War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

P-38K

2021-06-11T16:37:27Z

U92110038: /* See also */ added hornet as similar aircraft and removed the beaufighter as it was not an interceptor.

{{About
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other variants
| link = P-38 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=p-38k
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_p-38k.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]] when it became available as part of a Christmas Sale Bundle in 2015, and again in the 2017 Summer Sale in the "Daredevil" bundle.

== 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 6,401 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
| ___ || 673 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || 22.0 || __._ || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 332
|-
! Upgraded
| 761 || 724 || 19.5 || 20.0 || 36.4 || 24.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 565 || 495 || 250 || ~9 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 380 || < 460 || < 500 || > 420
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,500 m || 2,600 hp || 3,380 hp
|-
|}

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


* 6.5 mm steel behind guns
* 6.5 mm steel seat
* 9.5 mm steel behind pilot
* 38 mm bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (3 in each wing)

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

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

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

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

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

== Usage in battles ==

The main and only tactic of the P-38K is, solely an air superiority and it excels at that.

When playing the P-38K, climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy and locate an enemy you feel confident in engaging.
Assuming you are above the enemy target, put the aircraft into a gradual descent, which allows you to maintain a speed advantage. As you are descending; make small corrections on your path so you don't give the element surprise away by overshooting the enemy.
Now you are about one to two seconds away from your target. Here you will line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a bust with your cannon and machine guns. While keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.

This plane does not carry any bombs or rockets. So using this in a ground strike role is not recommended.

=== 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 Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed, acceleration and climb rate (one of the fastest climbing props in the game)
* Very powerful armament, great for bomber hunting
* Armament being positioned in the nose allows it to have the great and fearsome head-on capability
* Adequate roll and turn time (You can actually out turn even Yak's and Spitfires with the landing flaps! Though use them on and off)
* Cockpit visibility, important in simulator matches, is mostly unobstructed
* Acceleration is great deference when escaping and/or evading enemy aircraft
* Excellent Silver Lion and Research Point earner
* Best Boom & Zoom P-38 in-game
* Great air superiority aircraft

'''Cons'''

* Wing fuel tanks easily catch on fire when shot
* Unable to dive to put wing fires out without breaking wings
* Very delicate airframe, will not take much damage and it is easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive brakes installed
* Easy to blackout if crew G-force and stamina are low
* Single armament preset: No external bombs or rockets
* When throttling up very fast to WEP, it can cause plane spin/unstable due to the engine torque
* Low cannon ammunition amount, compared to other planes in the rank

== History ==

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

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

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/288271-lockheed-p-38k/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

Hornet Mk.III

2021-06-06T20:44:32Z

U92110038: /* Modifications and economy */ added info regarding the new 150 octane fuel modification.

{{About
| about = British twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = Hornet Mk.I
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hornet_mk3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A."]].

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


For pilots who loved the Mosquito, the Hornet is a dream come true.

As a descendant of the [[Mosquito FB Mk VI]], it maintains many similarities to its older brother, namely an all-wooden construction and the iconic de Havilland tail design. However, the Hornet somehow managed to improve on the already excellent Mosquito platform, increasing speed, manoeuvrability and armament while reducing overall aircraft proportions. From takeoff and into its flight, the Hornet is an overall smooth operator with brutal speed, insane climb rate, and excellent manoeuvrability, especially for a twin-engined fighter. However, it's still a twin-engined fighter which means it can still be outmanoeuvred by most single-engined opponents which it faces, namely Bf 109s and most Italian fighter aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,791 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
| 716 || 698 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.8 || 27.5 || 19.2 || 19.2 || rowspan="2" | 500
|-
! Upgraded
|833||787|| 23.9 ||24.0||44.1||30.3
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 370 || 356 || 287 || ~8 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 420 || < 390 || < 450 || > 324
|-
|}

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


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* Two 3 mm Steel boxes behind the pilot in the fuselage
* Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* Lots of fuel tanks in the wings

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

Your intended role of the Hornet decides which upgrades you go for first. When going for a ground attacker, focus the payload modules and cannon upgrades, with survivability modules coming next due to needing to lower the extra weight the payloads add.

When going for any other role, the belts and cannons should come first, followed by the performance upgrades, ultimately leading to Engine Injection and 150 octane fuel, the Holy Grails of performance upgrades, adding a whopping 245 and 288 horsepower respectively.

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

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

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

* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, chin-mounted (190 rpg = 760 total)

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

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AP Mk I|AP Mk II|RP-3}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 8 x AP Mk I rockets
* 8 x AP Mk II rockets
* 8 x RP-3 rockets
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x AP Mk I rockets (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x AP Mk II rockets (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x AP Mk I rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x AP Mk II rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x RP-3 rockets (2,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

Being a descendant of the legendary [[Mosquito FB Mk VI|Mosquito]], one should expect a similar playstyle with the Hornet. However, due to the vastly improved performance, the aircraft can perform amicably in most situations it is thrown in.

'''Fighter''': The Hornet does very well in a dogfighting situation for a heavy fighter. It can use its powerful quad [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]]'s to shred any fighter which falls within its gun sights. However, one should take note that most single-engined fighters will turn circles around the Hornet, so turn-fighting should be avoided where possible. Naturally, there are some exceptions to this rule such as the [[P-47N-15]], which you cannot match the Hornet's turn time.

High speed and great climb rate coupled with its amazing armament make the Hornet an extremely potent user of the Boom & Zoom fighting doctrine. Always attempt to maintain an energy and altitude advantage versus the enemy aircraft and avoid tunnel vision which means, be aware of the aircraft around you. Tunnel vision prevents you from seeing an enemy aircraft get the drop on you until its too late and either tracer fire is whizzing past or the Hornet's engine is on fire.

'''Ground Attacker:''' When aced, the Hornet can load 4 AP or RP-3 rockets and two 1,000 lb bombs. This, combined with the performance of the Hornet and power of the Hispano's allow it to be an amazing ground attacker that can shred any ground target in sight. The AP rockets are your best bet when it comes to ground attack, as they are more accurate than the RP-3's, fly faster and due to the higher speed, impact harder and penetrate more armour. However, when destroying light targets, the RP-3's are better due to the increased explosive yield.

'''Bomber Hunter''': Due to its amazing performance, powerful armament and air defence fighter spawn point, the Hornet can make for a powerful interceptor when played carefully. Climb to bomber altitudes (4,000 metres and up) and begin prowling for a target. When attacking bombers, the worst angle of attack is from the rear, typically most bombers have their heaviest armament here, not to mention bullet impact is harder (especially from .50 calibre machine guns and 20 mm cannons) as the aircraft is flying towards a speeding bullet, increasing the damage it will do and the likelihood of being hit. Notable examples you can encounter at this rank are the [[B-29A-BN]], [[B-17G-60-VE]], [[PB4Y-2]], [[He 177 A-5]], [[G8N1]] and the premium [[Be-6]]. Remember, the body of the aircraft can soak up a lot of damage, instead dive from above or climb from below and aim for the wings, without engines or a wing, the bomber will fall like a rock. Attacking from oblique angles makes it difficult for the bomber gunners to acquire a target solution and causes them to traverse and fire which spreads out their bullet patterns making it more difficult to hit a speeding target.

=== 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 Auto control available || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Combined || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent armament, the Hispano Mk. V has a high rate of fire and causes a lot of fragmentation damage
* Extremely quick, can compete with some of the best single-engined fighters
* Has excellent payload options, several varieties of rockets and up to 2,000 lb in bombs
* Good amount of ammo for the cannons
* Quite manoeuvrable for a twin-engined fighter, as to be expected of the descendant of the Mosquito
* Fantastic climb rate, especially when spaded
* Thin body for a twin-engined fighter
* Experience with the Mosquito transitions between the planes
* Lenient stock grind

'''Cons:'''

* Not great at killing heavy bombers like the He 177, susceptible to engine damage or a knocked out pilot
* Matchmaking will pit you against some serious foes
* Despite the durable construction, the Hornet is made out of wood, meaning you cannot take much damage and remain in the fight
* Fires deal serious damage to a wooden plane
* Wings are littered with fuel tanks
* Despite the thin body, it is still a large target
* Carrying the max payload has a significant effect on flight performance

== History ==

The de Havilland Hornet first started out as a private venture by the de Havilland company. Having built the extremely successful Mosquito multi-role fighter, the company wants to improve on the design to make a faster and longer ranged heavy fighter. The project was soon developed to meet the Air Ministry specification F.12/43, which called for a fast, long-range fighter that operated in the Far East, in fact, the design was drawn around the Hornet. The first prototype was a more streamlined, smaller Mosquito with more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. The wings were designed for adaptation for naval uses and could fold. Pilot comfort and stability had a very high priority. According to accounts by test pilots, the Hornet is easily capable of taking on single engine fighters. It entered Squadron service in mid-1946. However, it was rarely used as World War Two was drawing to a close. Instead, the plane saw combat operations during the Malayan Emergency and continued to serve the RAF until 1956.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|SKeFUWKudoY|'''The Shooting Range #63''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:39 discusses the Hornet.}}

== See also ==


*[[Mosquito FB Mk VI]]
*[[Ki-83]]
*[[He 219 A-7]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4913-development-de-havilland-hornet-deadly-sting-en|[Development] De Havilland Hornet: Deadly Sting!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/378375-hornet-mkiii/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer deHavilland}}
{{Britain fighters}}