War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

SBD-3

2024-07-04T05:46:05Z

U89754404: Name Bolded.

{{Specs-Card
|code=sbd-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|cockpit=cockpit_sbd-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''SBD Dauntless''' was the workhorse of the US Navy, serving from 1940 all the way to late 1944 as the main carrier-based dive bomber. It replaced the SBC Helldiver and SBU Corsair aboard US carriers. Featuring a range of about 1,700 km, and quite heavy armaments for its size and role - two 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns in the engine cowling and a bomb load of up to 2,250 lbs, it was very versatile plane. The SBD participated in many battles in the Pacific theatre, and achieved successes such as the sinking of Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. Its biggest success was during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, when SBD bombers sank four aircraft carriers, namely Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū. By 1944, the SBD was slowly being replaced by the faster and more modern SB2C Helldiver. Foreign users included the Royal Navy, Free French Air Force, Mexico, Chile, and Morocco.

In War Thunder since the start of the Open Beta Test, the '''{{Specs|name}}''' is one of the first bombers in the American aviation tech tree. It features an airspawn allowing for quick bombing runs out of reach of enemy fighters, as your bombs are dropped before the fighters can climb up to your altitude. The heavy armament compared to contemporaries found in other tech trees allows for engaging enemy fighters using altitude advantage or, after installation of the DGP-1 machine gun pods, engaging enemy medium and heavy bombers such as Fw 200s, He 111s or Ju 88s. Despite being a bomber, SBD is also quite a manoeuvrable aircraft, allowing to win prolonged turn fights with less agile opponents such as the He 112 or MiG-3.

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


As a dive bomber, it has very good dive characteristics and manoeuvres decently at most speeds. Although the engine is relatively weak, it could be WEP-ed for a long time before it reaches the overheating stage. This is not an aircraft which you will want to fly at high altitudes but should remain lower where it is a capable dive bomber.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,500 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
| 422 || 409 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.6 || 27.8 || 7.9 || 7.8 || rowspan="2" | 291
|-
! Upgraded
| 456 || 439 || 24.3 || 25.5 || 14.3 || 9.8
|-
|}

[[File:Kette of SBD.jpg|thumbnail|right|A trio of Dauntlesses in formation.]]

==== 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}} || 490 || 469 || 320 || ~13 || ~13
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 350 || < 380 || > 299
|-
|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright Cyclone R-1820-52 9-cylinder || colspan="1" | 1
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 907 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 889 hp || colspan="2" | 939 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 879 hp || colspan="2" | 930 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 1,023 hp || colspan="2" | 1,074 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 950 hp || colspan="2" | 1,000 hp
|-
|}

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

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


* 38 mm bulletproof glass in the windshield
* 12.7 mm steel pilot seat
* 12.7 mm steel protecting the gunner
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 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 (180 rpg = 360 total)

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

[[File:Dauntless_dive_carrier.JPG.jpg|thumbnail|right|A Dauntless diving towards a Japanese carrier.]]
{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|Type A Mark I mine|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb + 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (gunpods) (340 rpg = 1,360 total)
* 1 x Type A Mark I mine
* 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb (500 lb total)
* 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb + 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (700 lb total)

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Dauntless is an underrated aircraft, as it is viewed as a weak and sluggish bomber by a majority of tier 1 players. Use this to your advantage by catching unsuspecting bombers and fighters. Its manoeuvrability is good enough to energy fight the enemy. You should try to keep your speed higher than 200 km/h and stay at altitudes lower than 2km.

This plane is good at what it was designed for Dive Bombing. Start at a high altitude at around 4-5,000 feet, fly directly above the target, invert the plane, cut the throttle and deploy airbrakes (H key by default), dive, at 1,000-700 feet release bombs, pull the nose up, retract air brakes, push the throttle to full, then pitch up in a climb.

The small bomb load requires you pick your targets carefully and make your bombs count, choose to attack artillery positions or bases, where you have a higher chance of hitting due to their stationary position. Ships are also prime targets (it is what it was designed for), as the 1000lb bomb is plenty to sink a small ship.

Do not rely on fighter support when focusing on ground targets. After you drop your bombs, the plane should be manoeuvrable enough to dogfight enemies. You should stay on deck and manoeuvre wisely to not expose your weak underbelly. If you are caught at high altitude, go into a steep dive until you are at the deck, there is a good chance you may out dive them. If you cannot lose the enemy, try to quickly turn to your enemy's direction. your high G tolerance is equal, if not better than most enemies so you could lose them if they cant follow your turn.

'''Realistic battles'''

With the gun pods attached, you could act as menacing fighter support. With a high altitude spawn, try to hunt bombers first before you consider killing fighters. climb up to 4,500 m to get your max speed so you can dive down to the bombers. After eliminating a bomber or two, you should find that your allies are starting to engage the enemy. You could help them by catching enemies that are turning, have low speed, or attacking an ally. It should be easy to do all of this because of your energy advantage. You are still marked as a bomber, so enemies will surely consider you as an easy kill. You can not outrun them, but you can turn very well at almost every speed except stall. If they are coming from behind, a sudden reverse would be a good manoeuvre to throw them off. After that, you could either perform a head-on or fly under the enemy to avoid them. Avoid rushing upwards to maintain speed. Combine all of that with good trigger discipline, it is possible to achieve a five kill game.

'''Simulator battles'''

Hands-off carrier take-off (Auto engine control): Start the engine, flaps: raised, elevator trim: 15%, aileron trim: 11%, rudder trim: 6%, WEP throttle, hands-off controls until you lift off the carrier.

'''Enemies worth noting'''

[[Yak-2 KABB]]: Do not think that the {{PAGENAME}} can confidently outmanoeuvre this plane just because it is twin-engined. The Yak-2 has an amazing turn rate for a heavy fighter, thus the {{PAGENAME}} must avoid turning with it, if not dogfighting with it in general. It bears a pair of ShVAK cannons that can easily damage vital parts like engine or cooling systems. It has green camo, greatly resembling an Me 410 but with an H-tail like a Bf 110's.

'''Facing the SBD'''

It is very common in the game to encounter the SBD equipped with the gunpods, instead of its more usual historical role as a dive bomber. If you are playing against the Americans, in a battle rating where you are likely to encounter it, and especially if you are on a base-bombing run, it is wise to assume that you are facing six forward-firing .50 cal M2 machine guns, until proven otherwise. The best countermeasures are altitude, speed, and manoeuvrability.

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Gets a bomber spawn which really makes up for its performance
* Can turn with most enemy fighters on its rank
* It has two powerful machine guns that are centrally mounted, meaning you can effectively hunt down low-tier bombers and in most situations, be a quasi-fighter aircraft
* Its bombs are powerful enough to destroy packed enemy ground vehicles
* Its manoeuvrability is good enough to attack enemy bombers and support friendly fighters
* Tail gunner has excellent coverage, almost a perfect 180 degrees on a horizontal plane
* Can "pullout" from a 60-degree dive quite effectively
* Tail gun also has plenty of ammunition
* Can be used as a fighter when needed
* Can increase the total firepower to 6 .50 cals, one of the earliest plane that has six M2 Brownings
* Good firepower, enough to make quick kills on planes and ground targets alike. Extremely useful for attacking weakly armoured tanks
* Decent dive characteristics
* Will not break its wing on high G turns up to 600 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* It is still a dive bomber, so its manoeuvrability is limited by its poor energy retention
* Low ammo capacity for the nose-mounted machine guns
* The tail gunner won't do so much, because he is too exposed and the 2 x 7.62 is not powerful enough to destroy planes of its tier
* Limited selection of bombs, only one payload is available to choose from
* Slow acceleration
* Poor climb rate
* Poor energy retention
* Slow speed
* WEP only works on low altitude
* Unprotected engine, any gunfire get your engine knocked out or badly damaged, forcing you to return to base

== History ==

The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was introduced in 1940 and was produced by Douglas until 1944. However its roots go further than that. The predecessor of the SBD, the Northrop BT-1, was designed in 1935. In 1937, Northrop Corporation was taken over by Douglas, and the Northrop BT-2, developed from the BT-1, served as a basis of what was to become the SBD. In 1938, the US Navy and US Marine Corps placed orders for a new dive bomber designated SBD-1 and SBD-2. The SBD-1 was delivered to the Marines in 1940 and the SBD-2 to the Navy in early 1941, replacing obsolete SBU Corsair and SBC Helldiver carrier-based dive bombers. The SBD, unusually for a carrier aircraft, did not possess folding wings - the designers opted to maintain the structural integrity of the plane instead. The next version, SBD-3, had increased armour protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and the rear gunner's 7.62 mm Browning M1919 machine gun was switched to a dual-mount instead of the single mount on previous aircraft. The most produced version of SBD was SBD-5, over 2,400 of these were built, equipped with more powerful 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone engines and increased ammo supply. The US Army Air Force used denavalized variants of the SBD, called the A-24 Banshee. These were flown during the early stages of the war, but quickly withdrawn from service.

In total, 5,936 SBDs were produced, with the last assembled on 21st July 1944. During their career, SBDs sunk six aircraft carriers, fourteen cruisers, six destroyers, fifteen cargo or transport ships, and numerous lesser craft. During and after the war, SBDs served with the Free French Air Force and French Navy, retiring in 1949. Other foreign users included the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Navy, and after the war some examples were sold to Chile, Mexico, and Morocco.

=== Operational history ===
The SBD's first action was during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, most of the Marine Corps SBDs of Marine Corps Scout Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232) were destroyed on the ground while parked at Ewa Mooring Mast Field. The first victim of SBDs, 3 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, was Japanese submarine I-70 which was sunk by SBDs from Yorktown-class carrier USS Enterprise, making it the first Japanese warship sunk by US aircraft during WWII. After that, SBDs were present at every US Pacific theater campaign, supporting troops with precision strikes and patrolling around allied ships.

==== Battle of the Coral Sea ====
At the beginning of May 1942, SBDs participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea where they sank Japanese light aircraft carrier Shōhō and damaged fleet carrier Shōkaku. During the battle, SBDs were flying anti-torpedo combat patrols focused on intercepting Japanese torpedo bombers trying to sink USS Lexington and USS Yorktown, scoring several victories. One of the pilots, Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa, scored two kills on A6M fighters after being attacked by them, and cut the wing of a third with his own wingtip during a head-on pass.

==== Battle of Midway ====
The most successful action of SBDs happened during the Battle of Midway in early June 1942, where four squadrons of Navy SBDs attacked the Japanese fleet, and sank all four aircraft carriers present, as well as multiple cruisers and destroyers. The carriers sunk were Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū. Later that day, SBDs sighted a group of Japanese heavy cruisers en route from bombarding Midway, consisting of the four Mogami-class heavy cruisers Kumano, Suzuya, Mikuma, and Mogami. They heavily damaged Mogami and Mikuma, with Mikuma later sinking.

==== Guadalcanal Campaign ====
During the Guadalcanal Campaign, SBDs were conducting sorties from both US Navy carriers and Henderson Field, sinking Japanese shipping trying to reinforce the island with new troops. Aircraft carrier Ryūjō fell victim to 31 SBDs from USS Saratoga. In total, another three aircraft carriers were damaged, one heavy cruiser, and nine transport vessels were sunk during the six-month campaign.

==== Battle of the Philippine Sea ====
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was the last major battle where SBDs participated, before being replaced by the more powerful Curtiss SB2C Helldiver bombers. The Helldiver was faster, could carry bigger payload, and had more powerful engine, but had some characteristics that made it hard to fly. SBDs were favoured by pilots due to superior handling at low speed, crucial for carrier landing. Pilots nicknamed the plane "Slow But Deadly"

{{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}}
A carrier-based dive-bomber/reconnaissance aircraft.

The most well-known US Navy bomber, and perhaps the most significant dive-bomber of the war. Despite the fact that the decision to write off the SBD as outdated was made before the war, the bomber was still actively involved in combat, and in 1942 it sunk more enemy ships than all other Navy aircraft combined.

Originally, the series was called the XBT, and showed as many innovations as it did drawbacks. This aircraft had a revolutionary honeycomb wing structure and a reasonably small fuselage. But its wings could not be folded, and occasionally it would spontaneously go into a barrel roll, which caused a series of catastrophic accidents. After intensive research in conjunction with NACA, the dive-bomber was radically redesigned, most of its shortcomings were removed, and it was named the Scout Bomber.

The SBD-3 variant was a Scout Bomber which was finally fit for combat. It had self-sealing fuel tanks, armour, and bulletproof cockpit glass. To keep its performance characteristics, the aircraft's weight was reduced by replacing its duralumin sheeting with a much lighter material. Also, all the equipment designed to keep the plane afloat in the event of a water landing was removed.

Soldiers dubbed the SBD the "Slow But Deadly". This aircraft destroyed the pride of the Japanese carrier force at the Battle of Midway, inflicting damage from which the Japanese Imperial Navy was never able to recover.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sbd-3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|rnfxWsXct9E|'''The Shooting Range #12''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 05:47 discusses the Douglas SBD Dauntless.}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[SB2 (Disambiguation)|SB2 dive bombers]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4442-profile-sbd-3-dauntless-slow-but-deadly-en|[Profile] SBD-3 Dauntless - Slow But Deadly]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/491957-sbd-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Douglas}}
{{USA bombers}}

BF2C-1

2024-07-04T05:44:13Z

U89754404: History & Media.

{{Specs-Card
|code=bf2c_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

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

A carrier-based biplane fighter available to new players as a reserve. It has the peculiarity of being the only reserve biplane (and reserve plane overall) in the game with a retractable landing gear, giving it an advantage when it comes to aerodynamics.

Furthermore, the Goshawk is also capable of providing close air support, making it a nice pick for mixed battles.

== 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 3,500 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
| 397 || 384 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 13.9 || 14.5 || 12.1 || 11.9 || rowspan="2" | 274
|-
! Upgraded
| 423 || 411 || 12.7 || 13.3 || 16.6 || 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 600  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 240 || < 220 || < 350 || > 190
|-
|}

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

The BF2C-1 has no armoured plates. All critical systems are located ahead of the pilot. While the fuel tank is self-sealing, a good fire will bring your plane down very quickly before it has a chance to work its magic. Any engine damage reduces your speed to dangerous levels, so avoid tailing bombers and head-on attacks against fighters.

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

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

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (600 rpg = 1,200 total)

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

The BF2C-1 has 4 x 100 lb bombs, which makes it good in combined battles as CAS, but it's not recommended to take these bombs in air battles as the BF2C-1 is a very slow plane, making it even weaker in turnfights.

== Usage in battles ==

'''Air Battles (AB and RB):'''

As with other biplanes, the BF2C-1 should be used as a turnfighter. But while this is a viable tactic against less manoeuvrable targets, you might struggle to turnfight other biplanes, which could turn better than you (for example, the Soviet biplanes). In that case, if you're engaging an opponent that's more agile than you, try to apply Boom and Zoom tactics instead.

The Goshawk can also use its four 100 lb bombs to attack ground targets in both Arcade and Realistic battles.

'''Mixed Battles (Tank and Naval Battles):'''

The BF2C-1 is an excellent pick for mixed battles. Being a fighter-bomber, it can both engage enemy aircraft and provide close air support. Most of the targets at this plane's Battle Rating are lightly armoured, so they can be easily destroyed by your bombs (boats can also be easily destroyed, but ships might require multiple bombs to be sunk).

Just remember that equipping the bombs will make your plane heavier, so if you find a major threat in the air, don't be afraid to release your bombs to make your plane lighter and efficiently engage the enemy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers
* Has a retractable landing gear, unlike other reserve aircraft
* Easy to fly
* Features suspended armament, which comes in handy in mixed battles

'''Cons:'''

* Weak offensive armament
* Suspended armament requires precise hits in order to damage medium and heavily armoured targets
* Slow
* Does not turn as well as nearly all other biplanes

== History<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_BF2C_Goshawk</ref> ==

The United States Navy and Curtiss felt that the F11C-2 possessed development potential, and the Navy decided to procure a variant with retractable landing gear. This variant, which still had the F11C-2's classic "Hawk" wood wing with its flat-bottomed Clark Y airfoil, was designated '''XF11C-3''' by the Navy and '''Model 67''' by Curtiss. The main gear retraction system was inspired by the Grover Loening-designed system on the Grumman XFF-1 prototype, and was manually operated.

The XF11C-3 was first delivered to the USN in May 1933, with a Wright R-1820-80 radial engine rated at 700 hp (520 kW). Trials revealed a 17 mph (27 km/h) increase in speed over the F11C-2, but the extra weight caused a decrease in maneuverability. The Navy felt the handling degradation was more than offset by the increase in speed, however. During testing the XF11C-3 had its wood-framed wing replaced by the metal-structured, biconvex, NACA 2212 airfoil wing, and soon after was redesignated '''XBF2C-1''' (Model 67A) in keeping with the new Bomber-Fighter category.

Twenty-seven '''BF2C-1''' were ordered by the U.S. Navy, with a raised rear turtle deck, a semi-enclosed cockpit, and a metal-framed lower wing. Delivered in October 1934, they were assigned to VB-5B on the aircraft carrier USS ''Ranger'', but served only a few months before difficulties with the landing gear led to their withdrawal. In spite of its short service run, many of the innovations developed for the '''Goshawk''' line found wide use in Navy aircraft in the years that followed. They were the last Curtiss fighter accepted for service with the U.S. Navy.

The export version '''Model 68 Hawk III''' reverted to the classic wood/Clark Y wings and was powered by a 770 hp (570 kW) R-1820-F53. Chinese Hawk IIIs served as multi-purpose aircraft when combat operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces began in earnest in August 1937, particularly with the Battle of Shanghai and Nanjing, and were considered the Nationalist Chinese Air Force's frontline fighter-pursuit aircraft along with their inventory of Hawk IIs, Boeing Model 281 "Peashooters" and Fiat CR.32s. Col. Gao Zhihang scored a double-kill against the superior Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" (predecessor of the A6M "Zero") over Nanjing on 12 October, 1937 while at the controls of his Hawk III numbered "IV-I" (4th Pursuit Group, Commander). The appearance of monoplanes like the A5M shifted the balance towards the Japanese.

As the air-interdiction and close-air support for the National Revolutionary Army of China continued at the Battle of Shanghai on 14 October, 1937, the Chinese Air Force launched a major strike against Japanese positions in Shanghai with a uniquely mixed force of three Curtiss Hawk IIIs escorting three B-10s, two He 111As, five O-2MCs and five Gammas from Nanjing. These combination of attacks with the Hawk IIIs were used against both the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces, and against both ground and naval targets with considerable success through the end of 1937, before being superseded by the better-armed and faster Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighters that were supplied to the Chinese Air Force through the Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1937.

In early 1935, Thailand placed an order for 24 Curtiss Hawk IIIs at a cost of 63,900 Baht each, and a manufacturing license was also bought. The first 12 Hawk IIIs were shipped to Thailand in August and the remaining 12 arrived in late 1935, which were named Fighter Type 10. A total of 50 Hawk IIIs were locally built during 1937 and 1939. The type was used against the French in the Franco-Thai War and the Japanese in December 1941, then relegated for use as trainers. Some of these aircraft were still active in 1949 and one airframe (KH-10) survives in the Royal Thai Air Force Museum.

== Media ==
[[File:Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III.jpg|thumb]]

;[[File:Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk VB-5 NAN1-86.jpg|thumb]]Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=bf2c_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;[[BF2C Goshawk (Family)|Related development]]

* [[Hawk III]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8224-development-bf2c-1-goshawk-new-reserve-aircraft-of-the-usa-en|[Devblog] BF2C-1 Goshawk: new reserve aircraft of the USA]]

{{AirManufacturer Curtiss}}
{{USA fighters}}

File:Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk VB-5 NAN1-86.jpg

2024-07-04T05:43:43Z

U89754404:

Three Goshawk's of VB-5 attached to USS Ranger.

File:Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III.jpg

2024-07-04T05:41:41Z

U89754404:

Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III in service of Chinese Nationalist Air Force

BF2C-1

2024-07-04T05:29:35Z

U89754404: /* Description */

{{Specs-Card
|code=bf2c_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

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

A carrier-based biplane fighter available to new players as a reserve. It has the peculiarity of being the only reserve biplane (and reserve plane overall) in the game with a retractable landing gear, giving it an advantage when it comes to aerodynamics.

Furthermore, the Goshawk is also capable of providing close air support, making it a nice pick for mixed battles.

== 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 3,500 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
| 397 || 384 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 13.9 || 14.5 || 12.1 || 11.9 || rowspan="2" | 274
|-
! Upgraded
| 423 || 411 || 12.7 || 13.3 || 16.6 || 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 || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 600  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 240 || < 220 || < 350 || > 190
|-
|}

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

The BF2C-1 has no armoured plates. All critical systems are located ahead of the pilot. While the fuel tank is self-sealing, a good fire will bring your plane down very quickly before it has a chance to work its magic. Any engine damage reduces your speed to dangerous levels, so avoid tailing bombers and head-on attacks against fighters.

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

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

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (600 rpg = 1,200 total)

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

The BF2C-1 has 4 x 100 lb bombs, which makes it good in combined battles as CAS, but it's not recommended to take these bombs in air battles as the BF2C-1 is a very slow plane, making it even weaker in turnfights.

== Usage in battles ==

'''Air Battles (AB and RB):'''

As with other biplanes, the BF2C-1 should be used as a turnfighter. But while this is a viable tactic against less manoeuvrable targets, you might struggle to turnfight other biplanes, which could turn better than you (for example, the Soviet biplanes). In that case, if you're engaging an opponent that's more agile than you, try to apply Boom and Zoom tactics instead.

The Goshawk can also use its four 100 lb bombs to attack ground targets in both Arcade and Realistic battles.

'''Mixed Battles (Tank and Naval Battles):'''

The BF2C-1 is an excellent pick for mixed battles. Being a fighter-bomber, it can both engage enemy aircraft and provide close air support. Most of the targets at this plane's Battle Rating are lightly armoured, so they can be easily destroyed by your bombs (boats can also be easily destroyed, but ships might require multiple bombs to be sunk).

Just remember that equipping the bombs will make your plane heavier, so if you find a major threat in the air, don't be afraid to release your bombs to make your plane lighter and efficiently engage the enemy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers
* Has a retractable landing gear, unlike other reserve aircraft
* Easy to fly
* Features suspended armament, which comes in handy in mixed battles

'''Cons:'''

* Weak offensive armament
* Suspended armament requires precise hits in order to damage medium and heavily armoured targets
* Slow
* Does not turn as well as nearly all other biplanes

== 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=bf2c_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;[[BF2C Goshawk (Family)|Related development]]

* [[Hawk III]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8224-development-bf2c-1-goshawk-new-reserve-aircraft-of-the-usa-en|[Devblog] BF2C-1 Goshawk: new reserve aircraft of the USA]]

{{AirManufacturer Curtiss}}
{{USA fighters}}

Ki-44-II otsu

2024-07-04T05:24:54Z

U89754404: /* History */

{{About
| about = Japanese fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Ki-44 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=ki_44_2_otsu
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]].

== 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 5,200 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
| 583 || 565 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.8 || 22.4 || 13.7 || 13.7 || rowspan="2" | 320
|-
! Upgraded
| 634 || 605 || 20.7 || 21.0 || 24.2 || 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 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
|{{Specs|destruction|body}}||{{Specs|destruction|gear}}|| 400 || 400 || 250 || ~12 || ~8
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 400 || < 450 || > 335
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Compressor
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
! Setting 1
| 1,386 m || 1,420 hp || 1,613 hp
|-
! Setting 2
| 4,443 m || 1,300 hp || 1,477 hp
|-
|}

=== 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|Ho-301 (40 mm)|Ho-103 (12.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 40 mm Ho-301 cannons, wing-mounted (10 rpg = 20 total)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)

The twin Ho-103 machine guns are identical in performance to most other Japanese aircraft carrying this type. The air targets belt is recommended in most situations as it carries a great balance of armour piercing and incendiary components along with tracer rounds, not to mention high-explosive rounds, which is very unusual for machine guns. The twin Ho-301 autocannons are devastating to anything which it hits, making short work of most aircraft. The unfortunate drawback with these cannons is that they utilise very low-velocity rounds and will need a large lead on anything being attacked, with a larger lead time the further out the target is.

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

{{main|Army Type 94 GPHE (50 kg)|Army Type 94 GPHE (100 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 50 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bombs (100 kg total)
* 2 x 100 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bombs (200 kg 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).''

* In simulator, the Ki-44 is a decent fighter that can do traditional dogfights, some bomber-hunting and some ground pounding. It has great all-round visibility, especially to the sides and the rear thanks to its clear teardrop canopy. However there are lots of thick frames at the front which can get very annoying and obstruct the target in a chase, delaying the pilot's reaction. The glass on the canopy's sides also tend to create dizzying reflections when the sun is near, reducing the visibility a lot. The over-the-nose visibility is average. The wing position (in front of the canopy) means that you cannot see anything at your low 11, 12, 1, 2 'o clock so you have to fly past the target area and look towards 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 'o clock where there is nothing to obstruct your view.
* The handling is good in general. During a take off the Ki-44 feels nose-heavy without any flaps deployed therefore after retracting the gears and flaps you need to pitch up a bit until the plane picks up some speed. Only elevator trim is available, so when the stick is at its deadzone, the Ki-44 will roll and yaw to the left side. Therefore you always need to pull the stick to the right which can get a bit annoying. It has excellent climb rate of around 14m/s at 400 km/h, with 100% throttle and no MEC. This means that it can get to an ideal altitude of around 3000m very quickly. In a dive it easily accelerates to around 550 km/h while still having responsive controls, however it does not retain the speed well after leveling out. Note that its engine will overheat unbelievably fast. With WEP it heats up to >243° within 15 seconds. Thus you must utilise the WEP only when you have to, for example in a zoom climb or a high yoyo. The good news is, the engine can cool down quick enough for another 15-second WEP.
* While being more of a BnZ fighter, the Ki-44 also performs excellent at turn fighting - with the appropriate opponent, of course. Except a few dedicated turn fighters, the Ki-44 can out-turn and get on most opponents' tail with combat flaps deployed. Note: do not turn with Spitfires or Zeros, you will never out-turn them. If you see a plane with a streamlined inline engine and large, elliptical wings (Spitfire) or something with rounded wingtips and stabiliser tips, a radial engine and a pointy tail (A6M), try some defensive manoeuvres like barrel rolls or disengage by diving towards a nearby friendly airfield.
* The Ki-44 has a lovely low stall-speed of around 160 km/h and is also very controllable when getting out of a stall. However the handling gets very sluggish when slower than 200 km/h so make sure that there is no one behind you.
* When intercepting planes, it is crucial to know what the target is. If it is a bomber/attacker with decent defensive firepower, great turret coverage, or robust protection, then you might want to disengage after some attempts if you don't want to die. From the hard-hitting M2 Browning to the fast-firing MG 15, any gun can critically damage the Ki-44 especially on the engine, fuel tanks, and pilot which can always lead to a later crash. Before attacking try to get an altitude advantage and perform deflection shots. To maximise the damage aim for their wings and engines, as the fuselage usually soaks up lots of bullets. Only fire when the bomber passes in front of your guns. This short window might seem inadequate to do anything... and it usually is, unfortunately. The slow velocity, light projectiles and low one-second burst mass usually guarantee no critical damage. However sometimes it only takes one bullet to set the target aflame, if you are lucky.
* B-25, Ju 88, IL-2, etc: These aircraft have either powerful defensive guns, for example the B-25, or wide gun coverage such as the Ju 88. The most threatening one, the B-25, is fairly easy to distinguish. It has a short and wide fuselage, twin radial engine hanging under the wings and a H-tail. Focus your fire on the engines and constantly swing sideways to avoid getting hit. A few hits from the M2 Browning is a guaranteed death. The Ju 88, on the other hand, has great underside gun coverage so attacking from below isn't a very good option. Try engaging from the sides and concentrate the fire on the front half of it, as that is where all the vital components are located. Again, never engage any of these if you have no altitude advantage. Pin them on the map and leave them to teammates with more powerful firepower.
* A6M, Spitfire, etc: If you see them on your tail try outrunning them by diving at around -40 degrees. The Ki-44 still remains responsive handling at 600 km/h, but its speed retention is poor, meaning it will start to lose speed quickly and the enemy might catch up. If you are near a friendly airfield, great. If not, then hope for the best and run towards the friendly side. Don't forget to pitch up and down a little to mess up their aim, the early Spitfires and A6M only have a 60-round drum per cannon which will run out fairly fast. The leftover 7.7 mm machine guns will not be as destructive.
* F4U, F6F, P-47, etc: these planes are a huge threat to the Ki-44 as they have superior firepower, speed, dive acceleration and robust airframes. Their 12.7 mm MGs can easily tear you apart or simply pilot-snipe you even when they are far away, as the M2 Brownings have great velocity and trajectory. They can also set you aflame easily. The F4U has a long cylindrical nose and the iconic inverted gull wing. The P-47 has a huge, jug-like fuselage, bubble canopy and elliptical trailing edge that usually have invasion stripes painted on them. The F6F, on the other hand, might get confused with other planes as it looks rather average. Anyways, start a turnfight whenever you see these stubby planes.

=== 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:'''

* Powerful armament for tough aircraft
* Extremely good acceleration
* Good climb rate allows it to get altitude advantage over most enemies
* 40 mm cannons can be used as impromptu brakes when landing (because of the huge recoil)

'''Cons:'''

* Very fragile with next to no protection. Will get shredded/set on fire easily, especially by any plane with [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Brownings]] (e.g. [[F6F-5]])
* Engine easily damaged
* 40 mm cannons are very hard to use: extremely low velocity, big recoil and absurdly low ammo of only 10 RPG. This requires strict trigger control

== History<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-44</ref> ==
Nakajima began development of the Ki-44 in 1940 as a pure interceptor with emphasis being placed on airspeed and rate of climb rather than maneuverability, a departure from the usual Japanese standards. The Japanese Army Air Force specification called for a maximum speed of 600 km/h (370 mph) at 4,000 m (13,130 ft), to be attained in five minutes. A set of Ki-43-like "butterfly" combat flaps was fitted for improved maneuverability. Armament consisted of a pair of 7.7 mm (.303 in) and a pair of 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine guns.

The engine selected for the new interceptor was Nakajima's Ha-41 (a development of the Nakajima Ha-5) 14-cylinder double-row radial, originally intended for bomber aircraft. Although the Ha-41 was not the ideal choice due to its large-diameter cross section, the design team was able to marry this engine to a much smaller fuselage with a narrow cross section. At 1,260 mm in diameter, the Ha-41 was 126 mm larger in diameter than the 1,144 mm Nakajima Sakae (used in the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" and Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa"). However, the Sakae was only 27.8L in displacement and 1,000 hp, while the Ha-41 was 37.5L and made 1,260 hp (1,440 in the later Ha-109 version). In any case, since the Sakae wasn't powerful enough, the only alternative available was the Mitsubishi Kinsei, which was slightly smaller than the Ha-41 in diameter, five liters smaller in displacement, and was less powerful. Unfortunately, this was already in demand for many other aircraft, so the Ha-41 was chosen as the best powerplant. In order to achieve its design goals, the wing area was relatively small leading to a high wing loading and a comparatively high landing speed that could be daunting to the average Japanese pilot, who was more used to aircraft with a low wing loading like the Ki-44's predecessors, the Ki-43 and Ki-27.

With an all-metal structure, the Ki-44 was metal-skinned except for the control surfaces, which were fabric covered. Relatively small wings gave the aircraft a high wing loading and consequently a high landing speed, which many pilots disliked.

The first Ki-44 prototype flew in August 1940 and the initial test flights were generally encouraging, with handling considered acceptable considering the high wing loading. Problems encountered included a high landing speed and poor forward visibility during taxiing due to the large radial engine.

The Nakajima Ki-44 at one point equipped 12 ''sentai'' ("groups/wings") of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force: ''9, 22, 23, 29, 47, 59, 64, 70, 85, 87, 104'' and ''246'' ''Sentai''. The Manchukuo Air Force also operated some Ki-44s.

Pre-production Ki-44 aircraft and two of the prototypes were turned over to the Army for service trials on 15 September 1941. The type commenced operations when nine aircraft were received by an experimental unit, ''47th Chutai'' "''Kawasemi Buntai''" ("Kingfisher Flight, 47th Squadron"), commanded by Major Toshio Sakagawa at Saigon, Indochina in December 1941.

The Ki-44 also saw significant action with ''87th Sentai'' in the air defense role, while based at Palembang, Sumatra. Other units equipped with the Ki-44 during the early part of the war were stationed in China, Burma, the Philippines and Korea.

Later in the war, the type saw action in an air defense role over the home islands – mainly around Japan's large industrial cities. ''47 Chutai'', after it was transferred to air defense roles in Japan, was expanded to become ''47 Sentai''.

During 1946–49, both sides in the Chinese Revolution operated Ki-44s surrendered or abandoned by Japanese units. Air units of the People's Liberation Army obtained aircraft formerly belonging to ''22'' and ''85 Sentai'', which had disbanded in Chosen. Some of these aircraft were reportedly flown by Japanese veterans. Within the Republic of China Air Force 18th Squadron (12th Fighter Group) was equipped with Ki-44s formerly of ''9th Sentai'', which had disbanded in Nanking, and ''29th Sentai'', which had disbanded at Formosa and they saw action in . Following the retreat of the Nationalists the People's Liberation Army Air Force (formed in 1949) used the Ki-44 until the early 1950s.

No complete surviving examples of the Ki-44 exist today. However, a wing center section is preserved at the Northwestern Polytechnical University Aviation Museum, at Xi'an in China.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ki_44_2_otsu Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

{{Skin-gallery|market|ugcitem_1000418|Ki-44-II Otsu flown by Yoshida Yoshio.png|Camo "1st Chutai leader, Yoshida Yoshio"}}

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

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

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

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

{{AirManufacturer Nakajima}}
{{Japan fighters}}
{{Japan premium aircraft}}

Ki-44-I 34

2024-07-04T05:23:35Z

U89754404: /* History */

{{About
| about = Japanese fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other variants
| link = Ki-44 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=ki_44_1_ep
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
|store=9264
}}

== Description ==

The '''Ki-44-I '34' (47th Independent Chutai)''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].

== 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
| 539 || 523 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 17.3 || 17.8 || 18.6 || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 190
|-
! Upgraded
| 578 || 558 || 15.7 || 16.5 || 25.1 || 21.6
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 400 || 400 || 250 || ~13 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 400 || < 450 || > 316
|-
|}

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


* No armour
* Non-self-sealing fuel tanks (1 in each wing root, and one behind the oil cooling system)

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

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

{{main|Ho-103 (12.7 mm)|Type 89 (7.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 7.7 mm Type 89 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==


;Simulator

In simulator, the Ki-44 is a decent fighter that can do traditional dogfights, some bomber-hunting and some ground pounding. It has great all-round visibility, especially to the sides and the rear thanks to its clear teardrop canopy. However there are lots of thick frames at the front which can get very annoying and obstruct the target in a chase, delaying the pilot's reaction. The glass on the canopy's sides also tend to create dizzying reflections when the sun is near, reducing the visibility a lot. The over-the-nose visibility is average. The wing position (in front of the canopy) means that you cannot see anything at your low 11, 12, 1, 2 'o clock so you have to fly past the target area and look towards 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 'o clock where there is nothing to obstruct your view.

The handling is good in general. During a take off the Ki-44 feels nose-heavy without any flaps deployed therefore after retracting the gears and flaps you need to pitch up a bit until the plane picks up some speed. Only elevator trim is available, so when the stick is at its deadzone, the Ki-44 will roll and yaw to the left side. Therefore you always need to pull the stick to the right which can get a bit annoying. It has excellent climb rate of around 14 m/s at 400 km/h, with 100% throttle and no MEC. This means that it can get to an ideal altitude of around 3,000 m very quickly. In a dive it easily accelerates to around 550 km/h while still having responsive controls, however it does not retain the speed well after leveling out. Note that its engine will overheat unbelievably fast. With WEP it heats up to >243° within 15 seconds. Thus you must utilise the WEP only when you have to, for example in a zoom climb or a high yoyo. The good news is, the engine can cool down quick enough for another 15-second WEP.

While being more of a BnZ fighter, the Ki-44 also performs excellent at turn fighting - with the appropriate opponent, of course. Except a few dedicated turn fighters, the Ki-44 can out-turn and get on most opponents' tail with combat flaps deployed. Note: do not turn with Spitfires or Zeros, you will never out-turn them. If you see a plane with a streamlined inline engine and large, elliptical wings (Spitfire) or something with rounded wingtips and stabiliser tips, a radial engine and a pointy tail (A6M), try some defensive manoeuvres like barrel rolls or disengage by diving towards a nearby friendly airfield.

The Ki-44 has a lovely low stall-speed of around 160 km/h and is also very controllable when getting out of a stall. However the handling gets very sluggish when slower than 200 km/h so make sure that there is no one behind you. When intercepting planes, it is crucial to know what the target is. If it is a bomber/attacker with decent defensive firepower, great turret coverage, or robust protection, then you might want to disengage after some attempts if you don't want to die. From the hard-hitting M2 Browning to the fast-firing MG 15, any gun can critically damage the Ki-44 especially on the engine, fuel tanks, and pilot which can always lead to a later crash. Before attacking try to get an altitude advantage and perform deflection shots. To maximise the damage aim for their wings and engines, as the fuselage usually soaks up lots of bullets. Only fire when the bomber passes in front of your guns. This short window might seem inadequate to do anything... and it usually is, unfortunately. The slow velocity, light projectiles and low one-second burst mass usually guarantee no critical damage. However sometimes it only takes one bullet to set the target aflame, if you are lucky.

;Enemies worth noting

* B-25, Ju 88, IL-2, etc: These aircraft have either powerful defensive guns, for example the B-25, or wide gun coverage such as the Ju 88. The most threatening one, the B-25, is fairly easy to distinguish. It has a short and wide fuselage, twin radial engine hanging under the wings and a H-tail. Focus your fire on the engines and constantly swing sideways to avoid getting hit. A few hits from the M2 Browning is a guaranteed death. The Ju 88, on the other hand, has great underside gun coverage so attacking from below isn't a very good option. Try engaging from the sides and concentrate the fire on the front half of it, as that is where all the vital components are located. Again, never engage any of these if you have no altitude advantage. Pin them on the map and leave them to teammates with more powerful firepower.
* A6M, Spitfire, etc: If you see them on your tail try outrunning them by diving at around -40 degrees. The Ki-44 still remains responsive handling at 600 km/h, but its speed retention is poor, meaning it will start to lose speed quickly and the enemy might catch up. If you are near a friendly airfield, great. If not, then hope for the best and run towards the friendly side. Don't forget to pitch up and down a little to mess up their aim, the early Spitfires and A6M only have a 60-round drum per cannon which will run out fairly fast. The leftover 7.7 mm machine guns will not be as destructive.
* F4U, F6F, P-47, etc: these planes are a huge threat to the Ki-44 as they have superior firepower, speed, dive acceleration and robust airframes. Their 12.7 mm MGs can easily tear you apart or simply pilot-snipe you even when they are far away, as the M2 Brownings have great velocity and trajectory. They can also set you aflame easily. The F4U has a long cylindrical nose and the iconic inverted gull wing. The P-47 has a huge, jug-like fuselage, bubble canopy and elliptical trailing edge that usually have invasion stripes painted on them. The F6F, on the other hand, might get confused with other planes as it looks rather average. Anyways, start a turnfight whenever you see these stubby planes.

=== 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:'''

* Reasonably fast
* Climb rate is better than most equivalent aircraft, at more than 25 m/s spaded
* Excellent acceleration
* Superior agility against other aircraft like the [[F4U (Family)|F4U]]
* Extremely low stall speed
* Has an excellent roll rate and decent turn time (utilise combat flaps for tighter manoeuvring)
* Adequate armament for the rank
* Good cockpit visibility in Simulator

'''Cons:'''

* Engine feels like a plasma reactor, you will overheat within a minute and a half with WEP, using 100% doesn't cool it down quickly enough
* Very fragile with next to no protection. Will get shredded/set on fire easily, especially by any plane with [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Brownings]] (e.g. [[F6F-5]])
* Has Instructor issues. Rudder and ailerons are very unstable if the plane is banked or at low speed
* Flaps cause the nose to pitch down hard if used below 150-200 km/h in a steep climb

== History<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-44</ref> ==

Nakajima began development of the Ki-44 in 1940 as a pure interceptor with emphasis being placed on airspeed and rate of climb rather than maneuverability, a departure from the usual Japanese standards. The Japanese Army Air Force specification called for a maximum speed of 600 km/h (370 mph) at 4,000 m (13,130 ft), to be attained in five minutes. A set of Ki-43-like "butterfly" combat flaps was fitted for improved maneuverability. Armament consisted of a pair of 7.7 mm (.303 in) and a pair of 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine guns.

The engine selected for the new interceptor was Nakajima's Ha-41 (a development of the Nakajima Ha-5) 14-cylinder double-row radial, originally intended for bomber aircraft. Although the Ha-41 was not the ideal choice due to its large-diameter cross section, the design team was able to marry this engine to a much smaller fuselage with a narrow cross section. At 1,260 mm in diameter, the Ha-41 was 126 mm larger in diameter than the 1,144 mm Nakajima Sakae (used in the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" and Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa"). However, the Sakae was only 27.8L in displacement and 1,000 hp, while the Ha-41 was 37.5L and made 1,260 hp (1,440 in the later Ha-109 version). In any case, since the Sakae wasn't powerful enough, the only alternative available was the Mitsubishi Kinsei, which was slightly smaller than the Ha-41 in diameter, five liters smaller in displacement, and was less powerful. Unfortunately, this was already in demand for many other aircraft, so the Ha-41 was chosen as the best powerplant. In order to achieve its design goals, the wing area was relatively small leading to a high wing loading and a comparatively high landing speed that could be daunting to the average Japanese pilot, who was more used to aircraft with a low wing loading like the Ki-44's predecessors, the Ki-43 and Ki-27.

With an all-metal structure, the Ki-44 was metal-skinned except for the control surfaces, which were fabric covered. Relatively small wings gave the aircraft a high wing loading and consequently a high landing speed, which many pilots disliked.

The first Ki-44 prototype flew in August 1940 and the initial test flights were generally encouraging, with handling considered acceptable considering the high wing loading. Problems encountered included a high landing speed and poor forward visibility during taxiing due to the large radial engine.

The Nakajima Ki-44 at one point equipped 12 ''sentai'' ("groups/wings") of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force: ''9, 22, 23, 29, 47, 59, 64, 70, 85, 87, 104'' and ''246'' ''Sentai''. The Manchukuo Air Force also operated some Ki-44s.

Pre-production Ki-44 aircraft and two of the prototypes were turned over to the Army for service trials on 15 September 1941. The type commenced operations when nine aircraft were received by an experimental unit, ''47th Chutai'' "''Kawasemi Buntai''" ("Kingfisher Flight, 47th Squadron"), commanded by Major Toshio Sakagawa at Saigon, Indochina in December 1941.

The Ki-44 also saw significant action with ''87th Sentai'' in the air defense role, while based at Palembang, Sumatra. Other units equipped with the Ki-44 during the early part of the war were stationed in China, Burma, the Philippines and Korea.

Later in the war, the type saw action in an air defense role over the home islands – mainly around Japan's large industrial cities. ''47 Chutai'', after it was transferred to air defense roles in Japan, was expanded to become ''47 Sentai''.

During 1946–49, both sides in the Chinese Revolution operated Ki-44s surrendered or abandoned by Japanese units. Air units of the People's Liberation Army obtained aircraft formerly belonging to ''22'' and ''85 Sentai'', which had disbanded in Chosen. Some of these aircraft were reportedly flown by Japanese veterans. Within the Republic of China Air Force 18th Squadron (12th Fighter Group) was equipped with Ki-44s formerly of ''9th Sentai'', which had disbanded in Nanking, and ''29th Sentai'', which had disbanded at Formosa and they saw action in . Following the retreat of the Nationalists the People's Liberation Army Air Force (formed in 1949) used the Ki-44 until the early 1950s.

No complete surviving examples of the Ki-44 exist today. However, a wing center section is preserved at the Northwestern Polytechnical University Aviation Museum, at Xi'an in China.

== Media ==

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="250px">
Ki-44-34 Mount Fuji.jpg|Ki-44 '34' of the 47th (Independent) Sentai flying near Mt. Fuji
</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/249903-nakajima-ki-44-i/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Nakajima}}
{{Japan fighters}}
{{Japan premium aircraft}}

Ki-44-I

2024-07-04T05:16:09Z

U89754404: /* Description */ /*History*/

{{About
| about = Japanese fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Ki-44 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=ki_44_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==
The '''Nakajima Ki-44 ''Shoki''''' (鍾馗, "Devil Queller") was a single-seat fighter-interceptor which was developed by the Nakajima Aircraft Company and operated by the Imperial Japanese Army from 1942 to 1945 during World War II.<ref name=":0">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-44</ref> The Ki-44 is a heavy fighter/interceptor that prioritizes speed and rate of climb in it's performance.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].

== 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
| 539 || 523 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 17.3 || 17.8 || 18.6 || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 190
|-
! Upgraded
| 578 || 558 || 15.7 || 16.5 || 25.1 || 21.6
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 400 || 400 || 250 || ~13 || ~9
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 400 || < 400 || < 450 || > 316
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 2,700 m || 1,250 hp || 1,340 hp
|-
|}

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


* No armour protection.
* No self-sealing fuel tanks.

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

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

{{main|Ho-103 army (12.7 mm)|Type 89 army (7.7 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 12.7 mm Ho-103 army machine guns, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 7.7 mm Type 89 army machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==


;Simulator battles

In simulator, the Ki-44 is a decent fighter that can do traditional dogfights, some bomber-hunting and some ground pounding. It has great all-round visibility, especially to the sides and the rear thanks to its clear teardrop canopy. However there are lots of thick frames at the front which can get very annoying and obstruct the target in a chase, delaying the pilot's reaction. The glass on the canopy's sides also tend to create dizzying reflections when the sun is near, reducing the visibility a lot. The over-the-nose visibility is average. The wing position (in front of the canopy) means that you cannot see anything at your low 11, 12, 1 or 2 o'clock so you have to fly past the target area and look towards 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 o'clock where there is nothing to obstruct your view.

The handling is good in general. During a take off the Ki-44 feels nose-heavy without any flaps deployed therefore after retracting the gears and flaps you need to pitch up a bit until the plane picks up some speed. Only elevator trim is available, so when the stick is at its deadzone, the Ki-44 will roll and yaw to the left side. Therefore you always need to pull the stick to the right which can get a bit annoying. It has excellent climb rate of around 14 m/s at 400 km/h, with 100% throttle and no MEC. This means that it can get to an ideal altitude of around 3,000 m very quickly. In a dive it easily accelerates to around 550 km/h while still having responsive controls, however it does not retain the speed well after leveling out. Note that its engine will overheat unbelievably fast. With WEP it heats up to >243° within 15 seconds. Thus you must utilise the WEP only when you have to, for example in a zoom climb or a high yoyo. The good news is, the engine can cool down quick enough for another 15-second WEP.

* While being more of a BnZ fighter, the Ki-44 also performs excellent at turn fighting - with the appropriate opponent, of course. Except a few dedicated turn fighters, the Ki-44 can out-turn and get on most opponents' tail with combat flaps deployed. Note: do not turn with Spitfires or Zeros, you will never out-turn them. If you see a plane with a streamlined inline engine and large, elliptical wings (Spitfire) or something with rounded wingtips and stabiliser tips, a radial engine and a pointy tail (A6M), try some defensive manoeuvres like barrel rolls or disengage by diving towards a nearby friendly airfield.

The Ki-44 has a lovely low stall-speed of around 160 km/h and is also very controllable when getting out of a stall. However the handling gets very sluggish when slower than 200 km/h so make sure that there is no one behind you.

When intercepting planes, it is crucial to know what the target is. If it is a bomber/attacker with decent defensive firepower, great turret coverage, or robust protection, then you might want to disengage after some attempts if you don't want to die. From the hard-hitting M2 Browning to the fast-firing MG 15, any gun can critically damage the Ki-44 especially on the engine, fuel tanks, and pilot which can always lead to a later crash. Before attacking try to get an altitude advantage and perform deflection shots. To maximise the damage aim for their wings and engines, as the fuselage usually soaks up lots of bullets. Only fire when the bomber passes in front of your guns. This short window might seem inadequate to do anything... and it usually is, unfortunately. The slow velocity, light projectiles and low one-second burst mass usually guarantee no critical damage. However sometimes it only takes one bullet to set the target aflame, if you are lucky.

;Specific enemies worth noting

* B-25, Ju 88, IL-2, etc: These aircraft have either powerful defensive guns, for example the B-25, or wide gun coverage such as the Ju 88. The most threatening one, the B-25, is fairly easy to distinguish. It has a short and wide fuselage, twin radial engine hanging under the wings and a H-tail. Focus your fire on the engines and constantly swing sideways to avoid getting hit. A few hits from the M2 Browning is a guaranteed death. The Ju 88, on the other hand, has great underside gun coverage so attacking from below isn't a very good option. Try engaging from the sides and concentrate the fire on the front half of it, as that is where all the vital components are located. Again, never engage any of these if you have no altitude advantage. Pin them on the map and leave them to teammates with more powerful firepower.
* A6M, Spitfire, etc: If you see them on your tail try outrunning them by diving at around -40 degrees. The Ki-44 still remains responsive handling at 600 km/h, but its speed retention is poor, meaning it will start to lose speed quickly and the enemy might catch up. If you are near a friendly airfield, great. If not, then hope for the best and run towards the friendly side. Don't forget to pitch up and down a little to mess up their aim, the early Spitfires and A6M only have a 60-round drum per cannon which will run out fairly fast. The leftover 7.7 mm machine guns will not be as destructive.
* F4U, F6F, P-47, etc: these planes are a huge threat to the Ki-44 as they have superior firepower, speed, dive acceleration and robust airframes. Their 12.7 mm MGs can easily tear you apart or simply pilot-snipe you even when they are far away, as the M2 Brownings have great velocity and trajectory. They can also set you aflame easily. The F4U has a long cylindrical nose and the iconic inverted gull wing. The P-47 has a huge, jug-like fuselage, bubble canopy and elliptical trailing edge that usually have invasion stripes painted on them. The F6F, on the other hand, might get confused with other planes as it looks rather average. Anyways, start a turn fight whenever you see these stubby planes.
*

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

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Reasonably fast
* Climb rate is better than most equivalent aircraft, at more than 25 m/s spaded
* Excellent acceleration
* Superior agility against other aircraft like F4U
* Extremely low stall speed
* Has an excellent roll rate and decent turn time (utilise combat flaps for tighter manoeuvring)
* Good cockpit visibility in Simulator

'''Cons:'''

* Engine overheat within a minute and a half with WEP without MEC; using 100% doesn't cool it down quickly enough
* Very fragile with next to no protection. Will get shredded/set on fire easily, even by a single 7.62
* Has Instructor issues. Rudder and ailerons are very unstable if the plane is banked or at low speed
* Flaps cause the nose to pitch down hard if used below 150-200 km/h in a steep climb

== History<ref name=":0" /> ==
Nakajima began development of the Ki-44 in 1940 as a pure interceptor with emphasis being placed on airspeed and rate of climb rather than maneuverability, a departure from the usual Japanese standards. The Japanese Army Air Force specification called for a maximum speed of 600 km/h (370 mph) at 4,000 m (13,130 ft), to be attained in five minutes. A set of Ki-43-like "butterfly" combat flaps was fitted for improved maneuverability. Armament consisted of a pair of 7.7 mm (.303 in) and a pair of 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine guns.

The engine selected for the new interceptor was Nakajima's Ha-41 (a development of the Nakajima Ha-5) 14-cylinder double-row radial, originally intended for bomber aircraft. Although the Ha-41 was not the ideal choice due to its large-diameter cross section, the design team was able to marry this engine to a much smaller fuselage with a narrow cross section. At 1,260 mm in diameter, the Ha-41 was 126 mm larger in diameter than the 1,144 mm Nakajima Sakae (used in the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" and Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa"). However, the Sakae was only 27.8L in displacement and 1,000 hp, while the Ha-41 was 37.5L and made 1,260 hp (1,440 in the later Ha-109 version). In any case, since the Sakae wasn't powerful enough, the only alternative available was the Mitsubishi Kinsei, which was slightly smaller than the Ha-41 in diameter, five liters smaller in displacement, and was less powerful. Unfortunately, this was already in demand for many other aircraft, so the Ha-41 was chosen as the best powerplant. In order to achieve its design goals, the wing area was relatively small leading to a high wing loading and a comparatively high landing speed that could be daunting to the average Japanese pilot, who was more used to aircraft with a low wing loading like the Ki-44's predecessors, the Ki-43 and Ki-27.

With an all-metal structure, the Ki-44 was metal-skinned except for the control surfaces, which were fabric covered. Relatively small wings gave the aircraft a high wing loading and consequently a high landing speed, which many pilots disliked.

The first Ki-44 prototype flew in August 1940 and the initial test flights were generally encouraging, with handling considered acceptable considering the high wing loading. Problems encountered included a high landing speed and poor forward visibility during taxiing due to the large radial engine.

The Nakajima Ki-44 at one point equipped 12 ''sentai'' ("groups/wings") of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force: ''9, 22, 23, 29, 47, 59, 64, 70, 85, 87, 104'' and ''246'' ''Sentai''. The Manchukuo Air Force also operated some Ki-44s.

Pre-production Ki-44 aircraft and two of the prototypes were turned over to the Army for service trials on 15 September 1941. The type commenced operations when nine aircraft were received by an experimental unit, ''47th Chutai'' "''Kawasemi Buntai''" ("Kingfisher Flight, 47th Squadron"), commanded by Major Toshio Sakagawa at Saigon, Indochina in December 1941.

The Ki-44 also saw significant action with ''87th Sentai'' in the air defense role, while based at Palembang, Sumatra. Other units equipped with the Ki-44 during the early part of the war were stationed in China, Burma, the Philippines and Korea.

Later in the war, the type saw action in an air defense role over the home islands – mainly around Japan's large industrial cities. ''47 Chutai'', after it was transferred to air defense roles in Japan, was expanded to become ''47 Sentai''.

During 1946–49, both sides in the Chinese Revolution operated Ki-44s surrendered or abandoned by Japanese units. Air units of the People's Liberation Army obtained aircraft formerly belonging to ''22'' and ''85 Sentai'', which had disbanded in Chosen. Some of these aircraft were reportedly flown by Japanese veterans. Within the Republic of China Air Force 18th Squadron (12th Fighter Group) was equipped with Ki-44s formerly of ''9th Sentai'', which had disbanded in Nanking, and ''29th Sentai'', which had disbanded at Formosa and they saw action in . Following the retreat of the Nationalists the People's Liberation Army Air Force (formed in 1949) used the Ki-44 until the early 1950s.

No complete surviving examples of the Ki-44 exist today. However, a wing center section is preserved at the Northwestern Polytechnical University Aviation Museum, at Xi'an in China.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ki_44_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|TA2PE-zUMj4|'''Realistic: Ki-44-I [Fast-Nimble-Sleek]''' - ''Jengar''|woJWg8E03HM|'''The Shooting Range #75''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 08:00 discusses the Ki-44.|RrO7ck7joQQ|''' Arcade: Ki-44-I''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Ki-44 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/249903-nakajima-ki-44-i/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Nakajima}}
{{Japan fighters}}

AV-8C

2024-07-03T22:32:27Z

U89754404: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = American strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Harrier (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=av_8c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) adopted the [[AV-8A|AV-8A Harrier]] in 1971 for their amphibious operations, being part of the USMC's ambitious goals of utilizing the Harrier's V/STOL capabilities to operate from rudimentary airfields and smaller carriers while being able to provide close air support needed on land. Needs for improvements has the USMC seek out the more advanced Harrier II, but until enough number of Harrier II is available, the USMC sought to improve their AV-8A fleet with upgrades and improvements to keep them relevant. In 1979, 47 AV-8A were selected for improvements into the AV-8C that saw the integration of a radar warning receiver (RWR) and countermeasures into the airframe, avionic upgrades, and service life extension. The AV-8C and preceding AV-8A variant would both be retired in 1987.

The AV-8C was introduced in the game in [[Update "New Power"]] along with its AV-8A predecessor. Like all members of the [[Harrier (Family)|Harrier family]], the AV-8C is a [[VTOL]] aircraft with thrust vectoring nozzles, which allow it to take off and land vertically. In terms of flight performance and air-to-air capabilities, the AV-8C is nearly unchanged from the AV-8A, but it contains new capabilities that players would appreciate over the AV-8A. Firstly, the countermeasure dispenser is now integrated into the aircraft, and while this doesn't give as many countermeasures as the pod in the AV-8A, it does free up a hard point for munitions rather than a countermeasure pod. The AV-8C also comes with a RWR, allowing players to better be able to assess if they are being tracked by a radar. These new capabilities augment the AV-8C into a more capable strike fighters to assess the airspace and destroy the target more easily.

== 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 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
| 1,143 || 1,137 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.5 || 33.7 || 69.5 || 67.8 || rowspan="2" | 550
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,161 || 1,152 || 31.5 || 32.0 || 106.1 || 87.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 828 || 556 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 648 || < 950 || < 790 || 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, engine oil, and full water tank; but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce F402-RR-402 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,918 kg || colspan="3" | 439 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 || 34m fuel
|-
| 1,687 kg || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| 6,605 kg || 7,292 kg || 7,978 kg || 8,253 kg || 12,679 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 || 34m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 9,071 kgf || 9,625 kgf
| 1.46 || 1.32 || 1.21 || 1.17 || 0.76
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 9,071 kgf (0 km/h) || 9,625 kgf (0 km/h)
| 1.46 || 1.32 || 1.21 || 1.17 || 0.76
|-
|}
{{Notice|The F402-RR-402 engine loses a significant amount of thrust as your speed increases}}

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

The AV-8C has no armour. The engine and all fuel tanks are packed in a tight cluster in the centre of the fuselage.

=== 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}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN Mk.4 (30 mm)}}

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

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons, belly-mounted (130 rpg = 260 total)
** 2 x 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== 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="10" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Harrier_GR.3.png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[Mk 81 Snakeye (250 lb)|250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[Mk 77 mod 4 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| 7, 19 || 7, 19 || || 7, 19 || 7, 19
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| 4 || 4 || || 4 || 4
|-
! [[AIM-9G Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || || || || 1
|-
|}

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

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
* 28 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 16 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 5 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,250 lb total)
* 5 x 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs (1,250 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 5 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 5 x Mk 77 mod 4 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The AV-8C can be considered a multirole aircraft which can focus in air-to-air combat, air to ground combat and air to sea combat. Its firepower and ordnance make it a competitive aircraft in all game modes. The roles can be divided in such:

'''When air to air:'''

The Harrier has access to AIM-9G Sidewinder Rear aspect IR air to air missiles. The AIM-9G has decent range and maneuverability with a top speed of Mach 2.5 and 18G's of pull. This combined with it's uncaged seeker should make it one's primary weapon in air to air. The AIM-9G has a surprisingly long effective range of 1 to 3 miles even against targets who are mildly maneuvering or gaining distance away from you. You can use this to ambush players who do not suspect that you are in range for a shot and thusly are not flaring or pulling defensive maneuvers. Though try to ensure that your shot is as straight line as possible as to not waste the missile's fuel and allow it to reach it's max speed. Be mindful that the missile is heavier than previous variants. This make's it difficult to use in short range engagements as it's ability to turn with maneuvering opponents can be compromised at tight angles. As a rule, if you are in gun range or just outside of it, use your guns only. The AIM-9G is also easy to spoof with flares. If your opponent is aware of you/pre-flaring, do not take the shot as you can only carry two missiles and without them the Harrier is forced to knife fight with it's guns while many other fighters will still have missiles. Be careful when friendlies are nearby as well as the AIM-G will attack them if they get in between you and an enemy. The Harrier's 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons are devastating to any aircraft that you can hit with them. Their large caliber cause's them to travel slower and drop more than other rounds so be prepared to compensate. The guns are also belly mounted which leads to even more bullet drop. Aim high and be disciplined on your trigger as your ammo count is not high but your rate of fire is.

'''Thrust Vectoring in Forward Flight (VIFFing)''':

The Harrier can only be used to it's full potential if one learns to take advantage of it's ability to vector it's thrust. This is an advanced technique that will require practice and proper key binding configuration but the end result will pay off. VIFFing has multiple applications during dogfighting that greatly increase the maneuverability of the the Harrier. Percentages denote amount of downward vector. Past 90% the AV8-C's vectors go beyond 90 degrees down and actually go 10 degrees forward causing rearward thrust. Offensively it can be used to increase your turn rate (20%), angle of attack(20-60%), lower your stall speed to energy trap(As required), and be used as an extra air-break(100%). Defensively it can be used to force opponents to overshoot (20-80%), slow your groundspeed to win rolling scissor fights(20-100%), execute high G turns(80%) and reduce attack angles for missile shots(20-60%). Keep in mind that any amount of VIFFing will slow you down and make you venerable to attack by any nearby enemies so these maneuvers are best used in dogfight duels. You can still use this as an advantage as the Harrier has outstanding thrust to weight/acceleration so you can stop and then quickly regain energy.

'''When facing enemy bombers:'''

Enemy bombers are the easiest targets for the Harrier both in gun strafe and when using missiles as they lack agility when dogfighting against the Harrier and countermeasures such as flares to be able to counter the missiles. It is unlikely to face enemy bombers besides the [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|Vautour IIA IDF/AF]] as most of them stay at 8.0. AI-controlled bombers are the exception.

'''When facing enemy attackers:'''

When facing player-controlled attackers (not neccesarily planes labelled as attackers but planes who focus on ground striking), the pilot must stay aware that, besides the Harrier superior mobility, they can outturn you as they will often fly at lower speeds than you, meaning their turn radius compared to yours will be much smaller. Most of the enemy planes that do CAS runs will often be enemy fighters (not labelled as attackers) but with ground ordnance, meaning they can or will be heavier than you, increasing drag and reducing agility when in a dogfight, use this as an advantage.

'''As an attacker/bomber:'''

The Harrier has access to a wide variety of ground ordnance capable of destroying enemy ground units and bases. It also has access to CCIP ballistics computer (refer to [[Ballistic Computer]] for explanation) meaning the pilot has access to ground ordnance crosshairs which will increase ordnance accuracy, both rockets and bombs. It is not recommended to fly as a bomber (in terms of altitude) but fly as a tree cutter (as close to the ground as possible). This is recommended to achieve multiple things: radar interference, max speed, reduce enemy visibility and awareness. It also makes bombing easier without the need of ballistics computer (although it is recommended to use it since it will not require any practice). Time fuze MUST BE ADDED to avoid assault fuze explosion, risking your plane to be hit by the explosion causing a death. Ground striking ordnance should be taken at pilot's discretion, but it is recommended to take the 2 x 1000 lb and 3 x 500lb bombs in order to take a whole base completely and still maintain high speeds. You are unable to carry any sort of anti-air missiles with this payload.

*Note: radar interference is mostly irrelevant in air realistic battles as the plane will still be highlighted and enemy pilots could use eye aiming. However, it will interfere with radar homing missiles (SARH missiles such as AIM-7E, R-3R, etc carried by F-4 Phantoms and MiG-21's) and will be your main line of defence when flying in simulator battles, you will be able to fly stealthily if flying in tree cutting tactic.

'''When in combined battles (ground realistic battles):'''

This is where the Harrier is able to shine as an attacker, primarily using VTOL and hovering mode to an advantage (will be explained more detailed later). There is multiple loadouts which can be used in order to make the Harrier a scary attacker.

'''Bomb payload:'''

This is often the most used payload for multiple reasons: has the biggest explosion radius compared to rockets, are more forgiving when missing by couple meters, can take multiple targets with a single bomb. The use of ballistics computer makes their aiming much easier than with eye aiming both in realistic and simulator battles. The x4 1000lb bombs are recommended as, if aimed correctly, will destroy one or multiple enemy targets with a single bomb, meaning you are able to get at least 2 kills (as bombs drop in pair)

'''Rocket payload:'''

This is the trickiest but most rewarding payload the Harrier can carry (rewarding as it is able to make much more kills than bombs). Tanks can be taken with one to three rocket salvos (launched in pairs, meaning with 2 to 6 rockets in total). This means you are able to get 12 kills (considering you take 6 rockets per tank) if you take the 76 x Might Mouse rocket payload.

'''VTOL trick:'''

Harrier can be used as a helicopter thanks to the VTOL capabilities, rockets are recommended if used like this. It is able to hide behind mountains, poke to attack and go back into cover as a helicopter would do. Handling this technique can be tricky and will require practice but is an alternate way of playing CAS.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Thrust vectoring capabilities, helpful in low-speed dogfights
* Insane thrust-to-weight ratio; superb acceleration and climb rate, and can sustain Mach 0.88 in level flight with just 50% throttle
* Excellent roll rate
* Strong flaps
* Versatile secondary weapons consisting of air-to-air missiles, rockets, and bombs
* AIM-9G sidewinders are good long range missiles
* Has a ballistic computer for precision strikes
* 30 mm ADEN cannons do high damage
* High ammo count for the cannons
* Has a [[HUD#410SUM1|Head-Up Display]] in the cockpit which provides flight information and weapon-aiming functionality
* Has a radar warning receiver and countermeasures
* Equipped with an engine fire extinguisher

'''Cons:'''

* Below average top speed (subsonic)
* The engine has an insane overheating problem; running at 91% throttle is recommended to avoid overheating the engine
* Limited maximum payload compared to conventional strike aircraft
* Very poor energy retention; massive energy losses when turning
* Below average turn rate
* ADEN cannons have a low muzzle velocity and are belly-mounted, making some shots difficult
* Guns are highly inaccurate when stock

== History ==


'''Predecessor: AV-8A Harrier'''

The AV-8A Harrier was an American version of the British Harrier GR.1 that entered service with the Marine Corps. Congress approved the purchase of 114 Harriers in 1970. Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) was the first squadron to receive its Harriers, with the delivery taking place in March 1971; VMA-231 and VMA-542 received their AV-8As next.

It was mostly similar to the Harrier GR.1, but had a number of changes. All magnesium components were replaced in order to prevent corrosion. American identification friend or foe (IFF) systems and radio equipment were fitted. The British GR.1 was fitted with the Ferranti FE541 inertial navigation/attack suite, but these were replaced in the USMC Harriers by a simpler Interface/Weapon Aiming Computer.

The outer wing pylons were modified to allow the carrying of AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (AAMs). The AV-8A also utilized a more powerful version of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus than on the GR.1, the Mk 103 (called F402-RR-402 by the Americans).

'''AV-8C Harrier'''

47 AV-8A Harriers were upgraded to the AV-8C standard starting in 1979. Inertial navigation system equipment was added and the Lift Improvement Devices were also improved. Various components were also restored or replaced to increase the service life of the aircraft. The ECM capability was bolstered with the addition of the ALR-45F/APR-43 radar warning receiver and ALE-39 countermeasures dispenser. An AN/ALE-37 chaff-dispenser pod could be carried on a hardpoint.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=av_8c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AV-8A]]
* [[Harrier GR.1]]
* [[Harrier GR.3]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6918-development-jump-jets-arrive-in-war-thunder-meet-the-harrier-en|[Devblog] Jump Jets arrive in War Thunder: Meet the Harrier]]

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}