ref name="EnglishElectricAircraft" /> The T.55 was a T.5 upgraded to better reflect the Lightning F.53; it received the enlarged ventral tank and new wings of the Lightning F.6 and F.53.<ref name="DerryLightning" />

===Lightning F.6 compared to other variants===
With the Lightning F.6 being the ultimate version of the Lightning in RAF service some may find it surprising to hear that it lags behind most other Lightning models in terms of raw flight performance. With the F.6 it had chosen to sacrifice the raw performance of previous Lightnings in order to improve the aircraft's range and return the cannon armament. As an example, a Lightning F.1 could accelerate from stationary to 450 kts (833 km/h) within 36 seconds of brake release; while an F.6 would take 42 seconds to achieve the same.<ref name="LightningF1ODM">Lightning F.Mks 1,1A,2 &T.MK.4, Operating Data Manual</ref><ref name="LightningF6ODM" /> Likewise, from brake release to 36,000 ft would take 2 minutes 18 seconds in a Lightning F.1; while a Lightning F.6 would take 2 minutes 42 seconds.<ref name="LightningF1ODM" /><ref name="LightningF6ODM" /> By far the best performing Lightning variant was the F.3; it mated the much more powerful engines of the F.6 with the significantly lighter airframe of earlier Lightnings.

=== [[wt:en/news/6615-development-lightning-f-6-saddled-to-a-skyrocket-en|Devblog]] ===
Development of the Lightning began in 1947, after the Ministry of Supply issued a requirement for the development of an experimental supersonic aircraft, in order to gain insights on supersonic flight and aircraft design. By 1949 however, the requirements were changed to incorporate fighter levels of manoeuvrability, thus kicking off the development process which would eventually result in the Lightning.

While the first prototypes of the Lightning (P.1A) were designed to reach speeds of around Mach 1.5, in 1952, the decision was made to further develop a second batch of prototypes (P.1B), capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2. In August 1954, the P.1A prototype first took to the skies for its maiden flight, while the P.1B conducted its first flight in April 1957 and as the first British aircraft, reached speeds of Mach 2 in November.

Following a successful test phase, the Lightning was ordered into production and subsequently entered service with the RAF in 1959. The aircraft served throughout the Cold War period - until 1988 - with many variants being created which improved the Lightning's performance further, most notably increasing its originally very limited range.

With the advent of far more capable aircraft in the late stages of the Cold War, the over 330 Lightnings built were phased out of service in the late 1980s. Apart from its service with the UK, the Lightning also served with the armed forces of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the latter two being its only foreign operators.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=lightning_f6 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" caption="Lightning F.6 Devblog Images" heights="150px">
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:Lightning F.6 WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|TJNmzteLOk8|'''The Shooting Range #223''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|CDl68kOR9ig|'''The Shooting Range #191''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:56 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


* [[Phantom FG. Mk1|Phantom FG.1]]
* [[Phantom FGR.2]]
* [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]]
* [[MiG-21SMT]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6615-development-lightning-f-6-saddled-to-a-skyrocket-en|[Devblog] Lightning F.6: Saddled to a Skyrocket!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/479190-lightning-f6/ [Forums<nowiki>]</nowiki> Aircraft Data Sheets: Lightning F.6]

===References===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Bowman, M. (2009). Lightning Strikes Twice: The Story of the English Electric Lightning. Stroud: Amberley Publishing.
* Burke, D. (2016). English Electric Lightning. Retrieved from [https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/history.php Thunder and Lightnings]
* Chorlton, M. (2012). The Lightning story - from P.1 to F.6. Aeroplane Icons, pp. 6-16.
* Darling, K. (2008). English Electric / British Aircraft Corporation Lightning Mks 1-6. Lulu.com.
* Derry, M. (2016). English Electric Lightning. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Aviation.
* Lightning F Mk 2A, Aircrew Manual. (1968). Warton Aerodrome, UK: English Electric Technical Services.
* Lightning F Mk. 53, Pilots Notes. (1983). Warton Aerodrome, UK: British Aircraft Corporation Ltd.
* Lightning F.Mk 6, Operating Data Manual. (1977). Warton Aerodrome, UK: English Electric Technical Services.
* Lightning F.Mks 1,1A,2 &T.MK.4, Operating Data Manual. (1975). Warton Aerodrome, UK: English Electric Technical Services.
* Pike, R. (2011). The Lightning Boys. London: Grub Street.
* Pilot's Notes, Lightning F.Mk 1 & F.Mk 1A. (1962). Warton Aerodrome, UK: English Electric Technical Services.
* Ransom, S., & Fairclough, R. (1987). English Electric Aircraft and their Predecessors. London: Putnam.
* Roux, E. (2007). Turbofan and Turbojet Engines Database Handbook. Lulu.com.

{{AirManufacturer EEC}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Fw 190 F-8

2024-02-13T12:56:38Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = German strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Fw 190 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fw-190f-8
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The {{PAGENAME}} is the main serial production of the F-series [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]] fighter. The F-series is designed as a multirole ground attack fighter-bomber aircraft meant to replace the obsolete [[Ju 87 (Family)|Ju 87]] dive bomber. The F-8 variant is based on the [[Fw 190 A-8]], featuring reinforced airframe to allow it to carry its payload of up to a 1,000 kg bomb. To compensate for worsened flight performance, the F-8 features a slightly modified compressor injector which improves the engine's performance at low altitudes. Despite 6,143 F-8 models were produced it could never fully replace it this late into the war (1944), and as such the F-8 often ended being used as a low altitude fighter-interceptor instead of its ground attacking role.

Being in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The {{PAGENAME}} is a Fw 190 who thought it was a Stuka. The F-8 version is a peculiar one, being classed as a strike aircraft due to its relatively heavy suspended armaments. As an attacker, this Focke-Wulf gains mid-air start on most maps which can either be used to get to ground targets quickly or get the jump on climbing fighters. While generally more sluggish than the A-8 variant, the F-8 features a 30 mm gun pods that allows it to dismantle the enemy planes in a few hits. The F-8 is perhaps one of the most versatile Fw 190s in the game, though it tends to be outperformed in most categories by more specialised planes.

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

Being essentially a modified [[Fw 190 A-8]] for ground attacking role, the {{PAGENAME}}'s general flight performance is generally similar to the A-8, though being noticably more sluggish to handle, especially while stock. The F-8 retains the typical handling of the Fw 190 series; good roll rate and high-speed handling, but mediocre climb rate and atrocious turn rate. Which means it can perform reasonably well as a boom-and-zoom fighter, though not as well as delicated fighter variant. The F-8's heavier airframe resulting into the plane often struggle in a prolonged dogfights, as it will herrmorage its energy much faster than other delicated fighters.

A caveat worth noting is that, while the F-8 can performs as a boom-and-zoom fighter, it suffers from rudder lock-ups at higher speed (~650 km/h), which may results in a fatal failed-pull ups if the pilot are not careful. On the plus side, while the F-8 does not have a delicated combat flaps, the takeoff flaps can be used instead in place of it to improve its manoverability due to its unusually high rip speed (~700 km/h).

As it was classified as a strike aircraft, the F-8 greatly benefits from its access to an air spawn, as it gains a headstart speed to help it climb up to medium altitudes (~3,000 - 4,000 m) at the start of the match. This allows the F-8 to gain an altitude advantage against most fighters, and even capable of intercepting bombers.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,400 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 605 || 585 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.5 || 25.5 || 11.7 || 11.7 || rowspan="2" | 453
|-
! Upgraded
| 670 || 635 || 21.9 || 23.2 || 21.7 || 15.8
|-
|}

==== 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 || 700 || 310 || ~13 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 420 || < 300 || < 550 || > 320
|-
|}

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


* 6 mm Steel - Fore cowl ring
* 10 mm Steel - Cowl ring
* 6 mm Steel - Under engine armour
* 8 mm Steel - Under cockpit/fuel tank armour plate
* 5 mm Steel - Rear fuel tank armour
* 8 mm Steel - Pilot's chair armour
* 6 mm Steel - Pilot's chair armour
* 12 mm Steel - Headrest armour
* 57 mm Bulletproof glass - armoured windscreen

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

The attacker "Würger" has such awful responsiveness from the elevator that anything which improves turn rate should have the highest priority. Otherwise, it will kiss the ground more than cows do! Don't forget, it needs to dive-bomb to hit anything. And grinding the bombs cannot be forgotten!! This is an attacker, so it needs the payload unlocks, but without performance upgrades, it is just a pain to fly. A detour to the new belts could be considered, but two 20 mm cannons are enough to handle any ground units even with stock ammunition, especially as the other performance upgrades are necessary as well due the F-8's great weight.

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

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 131 (13 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

The 13 mm IAI belts are extremely potent against bomber and fighter aircraft alike; featuring a mere 1 g of explosive mass. The belts have a strong chance to simply rupture the airframe or disable many flammable modules at the same time.

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


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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="15%" | 1 !! width="15%" | 2 !! width="15%" | 3
| rowspan="12" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Fw_190_D-9.png]]</div>
|-
! [[MK 103 (30 mm)|30 mm MK 103]] cannons (35 rpg)
| 1* || || 1*
|-
! [[SC50JA (50 kg)|50 kg SC50JA]] bombs
| 2 || 4 || 2
|-
! [[SC250JA (250 kg)|250 kg SC250JA]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[SC500K (500 kg)|500 kg SC500K]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[PC500 (500 kg)|500 kg PC500]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[SC1000L2 (1,000 kg)|1,000 kg SC1000L2]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[PC1000 (1,000 kg)|1,000 kg PC1000]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[Flam C 250 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[Flam C 500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 ||
|-
! [[Pb2]] rockets
| 7 || || 7
|-
| colspan="4" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,220 kg
|-
| colspan="5" | * Cannon pods must be equipped together
|-
|}

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

* Without load
* 14 x Pb2 rockets
* 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
* 8 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (400 kg total)
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
* 1 x 500 kg SC500K bomb (500 kg total)
* 1 x 500 kg PC500 bomb (500 kg total)
* 1 x 1,000 kg SC1000L2 bomb (1,000 kg total)
* 1 x 1,000 kg PC1000 bomb (1,000 kg total)
* 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb
* 1 x Flam C 500 incendiary bomb
* 2 x 30 mm MK 103 cannons (35 rpg = 70 total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The Fw 190 F-8 possesses below average speed, acceleration and climb ability for its rank. If you spot a bandit at the same altitude, a recommended tactic is to head-on attack, followed by an evasive manoeuvre and then extending away to repeat the processes. If a bandit has superior energy/altitude and is trying to attack you, try to drag them to friendlies, but don't sacrifice too much altitude to do so. If you are skilled enough, another tactic would be to initiate scissors; either rolling or flat, and then break away when he goes to yo-yo to control his overshoot. The scissors manoeuvre is a highly effective manoeuvre in the 190s. Many good pilots have dismembered many superior aircraft simply because of the roll rate and firepower this plane possesses. If you are clever enough to press for a gun solution when scissoring an enemy, you could be greatly rewarded.

In summary for the unintended fighter-role, climb to the side or continue climbing when starting mid-air, Boom & Zoom like a champion, never get in a sustained turn fight, and use the rate of roll to free yourself when cornered. The F-8 is most likely to be successful in realistic battles when used as a ground-attacker or bomber hunter. [[B-17 (Family)|B-17s]] and [[Halifax B Mk IIIa|Halifaxes]] are unlikely to fly at higher altitudes than the F-8 can perform at, which allows for the F-8s armament (especially with the 30 mm gunpods) and decent durability to be useful while not being held back by its relatively poor dogfighting capability. It is best to make quick, diving attack passes targeting the wings and engines before extending out to avoid return fire from the bomber's defensive guns. Do not turn back until you are at least 1 km away from the bomber to avoid being an easy target. Until the frontal gunpods are unlocked, 2-3 passes may be required to fully destroy a bomber. Frontal attacks can also be effective especially with the engines and cockpit both viable targets, but with the trade-off being less time to shoot at the target (this goes both ways, you won't be in the range of defensive guns for very long either).

In combined forces battles, the Fw 190 F-8 can carry a wider range of ordnance than most other German fighters, allowing for ground-attack using rockets, gun pods, bombs or equipping them together because of the ability to make custom load-outs. The 1,000 kg bomb is unique to F-8 among German fighters; while the [[Do 335 (Family)|Do 335 (A-1 & B-2 variants)]] and [[Me 410 (Family)|Me-410 (A1 & B1 variants)]] can carry 1,000 kg worth of bombs, they can only carry 250 kg and 500 kg bombs. The F-8 combines the ability to carry heavy ordnance while still retaining decent fighting capability after dropping said ordnance.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Retains most of the positive flight qualities of the Fw 190 series: Good roll rate and high speed handling
* While the plane does not have a delicated combat flaps, the take-off flaps can be used in place of it due to its very high rip speed (~700 km/h)
* Has an airspawn, allows the plane to easily get a headstart above most fighters and intercept bombers
* Heavy suspended weapon options, including up to 1,200 kg of bombs or 30 mm gun pods with an access to anti-tank rounds
* Powerful main armaments with high ammo capacity, the 30 mm gun pods can further augmented the plane's firepower with minimal performance loss
* Very durable airframe, capable of taking a lot of punishments

'''Cons:'''

* Awful stock grind; the plane is essentially a worse [[Fw 190 A-8]] when its offensive armaments and flight performances were not upgraded
* Heavier and more sluggish than other Fw 190 variants, resulting into worsened handling, often got beaten by delicated fighters in a dogfight
* As with other Fw 190 variants, the plane's climb rate is rather mediocre and the turn rate is terrible
* Carrying heavy payload will significantly reduces the plane's flight performance
* Rudder is unresponsive at higher speeds (~650 km/h), which may causes the plane to crash into the ground, especially while stock

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wuerger (Shrike) was a single-seat single-engine monoplane fighter used by the Luftwaffe in WWII. One of the best fighters of the time, it was widely used during the Second World War. A total of over 20,000 were produced, including some 6,000 fighter-bomber variants. The 190 remained in production from 1941 until the end of the war, going through multiple redesigns. The Fw 190 made a name for itself as a true Luftwaffe workhorse and was used in a wide variety of roles, including a high-altitude interceptor (especially the Fw 190D), escort fighter, fighter-bomber and night fighter.

The Fw 190 F-8 was the most mass-produced variant of the Fw 190 F series, based on the Fw 190 A-8. By March 1944, Fw 190 F-8s were also produced by the Arado company in Warnemuende, and by April the NDW company in Wismar. The aircraft was powered by the BMW 801 D-2 engine with improved injector on the compressor, which provided emergency power for up to 10-15 minutes at 1,000 m of altitude. Otherwise, the plane's equipment was largely similar to the A-8, although the FuG 16 ZY radio was replaced with the FuG 16 ZS in April 1944. This allowed direct communication with ground troops on the battlefield. A distinctive characteristic of the F-8 was a widened rear canopy. The new canopy was introduced in the latter half of 1944. It improved forward and downward visibility, which was very important for ground attack. On-board armament consisted of twin MG 131 machine guns in the fuselage and two MG 151/20E cannon in the wings.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fw-190f-8 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|1cmaBp6AAzc|'''The Shooting Range #253''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:27 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|F08iy59P2_U|'''The Brilliance of Kurt Tank! Fw 190 F-8 - Germany - Review!''' - ''Jengar''|pNNDfnXOMSo|'''Fw 190 Defensive Techniques Tutorial I''' - ''Green Fury''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Fw 190 A-8]]{{-}}[[Fw 190 A-8 (USA)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Focke-Wulf_Fw_190_Würger|[Wikipedia] Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger]]
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avfw190.html#m4 <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 - Fw 190F / Fw 190G]

{{AirManufacturer Focke-Wulf}}
{{Germany strike aircraft}}

Fw 190 A-8

2024-02-13T12:40:45Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Fw 190 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fw-190a-8
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The Focke-Wulf 190 A-8 is one of the later variants of the "Anton". By 1944, the Allied bombing campaign was at an all-time high, and German aircraft were constantly receiving new changes intended for high-altitude performance. The 190 A-8 was a fairly significant improvement over the previous A-7. Additions included a 115-liter tank for increased range, more armament, and the all-important GM-1 boost. GM-1 was quite important for high-altitude fighters where the air is much thinner than at sea level. It utilized nitrous oxide, which was compressed into a liquid and stored in a tank behind the pilot. At high altitude, nitrous oxide would be injected via the intake and was able to increase power for about 10 minutes before the tank was empty. GM-1 boost is different from MW 50: MW 50 systems inject a mix of water and methanol to cool the supercharger and air coming into the combustion chamber. Over 6,600 A-8 variants were produced at various factories, and many saw use against bomber formations.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The A-8 can easily be considered the ultimate Anton variant due to its numerous improvements and excellent armament. Firstly, the 7.92 mm machine guns of earlier Anton variants were replaced with 13 mm [[MG 131 (13 mm)|MG 131]] machine guns. It was first utilized in the 190 A-7 variant and subsequently carried over to the 190 A-8. As for cannons, the A-8 comes armed with an impressive four wing-mounted [[MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 151]]s and an equally impressive amount of ammunition. With 780 cannon rounds in total, players can be more than generous when trying to take down enemy aircraft.
== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 622 || 602 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.1 || 25.0 || 9.7 || 9.7 || rowspan="2" | 450
|-
! Upgraded
| 687 || 652 || 21.4 || 22.8 || 20.0 || 14.1
|-
|}

==== 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 || 700 || 310 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 420 || < 300 || < 550 || > 320
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 700 m || 1,498 hp || 1,874 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 5,300 m || 1,301 hp || 1,628 hp
|-
|}

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


* 6 mm Steel - Fore cowl ring
* 10 mm Steel - Cowl ring
* 6 mm Steel - Under engine armour
* 8 mm Steel - Under cockpit/fuel tank armour plate
* 5 mm Steel - Rear fuel tank armour
* 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat armour
* 6 mm Steel - Pilot's seat armour
* 12 mm Steel - Headrest armour
* 57 mm Bulletproof glass

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

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

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 131 (13 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (140 rpg outer + 250 rpg inner = 780 total)
* 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

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

{{main|Wfr.Gr.21}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x Wfr.Gr.21 rockets

== Usage in battles ==

The Fw 190 A-8 possesses below average speed, acceleration, and climb ability for its rank. It does, however, have great high-speed control and a wicked armament that will shred any fighter almost instantly. It is recommended that you climb to the side and let your teammates engage first so you can put your excellent BnZ ability to work. You should climb to either 3,000 m altitude or 5,000 m and wait for friendlies to engage enemy aircraft first. Don't forget to use your flaps in a dive as the A-8 gains a massive amount of speed in a dive, generally resulting in overshooting the target if he is distracted with a dogfight. Don't worry about your flaps breaking as they can survive speeds up to 900 km/h, far faster than you're ever going to go in combat.

If you spot a bandit co-alt, a head-on attack followed by an evasive manoeuvre and then extending away to repeat the process is a recommended tactic. If a bandit has superior energy and is pressing an attack against you, try to drag them to friendlies, but don't sacrifice too much energy to do so. If you are skilled enough, another tactic would be to initiate a scissors manoeuvre; either rolling or flat, and then break away when he goes to yo-yo to control his overshoot. The scissors is a highly effective manoeuvre in the 190 A-8. If you are ballsy enough to press for a gun solution when scissoring an enemy, you could be greatly rewarded. In summary, climb to the side, BnZ like a champ, never get in a sustained turn fight, and use your rate of roll to free yourself when cornered.

The Fw 190 A-8 sits at a high battle rating, close to the [[Spitfire LF Mk IX]] and [[La-7B-20]], both of which are vastly superior planes overall. It frequently faces [[Tempest (Family)|Tempests]], [[Fw 190 A-5]], [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109 G variants]], [[Spitfire (Family)|Griffon Spitfires]] and [[F4U-1C]]'s. Unfortunately, the A-8 is by and large worse than all of these planes, but it still possesses some unique advantages and if piloted correctly is going to give anyone trouble. However, these advantages are quite predictable and easily countered by an attentive opponent.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amazing roll rate, as to be expected of the Fw 190 line
* Great energy retention
* Gets an interceptor airspawn
* Massive pool of cannon ammunition
* Well armoured frontal profile
* Powerful MG 151/20 with access to Minengeschoß dense belts
* MG FF/M's found on previous Fw 190 variants replaced with MG 151/20
* Radiator rarely overheats
* Flaps are effectively unbreakable and can be used at high speeds

'''Cons:'''

* Poor pitch/turn rate without combat flap angle makes dogfighting very risky, but not impossible
* Elevator response and pitch rate very slow at low-medium speeds
* Outboard wing 20 mm cannon loaded with 140 round belts, while inboard/wing root mounted cannon fed from 250 round belts
* Manoeuvrability at speeds below 350 km/h
* Generally outclassed by other Fw 190 when engaging in turn fights
* Mediocre climb rate for its battle rating and as Fw 190's go
* Slow turn rate, can even be outturned by a B-25

== History ==


{{main|Fw_190_A-5#History|l1=History of the Fw 190 A-5}}

===Development===
After the different improvements from A-1 to A-5, the Fw 190 gained successively in engine power, ordnance and firepower but also in weight. It culminated with the lengthened airframe of the A-5 (to reduce vibrations) and led to the development of the following variants:

* Fw 190 A-6: developed in 1943, it integrated a new wing design to reduce wing loading and two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons replacing both wing-mounted 20 mm MG/FF cannons together with larger ammunition boxes.
* Fw 190 A-7: introduced in December 1943, it saw the replacement of both nose-mounted 7.7 mm MGs with 13 mm MG131 machine guns.
* Fw 190 A-8: introduced in 1944, the A-8 was the same aircraft as the A-7. The main improvement was the injection boost system "GM1" for the BMW 801 engine. The system injected nitrous oxide into the cylinders to raise the engine's power limit for a period reaching 10 minutes. A 115 L fuel tank was also installed to increase the range and wing-mounted 30 mm cannons were added as optional armament. The {{PAGENAME}} went into production in February 1944 and 6,655 units were produced between 1944 and 1945.

===Combat usage===
The {{PAGENAME}} saw combat extensively: it was used as a fighter during Operation Bodenplatte (Battle of the Bulge) in 1944 and to intercept USAF and RAF night bomber formations in 1944 and 1945 over Germany.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fw-190a-8 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|vtCKzvbLfNg|'''The Shooting Range #18''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:03 discusses the Fw 190A.}}

== See also ==


* [[Fw 190 A-8 (USA)]], the premium American version.
* [[NC.900]], the gift French version.

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/129411-fw-190-a-8-sncac-nc900/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Focke-Wulf_Fw_190|[Wikipedia] Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avfw190.html <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> The Focke-Wulf Fw 190]

{{AirManufacturer Focke-Wulf}}
{{Germany fighters}}

MiG-15bis

2024-02-12T13:03:56Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

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

== Description ==

During the early '50s, a design proposal for an upgraded [[MiG-15]] was issued, titled the '''MiG-15bis''' (second). The primary upgrade was the new, indigenously developed engine. While the older Klimov RD-45 powering the original MiG-15 was great, it was a reverse-engineered copy of the British Rolls-Royce Nene and as such, had issues with quality and reliability due to the differences in metallurgy and production in the Soviet Union. As such, an in-house variant, named the VK-1, was developed to alleviate these issues, and was also given a larger combustion chamber and turbine, allowing greater induction and airflow in the engine. The MiG-15bis's new engine not only increased its dogfighting performance, but also its weight limits, allowing it to use newer unguided ground ordnance.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is one of the original Soviet top rank aircraft and was available even before the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. Nowadays, it serves as a further learning step from the previous [[MiG-9]] and [[MiG-15]], teaching players about advanced energy management techniques and trigger discipline, a skill required for almost all future Soviet jet fighters in the tech tree. Having the powerful VK-1 engine and strong firepower, the MiG-15bis shines with its overall performance against a majority of the jets it will face, though it still requires strong situational awareness to enemy missiles and utilization of strong trigger discipline and gun control for the tricky guns using a limited ammunition pool onboard. Alternatively, in full uptiers, it can form the backmarker of the team rather than the tip of the spear, picking off distracted targets and being able to fight back against even some supersonic jets in close-in dogfights. All in all, the MiG-15bis is a great upgrade over the baseline MiG-15, rewarding players who mastered and enjoyed the base model with a upgraded variant that is potent against threats it can face.

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

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


The MiG-15bis is an improved and definitive MiG-15 version, the main difference is the improved engine, the Klimov VK-1. Its level speed at sea level was increased by 26 km/h to 1,076 km/h, still marginally lower than many other jets like for example the F-86 series.
The other noticeable change is a huge improvement of thrust-to-weight ratio which increased the acceleration by ~10% and it also has a huge impact on its climb rate, it can reach up to 50 m/s at low altitude with full fuel tanks, making the MiG-15bis one of the best climbing planes compared to other planes at similar battle rating.
Like the previous version, it can not fly at max power for too long or it will start overheating. While decreasing the power to 95% or lower will cool it down for a moment, if you increase it back to 100% it will immediately start overheating again.

The manoeuvrability compared to the previous variant is basically the same, while this version is slightly worse at performing horizontal manoeuvres due to increased weight (by ~100 kg), it is now better at performing vertical loop and other similar manoeuvres because of the better engine. It struggles against other jets due to its overall poor handling characteristics (poor rudder authority at all speeds, poor roll rate at all speeds).
At high speed, it does not suffer as much from compressibility but it is still at best mediocre. The elevator and rudder controls remained the same, so the plane still locks up a lot after reaching transonic speeds. Other features stayed the same: airbrakes help with slowing the plane down when it locks up too much and flaps help significantly increase dogfighting capability at low and medium speeds.

When flying with simulator controls, it is very pleasant to fly: trimming is almost not required when the plane travels at high speed, insufficient roll rate can be improved by using the rudder, but that can also make it slow down. The plane can be stalled out even at high speed, and when above its critical angle of attack (AoA) it severely wing-stalls, throwing off your aim and/or your heading. Be very careful to not pull too much from the stick as to not reach this state, remember that it is one of the best rate-fighter of its tier, so it's best to pull a bit less to keep your speed and not wing-stall as you'll get into position within a few turns. Its improved roll rate (compared to the MiG-15) makes it easier to use against the planes it faces, but it's still less than its opposition

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,062 || 1,046 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 22.0 || 41.4 || 39.8 || rowspan="2" | 475
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,087 || 1,076 || 20.4 || 20.7 || 59.7 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,132  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 598 || 450 || ~12 || ~7
|-
|}

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

==== 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" | 3,648 kg || colspan="2" | 233 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel
|-
| 892 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,980 kg || 4,478 kg || 4,810 kg || 5,485 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
| 0.62 || 0.55 || 0.51 || 0.45
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,450 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.62 || 0.55 || 0.51 || 0.45
|-
|}

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


* 10 mm steel armour plates in front of the cockpit and behind the pilot's head rest.
* 6 mm steel armour under the pilot's seat.
* 64 mm bulletproof front windshield.
* Self-sealing fuel tanks behind the pilot and under the jet engine nozzle.
* Jet engine located in the rear of the aircraft, pilot seated in front.

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

It is recommended to obtain the modifications in the following order: Compressor > New boosters > Offensive 37 mm > Wings repair > Engine > G-suit > New 37 mm cannons > Cover > Offensive 23 mm > New 23 mm cannons > Airframe > Fuselage repair > Suspended weapons

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== 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)

In line with its originally designed role of bomber interception, the MiG-15bis is armed with three powerful nose-mounted autocannons. The 37 mm N-37D cannon is particularly noteworthy, as even a small number of hits are usually fatal to any aircraft unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end, with the twin 23 mm NR-23 cannons also being quite respectable in terms of lethality.

The trade-off is that these cannons do not have large ammunition reserves, especially compared to the American planes armed with heavy machine guns, and it is very easy to run out of ammunition without careful aim. In addition, the N-37D has a significantly lower muzzle velocity than the NR-23, with a more pronounced ballistic arc. This makes obtaining hits with both types of cannon at the same time quite challenging; using only the 37 mm or the 23 mm cannons at one time may be more efficient with regards to ammunition usage.

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

{{main|FAB-100M-43 (100 kg)|S-5K|S-5M|S-21}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100M-43 bombs (200 kg total)
* 16 x S-5K rockets
* 16 x S-5M rockets
* 2 x S-21 rockets

The MiG-15bis is capable of carrying up to 200 kg of bombs on underwing hardpoints. While this pales in comparison to the American or British fighter-bombers, it is enough for taking out isolated ground targets, if needed.

The S-5M HE rockets are most effective against light ground units, while the S-5K HEAT rockets are capable of penetrating the top armour of most vehicles.

The massive S-21 rocket has a considerable blast radius, and a single hit on a tank is usually fatal. The rocket may also be set with a distance fuse (up to 1,000 m), which can be very effective against large aircraft, such as bombers, or tightly bunched groups of smaller aircraft.

== Usage in battles ==

In-game, the MiG-15bis fulfils the same role as the MiG-15, primarily serving as an air superiority fighter and bomber interceptor. Armament is substandard in comparison to other countries, relying on low velocity weapons that are highly inaccurate, and situated below the fuselage, aggravating targeting angles during dogfights. It excels in vertical combat manoeuvres, taking advantage of its high thrust-to-weight ratio. The MiG-15bis also has a limited ground attack capability.

The MiG-15bis should be played like the MiG-15, using boom-and-zoom style attacks and keeping your energy high: speed is essential in jet battles. It wouldn't be a bad idea to try head-ons if you know your cannon's ballistics well. The 37 mm and 23 mm combo really help. The plane lacks in roll rate so you will have to watch out for other jets trying to reverse you.

Trigger discipline and good aim is important as you have limited ammunition and no access to air-to-air missiles. As with most other aircraft regardless of BR, carrying suspended armament improves ground attacking capabilities, but sacrifices much of the aircraft's acceleration, climb rate and maneuvrability.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent climb rate and acceleration
* Above average manoeuvrability
* Good performance at altitude compared to most opponents
* Powerful main armament, especially effective against bombers
* Ability to carry massive S-21 rockets, unlike the earlier [[MiG-15]]
* Amazing turn below 800 km/h (520 mph)
* G-Suit and New Boosters available through research, unlike the [[MiG-15]]

'''Cons:'''

* Somewhat slow roll rate
* Loss of manoeuvrability above Mach 0.9 due to compression
* Cannons have very a low muzzle velocity, making aiming at fast targets very hard
* Cannon main armament is mounted very low, and the different ballistics can make aiming even more difficult
* Limited ammunition capacity
* Stock guns have an important dispersion and stock belts tend to spark a lot
* Poor forward visibility in simulator: it has a large canopy frame and the gunsight obstructs the top and bottom

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
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.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-15 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[F-86 Sabre (Family)|F-86 Family]]
* [[F9F (Family)|F9F Family]]
* [[Hunter (Family)|Hunter Family]]
* [[J29 (Family)|J29 Family]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/195781-mikoyan-gurevich-mig-15bis/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

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

F-86A-5

2024-02-04T14:21:22Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */ Grammar fixed

{{About
|about= American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage= other versions
|link= F-86 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-86a-5
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f-86a-5.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The F-86A-5, formerly known as the P-86 before June 1948, was one of the most successful early jet aircraft. It featured swept wings which greatly reduced drag and increased the top speed to over 1,000 km/h (625 mph). In addition, the F-86A featured a ranging radar that could calculate the lead required for firing upon an enemy fighter; a big improvement over the Mark 18 optical computing sight that required manual adjustments before firing.. Unfortunately, effectiveness was still hampered by the now weak .50 cal machine guns against jet aircraft which were typically almost all metal airframes. Nonetheless, the F-86 proved to be a very capable aircraft in the Korean War even if it was largely outdated by the late 1950s.

Introduced since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to 1.27, the '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a great jet for players entering more advanced jet combat. The Sabre features decent flight characteristics like a fast roll rate and is relatively nimble compared to contemporaries like the MiG-15. The Sabre does have six 12.7 mm machine guns all mounted in the nose which can be dangerous with the tracer belt (full API-T composition). However, players should expect many critical hits with these since they lack the outright stopping power of big cannon rounds. The F-86A-5’s J-47 engine is a also bit underpowered, and it takes time to reach sufficient speeds for combat so players should be wary of getting too slow. Overall, the F-86A-5 is a good plane for players to get used to the much faster speeds of later jets.

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

The {{PAGENAME}} like many of the first line variants of an aircraft promises the world but does not fully live up to the promise, which is accurate for the Sabrejet. Outfitted with the General Electric J47-GE-13 jet engine, the {{PAGENAME}} struggles to climb to attack altitude and overall accelerate to sufficient attack speed. Its acceleration while taking off is very slow. However, once the {{PAGENAME}} is at a good perching altitude, it can use its weight and manoeuvrability to Boom & Zoom other aircraft. This aircraft will not win many speed races against contemporary aircraft, however, with its speed, it can get in and out of a fight in a hurry and set up for another run. While the fighter is very agile when it comes to rolling, attempting to turn the aircraft results in a significant loss of speed. During this time, the wing's leading edge slats extend and help the fighter make tighter turns. However, sustained turns will bleed all of the fighter's energy, leaving it flying slow, an easy target for enemy aircraft.

One place where a slower {{PAGENAME}} actually has an advantage is in the ground bombing role as the leading edge wing slats will help the manoeuvrability of the aircraft while lining up a bombing run with either 2,000 lbs of bombs or 16 [[HVAR]] rockets which can be unleashed from a stable weapons platform. When engaging ground targets, the trick is to get in and get out as quick as possible, because when flying low and slow, there is not much room for error and enemy fighters will be on the look out for aircraft on the deck without much room to manoeuvre. During bombing runs, reserve WEP power as a backup for departing the area. Once any external payload ordinances have been released, the {{PAGENAME}} can resume its role as an interceptor.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,081 || 1,071 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.4 || 25.9 || 30.8 || 28.8 || rowspan="2" | 700
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,105 || 1,093 || 22.7 || 24.0 || 46.2 || 38.1
|-
|}

==== 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 
|-
|}

{| 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,118  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 590 || 550 || 350 || ~11 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 680 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J47-GE-13 || 1
| colspan="2" | 4,900 kg || colspan="3" | 232 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,145 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,285 kg || 5,740 kg || 6,154 kg || 6,196 kg || 9,530 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,273 kgf || N/A
| 0.43 || 0.40 || 0.37 || 0.37 || 0.24
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,273 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.43 || 0.40 || 0.37 || 0.37 || 0.24
|-
|}

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


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Front Windshield
* 6.35 mm Steel - Nose armour x 2
* 20 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
* 12.7 mm Steel - Back of pilot's seat

=== 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:

* 6 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (300 rpg = 1,800 total)

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

{{main|AN-M65A1 Fin M129 (1,000 lb)|HVAR}}

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

* Without load
* 16 x HVAR rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 Fin M129 bombs (2,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:ArtworkImage_F86mig.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The view of an F-86 Sabre from the cockpit of a [[MiG-15]]]]
The F-86A-5 should be played as a strict Boom & Zoom plane due to the fact that simple turns make it bleed a lot of speed. Gain some speed after takeoff (750-800 km/h or 466-500 mph) then zoom up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft) then turn to the centre after you're done zoom side-climbing. Next, you pick your targets. Dive, engage, zoom up smoothly (to not lose a lot of speed) then rinse and repeat. If there are multiple enemies above you, don't engage and keep flying straight. If there is one enemy above you in the vicinity, you can engage, but don't pull up hard or you will lose a lot of speed in the process! Do it smoothly. If you are generally low on speed and you can escape from enemies, keep flying straight until you're fast, zoom up then loop around and keep flying straight at the altitude you went up to then resume the strict Boom & Zoom procedure.

The F-86A-5 is not an air superiority fighter, it's more of a support plane despite being a Sabre. All top rank jets are a threat. All of them have better performance overall especially in acceleration, climb rate and energy retention.

For those who may have a {{PAGENAME}} on their tail, if you're in an emergency (a situation where nothing that was explained works), resort to defensive flying. The defensive flying capabilities of the A-5 Sabre are very high and extremely good due to its roll rate. Most of the time, top rank jet pilots will Boom & Zoom you which can be a problem for you, however, if they decide to stick around and dogfight you, you will have the advantage.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very fast roll rate
* Leading-edge slats which improve low-speed manoeuvrability
* Nose-mounted weaponry with lots of ammunition
* Very agile with good dive and turn rates
* 12.7 mm .50 cal M3 Browning machine guns are effective weapons, with a high rate of fire & good damage output
* Can fly with one wing

'''Cons:'''

* Poor sustained climb rate
* Loses a lot of speed in turns
* Slow compared to its enemies
* Becomes sluggish when ordnance is equipped
* Very hard to get guns on target in horizontal due to weak rudder control
* May face supersonic aircraft with guided munitions
* High rate of fire makes ammunition deplete fast

== History ==

[[File:F86-MiG15_guncamera_Korea.gif|thumb|right|A view from the gun camera on an F-86 Sabre capturing the downing of a MiG-15 over the skies of Korea (''Click image to view .gif footage'')]]
The F-86 is considered one of the best fighter jets of the Korean War. It is the most-produced Western fighter, with almost 10,000 aircraft produced by the US, Australia, Canada (as the re-engined CL-13), Italy, and Japan.

The F-86 was developed by North American Aviation, the creator of the venerable P-51 Mustang. The XP-86 prototype was created to meet the USAF requirement for a high-altitude escort fighter. It was derived from the Navy's FJ-1 Fury, a transitional fighter jet that borrowed the wings, tail surfaces and canopy from the P-51D. The XP-86 was under threat of cancellation because the XP-80 and XP-84 had similar performance characteristics and were farther ahead in development. However, North American designers made a radical change to the design and replaced the straight wing with a swept wing, which was shown by seized German research to greatly reduce drag and increase performance at high speed. The resulting performance boost was so significant that the swept-wing prototype of the XP-86 was supposedly able to break the sound barrier in a dive a few days before Chuck Yeager made his official attempt.

The F-86A-5 is the first operational variant of the F-86. It is powered by the General Electric J47 engine and includes slats on the leading edge of the wing derived from the Messerschmitt Me 262 to increase low-speed performance. It is armed with six M3 .50 (12.7 mm) electrically boosted machine guns firing at 1,200 rounds per minute. It can carry eight 5" rockets, 2,000 lb of bombs, or a pair of external fuel tanks that can be jettisoned in-flight to increase performance in combat. While most of the F-86As had a Mark 18 manual ranging-computing gun sight, the last 24 F-86A-5-NAs were equipped with the A-1CM gun sight, which used radar to automatically compute a target's range. This later became standard on the F-86E.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
An all-metal monoplane jet fighter with swept wings.

The development of the Sabre began in the autumn of 1944 as a modification of the NA-134 shipboard fighter. In November 1944, North-American presented its plan for a daytime fighter to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF): the NA-140 model, based on the NA-134 and later given the designation of XP-86. It was decided in the design process that the XP-86 would feature the more promising swept wings instead of straight ones. The prototype Sabre XP-86, built with swept wings, first flew on October 1, 1947.

The first production model of the Sabre was the P-86A (manufacturer number NA-151). In June 1948, the aircraft was given the new designation of F-86A. It was fitted with a General Electric J47-GE-1 (-3, -7) turbojet engine producing 2,360 kg of thrust.

The aircraft's armament consisted of six 12.7 mm Browning M3 .50 cal machine guns with 1,800 total rounds of ammunition. The distinctive features of the production model were a curved windscreen and flaps over the machine gun firing ports, which could be closed by means of an electric motor. The first production P-86A-1 took off on 20 May 1948. Most of the F-86A-1s were used to perform various tests and were not delivered to the front.

The F-86A-5 (NA-151) was the first real combat Sabre with a J47-GE-7 engine. It was produced for the first time on February 23, 1949. This model had a new windscreen, and the closeable flaps of the machine gun firing ports were removed to simplify maintenance. The cockpit canopy could be jettisoned if necessary. Two 780-litre fuel tanks could be mounted on the underwing pylons. Instead of fuel tanks, the aircraft could carry a combat load, which usually consisted of two 100 lb (45 kg), 500 lb (227 kg) or 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, two 375-kg tanks filled with napalm, or two 220 kg bomb clusters. Guide rails could also be mounted to hold eight unguided 5-inch HVAR rockets under each wing.

A contract to deliver the next batch of the F-86As was signed in May 1948. These aircraft were still designated as F-86A-5s but they were named NA-161s at the plant, as they had a number of differences from previous series. In particular, they were equipped with a J47-GE-13 engine. Deliveries of this batch began in October 1949 and were finished in December of the following year.

The last 24 F-86A-5s had a new A-1CM sight coupled with an AN/APG-30 radar ranging unit. The planes originally equipped with the A-1CM were designated as F-86A-6s, and those retrofitted on site were designated as F-86A-7s.

The first USAAF military unit that received the F-86A was the 94th FS (Fighter Squadron) of the 1st FW (Fighter Wing). The pilots in the unit nicknamed the new fighter the Sabre.

The F-86A fighters took part in the Korean War, making their first combat flight on December 17, 1950. Compared to its main opponent, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter, the Sabre's flight characteristics were somewhat better at low altitude, but it was inferior to the MiG in its rate of climbing, service ceiling, speed at high altitude, and armament. However, the Sabre's main advantage was its sight, equipped with a radar ranging unit that enabled more accurately aimed fire when manoeuvring at high speeds.

The total number of the F-86A aircraft constructed was 554, and they served only with the USAF and the Air National Guard (ANG).
{{Navigation-End}}

=== Notable pilots ===
[[File:Ray_S_Wetmore_portrait.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Wetmore,_Ray_S.|United States ace pilot [[User:U64962917#Wetmore,_Ray_S.|Ray S. Wetmore]], fatally crashed while flying an F-86 which malfunctioned on final approach into Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts in 1951.]]

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-86a-5 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QsoNu1iI21g|'''F86-A5 Sabre...how to survive at 9.7''' - ''Spartan''|8HW_aj3e1Kc|'''F-86A-5 Sabre Tips, Tricks, and Gameplay''' - ''WhooptieDo''|d4uyiiXhLGw|'''How to survive in the F-86A-5''' - ''McChickenBites''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* North American [[F-86 (Family)|F-86]] Sabre
* North American [[F-100 (Family)|F-100]] Super Sabre

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Grumman [[F9F-8|F9F]] Cougar
* Lavochkin [[La-15]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-15]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-17]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F.1|Hunter]]
* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Saab [[J29D|J29]] Tunnan

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/272055-north-american-f-86a-5/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer NAA}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

Yak-3U

2024-02-04T14:17:44Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-3 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-3u
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"]]. It differs from the Yak-3 aircraft line by the use of a M-82 radial engine found on the Lavochkin fighters (La-5, La-7, La-9), adopting a shorter and rounder nose.

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

The Yak-3U is the pinnacle of the Yakovlev piston engine fighter design, combining the amazing agility of the Yak-3 airframe with the excellent Shvetsov M-82FN engine acquired from the Lavochkin line, increasing its top speed tremendously. One can expect a similar playstyle to the feared [[Yak-3P]] but turned up a few notches due to the improvement in speed. Armament is two B-20S 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose, with a low ammo count, so conserve ammo. The pilot should aim for critical components (engines, wings or pilot) in order to secure a kill.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 668 || 649 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.2 || 19.4 || 21.6 || 21.6 || rowspan="2" | 360
|-
! Upgraded
| 729 || 695 || 17.2 || 18.0 || 32 || 26.5
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || X || ✓ || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 700 || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~12 || ~9
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,550 m || 1,630 hp || 1,920 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,550 m || 1,430 hp || N/A
|-
|}

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


* 64 mm sloped bulletproof glass behind the pilot
* 8.5 mm steel plate behind the pilot seat

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

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

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

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

* 2 x 20 mm B-20S cannons, nose-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)

== Usage in battles ==

Being an improvement on the [[Yak-3P]], one can expect a similar playstyle to the feared Red Soviet Menace, but with more versatility thanks to the improved engine providing a large increase in speed. The Yak-3U provides quite a unique experience, as it can out-turn the enemies it can't out-run, and it can outrun the enemies it can't out-turn, so a smart pilot will use this versatility to their advantage. One should stick with energy fighting for the most part, but can certainly turn-fight with less manoeuvrable opponents, which include the P-51 line.

The main drawbacks of the 3U are its poor armament and poor performance above 2,000 m. The two B-20S cannons provide lacklustre stopping power at this tier and have a nasty habit of sparking, and to top it off, they have a low ammunition count of 120 rounds per gun. Due to the lack of a supercharger, the engine's output greatly decreases above 2,000 m; it is recommended to entice opponents (mainly Germans & Americans) down to altitude in order to engage them. The solid performance combined with the weak armament makes the Yak-3U a very volatile plane. A newer or inexperienced player may find the performance enticing, but will struggle to do well if they're too trigger happy and have not used to the Soviet 20 mm very much. However, a good pilot will be able to use the upsides to these cannons (accuracy, high rate of fire and ability to start fires) to their advantage. Also worth noting is that "Armoured Targets" belts from these cannon tend to set fuel tanks on fire quite easily, so aiming at them and at the engines of enemy aircraft will likely yield bright, warm results. The Tracers belt is also a noteworthy option, as it only contains FI-T, and will easily take off control surfaces with one hit, as well as help someone who is not so confident with the ballistics of the cannons aim.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very fast for a propeller-driven aircraft, able to out-run the P-51D-5 at low altitude
* Amazing manoeuvrability that can compete with almost every aircraft at the rank
* Solid climb rate
* Immense energy retention
* Fast firing and accurate cannons concentrated in the nose that is devastating in short, well-placed bursts at close range
* Bulletproof glass in the rear of the cockpit will prevent pilot snipes if you're being chased
* Outstanding acceleration due of the M-82FN Radial engine
* Not as prone to overheating like other Yaks
* Can reach 6,000 m (19,500 ft) in a front-climb when spaded and still perform well

'''Cons:'''

* M-82FN engine performance starts to deteriorate above 3,500 m and has no WEP beyond this altitude
* Airframe is quite weak
* Susceptible to fires
* Twin cannon setup provides poor firepower for its rank
* Difficult to keep up with contemporary aircraft in a dive, lower wing ripping speeds than a diving P-51 Mustang or F-4U Corsair (around 750 km/h or 460 mph)
* No bulletproof glass in the front of the plane, hard to use against planes with defensive turrets or in head-on situations
* Very limited ammunition load combined with the fast fire rate, trigger discipline is a must
* No combat flaps option, just like all Yak propeller fighters
* Low rip speed for a prop of its rank (700 km/h IAS)

== History ==


The Yak-3U is based on the Yak-3 VK-105PF 2 variant, with some major modifications. A Yak-3U is also referred as Yak 3U/Ash-82FN.
It was first flown on the 29th of April 1945, it was developed by Yakovlev design bureau and powered by the almighty Ash-82FN engine. It was one of the best power plants in the world at that time. Created by Design Bureau No. 19 and manufactured by Factory No. 478, it provided 1,850 BHP. This is the same engine as used on other legendary & iconic Soviet fighter and attacker aircraft, such as the [[Tu-2_(Family)|Tu-2]], [[La-5_(Family)|La-5]] & [[La-7_(Family)|La-7]] planes.

The engine was designed in the Soviet Union (Russia) by Design Bureau No. 19 it was a technological innovation based on its licensed built version Wright R-1820 cyclon power plant. The Ash-82FN featured direct fuel and afterburner injection systems to give it an additional output of 250 BHP, bringing it up-to 1850 BHP. Giving it a top speed of 705 km/h (438 mph) over its western counterpart Wright R-1820 which only provided 1,600 BHP.
The Ash-82FN allowed the Yak-3U, to hit 5 km in 3 minutes.

This plane would not enter mass production as the war was nearing the end and jet technology would become the priority for Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This plane would become the foundation, for the legendary Yak U trainer aircraft, later to become the Yak 11.

The main differences of this modification are major modifications of the airframe over the Yak-3 VK-105PF 2 variant with:

* Installation of the Ash-82FN engine, Design Bureau No. 19 with up-to 1,850 BHP, direct fuel and afterburner injection systems gave it a top speed of 705 km/h (438 mph).
* Twin B-20S cannons, with 120 rounds per gun, total of 240 rounds with burst of 2.40 kg/s.
* Larger wing span, 9.4 m, it was additionally moved forward by 219 mm.
* Cockpit placed 84 mm higher.
* Plywood fuselage skin.
* Metal tail and metal ailerons.
* Weight and drag reduction.
* All metal wing upgrade.
* Longer landing legs increased by 80 mm, allowed for better control.

== Media ==


;Skins

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

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|gKkk0QcMabw|'''Spade Review, Yak-3U. An excellent but limited aircraft''' - ''Joseph 2000''|ARUpi8DsmTI|'''The Shooting Range #160''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:39 discusses the Yak-3U.}}

== See also ==


* [[Yak-3 (Family)]]
* [[La-5 (Family)]]
* [[La-7 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/453518-yak-3u/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/264396-adding-the-yak-3u/&ct=1561746866 The suggestion post for the aircraft]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

B7A2 (Homare 23)

2024-02-04T11:46:03Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = premium Japanese bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the regular version
| link = B7A2
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=b7a2_homare_23
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=id50226_b7a2_homare_23_japan
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was a prototype to test the new Homare 23 engine on the [[B7A2]] which boasted 200 hp more than the Homare 12 installed on the production line of the B7A2. Other than the engine, the fuselage, wings, and armament haven't changed resulting in an enhanced [[B7A2]] which wasn't able to be mass-produced.

The Ryusei (Homare 23) was introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]] as a reward for [[Battle Pass: Season XII, "Armour Breaking Ambusher"]]. Like its previous production model, the [[B7A2]], it's deceivingly manoeuvrable and has an even stronger engine for the same plane, still lacking any real armour. It can bite back with its defensive 13 mm machine gun or engage frontally with two wing-mounted Type 99 Model 2 cannons. While technically classified as a carrier-borne torpedo bomber, it is very capable of fulfilling the roles of dive-, level-, and torpedo bombing targets. While the max tonnage of bombs doesn't increase over the previous [[B6N (Family)|B6N Tenzan]], it can carry four additional wing-mounted 60 kg bombs next to its bomb bay that can load two 250 kg or six 60 kg. The main playstyle of the B7A2 is more like an unarmoured attacker, using its arsenal of bombs and cannons on targets either in the sky, on the ground, or on the sea with the deadly precision of its gyrostabilized dive-bomber sight.

;Nicknames

* [[Abbreviations#.28IJN.29_Official_name_designation|Official Designation]]: ''流星 (Ryūsei, "Shooting Star")''
* Allied reporting name: ''Grace''.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 6,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 566 || 549 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.5 || 21.4 || 11.9 || 11.9 || rowspan="2" | 270
|-
! Upgraded
| 609 || 586 || 19.8 || 20.0 || 18.8 || 14.9
|-
|}

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

{| 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 680  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 457 || 428 || 280 || ~15 || ~15
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 380 || < 380 || < 450 || > 312
|-
|}

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

The B7A2 has a single 13 mm steel plate behind the engine that protects the pilot from head-on attacks. It works well, however the aircraft itself is still very fragile. Although it contains self-sealing fuel tanks, the B7A2 is still vulnerable to catching fire. The tanks in the wing only make the problem worse. The B7A2 should not be involved in combat where it requires the use of the tail gunner. The best strategy is to use evasive manoeuvres because of the plane's good manoeuvrability but poor survivability.

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

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

{{main|Type 99 Model 2 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

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

{{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)|Navy Type 98 Number 25 (250 kg)|Number 80 Mod. 1 (800 kg)|Type 91 Model 3 (850 kg)}}

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

* 10 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (600 kg total)
* 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs + 2 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (740 kg total)
* 1 x 800 kg Number 80 Mod. 1 bomb (800 kg total)
* 1 x 850 kg Type 91 Model 3 torpedo

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|Type 2 (13 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 13 mm Type 2 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

The Ryusei is best utilized as a multi-role aircraft, similar to the role the [[Ju 87 D-5]] plays. Once its payload is dropped, the B7A2 becomes a totally dominating low altitude dogfighter similar to an A6M. You can out-turn, out climb, and outrun almost all fighters you'll face up to BR4.3. In realistic battles, the B7A2 is often paired with aircraft such as the [[A6M3]], [[A6M3 mod. 22]], and [[A6M3 mod. 22Ko]]. If unable to shake an enemy off your tail, these "Zeroes" can be relied on as they have impressive low altitude capabilities.

Payload choice is dependent on target choice. If the target is a light pillbox, for instance, one does not need an 800 kg bomb. Instead, equip either of the other bomb loadout options. The same goes for most ground units, apart from arcade mini bases. The Ryusei is similar to aircraft such as the [[Ki-49-IIa]] in that it can "hover" above an enemy base or airfield, rapidly dropping its payload and diving up to altitude again. Since the B7A2 is a dive bomber, it does not have to be level to drop its payload accurately. The Ryusei's ability to "hover" above enemy mini bases and airfields can be a great help to any arcade battles team. Upgrading the crew reload speed makes this aircraft a potential game-winner, especially when in a squad.

Having a B7A2 on any team, no matter the game mode, never hurts.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* '''B'''7A for Carrier-based torpedo bomber
** Bomber spawn
** 1 x [[Type 91 Model 3 (850 kg)|Type 91 Aerial Torpedo]]
*** Torpedo has the highest drop speed in the game at {{Annotation|580 km/h|350 mph}} and is one of the most feared torpedoes in Naval Battles
** 10 x [[Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)|Type 97 No.6 Land Bomb (60kg)]]
*** Gets a bomb bay of 6 x 60 kg bombs which can be used to hit multiple targets (+4 on the wings that drop in pairs)
** 1 x [[Number 80 Mod. 1 (800 kg)|No.80 Land Bomb (800 kg)]]
*** Heaviest bomb Japanese Navy can offer
* Common Navy plane construction:
** Excellent manoeuvrability
* '''{{PAGENAME}}''' specific
** Airbrakes
** Short take-off and landing distance
** 2 x wing mounted [[Type 99 Model 2 (20 mm)]]
** 1 x tail defensive [[Type 2 (13 mm)]] with good coverage

'''Cons:'''

* '''B'''7A for Carrier-based torpedo bomber
** Relatively Large target
* Common Navy plane construction:
** Little armour, and no self-sealing fuel tanks
** Exposed tail gunner
* Easily compress when exceeding 600 km/h
* Mediocre roll rate
* Limited WEP time (only 5 minutes 20 seconds of water injection)

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=b7a2_homare_23 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|NwtZninBT0I|'''The Shooting Range #368''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|9emoh5qAlO4|'''Battle Pass: Armour Breaking Ambusher''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:34 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8368-development-battle-pass-vehicles-b7a2-homare-23-ryusei-en|[Devblog] Battle Pass vehicles: B7A2 (Homare 23) Ryusei]]

{{AirManufacturer Aichi}}
{{Japan bombers}}
{{Japan premium aircraft}}

Awards

2023-12-30T06:20:22Z

U8128791: /* Match Awards */ Corrected Thunderer wording

'''Match awards''' are like mini-achievements, resetting at the end of each game and can be earned anew in the next match. Each one of these will provide a silver lions {{sl}} reward after the match end.

Some awards are needed to complete [[Daily missions]] or to win wagers.

'''[[#Streaks|Streaks]]''' are earned for continuous, successive acts during a match. The player is rewarded for his ongoing efforts with silver lions {{sl}}.

=== Match Awards ===
In alphabetical order.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:Award-accordingtointelligence.png]]||'''According to Intelligence''' Reward for destroying an enemy vehicle marked by an ally.
|- *
|[[File:Award-adamant.png]]||'''Adamant ''' Take some hits, stay alive. ''The player's ground vehicle must receive more than 9 non-critical hits without being destroyed to receive the award.''
|-
|[[File:Award-antimech.png]]||'''Antimech''' Destroyed the most AI ground units. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 17 ground units. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-avenger.png]]||'''Avenger''' Destroy an enemy who has destroyed your teammate's vehicle.
|-
|[[File:Award-balancer.png]]||'''Balancer''' Destroyed the most vehicles of one rank higher. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 4 vehicles. No multiplier.
|-
|[[File:Award-BaseDefender.png]]||'''Base defender''' Reward for interrupting of base capturing by destruction of an enemy unit.
|-
|[[File:Award-bomberhunter.png]]||'''Bomber Hunter''' Destroyed at least 5 bombers or assault planes.
|-
|[[File:Award-bomberrescuer.png]]||'''Bomber Rescuer''' Defended* a friendly bomber. ''*Destroy an enemy player that recently dealt critical damage to a friendly bomber.''
|-
|[[File:Award-bombersnightmare.png]]||'''Bombers' Nightmare''' Destroyed at least 10 bombers or assault planes. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-bulletproof.png]]||'''Bulletproof''' Didn't lose any vehicle and destroyed more targets than all other players who didn't lose any vehicle. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 4 targets destroyed. No multiplier.
|-
|[[File:Award-doomsday.png]]||'''Doomsday!''' Made a nuclear strike and ended the mission with a victory.
|-
|[[File:Award-eyeforeye.png]]||'''Eye for Eye''' Destroy an enemy who has destroyed your vehicle.
|-
|[[File:Award-fighterhunter.png]]||'''Fighter Hunter''' Destroyed at least 5 fighter planes.
|-
|[[File:Award-fighterrescuer.png]]||'''Fighter Rescuer''' Defended* a friendly fighter. ''*Destroy an enemy player that recently dealt critical damage to a friendly fighter.''
|-
|[[File:Award-fightersnightmare.png]]||'''Fighters' Nightmare''' Destroyed at least 10 fighter planes. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-unguided.png]]||'''Fire Arrows''' Destroyed an enemy plane with rockets.
|-
|[[File:Award-firefighter.png]]||'''Firefighter''' Reward for extinguishing a fire on an allied vehicle.
|-
|[[File:Award-firststrike.png]]||'''First strike!''' Delivered a first strike.
|-
|[[File:Award-finalblow.png]]||'''Final blow!''' Delivered the final blow*.
|-
|[[File:Award-godmode.png]]||'''God Mode!''' Destroyed a vehicle 5 or more BR ranks higher.
|-
|[[File:Award-groundforcerescuer.png]]||'''Ground Force Rescuer''' Defended friendly ground/water troops.
|-
|[[File:Award-heavymetalfury.png]]||'''Heavy Metal Fury''' Destroyed the most ground vehicles of other players. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 11 ground vehicles. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x2).
|-
|[[File:Award-heavymetalhero.png]]||'''Heavy Metal Hero''' Destroyed the most ground vehicles of other players (not fewer than 12 enemy ground vehicles). Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x2).
|-
|[[File:Award-HelpWithRepairing.png]]||'''Help with Repairing''' Reward for helping an ally with vehicle repairing.
|-
|[[File:Award-heroofthesky.png]]||'''Hero of the Sky''' Destroyed the most aircraft in Air Battles (not fewer than 12 enemy aircraft). Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-intelligence.png]]||'''Intelligence''' Ally destroyed an enemy vehicle marked by you.
|-
|[[File:Award-missionmaker.png]]||'''Mission Maker''' Delivered both "First strike" and "Final blow".
|-
|[[File:Award-onhand.png]]||'''On Hand''' Having the most assists in destroying enemy vehicles. If several players have equal number of assists, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 7 assists. No Multiplier. {{Notice|Scout assists are not taken into account, only destruction assists are counted towards the award.}}
|-
|[[File:Award-punisher.png]]||'''Punisher''' Destroyed the most vehicles of one rank higher. Can't be fewer than 5 vehicles. No Multiplier.
|-
|[[File:Award-rankdoesnotmatter.png]]||'''Rank does not matter''' Destroyed a vehicle 1-2 BR ranks higher.
|-
|[[File:Award-roguewave.png]]||'''Rogue Wave''' Destroyed the most AI ship units. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with the biggest score. Can't be more than 17 AI units. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-SafeAndSound-Bomber.png]]||'''Safe and Sound: Bomber''' Reward for preserving a bomber plane at the end of an aerial battle in Ground AB.
|-
|[[File:Award-SafeAndSound-Attacker.png]]||'''Safe and Sound: Attacker''' Reward for preserving an attacker plane at the end of an aerial battle in Ground AB.
|-
|[[File:Award-SafeAndSound-Fighter.png]]||'''Safe and Sound: Fighter''' Reward for preserving a fighter plane at the end of an aerial battle in Ground AB.
|-
|[[File:Award-skillmatters.png]]||'''Skill matters''' Destroyed a vehicle 2-5 BR ranks higher.
|-
|[[File:Award-sniper.png]]||'''Sniper''' Destroy an enemy vehicle from a long distance.
|-
|[[File:Award-softlanding.png]]||'''Soft Landing''' Landed a critically damaged aircraft.
|-
|[[File:Award-supportingfire.png]]||'''Supporting Fire''' The award for assist to a squadmate in destroying an enemy unit.
|-
|[[File:Award-surprise.png]]||'''Surprise!''' Destroyed an enemy plane with bombs.
|-
|[[File:Award-survivor.png]]||'''Survivor''' Hasn't lost a single vehicle (whether aircraft, tank or ship) whilst destroying more enemy vehicles than any other players of both teams (should be at least 5 enemies destroyed). No multiplier.
|-
|[[File:Award-tankrescuer.png]]||'''Tank Rescuer''' Defended* friendly ground unit. ''*Destroy an enemy player that recently dealt critical damage to a friendly ground unit.''
|-
| NO IMAGE ||'''Tanks Hunter''' Destroyed at least 5 tanks or tank destroyers.
|-
| NO IMAGE ||'''Tanks' Nightmare''' Destroyed at least 10 tanks or tank destroyers.
|-
|[[File:Award-teamwork.png]]||'''Teamwork''' The award for destroying enemy vehicles by any member of a squad. It is given to all members of the squad who were near the squadmate that destroyed an enemy unit. The distance between squad members shouldn't be greater than 1000 m for two aircraft, or 3000 m for an aircraft and a tank, and not greater than 100 m for squad members on tanks.
|-
|[[File:Award-terror of the ocean.png]]||'''Terror of the Ocean''' Destroyed the most ships in Naval Battles. Can't be more than 11 ships. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-terror of the sea.png]]||'''Terror of the Sea''' Destroyed the most ships in Naval Battles. Can't be fewer than 12 ships. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-terrorofthesky.png]]||'''Terror of the Sky''' Destroyed the most aircraft in Air Battles. If several players have equal number of destroyed targets, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be more than 11 aircraft. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-thebestsquad.png]]||'''The Best Squad''' It is given to the squad that earned more {{Annotation|squad streaks|Supporting Fire and Teamwork}} during the match than the other teams.
|-
|[[File:Award-thelastmanstanding.png]]||'''The last man standing!''' The last player remaining in the mission.
|-
|[[File:Award-thunderer.png]]||'''Thunderer''' Destroyed more AI ground targets than any other player in the mission. The number of destroyed ground targets must be at least 18 (taking into account RB & SB multupliers), and more than any other player in either team. (Ships and any other naval targets will not be taken into account). Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-tsunami.png]]||'''Tsunami''' Destroyed the most AI water units. Can't be fewer than 18 AI units. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|[[File:Award-WaterTroopsRescuer.png]]||'''Ship Rescuer''' Defended friendly water troops.
|-
|[[File:Award-wingbreaker.png]]||'''Wing Breaker''' Destroyed the most air targets in tank battles (at least 5 enemy aircraft have been shot down whilst driving ground vehicles). No multiplier.
|-
|[[File:Award-wingman.png]]||'''Wingman''' Having the most assists in destroying enemy vehicles (8 or more). If several players have equal number of assists, the award is given to the one with bigger score. Can't be fewer than 8 assists. Multiplier: RB (x2), SB (x3).
|-
|}

=== Streaks ===
Can be obtained several times per match.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:Award-DoubleStrike.png]]||'''Double strike!''' Destroyed vehicles of 2 players in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-TripleStrike.png]]||'''Triple strike!''' Destroyed vehicles of 3 players in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-MultiStrike.png]]||'''Multi strike ×X!''' Destroyed vehicles of 4 players or more in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-GroundTripleStrike.png]]||'''Triple strike! (ground)''' Destroyed 3 ground units in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-GroundMultiStrike.png]]||'''Multi strike ×X! (ground)''' Destroyed 4 ground units or more in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-WaterDoubleStrike.png]]||'''Double strike! (naval)''' Wrecked 2 ships in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-WaterTripleStrike.png]]||'''Triple strike! (naval)''' Wrecked 3 ships in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-WaterMultiStrike.png]]||'''Multi strike ×X! (naval)''' Wrecked 4 ships or more in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-AssistsStreak.png]]||'''Assist streak: ×X!''' Assisted allies in destroying enemy vehicles X times in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-BaseCapturerStreak.png]]||'''Base capturer streak: ×X!''' Reward for capturing base X times in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-ShadowStrikeStreak.png]]||'''Shadow strike streak: ×X!''' Reward for destroying an enemy vehicle without getting yourself hit X times in a row.
|-
|[[File:Award-professional.png]]||'''Professional: xN''' Reward for destroying 5 vehicles in a single life. Each kill after the 5th, rewards the player with another Professional Award (i.e. 7 kills without dying would reward the player with 3 Professional Awards.)
|-
|[[File:Award-oneshot.png]]||'''Without a miss''' 
Reward for destroying of three or more enemies, in which all your shells hit the enemy. Destroying the enemy with one hit is not required, just don't miss. A series of three kills will bring one reward, of four kills two, and so on. Reward is given only when playing on ground vehicles, and score is affected by all shots made by the player and the destruction of enemies by artillery (artillery misses do not count). 
'''Reward''': 200 {{sl}} for the first three kills, and then +200 {{sl}} for each additional ×1 to the series over three.
|-
|}

[[Category:Achievements]]

Re.2002 Early

2023-12-27T14:17:30Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card
|code=re_2002_early
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"]].

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

While the Re.2002 looks like a modernized variant of the Re.2000 (and is, in fact, a design derived from the Re.2000), one must never forget the Re.2002 was designed to be a fighter bomber, not a pure-bred fighter. It does have a more powerful engine, but its overall weight is noticeably higher. Combined with rather bad climb rate and mediocre manoeuvrability, the Re.2002 is really an attacker disguised as a fighter. It is thus recommended to treat it like a single-seat attacker and use the corresponding playstyle. (Read: it is the worst fighter in the game at 2.3 - it is NOT the same performer as the Swedish J9)

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 511 || 496 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.0 || 20.7 || 10.0 || 10.0 || rowspan="2" | 150
|-
! Upgraded
| 551 || 530 || 18.1 || 19.0 || 15.8 || 12.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || 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}} || 457 || 428 || 280 || ~10 || ~7
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 350 || < 380 || > 200
|-
|}

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


* 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 8 mm Steel - Armoured plate behind the pilot
* 50 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
* Critical components located at the front of aircraft (pilot, engine, controls)
* Fuel tank in the fuselage behind the pilot
* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage

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

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

{{main|Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)|Breda-SAFAT (7.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (390 rpg left + 450 rpg right = 840 total)
* 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, wing-mounted (630 rpg = 1,260 total)

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

{{main|GP 50 (50 kg)|GP 100T (100 kg)|GP 250 (250 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb (250 kg total)
* 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb + 2 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (350 kg total)
* 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb + 2 x 100 kg GP 100T bombs (450 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

Given its low manoeuvrability, bad climb rate and low speed, the Re.2002 should be used as a single-seat attacker. For this purpose, it can carry quite a formidable payload for its size and rank - a single 250 kg bomb and up to 2 x 100 kg bombs, which adds up to 450 kg. In the air RB, this payload will come in handy for destroying a pillbox or two or knocking out some tanks, and you can use your MGs against softer targets.

However, if you do end up in an engagement, note that you can even deploy your take-off flaps up to 428 km/h, which when combined with brief bursts of WEP can sometimes provide a nasty surprise for an enemy fighter that thought it had the low-altitude manoeuvre advantage against all those slow, vulnerable ground-attack planes. And low-altitude fights are the ones you are likely to have in this machine.

However, it is in ground RB where the machine is truly useful. Given its low battle rating, its top payload is fully able to destroy any tank on the given BR spread and its 250 kg bomb has enough punch to knock out multiple targets if you're lucky (or skilled) enough to hit a cluster of thin-skinned vehicles. You can also use the Re.2002 as an impromptu dive bomber with the advantage of being able to defend itself against enemy fighters. But don't mistake the Re.2002 for a proper CAS plane, as it lacks the payload and the armour protection for repeated attacks, especially against prepared AA defense. The Re.2002 is thus great for hit and run attacks, after which you can either return to your airfield and rearm, or you can climb a little and try to pick off any sneaking enemy CAS aircraft.

With a subpar agility, climb rate and speed, but possessing a good payload for its rank, the Re.2002 is an attacker disguised as a fighter and should never be brought into a direct dogfight. Also, beware of head-on engagements: the only thing protecting your pilot from the front is a small piece of armoured glass and a large Piaggio radial engine that loves to catch fire.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good payload for its rank
* Large ammunition supply for its guns
* Armament is great for destroying light ground targets (AAA, artillery, armoured cars, etc.)
* Has armour, like the [[Re.2000 G.A.|previous vehicle]]

'''Cons:'''

* Subpar agility
* Low climb rate
* Engine overheats quickly even with all modifications researched

== History ==

The Re. 2002 was a return to the radial engine, combining the new structural features of the Re. 2001 with an engine comparable to the Re. 2000's. Agile and sturdy, it was the best fighter-bomber/attack plane the Italians had, and was respected by the Luftwaffe, who seized 60 of them when Italy surrendered. In total, 225 were built, the last 40 for the Luftwaffe. Another 40 continued on with Italian forces fighting with the Allies.

Reggiane had been unable to find sufficient DB 601 engines (being produced on license in Italy) to keep up with demand for the Re. 2001, so they switched back to a Piaggio-designed radial. This meant the wing system of the Re. 2001 could be kept in the new model. It first flew in October, 1940, and the Italian Air Force placed its first order in September, 1941. It first became operational in July of 1943, during the invasion of Sicily.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=re_2002_early Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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/453511-re-2002/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Reggiane}}
{{Italy fighters}}

MiG-21F-13

2023-11-11T13:52:55Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_f13
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Only a few months before the introduction of the MiG-21F into Soviet service, the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis took place in 1958, where the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missile employed by F-86 Sabres became the first instance of air-to-air missiles being used in combat. However, these early missiles had many flaws, and on September 28, 1958, one AIM-9B failed to detonate while striking a [[J-4|PLAAF MiG-17]], becoming lodged in the rear fuselage and returning to base completely intact. This missile was quickly shipped back to the Soviet Union for analysis and backwards engineered into the [[R-3S|K-13]] missile system. A quick directive was issued to update existing (MiG-17 and MiG-19) and future aircraft projects (MiG-21) to use this new missile. An updated variant of the MiG-21F with one cannon removed to fit the required avionics for firing the K-13 missile would enter service shortly after as the '''MiG-21F-13'''.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], is a complete departure in playstyle and doctrine from the aircraft that precede it in the tech tree. Unlike the MiG-15, 17, and 19 before it which rely on strong energy retention to win their dogfights at lower speeds due to high speed compression, the MiG-21F-13 is on the complete opposite of the spectrum, having abysmal energy retention and low speed manoeuvrability, and instead relying in its incredible AoA and instantaneous turning at higher speeds to best its opponents. The aircraft is best played conservatively, as its weak air-to-air missiles and singular, low velocity gun with a comically small ammo pool of 60 rounds does not allow for aggressive play. It is best to fly off away from the battlefield at first, letting the furballs form away from you before picking the most favourable engagements against distracted targets, utilizing hit-and-run tactics similar to the early [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]]s of the same rank.

Pilots who can master the MiG-21F's less-forgiving flight characteristics and engagement doctrine can look forward to the [[MiG-21SMT]], a major upgrade in weaponry and flight handling over the MiG-21F, while retaining the same basic playstyle. Also, players who truly enjoy the MiG-21 flight performance at this rank and are looking for a premium aircraft to aid in the research of the Soviet tech tree should consider the premium [[MiG-21S (R-13-300)|MiG-21S]], a heavily upgraded MiG-21 at a slightly higher battle rating utilizing a stronger engine, more missiles, a radar, and a new cannon with a larger ammo pool.

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

Due to the {{PAGENAME}} being an interceptor fighter, its main purpose is to interdict enemy aircraft. For this purpose, a jet fighter should meet certain criteria such as being light-weight, fast, aerodynamic and cheap to build and maintain. The {{PAGENAME}} fits all of these criteria to a tee. Sitting at a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and an afterburner thrust output from the R-11F-300 jet engine of 5,480 kgf, the MiG was a rocket compared to other contemporary fighters/interceptor aircraft. The closest comparable aircraft in-game are the Hunter F 1, Hunter F.6 and the Super Mystere B2. Pound for pound and thrust for thrust, the Hunter F 1 is the closest with a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from a Rolls-Royce Avon Mk. 113 engine with 3,188 kgf, however, the final thrust output was no contest with the {{PAGENAME}} able to fly 1,000 km/h faster than the Hunter at top speed.
[[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 003.jpg|350x350px|thumb|right|Upper view of a {{PAGENAME}}.]]
Horizontal turning manoeuvrability in the MiG, for the most part, is non-existent. Due to the shape of the wings and the aerodynamics of the entire aircraft, it is built mostly for high-speed low-drag in a straight flight and that becomes apparent when it enters into a manoeuvre or a extended turn where it begins to bleed speed at a horrendous rate. With no adjustment to the throttle, a {{PAGENAME}} can drop from 1,000 km/h to 600 - 700 km/h just by making a turn or manoeuvring from flying in a straight line. MiG pilots must take into account when they attempt evasive manoeuvres after a missile is fired at them as doing so they may avoid the missile, but they may also end up flying under 700 km/h which is a bad place to be and can be difficult to return from if there is no room to dive to build up speed. The best bet to use the {{PAGENAME}} is up at higher altitudes where the jet flies faster and has room to dive if the speed needs to be built up after turning or manoeuvring.

While the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with 250 kg or 500 kg bombs, adding the extra weight impacts this fighter even more. With the bombs placed on under-wing pylons, it decreases the roll-rate of the aircraft having that weight away from the centre of the aircraft (or in comparison to a clean aircraft – without bombs). Bombs are an option for the aircraft, however, due to needing to maintain speeds above 700 km/h using the MiG as a bomber is less effective and can expose this aircraft to other fighters which prey on low and slow aircraft.

The strength of the aircraft is its speed in a straight line whether in a climb, level flight or a dive, however, when it turns at all, it haemorrhages its energy and when it gets below 700 km/h, it is difficult to get back up to speed without diving to make up that speed. When caught near the ground and going slow will be extremely frustrating for a MiG-21 pilot.

Some characteristics to remember for Simulator battles:

* Abnormally strong up-righting torque (for a jet) can be troublesome when aiming
* Negative pitch stability above 500 km/h
* Deep-stalled flat-spinning MiG-21s cannot recover from spin
* Rapid energy bleeding can allow you to go from Mach 1 to landing speeds in a single hard 90 degree turn with trimming controls, allowing for rapid base return and landings
* Bubble canopy allows excellent peripheral vision; nothing hindering the line of sight
* Does not spin easily in a positive G-load stall
* Stable unstalled inverted spin with awkward recovery technique for joystick pilots

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,212 || 2,197 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.6 || 35.1 || 98.1 || 90.8 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,277 || 2,240 || 31.8 || 33.0 || 143.7 || 120.0
|-
|}
[[File:MiG-21_smigol_chat_bann.png|400px|thumb|The sleek and aerodynamic {{PAGENAME}}.]]
==== 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 || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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 || 524 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 900 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" | Clean Configuration Lift Performance
|-
! Zero-Thrust, 1G Stall speed (km/h)
! Corner speed
(km/h)
|-
| 210-244 || 757
|-
|}

==== 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" | Tumansky R-11F-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,212 kg || colspan="3" | 315 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 33m fuel
|-
| 1,120 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 5,821 kg || 6,408 kg || 7,006 kg || 7,242 kg || 9,500 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'' || 3,484 kgf || 5,231 kgf
| 0.90 || 0.82 || 0.75 || 0.72 || 0.55
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,484 kgf (0 km/h) || 5,324 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 0.91 || 0.83 || 0.76 || 0.74 || 0.56
|-
|}

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


;Armour

* 16 mm Steel – behind the pilot's seat
* 25 mm Steel – pilot's headrest
* 65 mm Bulletproof glass – forward canopy windscreen

Not much thought was put into protecting the aircraft as it was relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain. However, protections were put in place for the pilot which on the other hand was a valuable asset. Protective steel behind the seat and pilot's headrest along with the 65 mm bulletproof glass helped protect the pilot from defensive fire coming from bomber turrets or from smaller calibre guns found on many Western fighters of the time.

Due to its speed and limited weapon load-out, further protections for the aircraft's critical component were not necessary and thus left off the aircraft to allow for its light-weight and quick intercept capability.

=== 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)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 30 mm NR-30 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)

The {{PAGENAME}} has been outfitted with a single 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon. This gun is a large enough calibre to do some serious damage, however, this cannon only houses 60 rounds of ammunition. While the small ammunition pool appears to be a negative point to the aircraft, minimizing weight is necessary to ensure this aircraft can intercept inbound enemy aircraft. Trigger control is a fundamental skill when attacking aircraft, similarly to many previous Soviet aircraft on the previous early ranks.

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

{{main|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|ZB-360 incendiary}}
{{main|R-3S|S-5K|S-24}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x R-3S missiles
* 32 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x S-24 rockets
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-360 incendiary bombs

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! width="23%" | 1 !! width="23%" | 2
| rowspan="7" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs
| 1 || 1
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs
| 1 || 1
|-
! ZB-360 incendiary bombs
| 1 || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16 || 16
|-
! S-24 rockets
| 1 || 1
|-
! R-3S missiles
| 1 || 1
|-
|}

;Air-to-air combat armament

In conjunction with its 30 mm NR-30 autocannon, it can also be outfitted with two additional air-to-air combat options. First is the R-3S air-to-air missiles of which only two are allocated at a time. When on the tail of an enemy aircraft there are two tones which will be emitted when attempting a missile lock, the first tone is the system searching for a target, once the target is locked onto, the tone will noticeably change. Once changed to the second tone, the missile can be fired. An enemy fighter which is paying attention to any notifications for an inbound missile does have a chance to avoid the missile, however, the longer they wait to initiate, the harder it will be for them to avoid being hit by the missile.

Secondary air-to-air armament comes in the package of 32 S-5K unguided rockets. Though less than accurate when fired off singly, salvos of these rockets will increase the chance that at least one or two rockets may hit the intended target. This ordnance is difficult to use against faster fighters, however, it may be ideal to utilise against slower bombers which may have a more difficult time out flying or outmanoeuvring these rockets.

;Ground attack armament

The {{PAGENAME}} can carry ordnance which is more specifically used for ground attack than aerial attack. Two options for rockets are available, the 32 x S-5K rockets already mentioned in the air-to-air combat section and the 2 x S-24 240 mm unguided rockets. The S-5K rockets can be used to great effect on anti-aircraft artillery, lightly armoured vehicles and aircraft landing, taking-off or parked on runways waiting for repairs or reloading. Since the S-5K is unguided and therefore not highly accurate, especially being launched from the {{PAGENAME}} and low altitudes, it is best to launch large salvos at the intended targets to increase the chances a hit is made. The S-24 rocket is just over two metres long and therefore only two can be outfitted on the aircraft. This rocket has its similarities to the U.S. unguided rocket the [[Tiny Tim]]. These larger rockets pack a punch and can be used for enemies on the ground clustered together, harder targets such as medium and heavy tanks, reinforced pillboxes and can even whittle away at the enemy bases.

A final ground attack option is to outfit bombs to the aircraft in either total weight of 500 kg or 1,000 kg. Either 250 kg or 500 kg bombs can be mounted to underwing pylons to be used on ground targets, however, while these are attached to the aircraft, its overall speed and manoeuvrability will suffer. Bombing with the {{PAGENAME}} can be a bit of a challenge without a bombsight or trying to hit a target while in a dive. Attempting a horizontal attack reduces the overall speed of the aircraft and makes it an easier target for enemy fighters waiting to pounce.

== Usage in battles ==

The {{PAGENAME}} was designed to be a fighter-interceptor and thus all of its design features shape it into virtually a missile with a cockpit. This aircraft wasn't designed to carry the load the [[F-4C]], [[G.91 YS]] or the [[Super Mystere B2]] could, but it was built for speed and to bring along the minimal amount of armament to do its job.

'''Air defence role'''

As a fighter-interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} needed to get from Point A (the airbase) to Point B (the inbound enemy aircraft) in the shortest amount of time possible, shoot it and return to base to get ready for the next one. This jet can remain fast if it is flying in a straight line, however do not try to sustain dogfights in it. As it still has a high AoA, meaning it bleeds a good amount of speed in hard turns. The {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with air-to-air ordnance to support this fighting tactic or it can also load up on ground-attack ordnance which can inflict some damage. Though payload is available, this is not a strong suit for this aircraft.
[[File:MiG-21_kohler_001.jpg|325x325px|thumb|right|The {{PAGENAME}} in an aggressive power-climb ready to intercept.]]
The best use of this aircraft is to utilise its excellent speed and rate of climb and gain altitude and begin to level off when you are either at bomber altitude or just above any enemy fighters flying around. It is here you can use the great [[Boom & Zoom]] qualities of the aircraft and select a target and begin to dive on it. It is during this phase when you can attempt to get a lock with the R-3S air-to-air missiles and launch it or you can strafe any unwary targets with the 30 mm NR-30 autocannon. Extremely short bursts are a must in order to conserve ammunition (only 60 rounds total), but this powerful gun only needs one or two good shots to remove a wing, take out a pilot or disable an engine.

Once shots have been taken, regardless if they hit or missed, engage the afterburner and return to higher altitudes and set up for another Boom & Zoom run. [[Boom & Run]] techniques also work in that you can use the phenomenal speed of the {{PAGENAME}} to outrun just about any aircraft on the map (however beware of the [[F-4C]] which can keep pace if not outrun the {{PAGENAME}}).

The R-3S missiles can be a challenge to get used to, so newer pilots may elect to outfit the S-5K rockets and use them to go after bombers or large fighters. With only 60 rounds of 30 mm cannon ammunition, trigger control is a must or else you will be waiting often for a reload timer to count down or will be frequently returning to base to reload.

'''Ground attack role'''

Options are available to use this aircraft in the role of ground-attack, however, this may be an extreme challenge, especially to any novice fighter jet pilots. While the 30 mm autocannon is standard in all of the ordnance load-outs, when adding a secondary suspended armament, you are limited to only one type. In this case, you will need to choose from 32 light-weight S-5K rockets, two S-24 rockets, two 250 kg bombs or two 500 kg bombs. The added weight and loss of aerodynamics when adding any of this ordnance can be difficult to overcome, especially since this aircraft is built for speed over manoeuvrability. Therefore, these options should be reserved for special situations in the late part of a match, as the attacker/bomber function was never designed as a multi-role function as it was with the [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]].

When attacking ground targets, it is best to place the {{PAGENAME}} into a relatively shallow dive, it is important to remember to properly line up for the target ahead of time because with the external ordnance fine-tune manoeuvring can be difficult especially when corrections need to be made at the last minute. Lack of a bombsight makes bombing smaller targets a bit more difficult to hit. When flying low to take on ground targets, make sure you leave yourself an out when the situation turns bad. The best practice here is to ensure you keep your speed up, slow enough to hit the target, but fast enough to get away when the situation turns.

=== Radars ===

The MiG-21F-13 is equipped with a SRD-5 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | SRD-5 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 3,000 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed and acceleration once spaded
* Has access to 2 x R-3S air-to-air missiles or 2 x S-24 rockets, which can work as air-to-air weapon
* Hard-hitting and accurate 30 mm cannon, quick bursts make 60 rounds last long and are enough for kills
* Although limited, ordnance options are available when needed
* Very good instant turn at all speeds; does not spin easily in a positive G-load stall; stable in simulator
* Can sustain 11G - 12G even at 1,200 km/h IAS (can also pull 13G for a second)

'''Cons:'''

* Sole gun with 60 rounds; difficult for newcomers, a minuscule 3.6 seconds total firing time (compared to 24 seconds of the 3 x gunpods of the F-4 Phantom)
* No countermeasures of any sort; manoeuvring alone must be used to counter AAM
* Quirky rudder characteristics on mouse aim
* AAM missiles are unreliable and slow
* Single type suspended armament, no multi-role options such as missiles + bombs or rockets + bombs
* Flight performance will be limited until flight modifications have been researched

== History ==

This fighter was the Ye-66a ("Ye" stands for "Yedinitsa" or single-unit), later changed to MiG-21 F-13 or as dubbed by NATO, the Fishbed-C. The F-13 designation identifies as an updated (Forsirovannyy) version which can equip the K-13 missile system capable of using the R-3S air-to-air missiles.

The MiG-21 series of planes would become the most widely-used family of fighter jets in the world, with over 4,000 produced, including license-built copies in China, India and Czechoslovakia. The roots of this highly successful combat aircraft started in the mid-1950s, with the Soviet desire to create a Mach-2 capable light fighter. The first MiG-21F prototypes were presented at the Tushino air show in June 1956, and deliveries started in 1958. The model, "Fishbed C" in NATO parlance, was widely exported. In the Soviet Union, it was replaced by the MiG-21PF model after 1961.

The {{PAGENAME}} was built to be a point defence interceptor not an air-defence fighter slated for combat missions, basically a short-range day fighter. Essentially it was a missile which houses a pilot, one 30 mm cannon and two R-3S air-to-air missiles. The sleek airframe was made with aluminium alloys, steel, magnesium and fibreglass. The air-intake cone automatically adjusts during the flight to help the aircraft remain aerodynamic. The fighter sported a delta wing with a 57° leading edge and even the all-moving tailplane utilizes the swept feature. Everything about this jet focus on speed which lends it reaching out to the Mach 2 range.

===[[wt:en/news/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|Devblog]]===
Development of the MiG-21 dates back to the early 1950s, when the Mikoyan design bureau was conducting development work on a design study for a new swept-wing jet aircraft. Further work on the project led to the creation of a separate, delta wing prototype, designated "Ye-4". With test flights showing promising results, but also much room for improvement, work on the Ye-4 resumed. Further tweaks and modifications to the design eventually lead to the Ye-5 prototype, which conducted its maiden flight in January 1956.

During testing, the Ye-5 received its new designation "MiG-21" and was officially ordered into production. However, production of this initial batch of MiG-21s was rather short, with only a handful of machines being built. In the meantime, an improved version of the aircraft - the Ye-6 - was being worked on. By May 1958, testing of the Ye-6 was deemed to be completed. Shortly afterwards, in July, the Ye-6 was ordered into mass production under the designation MiG-21F and was to replace the initial MiG-21 as the standard production model. The aircraft weaponry consists of two 30 mm automatic cannons. The next step was to equip the aircraft with guided "air-to-air" missiles but in to do this one of the cannons had to be removed.

From there on, the MiG-21 would go on to be produced in enormous numbers and in various different variants, both for the needs of the Soviet Union, as well as for export. Around 60 countries have or still use the MiG-21 in various capacities and modifications today.

Well over 11,000 MiG-21s have been produced, including licence-built versions (more than 2,400 models were built in China under the J-7 designation), since the start of production in 1959, with the legendary "Fishbed" becoming the most mass produced combat aircraft since the Korean War and taking part in more armed conflicts than a single devblog would ever be able to cover. But as an example we can mention its participation in the Vietnam War where the MiG-21 was able to push back against the latest U.S. aircraft (which were in majority).

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_f13 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 001.jpg|
Image:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 002.jpg|
Image:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 004.jpg|
Image:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 005.jpg|
Image:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|t8WZHks0N9U|'''Sim - MiG-21 - First Impressions''' - ''Spicysauced''|E941IRtmZdE|'''The Shooting Range #165''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:35 discusses the MiG-21.|1psFOw8yTY4|'''They Made MiG-21 Mode Into A Real Thing!''' - ''Spit_flyer''}}

== 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/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|[Development<nowiki>]</nowiki> MiG-21F-13: The Silver Swallow]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/462648-mig-21f-13/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=68 militaryfactory.com website - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Fishbed)]
* [https://www.historynet.com/the-iconic-mig-21-fishbed.htm historynet.com website - The Iconic MiG-21 "Fishbed"]
* [https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-mig-21-fighter-could-keep-flying-and-fighting-100-years-85466 nationalinterest.org website - Russia's MiG-21 Fighter Could Keep Flying and Fighting for 100 Years]
* Bridgewater, S., & Gibbs, R. (Eds.). (2019). MiG's Fabulous Fishbed. MiG - Red Star Fighters, 52–61. ISBN ''9781912205127''

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

RB71

2023-11-05T04:31:07Z

U8128791: /* General info */ grammar

== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage {{PAGENAME}}.png|thumb|left|420px|The RB71 missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a Swedish [[Air-to-air_missiles#Semi-Active_Radar_Homing_.28SARH.29_missiles|semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile]]. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37}}
* {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37d}}

== General info ==

The RB71 is the Swedish Air Force adaptation of the British [[Skyflash]] air-to-air missile, which itself is derived from the American [[AIM-7E-2 Sparrow]]. This means the RB71 has performance very similar to those missiles with a lock range of 30 km, a launch range of 50 km, maximum speed of 4.0 Mach, and a maximum overload of 25 G. Unlike lighter missiles (like the R-60), this missile is heavier with a weight of 193 kg, but with that comes a heavier warhead (11.52 kg of TNT equivalent) which can ensure it downs an enemy in a single-shot most of the time. The RB71 is a medium range radar guided air-to-air missile, most effective at ranges from 1,200 m to 3,000 m (at sea level).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 193 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || SARH
|-
| '''Signal''' || CW
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 37 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 50 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 4 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 25 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 40 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 11.52 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The RB71 is much more agile than the AIM-7F, R-23R/-24R, and several other SARHs. This allows for flanking shots as well as up-close reaction shots. The RB71 has a shorter maximum range than the AIM-7F and AIM-54, meaning certain aircraft might get successful locks and launches.

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* High manoeuvrability lets the user pull off shots at closer range than the competition
* Very good resistance against ground clutter combined with the excellent radar of the JA37C lets you use the missile at any altitude
* Generally quite resistant against countermeasures

'''Cons:'''

* Shorter range than some of its adversaries.
* Its only platform allows for a maximum load of 2 x RB71

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

B7A2 (Homare 23)

2023-10-06T13:24:50Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ Homare at BR 3.7 is one of te fastest planes -its even faster than many 4.3 BR, so to say it is low speed is rubbish.

{{About
| about = premium Japanese bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the regular version
| link = B7A2
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=b7a2_homare_23
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was a prototype to test the new Homare 23 engine on the [[B7A2]] which boasted 200 hp more than the Homare 12 installed on the production line of the B7A2. Other than the engine, the fuselage, wings, and armament haven't changed resulting in an enhanced [[B7A2]] which wasn't able to be mass-produced.

The Ryusei (Homare 23) was introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]] as a reward for [[Battle Pass: Season XII, "Armour Breaking Ambusher"]]. Like its previous production model, the [[B7A2]], it's deceivingly manoeuvrable and has an even stronger engine for the same plane, still lacking any real armour. It can bite back with its defensive 13 mm machine gun or engage frontally with two wing-mounted Type 99 Model 2 cannons. While technically classified as a carrier-borne torpedo bomber, it is very capable of fulfilling the roles of dive-, level-, and torpedo bombing targets. While the max tonnage of bombs doesn't increase over the previous [[B6N (Family)|B6N Tenzan]], it can carry four additional wing-mounted 60 kg bombs next to its bomb bay that can load two 250 kg or six 60 kg. The main playstyle of the B7A2 is more like an unarmoured attacker, using its arsenal of bombs and cannons on targets either in the sky, on the ground, or on the sea with the deadly precision of its gyrostabilized dive-bomber sight.

;Nicknames

* [[Abbreviations#.28IJN.29_Official_name_designation|Official Designation]]: ''流星 (Ryūsei, "Shooting Star")''
* Allied reporting name: ''Grace''.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 6,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 566 || 549 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.5 || 21.4 || 11.9 || 11.9 || rowspan="2" | 270
|-
! Upgraded
| 609 || 586 || 19.8 || 20.0 || 18.8 || 14.9
|-
|}

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

{| 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 680  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 457 || 428 || 280 || ~15 || ~15
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 380 || < 380 || < 450 || > 312
|-
|}

=== 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|Type 99 Model 2 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

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

{{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)|Navy Type 98 Number 25 (250 kg)|Number 80 Mod. 1 (800 kg)|Type 91 Model 3 (850 kg)}}

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

* 10 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (600 kg total)
* 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs + 2 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (740 kg total)
* 1 x 800 kg Number 80 Mod. 1 bomb (800 kg total)
* 1 x 850 kg Type 91 Model 3 torpedo

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|Type 2 (13 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 13 mm Type 2 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

The Ryusei is best utilized as a multi-role aircraft, similar to the role the [[Ju 87 D-5]] plays. Once its payload is dropped, the B7A2 becomes a low altitude dogfighter similar to an A6M. In realistic battles, the B7A2 is often paired with aircraft such as the [[A6M3]], [[A6M3 mod. 22]], and [[A6M3 mod. 22Ko]]. If unable to shake an enemy off your tail, these "Zeroes" can be relied on as they have impressive low altitude capabilities.

Payload choice is dependent on target choice. If the target is a light pillbox, for instance, one does not need an 800 kg bomb. Instead, equip either of the other bomb loadout options. The same goes for most ground units, apart from arcade mini bases. The Ryusei is similar to aircraft such as the [[Ki-49-IIa]] in that it can "hover" above an enemy base or airfield, rapidly dropping its payload and diving up to altitude again. Since the B7A2 is a dive bomber, it does not have to be level to drop its payload accurately. The Ryusei's ability to "hover" above enemy mini bases and airfields can be a great help to any arcade battles team. Upgrading the crew reload speed makes this aircraft a potential game-winner, especially when in a squad.

Having a B7A2 on any team, no matter the game mode, never hurts.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* '''B'''7A for Carrier-based torpedo bomber
** Bomber spawn
** 1 x [[Type 91 Model 3 (850 kg)|Type 91 Aerial Torpedo]]
*** Torpedo has the highest drop speed in the game at {{Annotation|580 km/h|350 mph}} and is one of the most feared torpedoes in Naval Battles
** 10 x [[Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)|Type 97 No.6 Land Bomb (60kg)]]
*** Gets a bomb bay of 6 x 60 kg bombs which can be used to hit multiple targets (+4 on the wings that drop in pairs)
** 1 x [[Number 80 Mod. 1 (800 kg)|No.80 Land Bomb (800 kg)]]
*** Heaviest bomb Japanese Navy can offer
* Common Navy plane construction:
** Excellent manoeuvrability
* '''{{PAGENAME}}''' specific
** Airbrakes
** Short take-off and landing distance
** 2 x wing mounted [[Type 99 Model 2 (20 mm)]]
** 1 x tail defensive [[Type 2 (13 mm)]] with good coverage

'''Cons:'''

* '''B'''7A for Carrier-based torpedo bomber
** Relatively Large target
* Common Navy plane construction:
** Little armour, and no self-sealing fuel tanks
** Exposed tail gunner
* Easily compress when exceeding 600 km/h
* Mediocre roll rate
* Limited WEP time (only 5 minutes 20 seconds of water injection)

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=b7a2_homare_23 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|NwtZninBT0I|'''The Shooting Range #368''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|9emoh5qAlO4|'''Battle Pass: Armour Breaking Ambusher''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:34 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==

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

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

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8368-development-battle-pass-vehicles-b7a2-homare-23-ryusei-en|[Devblog] Battle Pass vehicles: B7A2 (Homare 23) Ryusei]]

{{AirManufacturer Aichi}}
{{Japan bombers}}
{{Japan premium aircraft}}

Yak-1B

2023-08-17T10:38:16Z

U8128791: /* Armaments */ Overheating is much less of a problem (mid 2023) than it used to be in the early years. Gaijin must have tweaked the settings.

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-1 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-1b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

The Yak-1B is an updated version of the early [[Yak-1]] fighter. The most visible change is the cut-down rear fuselage, providing improved visibility to the pilot. Under the hood, there are many more differences. The new VK-105PF engine provides more power and the twin ShKAS rifle-calibre machine guns have been replaced with a single Berezin UB heavy machine gun.

The Yak-1B is foldered with the Yak-1 and might be skipped by some Soviet pilots in favour of moving on to the [[Yak-7B]]. However, this aircraft is well worth the detour: it has delightful flying characteristics and is the best of the short-nosed Yaks available in Rank II. It has very similar performance to the [[Yak-9T]], which in RB is a whole rank and battle rating above it! Those who master the Yak-1B will be well prepared for its descendants, including the celebrated [[Yak-3]].

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


This improved Yak-1 features, like most mid-war water-cooled fighters, a 1,210 hp engine. It remains sub-par to the German equivalent. However, at the time this plane was fielded, most enemy vehicles were of heavier weight, meaning that it could further utilize the Yak series' excellent manoeuvrability. However, the aircraft is tiered with earlier vehicles in-game, which shifts the performance spectrum of the Yak-1B towards engine power.

Like other Yakovlev fighters, the Yak-1B is a jack-of-all-trades, having good speed, turning ability, roll rate, and climb. Manoeuvring and vertical energy retention are good, so it does not lose much speed in turns and can perform vertical loops effectively. Energy retention in a straight line is decent. It is slightly heavier than the Yak-1 and the turning ability is negligibly worse. However, the new engine makes it one of the fastest aircraft at low altitudes when flying in a straight line. Under 1,000 meters, it can even outrun some 4.3 aircraft like the [[Pyörremyrsky]] by a slim margin.

While the climb rate is good, the engine was designed for low altitudes and the performance drops off drastically at higher altitudes. Power loss is noticeable above 3,000 meters and the aircraft will really start to struggle above 4,000 meters. Another issue is its poor high-speed characteristics. Like many other contemporary Soviet aircraft, the wings are made largely of wood and will rip at relatively low speeds compared to US or German fighters. Even before the rip speed is reached, it suffers from some compression issues. The roll compression starts to become noticeable above ~450 km/h IAS and the elevator suffers significantly above ~600 km/h IAS. While it does not compress as badly as the [[La-5]], combat manoeuvring becomes difficult at these speeds. Even if the wings do not snap, the pilot will easily black out.

The engine tends to run hot and without MEC it will, after quite a while, overheat at 100% throttle. Dialling down the throttle to about 96% will alleviate the issue with minimal performance impact. Alternatively, using MEC and opening the radiators slightly is enough to run it at 100% indefinitely. Note that the Yak-1B does not have a WEP setting in realistic battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 575 || 559 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.3 || 19.8 || 13.5 || 13.5 || rowspan="2" | 368
|-
! Upgraded
| 608 || 592 || 18.0 || 18.5 || 18.7 || 16.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || X || ✓ || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 683  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~11 || ~8
|-
|}

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

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

Self-sealing fuel tanks are located in the wing roots and wing midsections.

The Yak-1B introduces thick bulletproof glass protecting the pilot and retains the armoured bulkhead behind the pilot's seat from the Yak-1. It is fairly unlikely that the pilot will be knocked out in head-ons as a result. However, the inline, water-cooled engine is very vulnerable to combat damage. The steel plate is enough to protect the pilot from rifle-calibre machine guns from the rear at medium distances, but cannon projectiles and heavy machine guns can still punch right through.

The rest of the airframe has decent constructional strength, though it is still not as hardy as contemporary US aircraft. Cannons and heavy machine guns will do a number on the Yak-1B. The wing fuel tanks are vulnerable to damage in deflection shots and fires will be a common cause of destruction.

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

With the Yak line of fighters, '''always''' research the engine and performance modules first! Adding power upgrades will help to lower the overheating of the engine. Afterwards, the aircraft modules can be unlocked in any order according to pilot preference. The Survivability modules are recommended next, as they improve the Yak-1B's manoeuvrability and survivability even more. The Armament modules improve the aircraft only by adding ammo belt types available and allowing the usage of 100 kg of bombs.

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg)

The Yak-1B is equipped with standard armament for most Yakovlev aircraft: one machine gun and one ShVAK cannon. With 200 and 120 rounds respectively, this is nothing out of the ordinary for this series. It's good against enemy light fighters, but larger aircraft like bombers or twin engine fighters will not go down too easily due to the relatively low burst mass. If forced to engage these tougher targets, try to knock out defensive gunners first and then set the engines on fire with a few accurate bursts.

The ShVAK cannon is an inconsistent weapon in terms of damage, and its main positive attributes are high accuracy and rate of fire. The best belts for it are Default or Armoured targets, though some players use Ground, and some Tracers. As of mid 2023, the HEF rounds implementation has been fixed, so it is no longer necessary to avoid belts containing HEF rounds, which used to spark. The Berezin UB heavy machine gun's Cermet-core rounds in the Ground targets belt can rip through enemy aircraft effectively and the Air targets belt is spectacular at starting fires. Air targets is usually the way to go, but feel free to experiment with the others. The ShVAK and Berezin have similar enough ballistics that they can be used together at close to medium range. For harassing targets at somewhat longer distances, use the Berezin in short bursts since it has slightly better ballistics, more ammo to spare, and might start a lucky fire.

If both weapons are fired together, the ShVAK will run out first and the Berezin will be left with around 50 rounds, which is rather insufficient for typical engagements and should indicate that it is time to return to base.

Convergence is generally a non-issue since the guns are mounted tightly in the nose. It is best to either set a relatively high convergence distance (e.g. 600 m) or turn it off entirely.

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

{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)

The Yak-1B cannot use the 100 kg bombs available to the Yak-1. The two 50 kg bombs it does have are very weak and there is generally no reason to equip them at all. They need to be dropped almost directly onto ground targets to cause any damage. For ground attack, other aircraft will do a much better job.

== Usage in battles ==

=== Arcade Battles ===
The Yak-1B is simply an upgraded Yak-1. The main features that the Yak-1B has over its counterpart is much-improved cockpit visibility, slightly better durability, and a slightly more resilient engine that still overheats, but it has been changed since the eraly days and you can climb at 100% throttle to 4000m and it will only be yellow. The beauty of the Yakovlev line of fighters lies in two things:

*Overheating can be fixed by flying at or slighly below 97% throttle.
*The Yak's performance is not hindered in the slightest by flying at this engine power.

Due to the above two facts, in AB: fly at 95% to 97% power. The Yaks can dogfight just fine at 97%, and will rarely overheat. Even though in Arcade battles all planes get WEP, the WEP on this plane adds almost nothing to its performance while rapidly overheating the engine, thus using WEP is practically unnecessary. If you find yourself in a situation where your aircraft needs more power, throttle up to 100% power, however, remember to throttle back down once you can.

Wait for the dogfight to start, then fly in behind a distracted enemy. Shoot in bursts unless tailing a bomber, in which case you will not last very long against their rear gunners unless you are incredibly accurate with the cannon. If your engine begins to overheat, start flying back to your airfield. Otherwise, your engine will give out after the temperature gauge turns red.

To sum up, this is merely a better version of the Yak-1, with similar tactics and strategy. Just remember that Soviet fighter aircraft in general count heavily on its pilot's accuracy, in this case only have two guns!

=== Realistic Battles ===
Overheating has been much decreased sonce the early implementation. If not using MEC, take off at 100% throttle, then go to 97% after getting to 3000m to 4000m. If using MEC, open the radiators somewhat (~20-30%) and turn up the prop pitch (~90%). This will keep the engine cool, allow you to run the throttle at 100%, and also bring out extra propeller thrust for better climb and acceleration. '''Stay low at all costs!''' If you climb too high, four things will happen:

# You will have run your engine out trying to climb, so your engine has less time before it overheats than usual. Note: Overheating is much less prevalent now (mid 2023) than it used to be. (You also don't climb as fast as most other planes, in fact, there are better Soviet aircraft for climbing, such as the MiG-3 and the La-5).
# You will be highly visible.
# You will have reduced manoeuvrability.
# You will easily rip your wings upon trying to dive (The Yak's wings, is made of wood, disappear at about 600 km/h).

If you stay below 3,000 m, then you will have more advantages than the enemy, such as:

# There is less chance of ripping wings.
# You are already at optimal altitude and speed for manoeuvring.
# Enemies easily overshoot you or rip wings attempting to dive on you.
# You can trick enemies into flying into the ground (make sure you don't do so yourself!).

Flying at 95% to7% throttle setting in Realistic Battles is enough to fight at below 1,000 m (some experienced Yak pilots will even dogfight at 80% throttle!).

While the Yak-1B has stellar performance at very low altitudes, it is still a good idea to climb a bit, perhaps to at least 2,000 meters. This gives you more options when an enemy dives in from above. Dodging them with a hard break is a reliable option, and when performed correctly this will sometimes lead to manoeuvre kills, but the enemy can also escape by zoom climbing up, where you will be unable to follow. Essentially, you will be at their mercy unless they become impatient and attempt to dogfight you. Enemies like Spitfires that combine manoeuvrability and altitude advantage will be difficult opponents even if they engage in a dogfight! If you start with some altitude, you can enter a dive to gain speed once they start to get close, then level out and take advantage of the Yak-1B's excellent low-altitude top speed. If the opponent continues to chase you, they will likely run out of bonus speed from the dive and fall behind, neutralizing their energy advantage. If they wisely break off, you can nose up and return to cruising altitude with little energy lost, waiting for another opportunity. Successfully executing this can take a lot of practice, but it is a very useful skill, and not just for Yaks.

The Yak-1B manoeuvres best at around 400 km/h IAS, where its roll and turn rate are optimal. Descending in a turning spiral is a good way to maintain this manoeuvring speed and drag fights down to lower altitudes, where other Soviet aircraft tend to perform better, but obviously review the situation and see if vertical loops, rolling scissors, or other dogfight manoeuvres would be more suitable. The Yak-1B does well in all of these provided that an eye is kept on the speed. Do not go fast enough that the compression becomes an issue, but also avoid getting extremely slow. Take advantage of the landing flaps and strong rudder as necessary when nosing over from a vertical loop, continuing a climbing spiral, or stall climbing.

It is recommended to avoid firing at ground targets due to the limited ammunition available for use against other planes. Remember that you do not reload in mid-air in Realistic Battle, so ammunition conservation is critical while closing the distance with the enemy before firing. Remember, fire only in short bursts to conserve ammunition and avoid jamming the guns. The great thing about the Yak's guns is that they are centre-line mounted. Guns mounted in the propeller shaft mean that you do not have to worry about convergence points, instead lead the target and snipe. The drawback is that you cannot spray the mark with a hail of bullets like most players tend to do. This plane and all the Yaks afterwards are about accuracy and skill necessary to handle this agile plane. Do not commit to head-ons, as the Yak-1B is rather fragile and the burst mass is not enough to reliably win these engagements.

When landing, slow the aircraft to BELOW 300 km/h before lowering the landing gear! Many Yak pilots have ripped their landing gear when descending too fast with them extended. The last thing all Yak pilots should know in Realistic Battles is preferably not to climb higher than 3,000m to 4000m (at or below 2,000 m is preferred). The Yak line of fighters was not built to fight at the higher altitudes, and the game is filled with much more capable aircraft in this respect. If you like B&Z or you prefer to climb high, but don't want to use the US or German planes, then use the MiG line or the LaGG/La line of fighters, as they have better high altitude engines. The Yak is a dog-fighter.

===Tips from the Aces===

* A Yak pilot can nullify all but the last "[[Yak-1B#Pros_and_Cons|Cons]]" below by staying below 2000 m, and keeping the throttle at 90% for AB, and 95% for RB/SB, or using MEC.
* ''If the situation allows'', using in-cockpit view can often help with accuracy due to no parallax effect... meaning (hopefully) less of your precious shots wasted.
* Flaps help with hard turns, but against most opponents, flaps will not be utilized much. Use flaps wisely, since flying at ~95% means a tiny bit less engine power to get back to speed after slowing down due to using flaps. However, don't hesitate to use flaps if the fight depends on it, it is easier to regain speed than to pay for a new plane!
* Everything learned from the Yak-1B applies to all of the later Yaks. Mastering this plane will repay itself in gold later.

===Specific enemies worth noting===


* [[A6M2|A6M2 Zeroes]]: They will out turn you, so try to attack in a shallow dive rather than a turn fight. Energy fighting is also okay because the Zero has poor energy retention and terrible high-speed control and handling. Never dogfight a Zero on its terms and be sure to keep a speed/energy advantage at all times. If things go south, break off and run away - the A6M2 is very slow.
*[[P-47_(Family)|P-47Ds]]: They are much faster than you and are excellent at boom and zoom, so avoid them if possible. If you are caught in a fight, try to energy fight them or turn to fight them.
* Other [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yakovlevs]]: They are slightly slower, so either keep them occupied with manoeuvres such as the scissors and barrel rolls or energy fight them.
* [[Spitfire_(Family)|Spitfires]]: They are significantly slower but turn nearly as well as Zeros. Their early Hispano cannons, while inconsistent, are still not good to be hit by, and early models can unleash swarms of rifle-calibre bullets that can ignite the Yak-1B easily. Spitfires also tend to have good climb rates and somewhat better high altitude performance, so seeing them diving from high altitudes is not uncommon. Try to drain their speed and avoid letting them get too close to you. It is difficult to shake a Spitfire from your tail if they have already latched on at close or medium range - running away in level flight can result in taking fire, and dodging will drain your speed and make escape difficult.
* [[J21A-1]]: This Swedish pusher-prop has excellent speed and climb in addition to surprisingly good agility and monstrous firepower. Never commit to a head-on against one, doing so usually results in a direct trip to the hangar. The Yak-1B has the advantage in turn time, but not by a large margin. Dodge their attacks as best as possible and try to bait them into turning. The J21 tends to bleed energy in extended or hard manoeuvres and has issues gaining it back. If you can survive the first few turns, the engagement will be more favourable, making it easier for you or your teammates to knock the J21 out. But never let your guard down.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good speed, excellent at low altitude
* Great agility overall
* Good structural strength
* Hard-hitting and accurate 20 mm ShVAK cannon
* Good rate of climb at low altitudes

'''Cons:'''

* No WEP in RB/SB
* Water and oil overheat gradually at 100%
* Low dive speed limit
* Poor performance above 5,000 m altitude
* Low ammo count makes this plane reliant on trigger control by the pilot
* No combat flaps
* Easily set afire

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Yak-1 is a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau and was produced from 1940 to 1944, with a total of 8,700 aircraft built. The Yak-1B variant was a culmination of all 1942 efforts to improve the Yak-1. Work began at TsAGI, where research into improving the water and oil radiators took place between 24th May and 10th June 1942, and work to increase the top speed was conducted between 20th and 26th July 1942. Tactical characteristics of the Yak-1 were significantly improved as a result, leading to Yakovlev's request to the Minister of Aviation to mass-produce a test batch of 20 improved aircraft for combat testing at the front.

However, the improvements looked so good on paper that a test batch was skipped, and a Defence Committee Directive dated 11th August 1942 ordered a new and improved Yak-1 into mass production. Improved armament triggers and a cockpit with improved rearward visibility were welcomed by Soviet pilots and became standard on all contemporary Soviet fighter planes.
{{Navigation-End}}

=== Notable pilots ===
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Lydia_Litvyak_profile.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Litvyak, Lydia V.| Soviet female fighter ace [[User:U64962917#Litvyak, Lydia V.|Litvyak]] was flying a '''Yak-1B''' in August 1943 when she was shot down by a group of [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109s]]]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Alexander_Pokryshkin_profile.jpg|thumb|none|212px|link=User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|During the transition from the [[MiG-3-15|MiG-3]] to the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]], '''[[User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|Pokryshkin]]''' flew a '''{{PAGENAME}}''' and scored several victories in this aircraft.]] </li>
</ul></div>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-1b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|iNrJPl_v5F4|'''Realistic: Yak-1B with Jim Chamberlin''' - ''Jengar''|hFSjTtoYeJs|'''Yak-1 Uptiered in Arcade''' - ''Long5hot''}}

== 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/179338-yakovlev-yak-1b-1943/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Yakovlev_Yak-1|[Wikipedia] Yakovlev Yak-1]]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Yak-1B

2023-08-17T10:19:28Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

{{About
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Yak-1 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-1b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

The Yak-1B is an updated version of the early [[Yak-1]] fighter. The most visible change is the cut-down rear fuselage, providing improved visibility to the pilot. Under the hood, there are many more differences. The new VK-105PF engine provides more power and the twin ShKAS rifle-calibre machine guns have been replaced with a single Berezin UB heavy machine gun.

The Yak-1B is foldered with the Yak-1 and might be skipped by some Soviet pilots in favour of moving on to the [[Yak-7B]]. However, this aircraft is well worth the detour: it has delightful flying characteristics and is the best of the short-nosed Yaks available in Rank II. It has very similar performance to the [[Yak-9T]], which in RB is a whole rank and battle rating above it! Those who master the Yak-1B will be well prepared for its descendants, including the celebrated [[Yak-3]].

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


This improved Yak-1 features, like most mid-war water-cooled fighters, a 1,210 hp engine. It remains sub-par to the German equivalent. However, at the time this plane was fielded, most enemy vehicles were of heavier weight, meaning that it could further utilize the Yak series' excellent manoeuvrability. However, the aircraft is tiered with earlier vehicles in-game, which shifts the performance spectrum of the Yak-1B towards engine power.

Like other Yakovlev fighters, the Yak-1B is a jack-of-all-trades, having good speed, turning ability, roll rate, and climb. Manoeuvring and vertical energy retention are good, so it does not lose much speed in turns and can perform vertical loops effectively. Energy retention in a straight line is decent. It is slightly heavier than the Yak-1 and the turning ability is negligibly worse. However, the new engine makes it one of the fastest aircraft at low altitudes when flying in a straight line. Under 1,000 meters, it can even outrun some 4.3 aircraft like the [[Pyörremyrsky]] by a slim margin.

While the climb rate is good, the engine was designed for low altitudes and the performance drops off drastically at higher altitudes. Power loss is noticeable above 3,000 meters and the aircraft will really start to struggle above 4,000 meters. Another issue is its poor high-speed characteristics. Like many other contemporary Soviet aircraft, the wings are made largely of wood and will rip at relatively low speeds compared to US or German fighters. Even before the rip speed is reached, it suffers from some compression issues. The roll compression starts to become noticeable above ~450 km/h IAS and the elevator suffers significantly above ~600 km/h IAS. While it does not compress as badly as the [[La-5]], combat manoeuvring becomes difficult at these speeds. Even if the wings do not snap, the pilot will easily black out.

The engine tends to run hot and without MEC it will, after quite a while, overheat at 100% throttle. Dialling down the throttle to about 96% will alleviate the issue with minimal performance impact. Alternatively, using MEC and opening the radiators slightly is enough to run it at 100% indefinitely. Note that the Yak-1B does not have a WEP setting in realistic battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 575 || 559 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.3 || 19.8 || 13.5 || 13.5 || rowspan="2" | 368
|-
! Upgraded
| 608 || 592 || 18.0 || 18.5 || 18.7 || 16.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || X || ✓ || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 683  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 280 || ~11 || ~8
|-
|}

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

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


* 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front and rear.
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

Self-sealing fuel tanks are located in the wing roots and wing midsections.

The Yak-1B introduces thick bulletproof glass protecting the pilot and retains the armoured bulkhead behind the pilot's seat from the Yak-1. It is fairly unlikely that the pilot will be knocked out in head-ons as a result. However, the inline, water-cooled engine is very vulnerable to combat damage. The steel plate is enough to protect the pilot from rifle-calibre machine guns from the rear at medium distances, but cannon projectiles and heavy machine guns can still punch right through.

The rest of the airframe has decent constructional strength, though it is still not as hardy as contemporary US aircraft. Cannons and heavy machine guns will do a number on the Yak-1B. The wing fuel tanks are vulnerable to damage in deflection shots and fires will be a common cause of destruction.

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

With the Yak line of fighters, '''always''' research the engine and performance modules first! Adding power upgrades will help to lower the overheating of the engine. Afterwards, the aircraft modules can be unlocked in any order according to pilot preference. The Survivability modules are recommended next, as they improve the Yak-1B's manoeuvrability and survivability even more. The Armament modules improve the aircraft only by adding ammo belt types available and allowing the usage of 100 kg of bombs.

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

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

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

* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (120 rpg)
* 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg)

The Yak-1B is equipped with standard armament for most Yakovlev aircraft: one machine gun and one ShVAK cannon. With 200 and 120 rounds respectively, this is nothing out of the ordinary for this series. It's good against enemy light fighters, but larger aircraft like bombers or twin engine fighters will not go down too easily due to the relatively low burst mass. If forced to engage these tougher targets, try to knock out defensive gunners first and then set the engines on fire with a few accurate bursts.

The ShVAK cannon is an inconsistent weapon in terms of damage, and its main positive attributes are high accuracy and rate of fire. The best belts for it are Default or Armoured targets, though some players use Tracers. Avoid belts containing HEF rounds, as they tend to spark and deal little damage. The Berezin UB heavy machine gun is ironically often more deadly than the ShVAK. The cermet core rounds in the Ground targets belt can rip through enemy aircraft effectively and the Air targets belt is spectacular at starting fires. Air targets is usually the way to go, but feel free to experiment with the others. The ShVAK and Berezin have similar enough ballistics that they can be used together at close to medium range. For harassing targets at somewhat longer distances, use the Berezin in short bursts since it has slightly better ballistics, more ammo to spare, and might start a lucky fire.

If both weapons are fired together, the ShVAK will run out first and the Berezin will be left with around 50 rounds, which is rather insufficient for typical engagements and should indicate that it is time to return to base.

Convergence is generally a non-issue since the guns are mounted tightly in the nose. It is best to either set a relatively high convergence distance (e.g. 600 m) or turn it off entirely.

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

{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)

The Yak-1B cannot use the 100 kg bombs available to the Yak-1. The two 50 kg bombs it does have are very weak and there is generally no reason to equip them at all. They need to be dropped almost directly onto ground targets to cause any damage. For ground attack, other aircraft will do a much better job.

== Usage in battles ==

=== Arcade Battles ===
The Yak-1B is simply an upgraded Yak-1. The main features that the Yak-1B has over its counterpart is much-improved cockpit visibility, slightly better durability, and a slightly more resilient engine that, unfortunately, still overheats quickly. However, the beauty of the Yakovlev line of fighters lies in two things:

*Their biggest problem is engine overheating, but this is easily fixed by simply flying between 80%-90% throttle.
*The Yak's performance is not hindered in the slightest by flying at this engine power.

Due to the above two facts, in AB: fly at 90% power. The Yaks can dogfight just fine at 90%, and will rarely overheat. Even though in Arcade battles all planes get WEP, the WEP on this plane adds almost nothing to its performance while rapidly overheating the engine, thus using WEP is practically unnecessary. If you find yourself in a situation where your aircraft needs more power, throttle up from 90% to 100% power, however, remember to throttle back down to 90% once you can.

Wait for the dogfight to start, then fly in behind a distracted enemy. Shoot in bursts unless tailing a bomber, in which case you will not last very long against their rear gunners unless you are incredibly accurate with the cannon. If your engine begins to overheat, start flying back to your airfield. Otherwise, your engine will give out after the temperature gauge turns red.

To sum up, this is merely a better version of the Yak-1, with similar tactics and strategy. Just remember that Soviet fighter aircraft in general count heavily on its pilot's accuracy, in this case only have two guns!

=== Realistic Battles ===
If not using MEC, take off at 100% throttle, then go to 90% after getting above the trees. Upon reaching around 500 m, go to 80-85% throttle. If using MEC, open the radiators somewhat (~20-30%) and turn up the prop pitch (~90%). This will keep the engine cool, allow you to run the throttle at 100%, and also bring out extra propeller thrust for better climb and acceleration. '''Stay low at all costs!''' If you climb too high, four things will happen:

# You will have run your engine out trying to climb, so your engine has less time before it overheats than usual. (You also don't climb as fast as most other planes, in fact, there are better Soviet aircraft for climbing, such as the MiG-3 and the La-5).
# You will be highly visible.
# You will have reduced manoeuvrability.
# You will easily rip your wings upon trying to dive (The Yak's wings, is made of wood, disappear at about 600 km/h).

If you stay below 3,000 m, then you will have more advantages than the enemy, such as:

# Better camouflage... harder to spot.
# There is almost no chance of ripping wings.
# You are already at optimal altitude and speed for manoeuvring.
# Enemies easily overshoot you or rip wings attempting to dive on you.
# You can trick enemies into flying into the ground (make sure you don't do so yourself!).

If not using MEC, right before entering a dogfight, bring your throttle to 90%. Flying at this reduced throttle setting in Realistic Battles is enough to fight at below 1,000 m (some experienced Yak pilots will even dogfight at 80% throttle!). Immediately after battling it out, bring the throttle back down to 80% (if you don't already have it there). Only in extreme cases use 100% power; however, maintaining that speed tends to overheat the engine quickly.

While the Yak-1B has stellar performance at very low altitudes, it is still a good idea to climb a bit, perhaps to at least 2,000 meters. This gives you more options when an enemy dives in from above. Dodging them with a hard break is a reliable option, and when performed correctly this will sometimes lead to manoeuvre kills, but the enemy can also escape by zoom climbing up, where you will be unable to follow. Essentially, you will be at their mercy unless they become impatient and attempt to dogfight you. Enemies like Spitfires that combine manoeuvrability and altitude advantage will be difficult opponents even if they engage in a dogfight! If you start with some altitude, you can enter a dive to gain speed once they start to get close, then level out and take advantage of the Yak-1B's excellent low-altitude top speed. If the opponent continues to chase you, they will likely run out of bonus speed from the dive and fall behind, neutralizing their energy advantage. If they wisely break off, you can nose up and return to cruising altitude with little energy lost, waiting for another opportunity. Successfully executing this can take a lot of practice, but it is a very useful skill, and not just for Yaks.

The Yak-1B manoeuvres best at around 400 km/h IAS, where its roll and turn rate are optimal. Descending in a turning spiral is a good way to maintain this manoeuvring speed and drag fights down to lower altitudes, where other Soviet aircraft tend to perform better, but obviously review the situation and see if vertical loops, rolling scissors, or other dogfight manoeuvres would be more suitable. The Yak-1B does well in all of these provided that an eye is kept on the speed. Do not go fast enough that the compression becomes an issue, but also avoid getting extremely slow. Take advantage of the landing flaps and strong rudder as necessary when nosing over from a vertical loop, continuing a climbing spiral, or stall climbing.

It is recommended to avoid firing at ground targets due to the limited ammunition available for use against other planes. Remember that you do not reload in mid-air in Realistic Battle, so ammunition conservation is critical while closing the distance with the enemy before firing. Remember, fire only in short bursts to conserve ammunition and avoid jamming the guns. The great thing about the Yak's guns is that they are centre-line mounted. Guns mounted in the propeller shaft mean that you do not have to worry about convergence points, instead lead the target and snipe. The drawback is that you cannot spray the mark with a hail of bullets like most players tend to do. This plane and all the Yaks afterwards are about accuracy and skill necessary to handle this agile plane. Do not commit to head-ons, as the Yak-1B is rather fragile and the burst mass is not enough to reliably win these engagements.

When landing, slow the aircraft to BELOW 300 km/h before lowering the landing gear! Many Yak pilots have ripped their fragile landing gear when descending too fast with them extended. The last thing all Yak pilots should know in Realistic Battles is never to climb higher than 3,000 m (at or below 1,000 m is preferred). The Yak line of fighters was not built to fight at the higher altitudes, and the game is filled with much more capable aircraft in this respect. If you like B&Z or you prefer to climb high, but don't want to use the US or German planes, then use the MiG line or the LaGG/La line of fighters, as they have much better engines. The Yak is a dog-fighter.

===Tips from the Aces===

* A Yak pilot can nullify all but the last "[[Yak-1B#Pros_and_Cons|Cons]]" below by staying below 2000 m, and keeping the throttle at 90% for AB, and 85% for RB/SB, or using MEC.
* ''If the situation allows'', using in-cockpit view can often help with accuracy due to no parallax effect... meaning (hopefully) less of your precious shots wasted.
* Flaps help with hard turns, but against most opponents, flaps will not be utilized much. Use flaps wisely, since flying at ~90% means a tiny bit less engine power to get back to speed after slowing down due to using flaps. However, don't hesitate to use flaps if the fight depends on it, it is easier to regain speed than to pay for a new plane!
* Everything learned from the Yak-1B applies to all of the later Yaks. Mastering this plane will repay itself in gold later.

===Specific enemies worth noting===


* [[A6M2|A6M2 Zeroes]]: They will out turn you, so try to attack in a shallow dive rather than a turn fight. Energy fighting is also okay because the Zero has poor energy retention and terrible high-speed control and handling. Never dogfight a Zero on its terms and be sure to keep a speed/energy advantage at all times. If things go south, break off and run away - the A6M2 is very slow.
*[[P-47_(Family)|P-47Ds]]: They are much faster than you and are excellent at boom and zoom, so avoid them if possible. If you are caught in a fight, try to energy fight them or turn to fight them.
* Other [[Yak-9 (Family)|Yakovlevs]]: They are slightly slower, so either keep them occupied with manoeuvres such as the scissors and barrel rolls or energy fight them.
* [[Spitfire_(Family)|Spitfires]]: They are significantly slower but turn nearly as well as Zeros. Their early Hispano cannons, while inconsistent, are still not good to be hit by, and early models can unleash swarms of rifle-calibre bullets that can ignite the Yak-1B easily. Spitfires also tend to have good climb rates and somewhat better high altitude performance, so seeing them diving from high altitudes is not uncommon. Try to drain their speed and avoid letting them get too close to you. It is difficult to shake a Spitfire from your tail if they have already latched on at close or medium range - running away in level flight can result in taking fire, and dodging will drain your speed and make escape difficult.
* [[J21A-1]]: This Swedish pusher-prop has excellent speed and climb in addition to surprisingly good agility and monstrous firepower. Never commit to a head-on against one, doing so usually results in a direct trip to the hangar. The Yak-1B has the advantage in turn time, but not by a large margin. Dodge their attacks as best as possible and try to bait them into turning. The J21 tends to bleed energy in extended or hard manoeuvres and has issues gaining it back. If you can survive the first few turns, the engagement will be more favourable, making it easier for you or your teammates to knock the J21 out. But never let your guard down.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good speed, excellent at low altitude
* Great agility overall
* Good structural strength
* Hard-hitting and accurate 20 mm ShVAK cannon
* Good rate of climb at low altitudes

'''Cons:'''

* No WEP in RB/SB
* Water and oil overheat quickly
* Low dive speed limit
* Poor performance above 5,000 m altitude
* Low ammo count makes this plane reliant on trigger control by the pilot
* No combat flaps
* Easily set afire

== History ==


{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Yak-1 is a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau and was produced from 1940 to 1944, with a total of 8,700 aircraft built. The Yak-1B variant was a culmination of all 1942 efforts to improve the Yak-1. Work began at TsAGI, where research into improving the water and oil radiators took place between 24th May and 10th June 1942, and work to increase the top speed was conducted between 20th and 26th July 1942. Tactical characteristics of the Yak-1 were significantly improved as a result, leading to Yakovlev's request to the Minister of Aviation to mass-produce a test batch of 20 improved aircraft for combat testing at the front.

However, the improvements looked so good on paper that a test batch was skipped, and a Defence Committee Directive dated 11th August 1942 ordered a new and improved Yak-1 into mass production. Improved armament triggers and a cockpit with improved rearward visibility were welcomed by Soviet pilots and became standard on all contemporary Soviet fighter planes.
{{Navigation-End}}

=== Notable pilots ===
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Lydia_Litvyak_profile.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Litvyak, Lydia V.| Soviet female fighter ace [[User:U64962917#Litvyak, Lydia V.|Litvyak]] was flying a '''Yak-1B''' in August 1943 when she was shot down by a group of [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109s]]]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Alexander_Pokryshkin_profile.jpg|thumb|none|212px|link=User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|During the transition from the [[MiG-3-15|MiG-3]] to the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]], '''[[User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|Pokryshkin]]''' flew a '''{{PAGENAME}}''' and scored several victories in this aircraft.]] </li>
</ul></div>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-1b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|iNrJPl_v5F4|'''Realistic: Yak-1B with Jim Chamberlin''' - ''Jengar''|hFSjTtoYeJs|'''Yak-1 Uptiered in Arcade''' - ''Long5hot''}}

== 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/179338-yakovlev-yak-1b-1943/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Yakovlev_Yak-1|[Wikipedia] Yakovlev Yak-1]]

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR fighters}}

Airborne radars

2023-07-10T11:50:49Z

U8128791: /* Obtaining and maintaining a radar lock */ removed incorrect unnecessary words

[[File:Radar Engagement.jpg|x400px|border|right]]
==Overview==
'''Airborne Radars''' were added to the game in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]]. Airborne radars are found on aircraft at both low and high ranks, if an aircraft is equipped with radar then a radar display will be present in the right portion of a player's screen, as well as a compass displaying the player's current heading and the directions to detected targets at the top of the screen.

There are two main types of airborne radar in the game, target detection (search) radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars will detect aircraft (both friendly and hostile) and display them as a "blip" on the radar display, it will also place a triangle on the compass showing what direction the detected aircraft is in. Target tracking radars are more advanced; they allow the player to "lock-on" to a target. Once a target has been locked on to, a box will appear around it on the HUD and a read-out will provide the distance to the target and the closing speed between the player's aircraft and the target. Depending on the aircraft being flown tracking radars may also be able to provide an accurate firing lead indicator, once the player closes to within approximately 0.7 km.

==Airborne radar controls==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | Airborne Radar Controls
|-
! Control name
! Default Keybind (PC keyboard & mouse)
! Description
|-
| Switch Radar/IRST search on/off || Alt + R || Turns the vehicle's search radar on or off
|-
| Change Radar/IRST mode || Unbound || Switches the radar between search mode and tracking mode for multi-mode radars, or normal and pulse-doppler mode for applicable radars
|-
| Change Radar/IRST search mode || Unbound || Toggles between the radar's search modes e.g. narrow scan or wide scan
|-
| Change Radar/IRST scope scale || Unbound || Changes the range scale of the radar display
|-
| Select Radar/IRST target to lock || Alt + T || Selects which target on the display to lock on to
|-
| Lock Radar/IRST target on || Alt + F || Locks onto the selected or nearest target on radar display or turns tracking radar on
|-
|}

==Airborne radars user interface==
===Basic user interface===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_HUD_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD for aircraft equipped with Radar]]
As previously mentioned, aircraft equipped with radars can be identified by the presence of the radar display and compass on the HUD (see image to the right).

Below the compass rose is a small arrow which displays the aircraft's current heading. Targets detected by the radar will also have their bearing displayed on the compass as a triangle.

One or two radar scopes will be present in the right hand portion of the screen; they are discussed in detail later in the article. If the radar is experiencing surface clutter interference then an icon (visible in the image to the right) will be present next to the power indicator, consisting of two arrows and a series of bars. The number of bars illuminated indicates how severe surface clutter is (one bar means minor interference, four bars means major interference); if the aircraft has two radars activated then each one will have its own surface clutter indicator.

If the radar has been deactivated, a separate icon will be displayed instead of the radar display.

There are several different types of radar target which can appear on the radar display and compass. A basic radar target will appear as a bar on the radar display and a triangle on the compass. The radar target which is selected will appear with a vertical line either side of it; and the radar target which is locked on to will appear with a box around it. Some radars are fitted with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, these radars will display friendly radar targets with a horizontal line above them.

[[File:Radar_Target_Types.png|thumb|600px|left|The different types of targets.]]{{break}}

===Radar display types===
====Plan Position Indicator (PPI)====
[[File:Radar PPI Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The plan position indicator radar display]]
The default display is a "Plan Position Indicator" (PPI) type display. It is in the shape of a sector and represents a top-down view of the area in front of the aircraft. The radar is located in the bottom centre of the display; the distance a target is from the centre point shows how far away it is, while its angle from the centre line shows its azimuth.

{{Notice|The PPI can display the range and azimuth of a target, but not its elevation}}

When the radar is turned on, a bar representing the current scan angle sweeps back and forth, radially, about the centre point. A series of four concentric range rings can be used to determine how far away the detected targets are (to get the distance between rings divide the range scale by 4), and a series of bars (at 15-degree angles) help tell the azimuth of detected targets. If a radar has an azimuth scan angle of less than 180 degrees then the display is still a semicircle.

The readout to the left of the scope shows the azimuth and elevation scan angles, while the readout to the right shows the currently selected range scale.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all approximately 4.5 km away from the player. One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's elevation difference from the player using only the PPI.

====C-scope====
[[File:Radar C-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The C-scope radar display]]
In addition to the PPI some aircraft have access to a C-scope type display (positioned underneath the PPI). The C-scope displays the same radar targets as the PPI, but in a different format. Whereas a PPI is a top-down view, the C-scope is forwards-looking. It is a rectangular display where how far from the azimuth centre line a target is shows its azimuth and how far from the elevation centre line a target is shows its elevation.

{{Notice|The C-scope can display the azimuth and elevation of a target, but not its range}}

In addition to the azimuth and elevation centre lines there are two other horizontal lines on the display, these show the minimum and maximum elevation scan angles of the radar. It should be noted that the degree values shown to the right of the C-scope are the minimum and maximum elevation angles of the scope, not the radar.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all slightly below the player (they are below the elevation centre line). One target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's range from the player using only the PPI.

By using a combination of the PPI and C-scope you can work out the range, azimuth and elevation of individual targets.

====B-Scope====
[[File:Radar B-Scope Labelled.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The B-scope radar display]]

An alternative radar display (instead of the PPI) is available in the form of a "B-Scope" type display. It can be enabled via the "Use rectangular radar indicator" setting. It is a square display providing a 2-D "top-down" representation of space, the vertical axis represents the range to the target and the horizontal axis represents the azimuth (angle) of the target. The maximum and minimum azimuth scan angles are displayed in the top corners of the display, as is the range setting. A series of four range bars can be used to determine how far away detected targets are, and vertical bars can be used to determine what direction the target is in. When the radar is turned on a vertical bar representing the current scan angle moves horizontally, back and forth, across the display.

==Radar operation==
===Basic radar operation===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Angles_Diagram.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Diagram showing the scan angles of a radar]]
When turned on, radars will scan a pyramid or cone-shaped area in front of the player's aircraft (illustrated in the image to the right). Radars can only detect targets which fall within their scanning area, the size and shape of which varies depending on the model of radar. Each radar has a maximum and minimum azimuth scan angle (how far to each side it will scan); and a maximum and minimum elevation scan angle (how far up and down it will scan). Radars also have a minimum detection range (typically 150 - 300 m), below which targets will not be detected (not that you should need a radar to see an aircraft that close).

As with other characteristics, the maximum detection range varies greatly between radars (from as little as 4 km, to in excess of 40 km). Targets are not guaranteed to be detected at the radar's maximum detection range. The range at which a target is detected will depend on how much radar energy it reflects back to the radar, which is in turn determined by its Radar Cross-Section (RCS). Generally larger aircraft have a larger RCS so will be detected at greater ranges; for example the [[AI Mk. X]] radar (fitted to the [[Sea Venom FAW 20]]) can detect the large [[G5N1]] bomber at its maximum detection range of 14 km, however, can only detect the much smaller [[He 162 A-1]] at approximately 9 - 9.5 km.

When a radar detects a target, it appears as a "blip" on the radar display. Its position will not be updated until the radar detects it again (usually on the next scan, as indicated by the sweeping bar). When the target is re-detected, its old blip is removed and a new one plotted at the location it was re-detected at. If enough time elapses without a target being re-detected (either due to the target now being outside of the radar's scanning area, or simply the radar not scanning fast enough) then the target's blip will fade and disappear from the radar display. Likewise after a period of not being detected a target which has been locked onto will be lost.

===Radar range scale===
Some radars allow for the range scale of the radar scope to be changed, in order to change the range scale a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar scope scale" control. The currently selected range scale is shown on the radar display, if the range scale is changed then the display will stay the same size, but the targets will be placed on the display according to the new scale. '''It is worth noting that the default range scale may be less than the radar's maximum detection range''', so you may need to increase the range scale in order to make full use of your radar. Some radars can be set to a range scale far in excess of the radar's maximum detection range; targets will not be detected outside of a radar's maximum detection range, regardless of range scale setting.

===Radar search mode===
Some radars allow for different search modes to be activated. The default search mode on radars usually (although not always) makes use of the radar's full scanning area. While this is useful for detecting targets in a wide area this can come with the drawback of each scan taking longer to complete (as the radar has to scan a larger area), meaning that targets are updated less frequently on the radar display. Some radars allow the operator to change the search mode so that the radar only scans a smaller area, this means that targets can be updated on the radar more often, but has the drawback of targets only being detectable in a more narrow area in front of the player's aircraft. This ability is primarily useful for keeping track of fast moving or manoeuvring targets, where the slower scan time associated with a full scan, would make tracking the movement of such a target difficult. When the radar mode is changed the PPI will remain the same size / shape, but two hard lines will appear indicating the new scanning limits; rang rings and azimuth bars will not be drawn outside of the lines. In order to change radar scanning mode, a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar search mode" control (located under the "Weaponry" heading of the aircraft controls menu).

{{Notice|The modes available vary depending on the specific radar. Some radars change the azimuth scanning angles, while others change the elevation scanning angles.}}

===Clutter===
{{Notice|Surface clutter is not present in Arcade Battles.}}
Radars operate by emitting radio waves which then reflect off of targets and return to the radar. Unfortunately the radio waves also reflect off the ground, and other objects, leading to unwanted returns known as clutter. The type of clutter modelled in War Thunder is surface clutter (radar returns from the ground or sea).

In-game surface clutter is modelled as a green haze covering areas of the PPI, the more severe the ground clutter the more intense the haze gets. Anything more than mild surface clutter is usually enough to prevent the radar from picking up actual targets in the area the clutter is affecting. Likewise clutter can prevent tracking radars from effectively tracking targets.

As surface clutter is caused by reflections from the ground it is more pronounced when the radar is pointing downwards, and as such can prevent you from detecting targets which are below you in some situations. Different radars are affected by ground clutter to different extents, usually more modern radars are affected less than earlier ones.

===Detecting/tracking ground targets===
Some search radars and tracking radars are capable of detecting and locking on to ground targets. For these radars ground targets appear on the PPI the same as air targets, and can be locked on to the same way. This functionality is not massively useful, but can come in handy when trying to find player controlled tanks to kill. Ground clutter also limits how effective these radars are at finding ground targets. See individual radar pages to find out if they can detect ground targets.

===Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM)===
Some radars feature a so called Air Combat Maneuvering Mode which will scan for a target in a narrow cone and a reduced range. If a target is found, the radar will switch automatically to Tracking Mode and lock on the target which was just found. The radar on the F-14A features three ACM modes which have different search rectangles for different situations.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:ACM cone.jpg|ACM mode with a centered small rectangle search area.
File:ACM vertical centered.jpg|ACM mode with avertical centered search area.
File:ACM Mode vertical high.jpg|ACM mode with a vertical upwards looking search area.
</gallery>

==Radar scan patterns==
{{Notice|This topic is included for those who want a better understanding of how different radars scan for targets, it is not essential knowledge, but may be useful.}}
===Raster Scan===
[[File:Radar_Raster_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|left|A 4 bar, one-way, bi-directional raster scan pattern; the green square represents the radar beam.]]{{break}}
Most search radars in the game use what is known as a bi-directional raster scan (see image to the right). The radar beam starts in the top corner of the scanning area and moves horizontally until it reaches the other side of the scanning area; it then drops down and moves horizontally in the other direction until it reaches the original side of the scanning area. The process repeats until the radar beam has reached the bottom corner of the scanning area. At this point the beam will do one of two things; if the radar uses a one-way raster scan then the beam will move directly upwards from its finishing position until it reaches the top corner of the scanning area, where it starts the process again. If it is a two-way raster scan then when the beam reaches the bottom corner its movement will reverse and it will work its way back up to the top of the scanning area, following the path it just took in reverse.

The raster scan pattern allows the radar to identify targets on different elevations. Each sweep the radar makes on a different elevation is known as a bar; for example the scan pattern shown in the image to the right has 4 bars as the radar completes 4 scans in the process of covering the scan area. The number of bars in the scan, and the height of each bar (measured in degrees) width of the scan in the elevation axis; the width of the scan in the azimuth axis is determined by how far to each side the radar scans.

{{Notice|The PPI shows the radar sweeping over each bar, so on a 4 bar scan a target on the PPI may only be refreshed once every 4 sweeps (due to the radar sweeping over a bar the target is not located in).}}

If you know the number of bars in the radar's scan pattern, the height of each bar, and the vertical offset (more on this later) then you can calculate the minimum and maximum elevation scanning angles of the radar (how far up and down the radar see). You start by calculating the elevation width of the radar as follows:

<code>elevation width = number of bars * height of each bar</code>

At this point it is tempting to just divide the elevation width by 2 and conclude that the resulting number is how far off the elevation centre line in each direction the radar can see (e.g. for a elevation width of 30° the radar can see 15° up and 15° down), however this is not always the case. Some radars have more bars above the elevation centre line than below it (or vice versa), that is to say they can look further up than they can down or vice versa. This gives rise to the concept of a "vertical offset" (measured in degrees), i.e. how far upwards (or downwards) the bars are shifted from being evenly distributed either side of the elevation centre line.

When this is factored in we get the following equations for working out the minimum and maximum elevation limits of the radar:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (elevation width / 2) + vertical offset

minimum elevation angle = (-1 * (elevation width / 2)) + vertical offset
</code>

For example if we take the [[AN/APS-21]] radar. Its scan patter uses 15 bars, each 2° in height, giving us an elevation width of 30°; with a vertical offset of +5°. If we put this into the equations above we get the following:

<code>
maximum elevation angle = (30 / 2) + 5 = '''20°'''

minimum elevation angle = (-1 *(30 / 2)) + 5 = '''-10°'''
</code>

This means the AN/APS-21 radar can detect targets up to 20° above the player and 10° below the player.

===Conical Scan===
[[File:Radar_Conical_Scan.jpg|thumb|400px|left|A conical scan pattern; the green circle represents the radar beam.]]{{break}}
Tracking radars in the game use what is known as a conical scan, instead of a raster scan. In a conical scan the radar beam rotates around a central axis, with a few degrees offset from the centre. The result of this is that the radar scans a narrow cone shaped area in front of the aircraft. The rotation of the beam also means the radar to tell where the target is within the cone, allowing the radar to effectively track the target.

===Continuously updating radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radar_Constantly_Updated_Radar.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An example of a non-scanning radar, notice how the whole scan area is illuminated at once]]{{break}}
The German Lichtenstein family of radars (the radars found on German WW2 planes) are unique compared to other radars currently in the game, in that they do not scan for targets. Instead, they constantly emit a cone of radar energy and detect the return. This gives them the advantage of having the radar constantly updating (instead of updating only when the radar scans over a target). However, as a trade-off, these radars have a poor range (only 4 or 5 km) and a narrow scanning area. When these radars are active, instead of seeing a sweeping line the entire scanning area of the radar is illuminated and radar blips update continuously. An example of this can be seen in the image to the right.

==Types of airborne radars==
The two main types of radar are target detection radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars are found on vehicles from rank 1, however, the more advanced target tracking radars are reserved for high-rank vehicles. Vehicles are typically equipped with target tracking radars in addition to target detection radars, with the two working in tandem.

===Target detection radars===
Target detection radars, also known as search radars, have no tracking ability and simply display detected targets on the radar display and compass. The basic operation of target detection radars has been discussed previously in this article. Target detection radars are available from rank 1, radars found at higher ranks have much better characteristics (larger scanning area, better range, etc.).

===Target tracking radars===
[[File:Aircraft_Radars_Target_Tracking_Labelled.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The HUD when a target is being tracked. '''Note:''' Lead indicator is no longer available for the Javelin.]]
Target tracking radars are fitted to some aircraft in addition to target detection radars. They typically have a short range compared to the aircraft's search radar (hence a search radar is equipped to find targets at long ranges), however, they have the ability to track and "lock-on" to targets. Tracking radars typically have different scanning areas than the search radar equipped to the aircraft; when an aircraft is equipped with a tracking radar, its tracking area is shown as a darker area within the radar display (as seen in the image to the right).

A target can only be locked onto if it is within the tracking radars maximum range and search area (the dark section of the radar display). Once a target is locked on to, a box will appear around it, as well as around its icon on the radar display and compass (to differentiate the locked target from other radar targets). An accurate distance to the target will be displayed next to the locked target on the HUD, as well as an accurate closing speed (speed will read negative if the target is moving away from you). If your aircraft supports a lead indicator, then an accurate firing lead indicator will appear once you close to within 500-700 m of the target.

In order to maintain a lock on the target, you need to keep it within the tracking radars maximum range and tracking area; if the target is not detected by the tracking radar in too long the lock will be lost.

=====Obtaining and maintaining a radar lock=====
[[File:Radar_Lockon_Box.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The "lock-on box"]]
There are two ways to lock on to a target when using a tracking radar. When a search radar has detected targets which are within the tracking radar's tracking area one of them will be selected (have a vertical line either side of it). You can change the selected target by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key, when the "Lock radar target on" key is pressed it will turn on the tracking radar and automatically attempt to lock on to the selected target. Alternatively you can press the "Lock radar target on" or "Change radar mode" key (depending on radar type) to turn on (or switch to) the tracking radar. When this happens the tracking radar will begin a conical scan pointing directly forwards; a flashing green square will appear on the screen (image to the right). If you place the box over an aircraft then the tracking radar will try to lock on to it; note that surface clutter and other factors may inhibit the radar from locking on. The target you want to lock on to using this method should be within the range limits listed to the right of the box.

Like with real radars, multiple targets in close proximity to each other can confuse the tracker. If a target is locked and another aircraft flies past it, it is possible for the tracker to lose the lock on the target, or even transition the lock onto the other aircraft (something which also happens to real radar systems). In the previously described scenarios (or depending on how the target is moving relative to the player's aircraft), it is also possible for the target lead indicator to become temporarily inaccurate.

In order for a radar lock to be maintained, the target needs to be kept within the tracking radar's tracking area. If the target leaves this area for more than a short period of time, the lock will be lost.

===Multi-mode radars===
Some radars such as the AN/APQ-100 (found on the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantom II]]) are what are known as multi-mode radars, the same radar antenna functions as both a search and tracking radar, although not at the same time. These radars can be toggled between search and tracking mode by pressing the "Change radar mode" key. Overall they function pretty much the same as aircraft with independent search and tracking radars, however as the antenna is being used for both searching and tracking it cannot do both at the same time. If you are tracking a target then you will lose search functionality.

'''Note:''' The [[RP-5]] does not count as a multi-mode radar as although it is responsible for both searching and tracking it does so using two separate antennas.

===Track While Scan (TWS)===
Some modern radars such as the AN/AWG-9 (found on the [[F-14A Early]]) and PS-46/A (fitted to the [[JA37C]]) feature a "Track While Scan" (TWS) mode, in which targets can be tracked while the radar simultaneously scans for other targets. One big advantage of such a radar is that tracking while in TWS mode doesn't trigger a spike in the enemies' radar warning receivers, because the radar intensity is lower. It can track multiple targets at the same time, making it a very powerful tool in conjunction with other systems such as [[Air-to-air_missiles#Active_Radar_Homing_.28ARH.29_missiles|active radar-homing]] and [[Air-to-air_missiles#Slaving_the_seeker_to_an_aircraft_tracking_radar|radar-slavable]] missiles. However, a hard lock is still required to be able to use [[Air-to-air_missiles#Semi-Active_Radar_Homing_.28SARH.29_missiles|semi-active radar-homing missiles]].

===Radar gunsights===
[[File:Radar_Gunsight.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The indicator present when a radar gunsight is fitted]]
Radar gunsights are fitted to a number of aircraft in the game, these aircraft can be identified by the presence of the radar gunsight indicator (see image to the right). A radar gunsight is very similar to a regular gyroscopic gunsight, however whereas on a regular gunsight the pilot would have to manually dial in a range, radar gunsights use a small ranging radar to automatically input the range for the target the pilot is pointing his guns at.

In game radar gunsights will automatically adjust the aircraft's gyroscopic gunsight in the cockpit view, making it more accurate. They are of no real use in third person view, aside from perhaps being able to tell you if there is a target in front of you when flying in heavy cloud for example.

You can turn the radar gunsight on and off by pressing the "Lock radar target on" key.

{{Youtube
|url = 0AbkWMi0ZJ4
|caption = Radar gunsight tutorial by TeaRex
|align = left
|size = 300
}}
{{break}}

==Factors affecting radar performance==
There are a number of factors which affect the performance of airborne radars. The details of different radars can be found on their individual pages, this section explains what the performance characteristics mean and what their significance is.

===Search radars===
====Maximum detection range====
The maximum range of the radar is the maximum theoretically possible distance at which a search radar can detect a target. It is unlikely however that aircraft will be detected until they are much closer than this range. The range at which a target will actually be detected depends on its radar cross section (in basic terms how big it is), and other factors such as surface clutter.

====Base detection range====
This is the range at which a target can be detected regardless of how small its radar cross section is '''before taking into account surface clutter and other factors'''. If the radar is not being affected by surface clutter or you are playing arcade battles (where surface clutter is not modelled) then this is effectively the range at which you are guaranteed to detect a target aircraft, no matter how small it is; larger aircraft may be detected further away than this range.

{{Notice|In Realistic and Simulator Battles where surface clutter is modelled, targets may not be detected until they are much closer than this range|!}}

====Minimum detection range====
Radars have a minimum range, at which they can function, targets closer than the minimum range cannot be detected by the radar.

====Azimuth scan limits====
The azimuth scan limits are how far to each side the radar can scan. For example, scan angles of ±75° means that the radar can see targets up to 75° to the left and 75° to the right.

====Elevation scan limits====
The elevation scan limits are how far to up and down in total, the radar might take multiple scans to cover its entire elevation range, see the [[#Raster Scan|raster scan section]] for more information.

====Period====
The period of the radar is how long it takes to complete one scan of its entire scanning area. This will take multiple individual sweeps, if the scan pattern has more than one raster bar.

===Tracking radars===
====Maximum tracking range====
The maximum tracking range is the maximum range at which a radar can maintain a track on a target.

====Minimum tracking range====
Tracking radars have a minimum range, below which they are unable to track targets. You cannot initiate tracks on targets closer than the minimum range, and if a tracked target comes closer than the minimum range the track will be lost.

====Azimuth tracking limits====
The azimuth tracking limits determine how far to each side the radar can track targets.

====Elevation tracking limits====
The elevation tracking limits determine how far up and down the radar can track targets.

==Airborne radars tips and ticks==
Useful information to know about airborne radars:

* If your radar is damaged (by gunfire or otherwise) you will not be able to turn it on until it is repaired
* Left and right, up and down, on the radar display are relative to your aircraft, so if you roll the aircraft it can affect where targets are drawn on the radar display.
* Consider changing the default target locking key from Ctrl+ F to stop yourself from accidentally breaking your flaps if you mis-press the key combo.
* Due to the raster scan pattern, targets may not be updated on every radar sweep, if you need more rapid updates try narrowing the search area.

=== Notching a Pulse-Doppler radar ===
[[File:Notching2.jpg|thumb|Top down view of a player getting notched by their target. The radar lock will break.]]
Some radars have the ability to operate in "pulse-Doppler" mode, which analyses the [[wikipedia:Doppler_effect|Doppler effect]] on returned radar pulses to determine an object's velocity, and thus identify and track targets. In order for the radar to lock a target, it needs to have a significant Doppler shift (difference in velocity compared to the surroundings). This, however, cannot happen when the target is moving perpendicularly to the radar, as the target is not moving towards or away from the radar with a meaningful difference in speed. This perpendicular movement is called "notching" and is the main way to defeat a pulse-Doppler radar. The simplest way to do this is to put the direction where the enemy is coming from to your 3/9 o'clock position, which makes your aircraft 90 degrees in relation to their radar. Keep in mind that notching will have minimal effect on a radar not operating in pulse-Doppler mode, and you should instead dive to take advantage of [[#Clutter|ground clutter]].

==Aircraft equipped with radars==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="11" | Aircraft with radars
|-
! Aircraft !! Country !! Rank !! [[#Radar gunsights|Radar gunsight]] !! [[#Target detection radars|Search radar]] !! [[#Target tracking radars|Tracking radar]] !! {{Annotation|Separate antennas|Radars with separate search and track antennas are able to perform both actions at the same time, leading to pseudo-TWS capabilities}} !! {{Annotation|IRST|Infrared search and track}} !! {{Annotation|MTI|Moving target indication}} !! {{Annotation|PD|Pulse-Doppler}} !! [[#Track While Scan (TWS)|{{Annotation|TWS|Track-while-Scan}}]]
|-
| {{Specs-Link|a2d}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 4 || - || [[AN/APS-19]] || [[AN/APS-19]] || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_a32a}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || PS-42 || PS-42 || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ah_mk1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APG-78 || AN/APG-78 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ah_64d}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APG-78 || AN/APG-78 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_japan}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APG-78 || AN/APG-78 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_aj37}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-37A || PS-37A || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_ajs37}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-37A || PS-37A || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|bf_110g_4_hungary}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13_mk4_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86_canadair_german}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|do_217j_2}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 1 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|do_217n_1}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 2 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|do_217n_2}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 2 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || DRAA 3D AIDA || DRAA 3D AIDA || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f2h-2}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f3d_1}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f3h-2}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/APQ-51 || AN/APQ-51 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f4d_1}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/APQ-50 || AN/APQ-50 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f6f-5n_france}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[AN/APS-6]] || [[AN/APS-6]] || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f8u-2}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/APS-67 || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f9f-5}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f9f-8}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f11f_1_late}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f1}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || J/AWG-12 || J/AWG-12 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4c}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/APQ-100 || AN/APQ-100 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4e}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_adtw}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4ej_kai}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66J || AN/APG-66J || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4f_late}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4f}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4j}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4jk}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4s}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-5e}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-159 || AN/APQ-159 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-5e_aidc}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-159 || AN/APQ-159 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-8e}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-94 || AN/APQ-94 || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-104 || AN/APQ-104 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_14a_early}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/AWG-9 || AN/AWG-9 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_14b}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS || AN/AWG-9 / AN/AXX-1 TCS || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66 || AN/APG-66 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66(V)1 || AN/APG-66(V)1 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_adf_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66(V)1 || AN/APG-66(V)1 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_20_mlu}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66(V)3 || AN/APG-66(V)3 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16aj}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66(V)1 || AN/APG-66(V)1 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f_france}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f_germany}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f_israel_iaf}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84f_iaf}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84g}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84g_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84g_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-84g-31-re_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-2}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-25}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-30_japan}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-35}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_german}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-89b}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || - || AN/APG-33 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-89d}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || - || AN/APG-33 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-100d}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104a}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/ASG-14 || AN/ASG-14 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104a_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/ASG-14 || AN/ASG-14 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104c}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/ASG-14 || AN/ASG-14 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104g}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || NASARR || NASARR || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-03 || PS-03 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104g_italy}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || NASARR || NASARR || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104j}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || NASARR || NASARR || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104s}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || NASARR || NASARR || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || US R21G M1 || US R21G M1 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-104s_cb}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || NASARR || NASARR || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-105d}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AN/ASG-19 || AN/ASG-19 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|fj_4b}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|he_219a_7}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 4 || - || [[FuG-220]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|hunter_f1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || ARI.5820 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|hunter_f6}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|hunter_f58_switzerland}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|hunter_f9_rhodesia}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_j32b}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || PS-42 || PS-42 || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|hunter_f50_sweden}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_j35a}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || PS-03 || PS-03 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_j35d}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-03 || PS-03 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-19j_6a}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|j_7d}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || JL-7A || JL-7A || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|j_7e}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || Marconi Type 226 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|j_7_mk2}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|j_8b}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Type 208a || Type 208a || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-46/A || PS-46/A || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_ja37d}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || PS-46/A || PS-46/A || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|javelin_fmk9}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[AN/APS-21]] || [[AN/APG-26]] || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ju-388j}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 4 || - || [[FuG-202]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ka_52}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || RN-01 Crossbow || RN-01 Crossbow || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|kfir_c2}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || ELTA EL/M-2001B || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|kfir_c7}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || ELTA EL/M-2001B || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|kfir_canard}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || ELTA EL/M-2001B || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4e_iaf}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APQ-120 || AN/APQ-120 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4e_kurnass_2000}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-76 || AN/APG-76 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|la_200_toriy}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || [[Thorium]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|lightning_f6}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AI Mk.23 || AI Mk.23 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|lightning_f53}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || AI Mk.23 || AI Mk.23 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-17p_lim_5p}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|me-410b-6_r3}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 4 || - || [[FuG-200]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|meteor_nfmk13}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mi_28nm}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || N-025 || N-025 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-19pt}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || [[RP-5]] || [[RP-5]] || {{Tick}} || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-19s}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-1 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_lazur}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_sps_k}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_21_bis_finland}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_pfm}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_s}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig-21_smt}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-21 || Sapphire-21 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_23m}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-23D/TP-23 || Sapphire-23D/TP-23 || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_germany}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-23D/TP-23 || Sapphire-23D/TP-23 || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_23ml}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M || Sapphire-23ML/TP-23M || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_23mla}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M || Sapphire-23MLA/TP-23M || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_23mld}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M || Sapphire-23MLA-2/TP-23M || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12_germany}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || N019E/OEPS-29E || N019E/OEPS-29E || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_13}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || N019/OEPS-29 || N019/OEPS-29 || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_milan}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || Aida II || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000_5f}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || Thales RDY || Thales RDY || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000c_s5}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || Thomson-CSF RDI || Thomson-CSF RDI || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_2000d_r1}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || Thomson-CSF RDI || Thomson-CSF RDI || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano-IV || Cyrano-IV || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1c_200}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano-IV || Cyrano-IV || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_f1ct}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano-IVMR || Cyrano-IVMR || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano Ibis || Cyrano Ibis || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano II || Cyrano II || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_454_mystere_4a_iaf}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|nesher}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || ELTA EL/M-2001B || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_10_iaf}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || AN/APG-66 || AN/APG-66 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|p-61a_1}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|p-61c_1}} || [[File:USA_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 3 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4k}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|f-4m_fgr2}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || [[AN/APG-59]] || [[AN/APG-59]] || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || DRAC-25A || DRAC-25A || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_late}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || DRAC-32A || DRAC-32A || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_460_saar}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|saab_j35xs}} || [[File:Sweden_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || PS-011/A 71H(IR) || PS-011/A 71H(IR) || - || {{Tick}} || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_460_sambad}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|ah_64d_i_saraph}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || AN/APG-78 || AN/APG-78 || - || - || {{Tick}} || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|harrier_frs1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Ferranti Blue Fox || Ferranti Blue Fox || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|sea_venom_faw20}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || [[Mk.X]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || AI Mk.18 || AI Mk.18 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|mirage_3cj}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || - || Cyrano Ibis || Cyrano Ibis || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su-7b}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su-7bkl}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su-7bmk}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su_17m2}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su_17m4}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su_22m3}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su_22m4}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|su_22um3k}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 7 || SRD-5 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_460}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|md_460_yt_cup_2019}} || [[File:France_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|swift_f1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || ARI.5857 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|swift_f7}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || AN/APG-30 || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|t2}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || J/AWG-11 || J/AWG-11 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|t2_early}} || [[File:Japan_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || J/AWG-11 || J/AWG-11 || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_adv}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G || GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_f3}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G || GEC-Marconi Avionics AI.24 Foxhunter Stage 2G || - || - || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_gr1}} || [[File:Britain_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || - || ARI 23274 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_mfg}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || ARI 23274 || ARI 23274 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_it_mod95}} || [[File:Italy_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || - || ARI 23274 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tornado_ids_de_assta1}} || [[File:Germany_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || - || ARI 23274 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|tu-1}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 4 || - || [[GNEYS-5S]] || - || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|so_4050_vautour_2n_iaf}} || [[File:Israel_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 5 || - || DRAC-25A || DRAC-25A || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| {{Specs-Link|yak_141}} || [[File:USSR_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 8 || - || N010 || N010 || - || {{Tick}} || - || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
| {{Specs-Link|z_19}} || [[File:China_flag.png|40px|link=]] || 6 || - || RN-01-II || RN-01-II || - || - || - || - || -
|-
|}

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|lF-8jutRymk|'''Aircraft Radar: The Complete Guide (Updated June 2022)''' - ''Tims Variety''|2NZVMgMpZSU|'''Boot Camp: Radar Systems''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''.|tQhEl042QE8|'''The Shooting Range #275''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 07:55 discusses aircraft radar systems.|tcIeR_s6fp8|'''The Shooting Range #204''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 09:23 discusses the radars.}}

== See also ==


* [[Air-to-air missiles]]
* [[Air-to-ground missiles]]
* [[:Category:Countermeasures]]
* [[SPAA radars]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6064-development-radar-station-new-opportunities-in-the-game-en|[Devblog] Radar Station: New opportunities in the game]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Radars]]

F2H-2

2023-06-18T13:18:19Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ Removed that you can outrun most planes at this BR - no longer true in 2023

{{Specs-Card
|code=f2h-2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f2h-2.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The F2H-2 Banshee is a fantastic jet-fighter with great overall speed and good manoeuvrability. It is most recognized for its ability to remain stable even past its speed limit break (933 km/h or 580 mph) and also for its fantastic high-altitude performance.

The Banshee is a very stable platform at high speeds. Speed warning appears at 940 km/h (584 mph), but it can reach over a 1,000 km/h (621 mph) and still not rip apart if flown carefully and kept it in a straight line.

Overall this jet is one of the best US early jets, its BR coupled with its very good performances make it a very pleasant aircraft to fly and grind the whole US air tree.

The aircraft is very powerful and even if one of the engines is taken out, the machine can still return to base safely.

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


The F2H-2 Banshee is a carrier-based jet fighter aircraft. The plane is powered by the Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engine, the same that can be found in the F3D-1, although it is over 90 km/h faster than the former in level flight at sea level, it can reach 933 km/h. The Banshee is significantly faster than the F-80C and slower than jets from other nations, the Yak-30, M.D.452, J29 or export versions of the F-84G, also the structural speed which is 994 km/h is lower than their maximum level speed, so it can struggle with catching up to them.
Its level acceleration is decent, it varies a lot on the fuel amount since the plane carries a lot of it and when there is 30 minutes or less left it is very comparable to jets at similar battle rating, but any F-86 or MiG-15 version will easily outperform it. When it comes to climbing it can start struggling against any other planes, when the plane is fully loaded it is only 27 m/s and increases to ~37 m/s when there is only 20 minutes (30%) of fuel left.
The F2H can fly for around 30 minutes at 100% of power, then it can start to overheat. There is no time limit for flying at 94%.

The manoeuvrability is also decent: at low and medium speed it can give a hard time to jets with swept wings and some other like the F-84G, performing a full horizontal circle will take 25 seconds at 1000 m with full fuel tanks and around 20 seconds with 20 minutes of fuel. The flaps also can decrease the turn time by 20% but their drawback is their quite low speed limit. The plane will suffer from high speed compressibility near 1000 km/h IAS. Since it is a carrier-based jet, its stall speed is low: it varies from 185 to 205 km/h IAS, depending on the weight.
The positive and negative G limit for wings are very low, the plane can suffer from wing failure after reaching close to 9G with full loadout. When rolling, it can reach up to 100 degrees per second at 600 km/h IAS and it is mediocre below 300 km/h IAS, 50 degrees per second and lower. The Banshee has also access to airbrakes which can help during landing or in combat situations to slow down the plane.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 910 || 884 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.8 || 27.8 || 21.6 || 20.2 || rowspan="2" | 670
|-
! Upgraded
| 947 || 933 || 25.8 || 26.0 || 33.9 || 27.4
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 503 || 473 || 325 || ~8 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 620 || < 650 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Westinghouse J34-WE-34 || 2
| colspan="3" | 5,620 kg || colspan="3" | 335 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 69m fuel
|-
| 600 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,674 kg || 7,178 kg || 7,980 kg || 8,689 kg || 9,142 kg || 11,000 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="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 69m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,469 kgf || N/A
| 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.32 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,469 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.44 || 0.41 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.32 || 0.27
|-
|}

=== 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}}

''Compressor'' and ''Engine'' are always useful upgrades and all acceleration unlocks are a top priority. Given the ''uniqueness'' of the AN/M3 armament ''New 20 mm cannons'' and ''[[G-Suit]]'' should be preferable tier 4 goals. The stock belts are better than any other type of ammo, due to more two times more HEFI-T inside of them, but for the improved cannons, they need to be researched, albeit that can wait past the G-Suit. To help with the manoeuvrability issues, boosters should be considered a priority as well.

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

{{main|M3 (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

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

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

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

* Without load
* 8 x HVAR rockets
* 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8
| rowspan="5" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 250 lb AN-M57 bombs
| || || 1* || 1 || 1 || 1* || ||
|-
! 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs
| || || || 1* || 1* || || ||
|-
! HVAR rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1* || 1 || 1 || 1* || 1 || 1
|-
| colspan="9" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 300 kg
|-
| colspan="10" | * 500 lb bombs cannot be equipped with ordnance in the adjacent hardpoint
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The Banshee is first in the US naval jet lineup and possesses many characteristics that make it a fantastic start for jet players.

Some tips to use it effectively are:

*Staying at a high altitude (side-climbing)
*Avoiding/evading higher-flying prop and jet planes (Stay aware of your surroundings and watch for enemy fighters)
*Using Boom & Zoom or Hit & Run tactics

In AB, the F2H is actually quite mediocre. Its high BR makes it liable to be put with superior jets such as the Me-262 (which has unlimited fuel, as is characteristic of AB) or the F-86 Sabre.

AB will initially be frustrating as the un-upgraded Banshee is a very poor performer. Its cannons jam, it has a relatively poor climb rate, and acceleration is poor as well.

Once upgraded, however, the Banshee can be a very effective and useful plane.

The F2H-2 is most effectively used as an energy fighter. It has great energy retention, turns well, and accelerates quite well once fully researched. However, the stock Banshee is terrible compared to super-props such as the [[Tempest Mk II]], [[F8F-1B]], [[La-9]], and others. Therefore, it is recommended to climb at the beginning of a match to at least 4-6 km as the Banshee performs extremely well at these altitudes. However, keep in mind that evasion of superior planes such as the F8F-1B or the [[MiG-15]] is key. Once optimal altitude is reached, Boom & Zoom can be employed. The F2H has sluggish controls at speeds below 482 km/h (300 mph) so try to maintain above that speed in level flight. But when facing super-props, low-speed stability coupled with an airbrake makes the Banshee an extremely good prop-killer.

If you are unlucky, you will face the [[F-86A-5|F-86A]] and [[MiG-15]] in some battles, be sure to avoid them at all costs as they climb far better than the Banshee and have superior top speed.

Unfortunately, like most other jets, modifications take a long while to grind. Go for anything that increases the Banshee's climb rate. Leave the cannon ammo belts alone because default has the most HE shells (besides Stealth), and research the ''New Cannons'' modification; It will markedly improve the terrible spread of the cannon.

The cockpit of the F2H-2 is fantastic- the bubble canopy provides good visibility to the front and back of the aircraft.

Even with good advantages as a starting jet fighter (if you went with the Naval Line of USA Fighters), it has some disadvantages going up against MiG-15's and MiG-17's. It can certainly outrun La-174's and La-15's with splendid ease, but it will never be able to outrun a MiG once it's on your tail. As for MiG-9's, they can't outrun the Banshee but can probably out-turn it if the MiG-9 pilot is properly trained and experienced.

It's best used as a support fighter in EVERY situation unless you are down-tiered and you are put against Ho-229's and Me-262's. In this case, you can become an aggressive fighter and easily score some kills. Although if you are put up against MiG-17's, MiG-15's and La-15's, best prepare yourself to side-climb and get behind your allies. Get some altitude and be patient to pursue MiG's that are either chasing Hunters or Sabres or an unfortunate bomber.

A good recommendation is that you should never go for [[IL-28|IL-28s]] alone. Other recommendations are that you should never take rockets or bombs unless you're in a squad and you bomb points together. It is NOT recommended either way. Another tip is to try holding your speed and use airbrakes when being tailed by a MiG.

=== Radars ===

The F2H-2 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amazing firepower (especially when spaded)
* Very good energy retention
* Good sustained turn rate
* Landing hook for carriers

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon jams quickly and are very inaccurate when stock
* Large turn radius
* Poor acceleration
* Poor instantaneous turn rate

== History ==

The twin-engine F2H Banshee was a follow up to McDonnell's successful FH-1 Phantom and was designed to become the Navy's next carrier-borne aircraft. The two aircraft appear very similar but the F2H was improved in several ways. Primary upgrades include larger airframe, heavier armament, and better power-plants. Nearly 800 Banshees were built for the Navy and Marine Corps during the early 1950s.

The Banshee saw use in Korea with the Navy and Marines escorting Air Force B-29s on bombing missions but would never encounter an enemy fighter throughout the whole war. As a fighter/bomber, the Banshee saw limited use, but the greatest role the F2H performed in the war was doing reconnaissance over hostile territory. A majority of the F2H's service took place in the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans but its appeal came from its ability to go unnoticed by enemy forces and would primarily serve recon or escort purposes. The Navy and Marine Corps would retire the Banshee from active service around the early 1960s and would replace it with aircraft such as the F9F Cougar, F3H Demon, and the F4D Skyray. In the 1950s several refurbished Banshees were purchased by the Canadian government where they saw limited service on the HMCS ''Bonaventure'' until the early 1960s when they were finally retired from military service.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f2h-2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:FighterImage_Banshee2.jpg|The Banshee in flight with other identical aircraft.
File:FighterImage_Banshee1.jpg|F2H attacking swarm of Me 262s in test flight mode.
</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 ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/264956-mcdonnell-f2h-2/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

M.D.452 IIC

2023-06-18T13:10:54Z

U8128791: /* Offensive armament */ spelling correction

{{About
| about = French jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Mystere (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=md_452_mystere_2c_preproduction
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]].

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

The MD.452 IIC is something of a jack of all trades. Its flight performance is balanced, if a bit slow to accelerate. The roll rate is excellent at medium to high speeds (550 - 900 km/h), giving the aircraft many options for evasive manoeuvres, and although energy-bleeding, the turn rate is good against most enemies. The two fast-firing 30 mm DEFA canons also compose tremendous firepower, if used with suitable ammunition.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,035 || 1,027 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.3 || 26.9 || 32.9 || 31.1 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,051 || 1,044 || 23.4 || 24.8 || 48.1 || 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 || 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}} || 627 || 598 || 450 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 620 || < 700 || < 740 || 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" | SNECMA Atar 101D3 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,900 kg || colspan="2" | 241 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 24m fuel
|-
| 1,050 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,308 kg || 7,067 kg || 7,300 kg || 10,500 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
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 24m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,911 kgf || N/A
| 0.46 || 0.41 || 0.40 || 0.28
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,178 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.50 || 0.45 || 0.44 || 0.30
|-
|}

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


* 40 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
* 13.5 mm Steel plate around the bottom of the cockpit, front and rear
* 13.5 mm Steel plate behind the pilot

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

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

{{main|DEFA 541 (30 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 30 mm DEFA 541 cannons, belly-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

The two cannons are arranged in the belly portion of the fuselage exiting the aircraft just behind the pilot's location. Each is armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that both guns will fire together until empty.

This aircraft is the first of the French jets to use 30 mm DEFA canons, which are (as of Update 1.95) the best 30 mm guns in the game, with the highest shell velocity, rate of fire, and gun reliability. While the default ammunition is underwhelming, the "air targets" ammunition will shred enemy fighters with a single or a couple of shells. Heavier targets might need 3-5 hits to lose a wing.

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

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 Fin M129 (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 Fin M129 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 38 x SNEB type 23 rockets

The ordnance of the {{PAGENAME}} gives it the ability to engage ground targets, but limits its manoeuvrability greatly and should generally not be used in Air RB except as a late game last resort. In mixed battles, the SNEB rockets can be an excellent anti-tank weapon for CAS, and the aircraft inserts well in the French BR 8.3 line-up.

== Usage in battles ==

The {{PAGENAME}} is generally more manoeuvrable than most other contemporary aircraft it faces, the only ones you would have a tough time turning with at this battle rating would be any of the Sabres. Since its roll rate is comparable to the Sabre's once the "New Boosters" modification is installed, the option of turnfighting becomes available, although speed will be bled at a relatively high rate. Still, like the predecessors of the Mystère II, boom & zooming should remain the first choice in engagements. Control stiffening doesn't appear under around 1,000-1,050 km/h, and devastating armament will take out an enemy target in a single pass. Furthermore, top speed in level flight is slightly below average, justifying even more that tactic.

Overall, the Mystère IIC should be considered as buffed Ouragan/Barougan, increasing drastically the top speed, armament, and manoeuvrability parameters.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent armament of 2 x 30 mm DEFA cannons (higher muzzle velocity and RoF than the ADEN cannon)
* High roll rate, matches the Sabre's roll rate with "New boosters" modification installed
* Good turn rate between 550 km/h and 800 km/h
* Decent climb rate
* Payloads can include bombs or rockets
* More effective air brake than its predecessors
* A lot of ammo for only 2 x 30 mm DEFA cannons
* Guns being mounted under the nose makes it easy to head on planes upside down
* DEFA cannons can easily down a plane with 1 to 3 HE rounds striking

'''Cons:'''

* Slightly slower to other contemporary aircraft
* Poor horizontal energy retention compared to its predecessors
* Fragile; a few hits of enemy fire will make controlling the aircraft more difficult, forcing a return to base for repairs

== History ==

[[File:M.D.452 'Mystere'.jpg|thumb]]
The M.D.452 Mystère was a swept-wing air superiority fighter developed by Dassault Aviation, derived from the M.D.450 Ouragan. The aircraft combined the fuselage of the Ouragan with a new swept-wing, enabling it to reach much faster speeds than its predecessor. In 1951, the Mystère IIA became the first French-designed plane to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive.<ref name=":0">http://www.airvectors.net/avmyst.html ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210428191744/http://www.airvectors.net/avmyst.html Archive])</ref> Later on, the M.D.452 IIC would enter service with the French Air force, and serve until 1957, when it was relegated to training duties.<ref name=":1">https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/passion/aircraft/military-dassault-aircraft/md-452-mystere-ii/# ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210504192518/https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/passion/aircraft/military-dassault-aircraft/md-452-mystere-ii/ Archive])</ref>

====== Design and Development ======
The M.D.452 Mystère was originally designed as an advanced variant of the preceding M.D.450 Ouragan, with a new wing section and engine. In 1950, Marcel Dassault, the head of the Dassault aviation firm, signed a contract to produce an M.D.450 Ouragan with a new thinner wing section.<ref name=":1" /> The aircraft had a wing swept back at 30 degrees compared to the Ouragan's 14 degrees, and was powered by a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Nene. During tests, the aircraft showed significantly better climb rate and top speed, being capable of reaching transonic speeds. After four prototypes, the M.D.452 IIA was developed, carrying four 20 mm M50 (Hispano-derived) cannons and the Rolls-Royce Tay engine. On October 28th 1951, a Mystère IIA Became the first French aircraft to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive.<ref name=":0" />

However, the M.D.452 IIA failed to enter service, as it was rapidly replaced by the M.D.452 IIB and IIC. The IIB and IIC retained the wing and fuselage of the IIA, while featuring a new intake design and a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons in place of the IIA's four M50s.<ref name=":0" /> The new IIC was re-engined with a SNECMA Atar turbojet, capable of producing 25 kN of thrust. The M.D.452 IIC would later go on to enter service, serving between 1954 and 1963.

====== Operational Service ======
In 1954, the French Air service placed an order for 150 M.D.452 IIC aircraft, which were delivered between 1954 and 1957.<ref name=":1" /> These aircraft carried a SNECMA Atar 101-D (producing 29 kN thrust),<ref>https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/md-452/ ([https://web.archive.org/save/https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/md-452/ Archive])</ref> but were otherwise identical to the IIC prototypes. In total, 171 Dassault Mystères were built, including prototypes of the IIA, IIB and IIC variants. By the time of the last deliveries, the aircraft was already being relegated to advanced training duties; the rapid pace of aviation technology during the 1950s led to the aircraft rapidly becoming obsolete.<ref name=":0" /> The last M.D. 452 IIC was retired from training duties in 1963, after 9 years of service with the French Air Force.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=md_452_mystere_2c_preproduction Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|fa1_8SqJcT0|'''The Shooting Range #97''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 06:04 discusses the Dassault Mystère II.}}

== See also ==


* [[M.D.452 IIA]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/402783-dassault-md452a-mystere-iic-atar-101/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

=== References ===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Dassault}}
{{France jet aircraft}}

F-4C Phantom II

2023-05-18T07:52:25Z

U8128791: /* Survivability and armour */

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-4 Phantom II (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-4c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

Development of fighter aircraft attempts to balance size, speed, armament and manoeuvrability to come up with the perfect fighter. Due to the difficulties and challenges of bundling all of these in one aircraft, many different varieties have been developed through the years which highlighted one or more aspects but rarely all in one. And sometimes the mould had to be broken and the motto "bigger IS better" came into play. Due to these such heavyweight fighters like the [[P-61C-1|P-61]], [[Me 410 (Family)|Me 410]], [[Beaufighter (Family)|Beaufighter]], [[J5N1]] and [[SM.91]] were developed to fly faster, remain manoeuvrable and carry heavier weapons and ordnance, sometimes much heavier than their lighter counterparts. The {{PAGENAME}} is no exception, originally developed as a souped-up F3H Demon, this fighter was modified into a larger, heavier, faster fighter-interceptor/bomber that the U.S. Navy didn't realize it needed and when it did, it went all in.<ref name="Hachette" />

The imposing {{PAGENAME}} can seem a bit intimidating at first due to its size, but the pilot will quickly find that with the dual J79-GE-15 engines that this fighter is no slouch. Going from takeoff, acceleration in a climb and to level flight the {{PAGENAME}} will move and is quite agile for an aircraft of its size. Pilots new to the {{PAGENAME}} will initially be set up with an M61 20 mm cannon. Due to this aircraft not being configured with an internal cannon, one was required to be mounted on a centre-line pylon. Options become available to mount two additional 20 mm cannon gun pods, one under each wing which all together will spew out a slew of 20 mm rounds acting like a shotgun effect even at >500 m. [[AIM-9B]] and [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] Sidewinder missiles round out the Phantom's anti-air capabilities and are okay missiles to use against enemy aircraft which will cause the enemy pilot to take evasive manoeuvres to avoid the missile. In the event that happens, be ready with the cannons for backup as the enemy pilot should be an easy target after bleeding all of their speed and energy avoiding the missile.

[[File:F 4 phantom markymark 002.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Bird's eye view of a {{PAGENAME}} from the VF-111 Sundowners squadron]]

Another arena where the {{PAGENAME}} shines is in the ground-pounding or ground attack function of the aircraft. With eleven hardpoints, this fighter/bomber can be configured in many different ways to carry a combination of guns, bombs and rockets. When it comes to bombs, the {{PAGENAME}} has the option to use either 250 lb, 500 lb, 750 lb or 1,000 lb bombs and can hold upwards of 9,000 lbs total. The Phantom also has three different rocket types to choose from, depending on the targets you are going after. These range from anti-tank AGM-12B and AGM-12C Bullpup guided rockets, Zuni Mk32 anti-tank rockets and the small but powerful FFAR Mighty Mouse in a volume of 228, which can be devastating when used en masse.

The amazing F-4 Phantom II was state-of-the-art in its day and even 60 years later, several countries are still utilising this iconic fighter/bomber as a force multiplier with their air forces today. This fighter coupled with a pilots skill and determination can help alter the outcome in the jet-battle matches.

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


The {{PAGENAME}} is an incredibly stable aircraft, however from the way its wingtips and tailplanes look, one might think otherwise. Due to extensive wind tunnel testing, McDonnell engineers determined that by canting the tailplanes downward at a 23° anhedral (inclination) the stability and stall recovery characteristics of the aircraft dramatically improved and in the same fashion they didn't interfere with the engine's jet exhaust. The wings, on the other hand, were developed to be extremely strong to support large suspended armaments; however, they needed to be given a 5° upward inclination to prevent having to redesign the entire wing. So, the engineers elected to just raise the wingtips at a 12° dihedral which averaged the wing at the necessary 5°. The iconic shape of the {{PAGENAME}} was set.<ref name="Hachette" />

With the airframe, wings and tailplanes set in place, the fighter became a stable and solid aircraft. Stability is especially critical with a jet which closes in on the Mach 2 mark. Early speed trials identified flaws in the aircraft which at times proved fatal, but corrections and modifications for later aircraft increased their stability and airworthiness which saved many pilots with damaged aircraft. The {{PAGENAME}} is powered by two General Electric J79-GE-15 engines which are necessary to keep the fighter/bomber in the sky, especially with heavy ordnance loads, however, these engines don't bog down too much under heavy loads as it will still accelerate in a climb, during level flight and during a dive. A testament to the jet and its engines, during one altitude test, the F-4 flew Mach 2 all the way to 90,000 feet where the engines were shut off and the plane coasted up to 98,000 ft, slowing to almost 45 mph and upon dropping back to Earth, fired up its engines at around 70,000 ft and successfully landed.

The Phantom II has the speed and acceleration and also has sufficient manoeuvrability. As a low altitude bomber, the F-4C needed to be manoeuvrable or else it would have been an easier target for either the MiG fighters or the anti-aircraft ground fire. Even with heavy ordnance loads, the Phantom II could still shimmy into position, release its ordnance and then rocket away to a higher altitude. Pilots found out early on that some MiG fighters like the -17 were extremely manoeuvrable and had to be prepared to nullify the target to prevent the MiG from getting behind them.
For the F-4C pilot, it is important when bombing targets to keep a look around and watch for enemy fighters attempting to swoop in, attack the ground target and rocket up to safety. When flying at altitude, be careful not to get into a turning fight as the Phantom is a very heavy aircraft and does not turn very well, instead fly fast and work with Boom & Zoom techniques and always watch your six as a MiG may try to sneak up from behind. Furthermore, beware pulling negative G's as this can result in a broken wing quite easily (especially if equipped with ordnance on the wing hardpoints).

In game, however, the aircraft will not reach both its maximum altitude of 16,000 m or top speed of over 2,000 km/h (even when unarmed and with the minimum fuel loadout). After about 8,000-9,000 m the aircraft starts to slowly lose nearly all lift and eventually plateaus at 12,132 m. In order to reach higher altitudes one must go supersonic, enter a steep climb, and then level off at the desired altitude (although currently this serves little to no gameplay purpose). As for its actual average speed, the F-4C is more likely to just barely break Mach 1 after about 30-40 seconds of level flight at any altitude with all upgrades (so keep this in mind when attempting to boom and zoom or outrun an opponent).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 12,192 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,228 || 2,202 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.5 || 27.5 || 142.4 || 132.5 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,362 || 2,288 || 25.5 || 26.0 || 203.9 || 172.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 584 || 463 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 810 || < 750 || < 700 || 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-15 || 2
| colspan="2" | 13,405 kg || colspan="3" | 392 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 32m fuel
|-
| 1,720 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 15,164 kg || 17,014 kg || 18,819 kg || 19,270 kg || 27,745 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 32m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,910 kgf || 7,561 kgf
| 1.00 || 0.89 || 0.80 || 0.78 || 0.54
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,955 kgf (1,458 km/h) || 8,856 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.17 || 1.04 || 0.94 || 0.92 || 0.64
|-
|}

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

[[File:F 4 phantom sgtroach.png|350px|thumb|right|Fox-2, Fox-2 - ROKAF F-4C Phantom II launching an [[AIM-9B]] Sidewinder missile]]
Due to the sheer weight of the {{PAGENAME}} it is surprising to note that there is no armour plating nor any bulletproof canopies. Littered with eight fuel tanks, one in each wing and the other six in the fuselage right above the engines, there isn't much protection for the self-sealing tanks. The Phantom pilot will need to be cognizant of where enemy aircraft are behind them to ensure they prevent their aircraft from taking damage as speed and manoeuvrability are the keys to survival and if lost, there is not much hope for the fighter.

For those aircraft attacking the {{PAGENAME}}, when using machine guns and cannons an attempt can be made to try to blow off a wing or snipe the pilot, however, the best bet will be to aim for centre fuselage where there is the greatest chance of hitting several fuel tanks or even the engines. Firing missiles will cause the pilot to take evasive manoeuvres which may cause the aircraft to pitch up or down which will expose the greatest surface area allowing guns or cannons to finish the fight as for without any armour, only the thin metal skin separates the incoming bullets from critical {{PAGENAME}} components.

=== '''Modification and economy''' ===
Repair cost for spaded F4-C after May 2023 economy changes is SL 13,249, NOT what it says below in table which one is not allowed to edit.

=== 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)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

[[File:F 4 phantom news001.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Three-quarter view of an {{PAGENAME}} displaying the variance of suspended armament]]
{{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-7D Sparrow|AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9E Sidewinder}}
{{main|BLU-27/B incendiary|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|GAU-4 (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannon (1,200 rpg)
* 1 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannon + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 3 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannons (1,200 rpg = 3,600 total)
* 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
* 17 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (12,750 lb total)
* 13 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (13,000 lb total)
* 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 4 x BLU-27/B incendiary bombs
* 1 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannon + 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 1 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannon + 2 x AGM-12C Bullpup missiles
* 285 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 60 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x AIM-7D Sparrow missiles
* 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10 !! width="4%" | 11
| rowspan="16" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 20 mm GAU-4 cannons (1,200 rpg)
| 1 || || || || || 1 || || || || || 1
|-
! 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs
| 6 || 3 || || || || 6 || || || || 3 || 6
|-
! 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs
| 3 || 3 || || || || 5 || || || || 3 || 3
|-
! 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs
| 2 || 3 || || || || 3 || || || || 3 || 2
|-
! 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs
| 1 || || || || || 1 || || || || || 1
|-
! BLU-27/B incendiary bombs
| 1 || || || || || 2 || || || || || 1
|-
! FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
| 57 || 57 || || || || 57 || || || || 57 || 57
|-
! Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
| 12 || 12 || || || || 12 || || || || 12 || 12
|-
! AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
| 1 || 1* || || || || || || || || 1* || 1
|-
! AGM-12C Bullpup missiles
| || 1 || || || || || || || || 1 ||
|-
! AIM-7D Sparrow missiles
| || || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
| || || 1, 2* || || || || || || 1, 2* || ||
|-
! AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
| || || 2* || || || || || || 2* || ||
|-
| colspan="12" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
|-
| colspan="13" | * The AGM-12C Bullpup missile on hardpoints 2/10 cannot be carried in conjunction with air-to-air missiles on hardpoints 3/9 respectively.
|}

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:F 4 phantom markymark 001.jpg|350px|thumb|left|VF-96 Showtime-100 F-4C unloading bombs in Vietnam]]
The {{PAGENAME}} is, frankly, not a dogfighter. That is because its ungainly manoeuvrability, large size, and lack of countermeasures leave it heavily disadvantaged and an easy target should one catch it in weapons range. The F-4C's best friend is its good speed and powerful armaments. As a result, F-4C pilots are forced to act as vultures, staying fast and using missiles or gunpods to pick off hapless targets of opportunity.

If playing this aircraft in Air Battles from stock the first modification you should focus on unlocking are the AIM-9Es and AIM-7Ds. If one does not want to spend the [[Golden Eagles|golden eagles]] to unlock them immediately, then ground attack in Air Realistic Battles is often the fastest avenue for advancement, as on most maps one can easily rack up an immense amount of [[Research Points|RP]] and [[Silver Lions|SL]] from the large number of targets (as a short burst from the 20 mm cannon is more than capable of destroying high value targets such as light pillboxes or tanks).

In Ground Realistic Battles this aircraft has next to no utility while stock due to both the powerful AA at this BR and the inability to penetrate most tanks with the stock 20 mm cannon. At most you may only be able to harass aircraft or thinly armoured vehicles before you are shot down, therefore it is recommended that you first unlock some basic ground ordnance before adding this to your Ground RB lineup (see [[#Ground pounding|"Ground pounding"]] for further information).

==== Air-to-air ====
Due to its size and weight, it is heavily recommended not to turn-fight in the F-4C. As stated earlier, speed and its weapons systems will be the F-4C's best friend. The two best weapons for air combat on the F-4C are its AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles and M61 Vulcan cannons (in a configuration of one or three). The Vulcan cannons can spray the area in front of the Phantom II with an insane amount of 20 mm rounds, with the three gun pods creating a shotgun scatter effect by the time it gets to where the enemy fighter is (often critically damaging or outright destroying the enemy aircraft). The AIM-9Bs meanwhile are relatively poor performing rear-aspect missiles that are easily evaded by even the most modest manoeuvres. If it is mandatory to use them: take rear-aspect only shots, while the target is not in a turn, and while they aren't deploying countermeasures (as the missiles can be easily decoyed). The AIM-9Es on the other hand are a moderate improvement all around, but top out as average at this BR due to their small seeker cone and rear-aspect only lock angle. Regardless, the AIM-9Es can make for a reliable backup anti-air missile and both Sidewinders will be your primary air combat missile that can at the very least force an enemy into a disadvantageous position.
[[File:F-4C A-5 kill.jpg|350px|thumb|A F-4C eliminating a enemy A-5 with a AIM-7D Sparrow missile]]
While the F-4C's speciality is its AIM-7D Sparrow SARH (Semi-Active Radar Homing) missiles, in game they are quite ineffective (as they were in real life), especially at this BR or above where many enemies will have an RWR to alert them the moment you lock them and/or chaff countermeasures which easily defeats the missile.

Furthermore, three major factors significantly reduce the effectiveness of this missile, and one may find it simply constantly missing. First, perhaps the AIM-7D's biggest downside is that it has a 1 km warmup range before it starts tracking. What this means it that, once fired, it will always travel in a straight line for one kilometre (around 2-3 seconds) before it starts manoeuvring itself towards the target. While at longer ranges (7 km+) this generally isn't a problem, it is most problematic when the missile is launched at close ranges (with usual speed and at around 4 km or less); in these cases, the missile won't start manoeuvring until it's very close to the enemy (less than 1.5 km), which usually isn't enough time for the missile to turn into the now very close enemy. Additionally, this initial straight line travel means that there is a chance the enemy can move out of the missile's field of view before it can track, in which case the missile will simply self-destruct. Second, the F-4C's own unreliable radar. Despite it having a maximum listed range of over 150 km, in-game, you typically will only see the radar start picking up targets at less than 20 km. Commonly, the radar fails to see a target directly in front of it until it gets closer (less than 9 km). This is a significant downside, as oftentimes the radar will pick up a target too late to reliably launch an AIM-7D (due to its 1 km initial straight line travel). Additionally, the radar can easily lose lock on a target (often due to enemy manoeuvres reducing their radar signature or diving below you, hiding among ground clutter), which instantly ruins your missile attack. The latter is especially common when engaging aircraft with RWR and/or countermeasures, as the moment they are radar locked they can instantly begin dumping chaff and manoeuvring to avoid the missile. Overall, the radar generally struggles to do its job, even under ideal conditions. As a result, the majority of your air kills with missiles will be from the Sidewinders as they are far more reliable and give no warning to the enemy.

However, seeing as the Sparrow has its own dedicated pylons that don't interfere with your ability to equip other weapons, there is often little reason to not equip them, even if they are marginally effective. A common strategy for their use is to zoom climb to high altitude (at least 5 km) at the start of the match and/or sideclimb as the radar and missiles work better at high altitude. By side climbing, you can avoid the major furball, keeping the plane out of danger. Once the plane climbs up to a decent altitude (4-6 km), use the radar to lock onto someone, and start launching the AIM-7Ds. The thinner air at altitude significantly increases your missiles' range, while aircraft will have trouble manoeuvring and regaining speed, increasing the chance your missile will hit the enemy. Furthermore, early match tends to be the only time where enemy targets will be at these high altitudes as later on, the fight goes to low altitudes where the radar will struggle with ground clutter and will be unable to lock low flying enemies. Retaining high speed is important as the faster the F-4C goes, the farther missiles go due to the higher launch speed. To actually use the AIM-7, you must first radar lock a target, and then launch the AIM-7. You must then keep the radar target locked for the entire duration of the missile's flight, or else it will stop tracking, as a result you want to avoid launching from your maximum range to limit the time the enemy has to avoid the missile. The AIM-7D has great range and under ideal conditions, can hit non-manoeuvring targets from upwards of a 10 km launch. It has a 15G manoeuvring capability, meaning it can follow targets in a turn decently well. And since they are radar guided, assuming you can get and maintain lock, they can engage targets from any angle. But remember that your lack of countermeasures makes high altitudes dangerous for you as well, as the thinner air limits your ability to dodge missiles. An alternative strategy, often used while/after attacking ground targets, is to fly in at treetop level to where you expect the enemies to be dogfighting and quickly popup and engage them from below/behind. Staying low will help hide you from enemy radar and allow you to engage your ground targets with ease, while doing so (largely dependent on the map) you're likely to spot enemies flying over you to engage the rest of your team at altitude, here your Sparrows can be quite useful as you can pop-up, quickly lock the target above you, and fire. This has the advantage of giving the enemy little time or room to evade as the missile will be coming from below them rather than above, meaning there's no chance for the lock to be lost in ground clutter. The obvious downsides is this will greatly reduce the range of your Sparrow seeing as such a tactic: often entails a far slower launch speed, forces the missile to expend much of its energy climbing rather than gaining speed, forces it to traverse much thicker air (even further limiting its terminal performance), and can leave you in a very vulnerable position while guiding the missing as another enemy could swoop in and engage you while you're stuck unable to manoeuvre.

After your AIM-7s are gone or no targets at altitude can be found, move down to lower altitudes to fight. Below 2 km, your primary weapons will be your cannons and AIM-9s. As the Phantom lacks in manoeuvrability, it is not recommended to get into a dogfight, but rather to utilize the its great top speed to make high speed passes, as the Phantom retains controllability even at very high speeds while the Vulcan's incredibly high muzzle velocity allows for ease of aiming. Try to make sure no one can/will bother following you though these passes so you aren't forced to turn into a dogfight.

The powerful M61 Vulcan is another tool you'll often use to engage air targets, especially if playing from stock (consider it your backup weapon if your missiles fail you/are unavailable). The cannon itself is quite powerful and you are given a decent pool of ammo. Its greatest and most common use will be in the classic head on, where you'll often come out on top due to its decent punch, high rate of fire, and massive spread. But again, remember to not dogfight as your poor manoeuvrability hinders your ability to line up a shot, especially if heavily loaded.

Unguided rockets are another option for this aircraft, but they are not recommended for air-to-air combat. While extremely large amounts of FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets can be carried, they are highly inaccurate for air-to-air combat, and even with a timed fuse, you generally won't be routinely hitting anything as aircraft are very fast at this BR (don't expect an [[F-89D]]-like experience). The Zuni rockets, on the other hand, have a large blast radius, and when the timed fuse is used correctly, they can be used somewhat reliably. However, the main downside of these rockets are that they are both carried in rocket pods which are large and heavy and significantly impact manoeuvrability and performance. This impact on performance is why it isn't recommended to use them in air combat; stick to using them for ground strikes.

In a downtier, the F-4C can act independently as it can easily outspeed most enemies. Additionally, most enemies in a downtier lack a radar warning receiver (RWR), allowing you to radar lock them and launch AIM-7Ds without alerting them in any way until they spot the missile. The F-4C's high top speed and high speed controllability allows the plane to boom-and-zoom and quickly getting out of a furball without much issue. Again, it is not recommended to get into a dogfight, as nearly all subsonics encountered in a downtier will out-manoeuvre you

In a full uptier, it is recommended to fly near teammates, as the F-4C's inferior top speed, manoeuvrability, and weapon systems make it very difficult to dogfight any high-tier fighter. As a result, the best chance at obtaining any significant amount of score will be to focus on ground targets and avoiding enemies as much as possible. Your lack of countermeasures generally means that if a high tier fighter gets on your tail, you are guaranteed to die. Therefore, you should avoid air combat at all costs, staying with the team should you be forced to do so. If you do get into air combat, keep your speed up as it will be your best (and only) defense against missiles, and make high speed passes with your M61 cannon. AIM-7Ds still can be used in fashions as described before, but know that your BVR capability is outclassed by much of the opposition, and all likely have countermeasures, making BVR combat of any type generally a waste with your outdated AIM-7Ds. In summary, try your best not to catch the attention of anyone and stay with your team should you do so, as you'll be largely ineffective against air targets and generally be considered free score due to your lack of of countermeasures and exceptionally poor dogfighting performance.

In Air Arcade battles, this aircraft's flaws are a lot more forgiving and it can see far more utility, especially with its gunpods. As with nearly all aircraft in Air Arcade, the minimum fuel option should be your default choice, as you will rarely if ever run out of fuel due to low survival time and overall match time in arcade battles. Even if you do run out, your airfield is a short distance away once you notice your fuel is low. The recommended armaments remain the same as in Air RB, but with much more leeway to tack on ground ordnance to quickly destroy large groups of armour (especially at the start of the "Domination" gamemode). Even the lack of countermeasures can be worked around via clever use of terrain on most maps (with the great exceptions being all the flat "Domination" maps). As for your opponents, you may encounter anything from top rank aircraft all the way down to lowly rank I biplanes. Be aware of the aircraft you're fighting, even if its a low rank propeller aircraft as all carry the risk of sniping your pilot (especially the Americans with their .50 cals and Germans with their cannons); all propeller aircraft also have a superior turn rate on the F-4C, so instead simply boom-and-zoom as you would with anyone else. Tactics for fighting aircraft around your BR remain the same as in Air RB, albeit they're much easier to execute and you have unlimited missiles. Because of the latter, you'd think side climbing could be a legitimate tactic, but due to the poor radar of the F-4C, the rarity of high-altitude fighting in Arcade, and/or the heavy terrain clutter on most maps you'll rarely find many targets to shoot at.

==== Ground pounding ====
[[File:F 4 phantom iscari.png|350px|thumb|right|Fully loaded {{PAGENAME}} en route to bombing site]]
The {{PAGENAME}} was not called a "Mud Mover" for nothing as with its legendary suspended ordnance options it can quickly reshape the landscape with bombs and rockets.<ref name="Hachette" /> Although in War Thunder there are better CAS options at or around this BR in the American tech tree (the [[F-105D]] being superior in all forms as it can carry countermeasures in addition to its ground ordnance). Nonetheless, the Phantom II's ballistic computer and bomb options ranging from 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 lbs let it effectively attack ground targets ranging from large bases to armour. The triple gunpods in particular can made the F-4C very efficient in destroying ground units in air battles, as they can destroy all but the heaviest of targets and have a large ammo count (allowing one to rack up significant score before having to rearm). Zuni and FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets can be used for great effect on vehicles and anti-aircraft sites, especially those which are clustered close together, however against heavy pillboxes and heavy tanks they might not do much. The final option is to outfit the AGM-12B or AGM-12C Bullpup rockets. These are this aircraft's best anti-tank ordnance in Ground Realistic battles and should be your first modification to unlock before usage in said battles. But know that while these missiles can be guided, this can only be done manually and, at this BR, puts the F-4C at significant risk due to the chances of radar guided AAA or a SAM shooting the F-4C down. During the guiding phase of the Bullpup, a Phantom II is vulnerable as the pilot cannot be looking around for incoming enemy fire and must keep a visual on the target if they intend to guide it. A common tactic with the bullpups is to simply utilize them as if they were high-yield unguided rockets (forgoing any guidance input to turn the bullpups into rocket powered bombs); since they fly in a straight line, the F-4C pilot can easily line the nose up to the targets, fire the bullpups, and then immediately pull away. This is even more lethal with the AGM-12Cs as they have a 1000 lb warhead compared to the 250 lb warhead on the AGM-12B. Dogfighting in Ground Realistic battles is somewhat rare and nearly always limited to low altitude visual range (where the radar of the F-4C has trouble locking any target), as a result the Sparrows can usually be omitted for a performance improvement. The Sidewinders on the other hand can be useful should enemy air be encountered and don't incur as much of a performance penalty, but do add extra SP cost to loadouts with them.

==== Bait attack ====
The {{PAGENAME}} is a phenomenal aircraft to use in a group manoeuvre known as a baiting attack. This fighter can play both roles as either the bait or an attacking aircraft. For this to work, the Phantom II can be used as the bait aircraft, which flies in a way to attract the attention of an enemy fighter (or two), after closing in, the Phantom II should use its speed and acceleration to go into a climb, almost like setting up for a rope-a-dope manoeuvre. While the enemy aircraft are attempting to chase the F-4 in the climb the group buddies can swoop in and take out the distracted enemy aircraft. Due to the fast speed and acceleration of the F-4, it can also be used as the support aircraft in the manoeuvre as with its cannons and missiles; it can lunge in to take out the baited enemy fighters.

==== Most dangerous enemies ====
MiG fighters, Mirages, and [[VTOL]] aircraft tend to be the most dangerous enemies, especially the MiG-21 and Harrier variants, which are quite agile and can easily outmanoeuvre the F-4. The max speed of the MiG-21 and the Mirages are comparable with the F-4, whereas aircraft such as the earlier MiG-17 will get left in the dust as they are almost half as fast. The early MiG-21 variants like the [[MiG-21F-13]] and [[J-7II]] can carry the R-3S/PL-2, missiles similar to the AIM-9B but inferior to the AIM-9E. They can also be equipped with rockets, and the 30 mm cannons can rip through the {{PAGENAME}} with careful aiming. The best bet against a MiG-21 is to attempt to first cripple the aircraft either during a head-on approach or through a missile, rocket or gun attack, once it is operating at less than 100%, it will be easier to manoeuvre around it and set up for the finishing blow. When facing a Harrier, Hunter, Mirage, or other Phantom variant the same strategy applies as they can be difficult to outmanoeuvre when in pristine shape. Although with the Phantoms and Mirages, it is best to avoid a head on approach due to the potential danger of a wall of fire from triple SUU-23/A gunpods (from the Phantoms) or taking a radar guided missile to the face (from both the Phantoms and the Mirages). Be wary of aircraft like the [[Mirage IIIC]], [[Mirage IIIE]], [[MiG-21SMT]], [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]], [[Yak-38 (Family)|Yak-38]], [[Hunter F.6]], and [[Harrier GR.1]] as they can carry up to four (two in the case of the Yak-38s and Mirages) high-performance missiles such as the [[R-60]] for the MiG-21s and Yak-38s, the [[SRAAM]]s for the Hunter and Harrier, and the [[Matra R550 Magic 1]] missile for the Mirages respectively. These are air-to-air missiles with high agility and high-aspect capability that are extremely difficult to dodge without countermeasures (something the F-4C lacks). Furthermore, foreign variants of the Phantom can match the F-4C in performance and often come equipped with later, higher-performing variants of the Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. If you are bombing bases be aware of enemies like the Su-25 and A-10A which carry all-aspect IR missiles and will try to intercept you from head-on. In such situations it is advisable to take a pod of Mighty Mouse rockets to use them as makeshift flares.

In Ground realistic battles, the most dangerous ground enemies are all SAM vehicles, but especially the radar SAM vehicles such as the [[FlaRakPz 1|FlaRakPz 1 Roland 2]] and [[2S6|2S6 Tunguska]] as they outrange the F-4C's Bullpups and on some maps can even immediately fire at the plane seconds after spawning. Due to the lack of countermeasures the F-4C's only defense against any missile is maneuvering and/or the terrain; so if using this aircraft while such threats are active, dive to the ground to get below their radar horizon and spend as little time as possible over the battlefield (as loitering increases the chance someone will spot and engage you). Radar guided AAA is also prevalent at this rank, but can be much more easily worked around due to their limited range (especially when using Bullpups).

The most common missiles to face are the SRAAM, AIM-9J, -9G, -9E, -9B, -7E, the R-3S, R-60 and Magics. In order to dodge an SRAAM, do not turn, as the SRAAM, unlike most other missiles, uses thrust vectoring instead of control surfaces. This gives the SRAAM extreme agility, but at the cost of range, meaning pilots that can outrun the missile are far more likely to survive as the SRAAM self-destructs once it runs out of fuel. At the other end of the spectrum, AIM-9Gs have incredibly long ranges, so even if one is launched at the F-4C from 4 km the plane must manoeuvre in order to lose it. An F-4C pilot can either attempt to outturn it, as they have worse agility than an AIM-9J, Magic or R-60, or attempt to outspeed it. By waiting for it to run out of fuel (this only works at long ranges), the plane can do big barrel rolls and large turns (not too sharp as to lose speed), and since missiles are incredibly light and will not be able to propel itself once it runs out of fuel, it will lose speed and the F-4C will outrun it. For an AIM-9E, -9E, or R-3S, the F-4C can simply turn a bit to the side and it will quickly lose track. Against an R-60, AIM-9J or Magic however, it is a bit more complex: the most effective way to outmanoeuvre one without countermeasures is to roll 90 degrees so the F-4C's wings are perpendicular to the ground, turn, wait a bit, then begin rolling towards the ground while pulling. This will usually outmanoeuvre most missiles launched at the F-4C. However, an F-4C pilot should not turn to the sky as the plane will quickly drop speed and make it easier for a missile to hit.

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:F 4 phantom commander drew.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Artistic rendition of a {{PAGENAME}} in a power climb]]

'''Pros:'''

* Impressive variety and maximum payload of ordnance, including: 20 mm cannon gunpods, bombs, rockets, and air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles
** Can equip the AIM-7D Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles at the same time (with a maximum of four each) in addition to five pylons for ground attack ordnance
* Has BVR (Beyond Visual Range) engagement capability with the radar-guided AIM-7D Sparrow
* Has a ballistic computer, which allows for accurate usage of unguided air-to-ground weapons and cannon(s)
* Fantastic climb rate
* Good top speed
* Great acceleration
* Good roll rate for a large aircraft
* M61 Vulcan has excellent fire rate, ballistics and damage, as well as a generous ammo pool

'''Cons:'''

* As it has no internal gun, some sort of weapon must be equipped on the pylons, meaning flight performance will always be lower than listed due to drag and/or G-limits
* Large target profile compared to other fighters it flies against
* Poor turning ability unless using minimum fuel
* Manoeuvrability suffers greatly with fully loaded pylons
* Using wing-mounted hardpoints will break wings at low altitudes while flying Mach 1.10+
* Has a low negative G limit, meaning wings can snap easily
* The gunpods are pointed slightly downwards (pilot must adjust aim to compensate)
* No countermeasures
** As a result has low battlefield endurance in ground RB battles, as SAM vehicles are quite prevalent at its BR
* Radar has difficulty finding and locking aircraft, even in ideal conditions
** The majority of enemies have an RWR at this BR, eliminating any surprise from semi-active radar guided missiles (such as the AIM-7D)
* AIM-7D Sparrow missiles are unreliable and easily dodged
** Unlike the Soviet R-3R or Matra R.530E, the AIM-7D has a 1 km warm up time where it flies completely straight, only after which it can begin tracking (but if the target is no longer within the missile's sights it will automatically self destruct, requiring the F-4C to lead the missile). This also makes it very unreliable in a short range engagement as the missile often cannot react in time
* AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles are notoriously poor performing, while the AIM-9Es are below average at this BR
* Has limited utility in a full uptier, as it is heavily outclassed by nearly all other aircraft above 10.0

 
{{Notice|Fun Fact: The {{PAGENAME}}'s air-intake splitters each have 12,500 small holes drilled into them to reduce incoming turbulence and allow the maximum amount of ram air available into the air-intakes for the engines.}}

== History ==

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation began operations in 1939, though it didn't produce any fighter aircraft for the second great war, it did make a name for itself manufacturing aircraft parts for other aircraft. Though the company worked on a prototype twin-engine, single-seat interceptor aircraft, the XP-67 "Bat" (also known as "Moonbat"), the destruction of the prototype due to an engine fire caused the project to be cancelled. However, starting in 1943, McDonnell began developing jet aircraft and successfully produced the FH-1 Phantom during the post-war era.<ref name="Hachette" /> The success of the Phantom prompted other McDonnell aircraft to have similar features such as the dual engines placed forward under the fuselage and exiting just behind the wings, unlike many single-engine jet fighters which ran the rear length of the aircraft and exited out the rear. Follow on aircraft which shared the engine style of the Phantom was the F2H Banshee, F3H Demon and the F-101 Voodoo.<ref name="Hachette" />

Though McDonnell had initial success with the Phantom and Banshee, they started having problems with the Demon, though it was not because of the aircraft itself, however, it was because of the engines it was outfitted with. The aircraft was sound in its construction and aerodynamics. Later after the Westinghouse XJ40 turbojet was replaced with the Allison J71, the Demon saw greater success.<ref name="Hachette" /> The F-101 Voodoo was an excellent performing aircraft which fulfilled its multi-role capability as an interceptor, fighter/bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, however, when going up against Vought Aircraft Company for a contract with the Navy, McDonnell lost out with the F-8 Crusader being the winner<ref name="Joiner" />.

McDonnell's response to this failure was to task their design team to build a fighter aircraft that the Navy could not refuse, but they did not yet know they needed. Part of the time spent gathering information included interviews with pilots and their wives and one major find was that while the pilots loved to fly fast single-engine fighters, they felt safer in an aircraft which had two engines. With this and other information in hand, McDonnell knew that they needed a single-seat, long-range attack aircraft which manifested itself in a full-size mock-up as the F3H-H, looking noticeably like a combination of a shortened Demon with the swept wings of a Banshee, plus straight tailplanes and an aerodynamic fuselage. This fighter was outfitted with four internal 20 mm cannons plus numerous external payload pylons mounted under the wings and fuselage. The F3H-H was considered more than just an aircraft and was evolving into what would be known as a weapon system. The original engines specified for this aircraft were the Wright J65-W-2, but McDonnell was eyeballing the new General Electric J79 engines for this project.<ref name="Hachette" />

The F3H-H was soon changed to the AH-1 (later the F4H-1) when it went into prototype status, but the aircraft was still having difficulty trying to find a place in the Navy as existing aircraft were already fulfilling the same roles. To make a fit, it was understood to the McDonnell engineers that major changes and modifications were needed to be made, the biggest of which was adding a second crew member.<ref name="Hachette" /> Also, the Navy was willing to sit down and detail out all of the requirements they would need the aircraft to have before they would consider buying it.<ref name="Joiner" /> Three other major requirements were that the aircraft was to be outfitted with the GE J79 engines, the aircraft was to be capable of Mach 2 and the internal 20 mm cannons were removed from the design. Upon the Navy committing to two prototypes, McDonnell knew they needed to undergo a major redesign of the flight surfaces. Through extensive wind tunnel testing the rear tailplanes ended up needing to be bent downward at a 23° anhedral while remaining clear of the jet exhaust. The wings needed to go through a similar change of a 5° dihedral, however, to save time and engineering, it was settled on just adjusting the outer most section of the wings at 12° dihedral which averaged to 5° across the entire wing.<ref name="Hachette" />

Though the first two test flights of the F4H-1 ran into issues (after the first one, the right engine needed to be replaced due to foreign object damage to the compressor blades), flights three and four went smoothly including exceeding Mach 1. The F4H-1 was then shipped to Edwards Air Force Base where it was tested against the Crusader III where after being tested to its full capabilities showed that is undeniably beat the Vought aircraft across the board. Following this McDonnell followed up with breaking a height record where an F4H-1 successfully reached 98,500 ft in altitude and successfully returned. After this, the name of the jet was agreed to be the "Phantom II" which was a nod to the Navy's first jet fighter, the FH-1 Phantom.<ref name="Hachette" />

The United States Marine Corps had shown interest in the F-4 program since its inception as they were tired of the worn-out hand-me-downs that Navy tended to give them.<ref name="Roblin" /> Impressed with the payload and range of the aircraft, the Corps went all in with this fighter to augment and enhance their current aircraft inventory. The United States Air Force, on the other hand, balked at the F-4, believing it to be a second-rate fighter having to be constrained to be built for carrier operations. However, the Air Force could not turn down a request to pit the Phantom II against their finest fighter, the Convair F-106 Delta Dart. During the endurance trials between the two aircraft, again it was shown that the F-4 excelled in just about every area tested (speed, payload, altitude, range and maintenance hours needed) over the F-106 and because of this, the Air Force requested two prototypes for further evaluation.<ref name="Hachette" /> At this point the Navy was receiving the F-4B fighters and ultimately after further testing, the Air Force put in an urgent request for a transfer of 29 Navy F-4Bs while the Air Forces F-4C models were being built.<ref name="Hachette" />

Air Force versions of the F-4C differed from the Navy's F-4B in that the C version had additional ground-attack capabilities along with a full set of controls for the rear seat.<ref name="Joiner" /> The rear-seater was typically a junior pilot nicknamed "Wizzo" or Weapons Systems Operator. Other changes included a reworking of the landing gear which led to lower pressure, but wider tires and an anti-skid assembly attached to the landing gear.<ref name="Hachette" /> The refuelling probe was replaced with a receptacle in the spine of the fighter (for boom refuelling operations) and the cockpit was reconfigured to improve visibility for the guy in back. Updated SST-181X Combat Skyspot radar bombing system allowed the F-4s to accomplish bombing missions under complete cloud cover. Though, not essential to the Air Force, their F-4s did retain the Navy's folding wings, catapult hooks and arrestor hook.<ref name="Hachette" />

Initial deliveries of the F-4C delivered them in the standard non-combat grey and white paintwork; however, upon arriving in Vietnam at Udon RTAFB in Thailand, the aircraft was painted to the more appropriate green and brown tactical camouflage.<ref name="Hachette" />

===[[wt:en/news/6352-development-f-4c-phantom-ii-the-record-breaker-en|Devblog]]===
In the early 1950s, McDonnell Aircraft began work on a revised design of their F3H Demon naval fighter, in an effort to expand upon its capabilities and improve performance in general. By September 1953, the design was submitted for Navy consideration. Showing interest in the project, the U.S. Navy ordered the construction of a mock-up and expressed interest in potentially procuring the type.

By 1955, however, the U.S. Navy changed the requirements for the aircraft substantially. Instead of a multipurpose aircraft, the new design was now supposed to act as a two-seat, long-range, all-weather fleet interceptor. Having revised the design, orders were issued for the construction of two XF4H-1 prototypes as well as an additional five pre-production F4H-1s. Following comparative testing against other machines in service with the Navy at the time, the F4H proved itself as highly capable aircraft and was thus ordered into full-scale production as the F-4. The name 'Phantom II' was given to the aircraft at McDonnell's 20th anniversary celebration in July 1959.

Some time after the Navy procured the F-4, other branches of the U.S. military also became interested in the aircraft. A result, the USAF also introduced a special "army" version of the F-4 into service during the mid 1960s under the designation F-4C.

The F-4 Phantom II would become one of the most produced and widely used American combat aircraft of the second half of the 20th century. With over 5,100 machines being built, the F-4 Phantom II saw service with several operators around the globe and remained in service until the 1990s, while some still serve to this day. Phantom II is widely known as a symbol of the US campaign in Vietnam, in particular.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-4c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:F 4 phantom news002.jpg
File:F 4 phantom news003.jpg
File:F 4 phantom news004.jpg
File:F 4 phantom news005.jpg
File:F 4 phantom news006.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|aFj2LOWdj5o|'''The Shooting Range #166''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:32 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|d5k2T9FP0bQ|'''Avoid them in frontal attack!''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:01 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

;Notable pilots

[[File:Robin_Olds_portrait.jpg|thumb|none|300px|link=User:U64962917#Olds,_Robin.|During the Vietnam war [[User:U64962917#Olds, Robin|Robin Olds]] flew the F-4C and F-4D fighters and failed to claim aircraft kills after #4 to prevent attaining ace status to remain flying in the war as long as possible]]

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-21 (Family)]]
* SAAB [[J35D]] Draken
* Dassault [[Mirage IIIC]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6352-development-f-4c-phantom-ii-the-record-breaker-en|[Development] F-4C Phantom II: The Record Breaker]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/462647-f-4c-phantom-ii/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://archive.org/details/t.o.1f4c1flightmanualf4cf4df4e01101970/mode/2up/ Technical Order 1F-4C-1 - Flight Manual for F-4C/F-4D/F-4E Aircraft]

=== References ===

;Citations
<references>
<ref name="Hachette">Hachette Partworks LTD. (2019)</ref>
<ref name="Joiner">Joiner, S. (2015, March)</ref>
<ref name="Roblin">Roblin, S. (2019, April 17)</ref>
</references>

;Bibliography

* Hachette Partworks LTD. (2019). McDonnell F-4 Phantom II - The Greatest Warplane in the West. (5th ed.). London: Hachette Partworks LTD. ISSN:[https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2517-259X# 2517-259X]
* Joiner, Stephen. [https://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/what-couldnt-f-4-phantom-do-180953944/ "What Couldn't the F-4 Phantom Do?"], ''Air & Space Magazine'', On-line, March 2015. Retrieved on 27 September 2019.
* Roblin, Sebastien. [https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-you-need-respect-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4-phantom-ii-fighter-52862 "Why You Need to Respect the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Fighter"] ''Nationalinterest.org website'', On-line 17 April 2019. Retrieved on 27 September 2019.

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

Research Points

2023-05-07T04:54:40Z

U8128791: /* Distribution */

'''Research Points (RP)''' {{Rp}}, or "experience", is used to research and advance in vehicles, modifications, and crew training. RP gain in the game depends on the [[:Category:Game_modes|game mode]] played.

== Game economy ==
Gaining RP in War Thunder's economy depends on many factors, but the key ones are: game mode, destroyed vehicle, activity in battle, and the outcome of the battle (victory or defeat). So a player who helped the allies in a battle, performed mission tasks, earned various achievements, and was close to the epicenter of the battle earns, accordingly, more RP than the player who neglected teamwork or the game objective. RP is also earned as a vehicle's modules are unlocked, those earnings go to unlock the selected vehicle.

== Distribution==
RP earned in battle are distributed to the following funds:

* Research of the next chosen vehicle of the nation
* Research of the next modification in the vehicle used in battle
* Crew experience for the crew slots that were used in battle
* Convertible research point is given the same, total amount of RP as gained in combat and not deducted or divided from the total

'''Vehicle Research Points''' are "experience" that a player can spend on researching locked vehicles. The number of points earned depends on the battle RPs earned and the difference in ranks between the researching vehicle and the vehicle on which the RPs were earned. When researching a vehicle using a vehicle of a different rank, a reduction factor may be applied to the RP obtained ([[#Multipliers|see table]]). In the research of lower-rank vehicles with a higher-ranking '''premium''' vehicle, there are no penalties. Using the previous vehicle in the line to research the next vehicle has a bonus of +30% RP gain in Arcade Battles, and a +10% RP gain in Realistic/Simulator Battles.

'''Modifications Research Points''' are the "experience" that a player can spend on researching the modifications of the vehicle on which they were earned. The number of modification RPs always coincides with the number of research points earned. Vehicle modifications are divided into four tiers. Some modifications may be researched only after the previous ones. There is also a limitation - several modifications in a tier must be researched first before unlocking the next, higher tier modifications.

* When all modifications in a tier are unlocked, an amount of vehicle research points is awarded. The award corresponds to 20% of the total RP cost for that tier. For example, if there are 4 modifications of 1,500 RP each, the award is 0.2 x 6,000 = 1,200 RP. While this award is minimal for low-rank vehicles (a few hundred RP), it can be consequential with top-tier vehicles (several thousands of RP). This award is received when each tier is completed (4 tiers in total). Furthermore, the award is not impacted by [[#Multipliers|research efficiency and other multipliers]].

'''Convertible Research Points''' are "experience" points that can be used towards the research of any vehicle of any nation via the premium currency [[Golden Eagles]] (GE) {{Ge}}. For 1 GE, a player can transfer 45 convertible RP to 45 vehicle research points. In battles, the amount of convertible RPs earned matches the normal research points. Also, the convertible RP can be obtained for playing in single-player missions, tutorials, and for obtaining achievements related to account upgrading.

'''Crew Experience Points''' are calculated based on research points for the different battle modes as follows:

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

== Multipliers ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:20px;text-align:center;" width="360px" align="right"
|+Rank difference research penalties
|-
! Rank difference !! Research of high-ranked vehicles while using low-ranked vehicles !! Research of low-ranked vehicles while using high-ranked vehicles
|-
| 0 || width="120px" | No penalty ||No penalty
|-
| 1 || No penalty || -10%
|-
| 2 || -60% || -70%
|-
| 3 || -70% || -90%
|-
| 4 || -80% || -95%
|-
| 5 || -80% || -95%
|-
| 6 || -80% || -95%
|-
| 7 || -80% || -95%
|-
|}
Each vehicle has RP and game currency multipliers, which can be found in their respective vehicle cards. The higher the multiplier, the more RP and SL the vehicle will earn. Premium vehicles have a multiplier which is doubled (compared to regular vehicles).

In addition to vehicle multipliers, players can take advantage of a wide range of other boosters.

* Premium account - long-lasting boost which can be purchased with GE.
* Boosters - in-game items which can be activated before a battle to provide a specified gain.
* Talisman - a modification for individual vehicles which significantly increases the amount of RP they gain.

Researching high-ranked vehicles while using low-ranked vehicles in battles, and vice versa, will lead to a penalty which is applied to the RP obtained from those battles (see '''Rank difference research penalties''' table). High ranked premium vehicles are excluded in that they do not have any research penalty when used to research low-ranked vehicles.

{{Notice|Most of the boosters and bonuses work on a multiplication/percentage basis, and these values will therefore be imposed on the initial characteristics of the vehicle thusly, rather than simply being "added", so it’s important that you read the description accurately to determine what will happen when the relevant booster or bonus is used, with "+" meaning an addition and "*" being a multiplication.
For example: a +300% booster will be applied to the original 100% multiplier, and will therefore give a total 400% income.}}

{{Notice|Each subsequent booster that is activated at the same time will lose a percentage of its efficiency, so it's more profitable to activate them one at a time.|!}}

[[Category:Currency_and_research_points]]

Research Points

2023-04-08T12:10:38Z

U8128791: /* Multipliers */

'''Research Points (RP)''' {{Rp}}, or "experience", is used to research and advance in vehicles, modifications, and crew training. RP gain in the game depends on the [[:Category:Game_modes|game mode]] played.

== Game economy ==
Gaining RP in War Thunder's economy depends on many factors, but the key ones are: game mode, destroyed vehicle, activity in battle, and the outcome of the battle (victory or defeat). So a player who helped the allies in a battle, performed mission tasks, earned various achievements, and was close to the epicenter of the battle earns, accordingly, more RP than the player who neglected teamwork or the game objective. RP is also earned as a vehicle's modules are unlocked, those earnings go to unlock the selected vehicle.

== Distribution==
RP earned in battle are distributed to the following funds:

* Research of the next chosen vehicle of the nation
* Research of the next modification in the vehicle used in battle
* Crew experience for the crew slots that were used in battle
* Convertible research point is given the same, total amount of RP as gained in combat and not deducted or divided from the total

'''Vehicle Research Points''' are "experience" that a player can spend on researching locked vehicles. The number of points earned depends on the battle RPs earned and the difference in ranks between the researching vehicle and the vehicle on which the RPs were earned. When researching a vehicle using a vehicle of a different rank, a reduction factor may be applied to the RP obtained ([[#Multipliers|see table]]). In the research of lower-rank vehicles with a higher-ranking premium vehicle, there are no penalties. Using the previous vehicle in the line to research the next vehicle has a bonus of +30% RP gain in Arcade Battles, and a +10% RP gain in Realistic/Simulator Battles.

'''Modifications Research Points''' are the "experience" that a player can spend on researching the modifications of the vehicle on which they were earned. The number of modification RPs always coincides with the number of research points earned. Vehicle modifications are divided into four tiers. Some modifications may be researched only after the previous ones. There is also a limitation - several modifications in a tier must be researched first before unlocking the next, higher tier modifications.

* When all modifications in a tier are unlocked, an amount of vehicle research points is awarded. The award corresponds to 20% of the total RP cost for that tier. For example, if there are 4 modifications of 1,500 RP each, the award is 0.2 x 6,000 = 1,200 RP. While this award is minimal for low-rank vehicles (a few hundred RP), it can be consequential with top-tier vehicles (several thousands of RP). This award is received when each tier is completed (4 tiers in total). Furthermore, the award is not impacted by [[#Multipliers|research efficiency and other multipliers]].

'''Convertible Research Points''' are "experience" points that can be used towards the research of any vehicle of any nation via the premium currency [[Golden Eagles]] (GE) {{Ge}}. For 1 GE, a player can transfer 45 convertible RP to 45 vehicle research points. In battles, the amount of convertible RPs earned matches the normal research points. Also, the convertible RP can be obtained for playing in single-player missions, tutorials, and for obtaining achievements related to account upgrading.

'''Crew Experience Points''' are calculated based on research points for the different battle modes as follows:

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

== Multipliers ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:20px;text-align:center;" width="360px" align="right"
|+Rank difference research penalties
|-
! Rank difference !! Research of high-ranked vehicles while using low-ranked vehicles !! Research of low-ranked vehicles while using high-ranked vehicles
|-
| 0 || width="120px" | No penalty ||No penalty
|-
| 1 || No penalty || -10%
|-
| 2 || -60% || -70%
|-
| 3 || -70% || -90%
|-
| 4 || -80% || -95%
|-
| 5 || -80% || -95%
|-
| 6 || -80% || -95%
|-
|}
Each vehicle has RP and game currency multipliers, which can be found in their respective vehicle cards. The higher the multiplier, the more RP and SL the vehicle will earn. Premium vehicles have a multiplier which is doubled (compared to regular vehicles).

In addition to vehicle multipliers, players can take advantage of a wide range of other boosters.

* Premium account - long-lasting boost which can be purchased with GE.
* Boosters - in-game items which can be activated before a battle to provide a specified gain.
* Talisman - a modification for individual vehicles which significantly increases the amount of RP they gain.

Researching high-ranked vehicles while using low-ranked vehicles in battles, and vice versa, will lead to a penalty which is applied to the RP obtained from those battles (see '''Rank difference research penalties''' table). High ranked premium vehicles are excluded in that they do not have any research penalty when used to research low-ranked vehicles.

{{Notice|Most of the boosters and bonuses work on a multiplication/percentage basis, and these values will therefore be imposed on the initial characteristics of the vehicle thusly, rather than simply being "added", so it’s important that you read the description accurately to determine what will happen when the relevant booster or bonus is used, with "+" meaning an addition and "*" being a multiplication.
For example: a +300% booster will be applied to the original 100% multiplier, and will therefore give a total 400% income.}}

{{Notice|Each subsequent booster that is activated at the same time will lose a percentage of its efficiency, so it's more profitable to activate them one at a time.|!}}

[[Category:Currency_and_research_points]]

A21RB

2023-04-07T17:00:57Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

{{About
| about = Swedish jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_a21rb
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=Cockpit_saab_a21rb.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

The {{PAGENAME}} is a jet-powered version of the prior [[A21A-3]], giving it higher speeds and heavier ordnance.

== General info ==
[[File:A21RB Formation.png|left|thumb|300px|Two {{PAGENAME}} flying in formation]]
The {{PAGENAME}} is a highly manoeuvrable plane, with a good climb rate. The guns, although a downgrade compared to the 13.2 mm MGs from the previous propeller-driven version, still provide enough firepower to down most targets efficiently. The {{PAGENAME}} is also the first to feature the iconic "Paddan" gunpod, giving it additional lead downrange. Along with central-mounted rockets, the plane is comfortable in both Air Realistic and Ground Realistic battles. The only downside is the airframe, which prevents the aircraft from reaching higher speeds. This is due to the engine being a bit too powerful for the plane, making it common to rip in straight lines and shallow dives.

The plane is an overall great introduction for anyone looking to learn to fly jet aircraft, as the vehicle handles very similar to its propeller-driven counterpart, while at a much higher speed than before.

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


The {{PAGENAME}} is distinctly different in looks and performance from all other planes found at the same BR-range. Along with the Yak-15, the Saab 21R is one of the two propeller-driven planes successfully converted into jet propulsion. Just like its Soviet counterpart, the solution comes at the cost of speed. Although a lot more powerful than the A21A-3, it still has the same airframe limitations. The climb-rate is also significantly improved due to the weight of the vehicle, resulting in good vertical energy with the ability to stall out slower opponents. Getting back down can prove difficult however, as the {{PAGENAME}} has a rip speed of just 787 km/h, which it can accidentally reach if not careful. To avoid this, the plane features a small set of air-brakes, which aids in maintaining a safe speed. Experienced pilots can find a good use for them to force overshoots, or to out-turn propeller-driven opponents. Be careful with the engine however! The propulsion of the {{PAGENAME}} is very primitive, and suffers from fuel starvation during extreme manoeuvres, especially in negative G-loads. This can be fatal when fighting vertically, as the engine drops all power almost immediately, and has to spool back up again before reaching the same efficiency as before.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 2,000 m)
WINGS RIP AT 750 - HOW "850" MAX? THATS NONSENSE
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 811 || 789 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.1 || 25.7 || 21.0 || 20.3 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 878 || 850 || 23.0 || 24.0 || 28.4 || 24.5
|-
|}

==== 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 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings rip at 750 - dont blieve spec
! 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}} || 438 || 409 || 260 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

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

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | {{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" | Svenska Flygmotor RM1A || 1
| colspan="1" | 3,635 kg || colspan="2" | 196 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel
|-
| 705 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,849 kg || 4,347 kg || 5,000 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="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,420 kgf || N/A
| 0.37 || 0.33 || 0.28
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,420 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.37 || 0.33 || 0.28
|-
|}

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

[[File:J21 Armour Plating.png|450px|thumb|right|Protective components found in the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]

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

Although the {{PAGENAME}} is meant for ground-attack, the plane lacks significant protection to withstand a lot of incoming fire. The pilot is well protected by metal plates and bulletproof glass, but the pilot's safety isn't the primary concern for the {{PAGENAME}}, as the tail section is incredibly vulnerable. This is due to the twin-boom design, making a tailstrike twice as likely. And since the tail connects to the wing-section, the plane tends to lose tail-control when struck by wing damage. The engine is very large in comparison to the rest of the plane, making it a common target. The {{PAGENAME}} should avoid all possible damage, as surviving large amounts of fire is highly unlikely. Pulling away from head-on engagements increases the survivability immensely. Avoiding the enemy airfield is also important, as the {{PAGENAME}} lacks the speed to keep it safe from flak fire.

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

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

{{main|Akan m/45 (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/45 cannon, nose-mounted (140 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, wing-mounted (325 rpg = 650 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} shares the same 20 mm cannon found on the previous [[A21A-3]]. This cannon is near identical to the [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]], only with a 30 rpm lower fire-rate. The shells perform the same as on all the other 20 mm-armed jets, making it highly devastating against all types of aircraft. The Armoured targets belt performs favourably with this cannon, as the Air targets belt can cause some mishaps during short bursts. The cannon runs out of ammunition quite quickly compared to the machine-guns, so saving it by only making use of the small calibre guns first can be ideal for spraying.

The {{PAGENAME}} features .50 cal machine guns, being identical to the later American ones. Although a direct downgrade from the Swedish 13 mm previously found on the plane, the {{PAGENAME}} makes good use of these cannons, as they allow for distanced engagements, along with additional firepower to back up the 20 mm cannon. Their ammo count is quite high as well, making them great for strafing, and finishing off heavy bombers.

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

{{main|hprak m/49|psrak m/49A|srak m/51|Ksp m/22 (8 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 8 x 8 mm Ksp m/22 machine guns, belly-mounted (gunpod) (100 rpg = 800 total)
* 10 x psrak m/49A rockets
* 10 x srak m/51 rockets
* 5 x hprak m/49 rockets

[[File:A21RB Armaments.png|thumb|313x313px|{{PAGENAME}} carrying m/49A rockets]]
A unique feature only found on the {{PAGENAME}} is the ability to use the abstract gunpod. Commonly known as "Paddan" (directly translated to "The toad"), the gunpod features eight 8 mm Ksp m/22, repurposed from old J8 Gladiators. Although weak guns by nature, having eight of them gives the {{PAGENAME}} unprecedented fire-power shredding anything that goes head-to-head with it. The ammunition count is low, however, which forces pilots to use them carefully. Saving the gunpod by only using .50 cal on distant opponents, allows the {{PAGENAME}} to get rid of opponents during short bursts, which can be incredibly useful if mastered correctly. It's still important to mention that this gunpod is incredibly heavy and not very aerodynamic, and thus takes a heavy hit on the overall speed of the plane.

The {{PAGENAME}} has a lot of additional advantages over the prior A21A-3, especially when it comes to the ground ordnance. The ground rockets are finally mounted in the middle of the plane, firing one at a time starting from the right. Since the Swedish rockets, especially the m/49 rockets, feature amazing ballistics with little inaccuracy, that along with high penetration, makes for some highly effective air-support. And since the {{PAGENAME}} is quite light, it can easily perform several passes on opponents, which is quite important against heavy opponents.

== Usage in battles ==

'''Air Realistic Battles'''

* Climb to altitude
* Energy-fight opponents by lowering their speed
* Boom & Zoom people below you
* Dogfight slow targets when necessary
* Fire machine guns and cannons separately to save ammo

Despite being jet-powered, the {{PAGENAME}} still performs best when played like a propeller driven aircraft. The airplane struggles to reach high speeds, and drops it fairly quickly when manoeuvring. So the best use of the new engine is to gain altitude. Although weak in performance compared to earlier jets, the {{PAGENAME}} is decent at climbing to altitude, and can very efficiently deal with targets thanks to the high agility offered at lower speeds. Although the flaps are designed for much lower speeds (similar to the A21A-3), the plane still performs similar to the propeller variant when turning, making them less desired than on other jets.

The best way to start a match is to immediately gain altitude. A height advantage around 5 km is usually ideal to avoid losing vital speed when fighting, as the plane can simply dive to gain more velocity. The best way to handle opponents, is to single them out from their team, and forcing them to dogfight, as the {{PAGENAME}} is too slow to chase anyone down. The {{PAGENAME}} is also efficient against propeller aircraft, as it can comfortably turn-fight, while keeping a higher speed. When paired with the devastating firepower it provides, the {{PAGENAME}} becomes deadly when used properly.

'''Ground Realistic Battles'''

* Use minimum fuel and m/49A rockets
* Stay low or high above the ground to avoid SPAA
* Prioritize air-targets
* Attack opponents directly from the side or slightly from above (rockets)
* Strafe directly from above (8 mm gunpod)

The {{PAGENAME}} is even more effective in combined battles, as the platform is highly agile, ideal for close and precise rocket attacks. To compliment this, the {{PAGENAME}} features a fantastic rocket placement, in the center of the aircraft. These launch one at a time, similar to other Swedish aircraft. This gives the {{PAGENAME}} 10 single rocket salvos (m/49A), that can effectively kill one tank each when aimed properly. It's ideal to launch each rocket with the crosshair pointed slightly above the target, as they are placed fairly low. A creative pilot could also make use of the much larger m/49 rockets, but these require a lot of compensation in elevation, and are overall much more difficult to make use of.

While playing the {{PAGENAME}} in Ground RB, it's important to still prioritize air targets. The {{PAGENAME}} is still agile, despite carrying suspended armaments, and is even cheaper to spawn with the 8 mm gunpod, which shreds both aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Prioritizing aircraft will substantially help both you, and the team below, as they are capable of dealing equally as much damage.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Highly manoeuvrable - Competes with propeller driven aircraft
* Accurate and powerful rockets - Highly effective against most vehicles
* Upgraded engine compared to the [[J21RA]] - Better rate of climb and acceleration
* Familiar layout for seasoned Swedish pilots - Same gun placement as all previous Saab 21s
* Useful air-brakes - Good at avoiding higher speeds
* Access to suspended 8 x 8 mm gunpod

'''Cons:'''

* Low top speed - Can't reach 800 km/h without tearing off its wings
* Downgraded armament - 12.7 mm machine guns instead of the old 13 mm
* Small fuel tank with limited fuel choice - Either 20 or 9 minutes of fuel
* Engine prone to fuel starvation - negative G-load turns the engine off
* Cumbersome rocket ramp - reduces top-speed by almost 100 km/h
* External gunpod lacks significant ammunition count
* Flaps tear off easily (designed for the propeller version)

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_a21rb Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|zn2uhgI2PPg|'''Best twin-boom aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:55 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|_FQwNWDldSA|'''Sweden Doesn't Disappoint: A21RB''' - ''Spit_flyer''}}

== See also ==


'''Similar Swedish aircraft'''

* [[J28B]]
* [[SK60B]]

'''Comparable Aircraft'''

* [[Yak-15]]
* [[A2D-1]]
* [[F-80A-5]]
* [[He 162 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/480524-j21ra/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}

A21RB

2023-04-07T16:51:47Z

U8128791: /* Flight performance */

{{About
| about = Swedish jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_a21rb
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=Cockpit_saab_a21rb.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

The {{PAGENAME}} is a jet-powered version of the prior [[A21A-3]], giving it higher speeds and heavier ordnance.

== General info ==
[[File:A21RB Formation.png|left|thumb|300px|Two {{PAGENAME}} flying in formation]]
The {{PAGENAME}} is a highly manoeuvrable plane, with a good climb rate. The guns, although a downgrade compared to the 13.2 mm MGs from the previous propeller-driven version, still provide enough firepower to down most targets efficiently. The {{PAGENAME}} is also the first to feature the iconic "Paddan" gunpod, giving it additional lead downrange. Along with central-mounted rockets, the plane is comfortable in both Air Realistic and Ground Realistic battles. The only downside is the airframe, which prevents the aircraft from reaching higher speeds. This is due to the engine being a bit too powerful for the plane, making it common to rip in straight lines and shallow dives.

The plane is an overall great introduction for anyone looking to learn to fly jet aircraft, as the vehicle handles very similar to its propeller-driven counterpart, while at a much higher speed than before.

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


The {{PAGENAME}} is distinctly different in looks and performance from all other planes found at the same BR-range. Along with the Yak-15, the Saab 21R is one of the two propeller-driven planes successfully converted into jet propulsion. Just like its Soviet counterpart, the solution comes at the cost of speed. Although a lot more powerful than the A21A-3, it still has the same airframe limitations. The climb-rate is also significantly improved due to the weight of the vehicle, resulting in good vertical energy with the ability to stall out slower opponents. Getting back down can prove difficult however, as the {{PAGENAME}} has a rip speed of just 787 km/h, which it can accidentally reach if not careful. To avoid this, the plane features a small set of air-brakes, which aids in maintaining a safe speed. Experienced pilots can find a good use for them to force overshoots, or to out-turn propeller-driven opponents. Be careful with the engine however! The propulsion of the {{PAGENAME}} is very primitive, and suffers from fuel starvation during extreme manoeuvres, especially in negative G-loads. This can be fatal when fighting vertically, as the engine drops all power almost immediately, and has to spool back up again before reaching the same efficiency as before.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 2,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 811 || 789 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.1 || 25.7 || 21.0 || 20.3 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 878 || 850 || 23.0 || 24.0 || 28.4 || 24.5
|-
|}

==== 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 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings rip at 750 - dont blieve spec
! 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}} || 438 || 409 || 260 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

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

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | {{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" | Svenska Flygmotor RM1A || 1
| colspan="1" | 3,635 kg || colspan="2" | 196 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel
|-
| 705 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,849 kg || 4,347 kg || 5,000 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="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 6m fuel || 20m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,420 kgf || N/A
| 0.37 || 0.33 || 0.28
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,420 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.37 || 0.33 || 0.28
|-
|}

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

[[File:J21 Armour Plating.png|450px|thumb|right|Protective components found in the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]

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

Although the {{PAGENAME}} is meant for ground-attack, the plane lacks significant protection to withstand a lot of incoming fire. The pilot is well protected by metal plates and bulletproof glass, but the pilot's safety isn't the primary concern for the {{PAGENAME}}, as the tail section is incredibly vulnerable. This is due to the twin-boom design, making a tailstrike twice as likely. And since the tail connects to the wing-section, the plane tends to lose tail-control when struck by wing damage. The engine is very large in comparison to the rest of the plane, making it a common target. The {{PAGENAME}} should avoid all possible damage, as surviving large amounts of fire is highly unlikely. Pulling away from head-on engagements increases the survivability immensely. Avoiding the enemy airfield is also important, as the {{PAGENAME}} lacks the speed to keep it safe from flak fire.

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

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

{{main|Akan m/45 (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/45 cannon, nose-mounted (140 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, wing-mounted (325 rpg = 650 total)

The {{PAGENAME}} shares the same 20 mm cannon found on the previous [[A21A-3]]. This cannon is near identical to the [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]], only with a 30 rpm lower fire-rate. The shells perform the same as on all the other 20 mm-armed jets, making it highly devastating against all types of aircraft. The Armoured targets belt performs favourably with this cannon, as the Air targets belt can cause some mishaps during short bursts. The cannon runs out of ammunition quite quickly compared to the machine-guns, so saving it by only making use of the small calibre guns first can be ideal for spraying.

The {{PAGENAME}} features .50 cal machine guns, being identical to the later American ones. Although a direct downgrade from the Swedish 13 mm previously found on the plane, the {{PAGENAME}} makes good use of these cannons, as they allow for distanced engagements, along with additional firepower to back up the 20 mm cannon. Their ammo count is quite high as well, making them great for strafing, and finishing off heavy bombers.

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

{{main|hprak m/49|psrak m/49A|srak m/51|Ksp m/22 (8 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 8 x 8 mm Ksp m/22 machine guns, belly-mounted (gunpod) (100 rpg = 800 total)
* 10 x psrak m/49A rockets
* 10 x srak m/51 rockets
* 5 x hprak m/49 rockets

[[File:A21RB Armaments.png|thumb|313x313px|{{PAGENAME}} carrying m/49A rockets]]
A unique feature only found on the {{PAGENAME}} is the ability to use the abstract gunpod. Commonly known as "Paddan" (directly translated to "The toad"), the gunpod features eight 8 mm Ksp m/22, repurposed from old J8 Gladiators. Although weak guns by nature, having eight of them gives the {{PAGENAME}} unprecedented fire-power shredding anything that goes head-to-head with it. The ammunition count is low, however, which forces pilots to use them carefully. Saving the gunpod by only using .50 cal on distant opponents, allows the {{PAGENAME}} to get rid of opponents during short bursts, which can be incredibly useful if mastered correctly. It's still important to mention that this gunpod is incredibly heavy and not very aerodynamic, and thus takes a heavy hit on the overall speed of the plane.

The {{PAGENAME}} has a lot of additional advantages over the prior A21A-3, especially when it comes to the ground ordnance. The ground rockets are finally mounted in the middle of the plane, firing one at a time starting from the right. Since the Swedish rockets, especially the m/49 rockets, feature amazing ballistics with little inaccuracy, that along with high penetration, makes for some highly effective air-support. And since the {{PAGENAME}} is quite light, it can easily perform several passes on opponents, which is quite important against heavy opponents.

== Usage in battles ==

'''Air Realistic Battles'''

* Climb to altitude
* Energy-fight opponents by lowering their speed
* Boom & Zoom people below you
* Dogfight slow targets when necessary
* Fire machine guns and cannons separately to save ammo

Despite being jet-powered, the {{PAGENAME}} still performs best when played like a propeller driven aircraft. The airplane struggles to reach high speeds, and drops it fairly quickly when manoeuvring. So the best use of the new engine is to gain altitude. Although weak in performance compared to earlier jets, the {{PAGENAME}} is decent at climbing to altitude, and can very efficiently deal with targets thanks to the high agility offered at lower speeds. Although the flaps are designed for much lower speeds (similar to the A21A-3), the plane still performs similar to the propeller variant when turning, making them less desired than on other jets.

The best way to start a match is to immediately gain altitude. A height advantage around 5 km is usually ideal to avoid losing vital speed when fighting, as the plane can simply dive to gain more velocity. The best way to handle opponents, is to single them out from their team, and forcing them to dogfight, as the {{PAGENAME}} is too slow to chase anyone down. The {{PAGENAME}} is also efficient against propeller aircraft, as it can comfortably turn-fight, while keeping a higher speed. When paired with the devastating firepower it provides, the {{PAGENAME}} becomes deadly when used properly.

'''Ground Realistic Battles'''

* Use minimum fuel and m/49A rockets
* Stay low or high above the ground to avoid SPAA
* Prioritize air-targets
* Attack opponents directly from the side or slightly from above (rockets)
* Strafe directly from above (8 mm gunpod)

The {{PAGENAME}} is even more effective in combined battles, as the platform is highly agile, ideal for close and precise rocket attacks. To compliment this, the {{PAGENAME}} features a fantastic rocket placement, in the center of the aircraft. These launch one at a time, similar to other Swedish aircraft. This gives the {{PAGENAME}} 10 single rocket salvos (m/49A), that can effectively kill one tank each when aimed properly. It's ideal to launch each rocket with the crosshair pointed slightly above the target, as they are placed fairly low. A creative pilot could also make use of the much larger m/49 rockets, but these require a lot of compensation in elevation, and are overall much more difficult to make use of.

While playing the {{PAGENAME}} in Ground RB, it's important to still prioritize air targets. The {{PAGENAME}} is still agile, despite carrying suspended armaments, and is even cheaper to spawn with the 8 mm gunpod, which shreds both aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Prioritizing aircraft will substantially help both you, and the team below, as they are capable of dealing equally as much damage.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Highly manoeuvrable - Competes with propeller driven aircraft
* Accurate and powerful rockets - Highly effective against most vehicles
* Upgraded engine compared to the [[J21RA]] - Better rate of climb and acceleration
* Familiar layout for seasoned Swedish pilots - Same gun placement as all previous Saab 21s
* Useful air-brakes - Good at avoiding higher speeds
* Access to suspended 8 x 8 mm gunpod

'''Cons:'''

* Low top speed - Can't reach 800 km/h without tearing off its wings
* Downgraded armament - 12.7 mm machine guns instead of the old 13 mm
* Small fuel tank with limited fuel choice - Either 20 or 9 minutes of fuel
* Engine prone to fuel starvation - negative G-load turns the engine off
* Cumbersome rocket ramp - reduces top-speed by almost 100 km/h
* External gunpod lacks significant ammunition count
* Flaps tear off easily (designed for the propeller version)

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_a21rb Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|zn2uhgI2PPg|'''Best twin-boom aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 03:55 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|_FQwNWDldSA|'''Sweden Doesn't Disappoint: A21RB''' - ''Spit_flyer''}}

== See also ==


'''Similar Swedish aircraft'''

* [[J28B]]
* [[SK60B]]

'''Comparable Aircraft'''

* [[Yak-15]]
* [[A2D-1]]
* [[F-80A-5]]
* [[He 162 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/480524-j21ra/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}

F2A-3

2023-03-05T09:04:03Z

U8128791: /* Usage in battles */ Minor edits

{{About
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F2A (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f2a-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_f2a-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==

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

The F2A-3 Buffalo gives pilots the first real taste of typical American fighters in War Thunder- a lumbering, well-armoured beast of a fighter that is well armed and has decent performance capabilities. Indeed, the second Buffalo in War Thunder is a heavy aircraft for its rank, signifying that its turning ability is underwhelming against the sharp turners it meets, like low-rank [[A6M2|Zeroes]] as well as more nimble German [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109s]]. Due to its 4 machine guns, the F2A-3 Buffalo is not very good in a dogfight with British or German aircraft.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,492 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 495 || 477 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.3 || 13.1 || 13.1 || rowspan="2" | 200
|-
! Upgraded
| 548 || 518 || 16.7 || 17.6 || 20.9 || 16.4
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 437 || 408 || 260 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 465 || < 400 || < 500 || > 310
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 700 m || 1,010 hp || 1,191 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,700 m || 930 hp || 1,097 hp
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 in each wing)

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

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

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

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

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

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

The characteristics of the F2A-3 means that its pilots shouldn't try to turn-fight their opponents and that they should also strictly maintain their energy. However, its weight and energy retention ability mean that any Buffalo pilot that cares to climb high (3,000 - 4,000 m) will be able to combat opponents with relative ease. However, they should be wary of adept climbers (such as [[Bf 109 E-3|Bf 109s]] and the US' own [[P-47D-25|P-47]], at least in Arcade) as they are more than a match for the F2A's climb rate. In a dive, the Buffalo can rapidly catch up to virtually anything it faces, and, when it does, a battery of 4 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns will make short work of any target, save well-armoured bombers such as the [[B-25J-1|B-25]] or [[Ju 88 A-4|Ju 88]], which an F2A pilot will probably rarely meet.

Discipline is a vital trait needed to master this plane. If you are used to simply engaging with the first opponent you find and turn-fighting, the F2A is not for you, as is much of the US fighter line. The recommended tactic to use with the F2A is Boom & Zoom. At the beginning of the battle, it is vital to climb - not climbing reduces your energy capabilities drastically due to the low level-flight speed of the F2A - climbing significantly improves performance of the F2A due to its weight and diving capabilities. After attempting a diving engagement on an enemy, whether successful or not, one should always pull out of the engagement shortly after the first attacking pass, so as not to waste speed and/or altitude (a.k.a. energy).

Four M2 Browning .50 MGs are plenty for a 2.7 BR plane - the heavy bullets rip through almost all fighters at this rank. Universal and Stealth rounds are the most effective belts - the Stealth being especially effective due to the M8 API bullets which allow F2A pilots to easily set opponents afire. Against bombers, the capabilities of the M2s are greatly reduced- aiming for engines is the most effective way to combat a bomber. You should always use the boom and zoom tactic as it works well for Japanese fighters at its rank. However, Japanese fighters will outturn you.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good dive speed and energy retention
* Highly manoeuvrable, very good in dog fights
* Great stealth armament
* Tail-hook for carrier landings

'''Cons:'''

* Poor acceleration
* Vulnerable fuel tanks (very prone to explosions)
* Poor level flight speed
* Engine overheats quickly. Loses lots of power due to minor damage or if left unchecked
* No armour to protect pilot; avoid any kind of head-ons or pursuit of heavy armoured planes with good defensive armament like the [[IL-2 (1941)|IL-2]] or [[BV 238]]

== History ==


The F2A-3 Buffalo was an interwar to early-WWII fighter aircraft of the United States Navy. Designed for the Navy's use on aircraft carriers, the F2A Buffalo was the first American monoplane naval fighter to enter service, beating the biplane XF4F design (which would later be redeveloped into the monoplane F4F Wildcat). The F2A served during the early days of WWII with the US navy, where it proved to be an ineffective fighter. The aircraft would be retired partway through the war with the development of more advanced aircraft.

In 1935, the Navy issued a requirement for a new monoplane fighter to replace the older F3F biplane naval aircraft. Several firms would design aircraft for the competition, including Brewster, who developed the XF2A Buffalo. Grumman submitted the XF4F, a traditional biplane fighter. After flight testing, the XF2A considerably outperformed the Grumman fighter, which wouldn't be produced in its biplane form, but would later reappear as the monoplane F4F Wildcat. Thus, the XF2A was ordered into production as the F2A Buffalo.

The F2A-3 was the last variant of the F2A to enter production, with 108 aircraft produced in total. The F2A-3 received additional fuel tanks and armour protection, but this made the aircraft significantly heavier and less agile. In American service, the F2A-3 Buffalo proved to be an ineffective aircraft, weaker than the highly-agile A6M Zero in most respects. They would be retired from active service with the introduction of newer, more advanced aircraft including the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was the first monoplane carrier-based fighter that served in the American fleet. The aircraft had an all-metal construction, with the exception of the control surfaces, which were covered with cloth.

In 1935, the U.S. Navy announced a competition to create a carrier-based fighter which was to replace the obsolete biplanes. The competition was won by the Brewster company and mass production of their F2A began in the summer of 1938. Of the 55 F2A-1s produced, only 11 entered service in the U.S. Finland, which was less demanding than other countries with regards to fighter specs, purchased the rest of the planes, which were then slightly altered for use on airfields.

The F2A-2 variant had a more powerful engine and a pitched Curtiss Electric propeller. The subsequent F2A-3 had a stronger chassis and larger fuel tank. This last modification increased the aircraft's weight significantly, and the engine did not provide sufficient power, making the F2A-3 inferior even to the F2A-2 in handling and speed.

The F2A was exported to a number of countries, including Finland and Great Britain.

Of the 509 Buffaloes built, 107 were F2A-3s and 20 were B-439s (an export model of the F2A-3 transferred to the Dutch West Indies).
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f2a-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|PNkoJ-MFERc|'''Best naval fighters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:27 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|t3xD7JpnHeI|'''Best aircraft for Boom & Zoom''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:01 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|aBGRGu-o9us|'''The Shooting Range #3''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:06 discusses the F2A.}}

== 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/303475-brewster-f2a-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Brewster}}
{{USA fighters}}

R-13M1

2022-11-24T13:04:52Z

U8128791: /* Pros and cons */ grammar

{{About
| about = Soviet air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = R-13M
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage {{PAGENAME}}.png|thumb|left|420px|The R-13M1 missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a Soviet [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was [[wt:en/game/changelog/current/1268|introduced]] shortly after the release of [[Update "Red Skies"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_sps_k}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_21_bis_finland}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_23m}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_germany}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_23mla}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_23mld}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_27k}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_27m}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 90 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-aspect
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.4 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 20 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 54 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 5.5 kg TNTe
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Increased G load over the R-13M, similar to the American AIM-9J
* Increased flare resistance, increasing versatility
* Uncaged seeker allows for leading of targets
* High explosive mass, allowing for easier kills
* Long practical range (24 km)

'''Cons:'''

* Lower manoeuvrability than the R-60
* Cannot be slaved to radar
* Smaller off boresight angle than R-60

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]