R4M - Revision history

U31398567: /* History */

2022-10-26T18:04:34Z

‎History

U44629479: /* General info */ Edits

2022-09-20T18:53:54Z

‎General info: Edits

U44629479: Edits

2022-08-31T14:42:14Z

Edits

U44629479: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */ Added Me 262 A-1a/Jabo

2021-03-11T23:46:15Z

‎Vehicles equipped with this weapon: Added Me 262 A-1a/Jabo

U13682523: /* Description */

2021-02-13T11:57:57Z

‎Description

U13682523: /* Description */ Added weapon image

2021-02-12T17:43:31Z

‎Description: Added weapon image

U64962917: Edits.

2019-06-27T16:53:50Z

Edits.

U38088265: Updated

2019-03-28T15:37:09Z

Updated

U28580205: Fixed template

2019-01-01T09:33:38Z

Fixed template

U64962917: Created page.

2018-12-23T17:22:21Z

Created page.

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{PAGENAME}}}}

== Description ==
''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell about the history of the development and combat using of the weaponry and also about it's features.''

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
''Make an air vehicles list on which this weapon is typically installed in our game.''

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the bomb.''

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of bomb (high explosive, splash damage...etc...''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of bombs which have firepower equal to these type of weapons.''

== Usage in the battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilize this bomb in game (vehicle, pillbox, base...etc...''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''

'''Pros:'''
*

'''Cons:'''
*

== Historical part ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this weapon. If the historical reference turns out to be big one, take it into a separate article and add a link to it by using the "main" template. In the end be sure to include references to sources.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
''ETC.''

== Sources ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
* ''topic on the official game forum''
* ''page on the Wikipedia''
* ''page on aircraft or ground forces encyclopedia''
* ''other literature''

{{Template:USA_bombs}}

[[Category:Suspended_armaments]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 === Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 <!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 * {{Specs-Link|me-262a-1a}}
 * {{Specs-Link|me-262a-1a_early}}
@@ Line 52: / Line 53: @@
 == History ==
 <!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' -->
-The Luftwaffe ran into problems when attacking American bomber formations due to the fact that the bombers set up in a formation which allowed for defensive guns to significantly provide cover fire making it very dangerous for the fighters to make a shot.  As it was for the German fighters, those armed with the 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons, found that on average it took 20 rounds or more to bring down a bomber, whereas those sporting a 30 mm MK 108 cannon could take out a bomber with between one and three shots if well placed.  While powerful, these rounds had a horrendous drop rate, such as with the 30 mm, approximately dropping 41 m for every 1,000 m it flew. Typically several passes were required at close range for the shots to hit, again at significant peril to the fighter pilot. Another factor was the weight of the cannons and the limitation of ammunition rounds as heavier weights caused the fighters to be sluggish with their manoeuvrability.
+The Luftwaffe ran into problems when attacking American bomber formations due to the fact that the bombers set up in a formation which allowed for defensive guns to provide significant cover fire, making it very dangerous for the fighters to make a shot. Fighters with the 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons found that it took 20 rounds or more on average to bring down a bomber, whereas those sporting a 30 mm MK 108 cannon could take out a bomber with between one and three shots if well placed.  While powerful, these rounds had a horrendous drop rate, approximately 41 m for every 1,000 m it flew. Typically several passes were required at close range for the shots to hit, again at significant peril to the fighter pilot. Another factor was the weight of the cannons and the limitation of ammunition rounds as heavier weights caused the fighters to be sluggish with their manoeuvrability.
-A movement went to using Werfer-Granate 21 (Wfr. Gr. 21) rockets, however these required tube launchers which caused enough drag to affect the flight performance of the aircraft. Another issue necessitated the pointing of the aircraft 15 degrees above where the target was to counteract the drop of the rocket during flight. The excess weight and underwhelming performance of these weapons caused the Luftwaffe to look for another solution which will provide the weapon performance they need without the undesirable side-effects of excess weight or ballistic-poor ammunition.
+The solution to these problems was the 55 mm R4M rocket which housed a strongly brisant explosive charge known as Hexogen. Due to the shattering force of this type of warhead, it was guaranteed to take out a fighter aircraft if it hit close enough. The effective power of this warhead was equal to 30 mm rounds fired from a MK 103 or MK 108 cannon. Each rocket weighed in at only 3.2 kg and was packed with enough solid rocket fuel to be fired from a range of 1,000 m which kept the fighter just out of the range of any defensive armament used in enemy bombers. These rockets were mounted under the wings of the aircraft with a total of 24 rockets. While individually these rockets weighed more than their counterpart cannon ammunition, the overall weight savings of not needing the larger 20 and 30 mm cannons made up for it.
-The solution to these problems was the 55 mm R4M rocket which housed a strongly brisant explosive charge known as Hexogen. Due to the shattering force of this type of warhead, it was guaranteed to take out a fighter aircraft if it hit close enough. The effective power of this warhead was equal to 30 mm rounds fired from a MK 103 or MK 108 cannon. Each rocket weighed in at only 3.2 kg and was packed with enough solid rocket fuel to be fired from a range of 1,000 m which kept the fighter just out of the range of any defensive armament used in enemy bombers. These rockets were mounted under the wings of the aircraft with a total of 24 rockets. While individually these rockets weighed more than their counterpart cannon ammunition, the overall weight savings of not needing the larger 20 and 30 mm cannons made up for it. The R4M rockets were of the simple construction of a simple steel tube with the warhead at one end and eight flip-out fins on the end with the motor. After deployment, these fins would flip-out and stabilize the flight of the rocket which flew at a supersonic speed of 1,890 km (1,175 mph), over 60% faster than the older Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets. These rockets could be fired individually, in groups or as an entire salvo and had a tight enough spread that if launched at a target it was almost guaranteed one or more would hit. For the anti-aircraft warhead on the R4M, the PB-3 was used which contained 0.4 kg of explosive charge whereas an anti-tank version PB-2/3 contained a much larger shape charge.
+The R4M rockets were of the simple construction of a simple steel tube with the warhead at one end and eight flip-out fins on the end with the motor. After deployment, these fins would flip-out and stabilize the flight of the rocket which flew at a supersonic speed of 1,890 km (1,175 mph), over 60% faster than the older Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets. These rockets could be fired individually, in groups or as an entire salvo and had a tight enough spread that if launched at a target it was almost guaranteed one or more would hit. For the anti-aircraft warhead on the R4M, the PB-3 was used which contained 0.4 kg of explosive charge whereas an anti-tank version PB-2/3 contained a much larger shape charge.
-During the war, only a small handful of aircraft ever used the R4M, which consisted of the Messerschmitt Me 262, ground attack versions of the Fw 190, however, this rocket was tested on the Me 163A briefly, becoming the first rocket-propelled aircraft to fire a rocket-propelled armament.
+Only a small handful of aircraft ever used the R4M operationally,  the Messerschmitt Me 262 and ground attack versions of the Fw 190. It was tested on the Me 163A briefly, becoming the first rocket-propelled aircraft to fire a rocket-propelled armament.
 == Media ==
@@ Line 64: / Line 67: @@
 ;Images
-<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
 File:R4M_rockets.jpeg|<small>Twelve {{PAGENAME}} rockets mounted to the underside of a jet fighter's wing</small>
 </gallery>
@@ Line 70: / Line 73: @@
 == See also ==
 ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 * ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
@@ Line 75: / Line 79: @@
 == External links ==
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 == General info ==
-''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the rocket.''
+<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the rocket.'' -->
 === Effective damage ===
 <!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of bomb (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
-The effective damage of the R4M rockets is shattering force which can effectively disable a fighter or utilising several can take out bomber aircraft.
+The effective damage of the R4M rockets is shattering force which can effectively disable a fighter. A salvo can take out a bomber aircraft.
 === Comparison with analogues ===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Description ==
-<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
+<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
 [[File:WeaponImage R4M.png|thumb|left|420px|The R4M rocket (scale is approximate)]]
 {{Break}}
-The '''R4M''' rocket is a German-developed anti-aircraft rocket produced during World War II. R4M stands for the German, '''''R'''akete'', '''''4''' Kilogramm'', '''''M'''inekopf'' (English: ''Rocket, 4 kilogram, mine-head''). This rocket was developed as a light-weight fix to replace heavy autocannons on bomber interceptor aircraft, especially jet fighters which due to their speed, only had so much time on target before having to reorient and reengage which increased the chance of being shot down.
+The '''R4M''' rocket is a German-developed anti-aircraft rocket produced during World War II. R4M stands for the German, Rakete, 4 Kilogramm, Minekopf (English: Rocket, 4 kg, mine-head). This rocket was developed as a light-weight fix to replace heavy autocannons on bomber interceptor aircraft, especially jet fighters which due to their speed, only had so much time on target before having to reorient and reengage which increased the chance of being shot down.
 === Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 == General info ==
-''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the bomb.''
+''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the rocket.''
 === Effective damage ===
-<!--''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of bomb (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''-->
+<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of bomb (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
 The effective damage of the R4M rockets is shattering force which can effectively disable a fighter or utilising several can take out bomber aircraft.
 === Comparison with analogues ===
-''Give a comparative description of bombs that have firepower equal to these type of weapons.''
+''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''
 == Usage in battles ==
-<!--''Describe situations when you would utilize this bomb in game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''-->
+<!-- ''Describe the rocket in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' -->
 Typically the R4M rocket was utilised in lieu of 20 and 30 mm autocannons when bomber hunting. These rockets allowed for a fighter to deploy the rockets from outside of the effective range of a bomber's defensive weapons. Due to the unguided nature of the rockets, typically several rockets or the entire salvo was launched at bombers to ensure the best chance of taking out the aircraft.
 === Pros and cons ===
-<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''-->
+<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
 * Light-weight
 * Shattering force of warhead causes significant damage
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 '''Cons:'''
 * Unguided, requires firing several to increase chances of hitting the target
 == History ==
-<!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this weapon. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
+<!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' -->
-The Luftwaffe ran into problems when attacking American bomber formations due to the fact that the bombers set up in a formation which allowed for defensive guns to significantly provide cover fire making it very dangerous for the fighters to make a shot.  As it was for the German fighters, those armed with the 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons, found that on average it took 20 rounds or more to bring down a bomber, whereas those sporting a 30 mm MK 108 cannon could take out a bomber with between one and three shots if well placed.  While powerful, these rounds had a horrendous drop rate, such as with the 30 mm, approximately dropping 41 meters for every 1,000 meters it flew. Typically several passes were required at close range for the shots to hit, again at significant peril to the fighter pilot. Another factor was the weight of the cannons and the limitation of ammunition rounds as heavier weights caused the fighters to be sluggish with their manoeuvrability.
+The Luftwaffe ran into problems when attacking American bomber formations due to the fact that the bombers set up in a formation which allowed for defensive guns to significantly provide cover fire making it very dangerous for the fighters to make a shot.  As it was for the German fighters, those armed with the 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons, found that on average it took 20 rounds or more to bring down a bomber, whereas those sporting a 30 mm MK 108 cannon could take out a bomber with between one and three shots if well placed.  While powerful, these rounds had a horrendous drop rate, such as with the 30 mm, approximately dropping 41 m for every 1,000 m it flew. Typically several passes were required at close range for the shots to hit, again at significant peril to the fighter pilot. Another factor was the weight of the cannons and the limitation of ammunition rounds as heavier weights caused the fighters to be sluggish with their manoeuvrability.
 A movement went to using Werfer-Granate 21 (Wfr. Gr. 21) rockets, however these required tube launchers which caused enough drag to affect the flight performance of the aircraft. Another issue necessitated the pointing of the aircraft 15 degrees above where the target was to counteract the drop of the rocket during flight. The excess weight and underwhelming performance of these weapons caused the Luftwaffe to look for another solution which will provide the weapon performance they need without the undesirable side-effects of excess weight or ballistic-poor ammunition.
@@ Line 48: / Line 49: @@
 == Media ==
-<!--''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
+<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 == See also ==
@@ Line 66: / Line 64: @@
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 <!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 * {{Specs-Link|me-262a-1a}}
 * {{Specs-Link|me-262a-2a}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Description ==
 <!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
-[[File:WeaponImage R4M.png|thumb|left|420px|The R4M rocket]]
+[[File:WeaponImage R4M.png|thumb|left|420px|The R4M rocket (scale is approximate)]]
 {{Break}}
 The '''R4M''' rocket is a German-developed anti-aircraft rocket produced during World War II. R4M stands for the German, '''''R'''akete'', '''''4''' Kilogramm'', '''''M'''inekopf'' (English: ''Rocket, 4 kilogram, mine-head''). This rocket was developed as a light-weight fix to replace heavy autocannons on bomber interceptor aircraft, especially jet fighters which due to their speed, only had so much time on target before having to reorient and reengage which increased the chance of being shot down.

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 * ''other literature''
-{{Template:USA_bombs}}
+{{Template:Rockets}}
 [[Category:Suspended_armaments]]