Firebrand TF Mk IV - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2024-03-31T10:38:15Z

‎Description

U44982996 at 16:33, 26 March 2024

2024-03-26T16:33:29Z

U148268261: Added tips on using the RP-3 rockets

2023-11-05T20:32:53Z

Added tips on using the RP-3 rockets

U155542925: /* Description */

2023-09-27T09:29:38Z

‎Description

U38088265: /* Flight performance */

2022-02-13T09:57:46Z

‎Flight performance

U38088265: Edits

2022-02-13T09:56:16Z

Edits

U44982996 at 09:16, 13 February 2022

2022-02-13T09:16:20Z

U44982996 at 09:11, 13 February 2022

2022-02-13T09:11:34Z

U44629479: Edits

2022-02-06T11:49:32Z

Edits

U26516297: /* Pros and cons */ Removed Hispano pros-cons dot-point, talked about "Air-Targets belt having solely HEF"

2022-02-06T11:20:03Z

‎Pros and cons: Removed Hispano pros-cons dot-point, talked about "Air-Targets belt having solely HEF"

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''Blackburn Firebrand''' was originally designed in 1940 as a carrier-borne fighter-interceptor for the Fleet Air Arm's B-37 specifications, which calling for a long range, high performance, single seat fighter to intercept German bombers primarily coming from occupied Norway and France. The Firebrand was originally powered by Napier Sabre inline engine, though due to the prototype's disappointing performance (being 50 km/h slower than its originally intended top speed of 650 km/h) along with its poor maneuverability, the Sabre engine was later switched to Bristol Centaurus radial engine, as the FAA wanted to prioritize the production of an already proven [[Typhoon (Family)|Hawker Typhoon]], which were powered by the Sabre engine.
+The '''Blackburn Firebrand''' was originally designed in 1940 as a carrier-borne fighter-interceptor for the Fleet Air Arm's B-37 specifications, which called for a long range, high performance, single seat fighter to intercept German bombers primarily coming from occupied Norway and France. The Firebrand was originally powered by a Napier Sabre inline engine, though due to the prototype's disappointing performance (being 50 km/h slower than its originally intended top speed of 650 km/h) along with its poor manoeuvrability, the Sabre engine was later switched to Bristol Centaurus radial engine, as the FAA wanted to prioritize the production of the already proven [[Typhoon (Family)|Hawker Typhoon]], which was powered by the Sabre engine.
-To salvage what seems to be a failure, in 1943 the FAA repurposed the Firebrand into a strike fighter/torpedo bomber. To accommodate torpedo and bomb payloads, the Firebrand's wings were extended and its tail surface enlarged to give the plane better lift capability and improve the low-speed handling. However, due to the plane's excessive torque and awkward cockpit placement, the Firebrand was deemed ill-suited for carrier operations, and as such production of the Firebrand was put on low priority while Blackburn and FAA tried to ironed out the problem. By the time the Firebrand was deemed suitable for carrier operation, the war is already coming to a close. After years of development limbo, the Firebrand entered service on 1 September 1945 - the very same day World War II has officially come to an end. In total, 220 Firebrands and 3 prototypes were built, and served until February 1953 when it was replaced by the [[Wyvern S4|Westland Wyvern]].
+To salvage what seemed to be a failure, in 1943 the FAA repurposed the Firebrand into a strike fighter/torpedo bomber. To accommodate torpedo and bomb payloads, the Firebrand's wings were extended and its tail surface enlarged to give the plane better lift capability and improve the low-speed handling. However, due to the plane's excessive torque and awkward cockpit placement, the Firebrand was deemed ill-suited for carrier operations, and as such production of the Firebrand was put on low priority while Blackburn and FAA tried to ironed out the problem. By the time the Firebrand was deemed suitable for carrier operation, the war is already coming to a close. After years of development limbo, the Firebrand entered service on 1 September 1945 - the very same day World War II officially came to an end. In total, 220 Firebrands and 3 prototypes were built, and served until February 1953 when it was replaced by the [[Wyvern S4|Westland Wyvern]].
-Introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]]. The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' can be considered as a British [[IL-2]]. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a strike aircraft and then a fighter only if the situation calls for it. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
+Introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]], the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' can be considered as a British [[IL-2]]. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a strike aircraft and then a fighter only if the situation calls for it. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
 == General info ==
@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 Due to unlimited ammunition, the cannons are remarkably effective in Arcade battles.
 When using the Firebrand as a striker, it is recommended to side climb at the beginning of the match. Perform a shallow dive until you reach the target, as speed will accumulate rapidly and the evasion of ground fire and enemy aircraft will be far easier. Plan ahead when striking your target - don't begin diving until you have approximated where the target may be once you reach it (say a destroyer or convoy). With RP-3 rockets, glide in at a shallow angle, aiming the bottom crosshair of the rocket sight on the target, and fire at about 400 metres. (0.40km or 0.25mi)
 As a fighter, the Firebrand is more lacklustre. It possesses very poor handling capabilities, and manoeuvring is very sluggish. Partially due to wing-loading and weight, the Firebrand does, surprisingly, have a small turn radius and turns quite quickly, similar to the [[Me_410_A-1|Me 410]]. However, turning with the Firebrand is not recommended - turning will severely bleed energy, enough to make you an eventual sitting duck.

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 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The Firebrand can be considered as a British SB2C. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a strike aircraft and then a fighter only if the situation calls for it. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
+The '''Blackburn Firebrand''' was originally designed in 1940 as a carrier-borne fighter-interceptor for the Fleet Air Arm's B-37 specifications, which calling for a long range, high performance, single seat fighter to intercept German bombers primarily coming from occupied Norway and France. The Firebrand was originally powered by Napier Sabre inline engine, though due to the prototype's disappointing performance (being 50 km/h slower than its originally intended top speed of 650 km/h) along with its poor maneuverability, the Sabre engine was later switched to Bristol Centaurus radial engine, as the FAA wanted to prioritize the production of an already proven [[Typhoon (Family)|Hawker Typhoon]], which were powered by the Sabre engine.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 123: / Line 123: @@
 Due to unlimited ammunition, the cannons are remarkably effective in Arcade battles.
-When using the Firebrand as a striker, it is recommended to side climb at the beginning of the match. Perform a shallow dive until you reach the target, as speed will accumulate rapidly and the evasion of ground fire and enemy aircraft will be far easier. Plan ahead when striking your target - don't begin diving until you have approximated where the target may be once you reach it (say a destroyer or convoy), as turning to attack a target at high speed may rip the Firebrand's wings or slow you down significantly - resulting in easy prey for other fighters.
+When using the Firebrand as a striker, it is recommended to side climb at the beginning of the match. Perform a shallow dive until you reach the target, as speed will accumulate rapidly and the evasion of ground fire and enemy aircraft will be far easier. Plan ahead when striking your target - don't begin diving until you have approximated where the target may be once you reach it (say a destroyer or convoy). With RP-3 rockets, glide in at a shallow angle, aiming the bottom crosshair of the rocket sight on the target, and fire at about 400 metres. (0.40km or 0.25mi)
 As a fighter, the Firebrand is more lacklustre. It possesses very poor handling capabilities, and manoeuvring is very sluggish. Partially due to wing-loading and weight, the Firebrand does, surprisingly, have a small turn radius and turns quite quickly, similar to the [[Me_410_A-1|Me 410]]. However, turning with the Firebrand is not recommended - turning will severely bleed energy, enough to make you an eventual sitting duck.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].
-The Firebrand can be considered as a British [[P-47]]. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a strike aircraft, then a fighter. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
+The Firebrand can be considered as a British SB2C. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a strike aircraft and then a fighter only if the situation calls for it. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
 == General info ==

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 {{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.'' -->
-Originally designed as a naval fighter, the Firebrand in its attacker/torpedo bomber form still retains some characteristics of its roots. The plane has a surprisingly tight turn radius for such a heavy plane, though this is compromised by its extended wingspan intended to generate more lift while carrying payloads, which causes the plane to be less responsive and manoeuvrable compared to traditional fighters. Handling while banking and negative G manoeuvres can be described as "floaty" at best due to the extra lift that gets in the way of the plane. To counter excessive lift, the Firebrand's rugged and complex combat flaps can help to improve the plane's handling characteristics, especially below 450 km/h (the flap's rip speed).
+Originally designed as a naval fighter, the Firebrand in its attacker/torpedo bomber form still retains some characteristics of its roots. The plane has a surprisingly tight turn radius for such a heavy plane, though this is compromised by its extended wingspan intended to generate more lift while carrying payloads, which causes the plane to be less responsive and manoeuvrable compared to traditional fighters. Handling while banking and negative G manoeuvres can be described as "floaty" at best due to the extra lift that gets in the way of the plane. To counter excessive lift, the Firebrand's rugged and complex combat flaps can help to improve the plane's handling characteristics, especially below 420 km/h (the flap's rip speed).
 Since dogfighting is not the Firebrand's greatest strength, the plane can be used as a boom-and-zoom fighter to some extent. The plane is somewhat slow to accelerate in a dive, although this can be pushed to its structural limit of 720 km/h. However, the Firebrand's control surfaces will start to lock up at 550 km/h and can be lethal, thus a small airbrake is featured to help restore the plane's controllability. As with most of the naval fighters, the Firebrand performs best at lower altitudes (below 4,000 meters).

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 {{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.'' -->
-Originally designed as a naval fighter, the Firebrand in its attacker/torpedo bomber form still retains some characteristic of its roots. The plane has a surprisingly tight turn radius for such a heavy plane, though this is compomised by its extended wingspan intended to generate more lift while carrying payloads which caused the plane to be less responsive and slower manoverability compared to traditional fighters. Handling while banking and negative G manovers can be described as "floaty" at best due to the extra lift gets in the way of the plane. To counter excessive lift, the Firebrand's rugged and complex combat flaps can help to improve the plane's handling characteristic, especially below 450 km/h (the flap's rip speed).
+Originally designed as a naval fighter, the Firebrand in its attacker/torpedo bomber form still retains some characteristics of its roots. The plane has a surprisingly tight turn radius for such a heavy plane, though this is compromised by its extended wingspan intended to generate more lift while carrying payloads, which causes the plane to be less responsive and manoeuvrable compared to traditional fighters. Handling while banking and negative G manoeuvres can be described as "floaty" at best due to the extra lift that gets in the way of the plane. To counter excessive lift, the Firebrand's rugged and complex combat flaps can help to improve the plane's handling characteristics, especially below 450 km/h (the flap's rip speed).
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 ! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
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 |-
 | < 433 || < 500 || < 550 || > 307
 |-
 |}
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 * 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
 * 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
-* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
+* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
 * 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
-* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
+* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
 * 8 x RP-3 rockets
 * 2 x Uncle Tom rockets
@@ Line 160: / Line 139: @@
 The Firebrand excels at destroying both "soft" (Armored Cars, AA, Artillery and Trucks) and harder targets such as Pillboxes and Tanks: with both 500 lbs (wing-mounted) and 1,000 lbs bombs (always center-mounted), along with 8 RP-3 Rockets at its disposal, it can make quick job of all mission objectives, being able to mix and match these loadouts. When equipped with the Ground Targets belt, only one or two quick taps will destroy "soft" targets, but can also destroy Light Pillboxes easily with sustained fire towards their roof.
 Due to its air spawn in Air Realistic Battles as a Strike aircraft, the Firebrand can quickly swoop towards ground units, as it can sustain around 500 km/h in level flight after a shallow dive: however, it is recommended to retreat immediately after unloading onto ground targets, as both enemy Fighters and other Strike aircraft will most probably be attracted to the position. Enemy aircraft however, can still be taken care of easily if it's necessary, and none will survive a head-on towards the Firebrand's cannons. On the other hand, there is not much to do after an enemy Fighter starts to chase, as turn-fighting should be a last resort.
 Thanks to its capabilities for Close Air Support in Ground Realistic Battles, the Firebrand acts as a great addition to a line-up, and while it can make up in firepower for what it lacks in energy retention or turnfighting capabilities, it is not a replacement for other aircraft of similar Battle Rating such as the [[Typhoon Mk Ib/L]] or the [[Spitfire Mk Vc/trop]], the former being able to carry two 500 lbs or 1,000 lbs bombs, with the latter being limited to only two 250 lbs bombs; both being more focused on direct air-to-air countering than air-to-ground support.
 In any case, the Firebrand can deliver great performance when it comes to ground attack, both with a bomb load or without it, and as long as it has the advantage of speed or altitude over the enemy, can still shine thanks to its heavy armament, as all of its ammunition belts include High-explosive Fragmentation Incendiary (HEF-I) shells, making any aircraft on the receiving end of its guns never escape unscathed. High situational awareness rewards the Firebrand with being able to choose its engagements in the case of being threatened by enemy aircraft, as retreating then re-engaging is more fruitful than getting distracted on ground attack: it can quickly counter any enemies that have dived low onto the Firebrand's altitude, as its turn-rate becomes much better at speeds in between 250 and 400 km/h, a quick turn-around to commit to a head-on can turn out well as long as the enemy had not had a significant altitude advantage.
 === Manual Engine Control ===
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 The Blackburn Firebrand was a British naval torpedo strike fighter, originally designed as a naval fighter aircraft. Due to circumstances, it was overtaken by events, and by the time it finally entered service it was no longer relevant - and too late to enter service in World War II.
-Designed to a 1939 tender by the Royal Navy's Admiralty, originally the Fairey Firebrand was intended as a carrier-borne escort fighter, with emphasis on its range over speed. This was due to a prevailing school of thought that carrier fighters' primary task was that of escorting strikes on enemy forces, with the aerial defence of the fleet best left to the ships' own anti-aircraft guns. The original tender, N.8/39, specified a carrier-borne fighter with a fixed forward armament of 4 x 20 mm cannons, preferably an aircraft with a two-man crew consisting of a pilot and a navigator for long-distance flights over water. Blackburn started preliminary work on such a design.
 Already having two aircraft serving in a fighter role, the [[Sea Gladiator Mk I|Gloster Sea Gladiator]] and the Blackburn Skua, the Admiralty belatedly realised the folly of their original tender and modified the N.8/39 specification into a new set, N.11/40, which retained most of the previous specifications but explicitly called for a single-seat fighter with 400 mph performance and a 4-hour endurance. Both Blackburn and Hawker responded to this tender, Blackburn with their B-37 design which would eventually evolve into the Firebrand and Hawker with their P.1009 proposal of a navalised Hawker Typhoon.

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 {{Specs-Card
 |code=firebrand_tf4
-|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 }}

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 * Good durability
 * Decent level speed
-* Variety of payload options
+* Variety of payload options, including a torpedo
 '''Cons:'''
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 * Mediocre climb rate
 * Poor high-altitude performance
-* Controls unresponsive at speeds near 550 km/h (350 mph)
+* Controls unresponsive at speeds past 550 km/h (350 mph)
 * Mediocre energy retention
 * Lacks any bombload stock
-* The Hispano Mk.Vs' bullet dispersion when firing can be frustrating
+* The Hispano Mk.Vs' dispersion when firing can be frustrating
 == History ==
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 ;Skins
-* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=britain&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=assault&vehicle=firebrand_tf4 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
+* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=firebrand_tf4 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 == See also ==

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 * Excellent armament compared to planes in the BR bracket, Hispano Mk.V variant fires very fast compared to standard Mk.II
-* High ammo capacity
+* Generous ammo capacity
 * Small turn radius
 * Good durability
 * Decent level speed
-* Good secondary payload
+* Variety of payload options
-* Torpedo options
+* Great Naval Aircraft
 '''Cons:'''
@@ Line 223: / Line 222: @@
 ;Skins
 * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=britain&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=assault&vehicle=firebrand_tf4 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 == See also ==
 ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''