P-40F-5 Lafayette (France) - Revision history

U17577377: /* History */

2024-09-25T23:13:01Z

‎History

U162300818: Added the history section

2024-08-31T18:50:12Z

Added the history section

U48664895: Updated description to new format

2023-10-08T01:16:26Z

Updated description to new format

U44629479: Edits

2022-10-24T01:07:14Z

Edits

U44629479: Edits

2022-10-24T01:06:52Z

Edits

U2126463: /* Pros and cons */

2022-10-23T23:25:39Z

‎Pros and cons

U2126463: /* Flight performance */

2022-10-23T23:24:39Z

‎Flight performance

U2126463: /* Pros and cons */

2022-10-23T23:19:56Z

‎Pros and cons

U2126463: /* Suspended armament */

2022-10-23T23:16:22Z

‎Suspended armament

U2126463: /* Survivability and armour */

2022-10-23T23:16:04Z

‎Survivability and armour

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 == 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 If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: 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).'' -->The French P-40F was named “Lafayette” after the famous Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American volunteer pilots who flew for France during World War I.
+<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 In late 1942, as French forces in North Africa aligned with the Allies, the U.S. transferred P-40Fs to the French squadron GC II/5, which had historical ties to the Lafayette Escadrille. These aircraft played a significant role in the North African campaign, providing air support and engaging in dogfights with Axis aircraft.
 == Media ==

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 ;Armour plates
 * 3 mm steel between oil cooling system and engine
 * 8 mm steel behind pilot
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 ;Critical components
 The oil and liquid cooling system are both located under the nose of the plane. When hit, both will leak out almost instantly and causes engine failure shortly after.
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 == 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).'' -->
+<!-- ''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).'' -->The French P-40F was named “Lafayette” after the famous Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American volunteer pilots who flew for France during World War I.
-''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 ==

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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 '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]].
+The P-40F differed from earlier P-40 variants by having the Merlin engine. The Allison V-1710 engine made around 1,150 hp but the Merlin engine produced 1,300 hp; a 12% increase. One way to tell a P-40F from earlier variants was the lack of an air scoop on top of the engine. To increase stability, the fuselage was lengthened. The P-40F also brought with it the nickname "Warhawk". A significant portion of all P-40Fs built were sent to the Royal Air Force under the Lend-Lease program. However, many of the P-40Fs sent to the RAF were either returned to the US or lost in shipping. Some P-40Fs were sent to the "Free French" Air Force and saw use in North Africa. The French P-40F was named "Lafayette", which was based on the French squadron (GC 2/4 La Fayette) who used them.
 == General info ==
 === Flight performance ===

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 The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]].
-It is named after the French fighter squadron GC 2/4 La Fayette which at that time flew P-40Fs with the Free French Air Forces. The squadron exists until today.
+It is named after the French fighter squadron GC 2/4 La Fayette which at that time flew P-40Fs with the Free French Air Forces. The squadron exists to this day.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]].
-It is named after the French fighter squadron GC 2/4 La Fayette which at that time flew P-40F with Free French airforce. The squadron exists until today.
+It is named after the French fighter squadron GC 2/4 La Fayette which at that time flew P-40Fs with the Free French Air Forces. The squadron exists until today.
 == 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.'' -->
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
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 |-
 |}
 === Survivability and armour ===
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 <!-- ''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.'' -->
 * 3 mm steel between oil cooling system and engine
 * 8 mm steel behind pilot
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 * Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 behind pilot, 1 under pilot, 1 in front of pilot's feet)
-The oil and liquid cooling system are both located under the nose of the plane. When hit, liquid from both leaks out almost instantly and causes engine destruction soon after.
+;Critical components
 === Modifications and economy ===
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 * 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (281 rpg = 1,686 total)
-The most versatile ammunition belt for the machine guns is either Universal that consists of AP/AP/AP/T/I bullets or Ground target consisting of T/AP/AP/AP, the only difference between those two belts is the missing incendiary bullet in ground target one. Both share same penetration properties of 20 mm at 500 m at 0° and are capable of destroying or damaging majority of tanks at its BR while utilizing attack from top on turret roof or engine cowling
+The most versatile ammunition belt for the machine guns is either the Universal belts that consists of AP/AP/AP/T/I bullets or the Ground targets belt consisting of T/AP/AP/AP rounds. The only difference between those two belts is the missing incendiary bullet in the Ground targets one. Both share the same penetration properties of 20 mm at 500 m at 0° and are capable of destroying or damaging a majority of tanks at this BR while utilizing attack from the top on turret roof or engine deck.
 === Suspended armament ===
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 * 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb + 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (700 lb total)
-The single 500 lb bomb can be used in ground GF RB to destroy enemy armoured vehicles while guns and 100 lb bombs can be utilized to destroy soft targets like SPAA or open top vehicles.
+The single 500 lb bomb can be used in mixed ground battles to destroy enemy armoured vehicles while the 2 x 100 lb bombs can be utilized to destroy soft targets like SPAAs or open-topped vehicles.
 == Usage in battles ==
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 === Pros and cons ===
-<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->'''Pros:'''
+<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
-* Fast compared to its contemporaries
+* Fast plane for its BR
 * Heavily armed with 6x 0.50 cal machine guns
-* Have bombs
+* Can carry bombs
 * Great energy retention
 '''Cons:'''
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 * Abysmal climb rate
 * Very slow roll rate
-* Low turn rate when flying under 300 km/h
+* Slow turn rate when flying under 300 km/h
 == History ==

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 |-
 |}
-The P-40F-5 does not climb well so side climbing is advised, engine also overheats rather quickly when utilizing WEP.
+The P-40F-5 does not climb well so side climbing is advised. The engine is best performing in low to mid altitudes of about up to 3000 metres. Utilizing WEP causes the engine to overheat very fast. The aircraft does not turn well at speeds under 300 km/h, but has a great energy retention, which makes it very suitable for Boom and Zoom attacks.
 === Survivability and armour ===