Hampden TB Mk I (USSR)

This page is about the medium bomber Hampden TB Mk I (USSR). For other versions, see Hampden (Family).

▂Hampden TB Mk I

▂Hampden TB Mk I

USSR

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.7	1.7	2.0

Class:

PREMIUM

Bomber

Torpedo bomber

Purchase:1 370

Description

On 4th September 1942, 32 Hampden TB Mk I torpedo bombers from 144th Squadron RAF and 455th Squadron RAAF took off from their bases in the Shetlands to take part in Operation Orator, protecting the Murmansk-bound convoy PQ 18. The Hampdens flew over 3,900 km over sea and enemy territory until they arrived in Vayenga. Eight Hampdens were lost en route or damaged beyond repair. The British and Australian crews conducted a few sorties from Vayenga and were supposed to return with their Hampdens to Shetlands; however, strong headwinds prevented this as the Hampdens would not be able to reach their bases.

The British instead trained Soviet crews in using the Hampdens and returned home by ship. The Soviet Navy's 24th Mine-Torpedo Aviation Regiment then operated the Hampdens until mid-1943 when lack of replacements and suitable spare parts forced them to withdraw them from service and return back to their original IL-4/DB-3 series bombers.

Introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai", the Hampden TB Mk I UTK-1 features quite an impressive bomb load for its size, being able to destroy more than two bases in Air Realistic Battles at its battle rating. It also has access to the British Mark XII torpedo, having slightly higher drop speed than its Soviet 45-36AN counterpart. Unlike its British cousin, the Hampden in Soviet service had its defensive armament strengthened, as the dorsal twin 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns were replaced by a single 12.7 mm Berezin UBT heavy machine gun in a rotating turret.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 250 m406 km/h

Turn time34 s

Max altitude9 400 m

Engine2 х Bristol Pegasus XVIII

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight11 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,250 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	382	366	9400	35.4	36.0	6.9	6.9	326
Upgraded	436	406		32.6	34.0	14.5	9.3

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
506	225	388	359	210	~5	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 315	< 310	< 300	> 200

Survivability and armour

Crew4 people

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear225 km/h

• 9.5 mm Steel plate in front of pilot, top of fuselage.
• 9.5 mm Steel plate behind the dorsal gunner.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB212

RB318

SB548

Crew training1 400

Experts9 000

Aces80

Research Aces270 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 30 / 60 / 110 %

2 × 106 / 106 / 106 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Radiator Airframe Compressor Wings repair Engine Cover Engine injection	EFS	bmg303_turret_belt_pack bmg303_belt_pack MBC-B bmg303_new_gun MBC mk.III vikkersK_turret_new_gun ub_turret_belt_pack TSC mk.II ub_turret_new_gun SBC mk.II

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 17.7 mm Browning machine gun

Ammunition300 rounds

Fire rate1 000 shots/min

The Hampden TB Mk I (USSR) is armed with:

• 1 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (300 rpg)

The Hampden is also armed with single 7.7 mm machine gun in its nose, offering very limited offensive capabilities.

Suspended armament

List of setups (7)

Setup 16 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb

Setup 22 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb

Setup 34 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb

Setup 44 x 1000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb

Setup 51 x 18 inch Mark XII torpedo (1548 lbs)

Setup 66 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb

Setup 72 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
4 x 1000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb

The Hampden TB Mk I (USSR) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 6 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
• 4 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
• 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 1 x 450 mm 18 inch Mark XII torpedo
• 6 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (3,000 lb total)
• 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (5,000 lb total)

Defensive armament

Turret12.7 mm Berezin UBT machine gun

Ammunition1200 rounds

Fire rate1027 shots/min

Turret7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun

Ammunition1000 rounds

Fire rate950 shots/min

2 х Turret7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun

Ammunition1350 rounds

Fire rate950 shots/min

The Hampden TB Mk I (USSR) is defended by:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, dorsal turret (1,200 rpg)
• 1 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun, nose turret (1,000 rpg)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns, ventral turret (1,350 rpg = 2,700 total)

Usage in battles

This bomber is strictly that; a bomber. With a mediocre defensive armament and only a single offensive 7.7, engaging enemy aircraft is an absolute last resort. The lack of defensive capabilities, combined with the thin tail and wings, make the Hampden TB a fragile aircraft. Upon spawning, climb at a very shallow angle to increase your speed and altitude at the same time. When the bomb points are in range, level off and drop your load. This will make you significantly lighter and allow you to return to base extremely quickly. During this time, one must take care to avoid aircraft that will now be at your altitude. A shallow dive will allow a boost in speed, and a corkscrew over the airfield will let you drop the remaining altitude without ripping due to speed.

Specific enemies worth noting

Any vehicle with an offensive armament of more than machine guns will shred the Hampden. Flak can be very dangerous due to the fragility of the aircraft, and the large glass nose almost always results in your forward gunner dying when engaging enemy units. All in all, avoid any contact with enemy vehicles.

Counter-tactics

For its BR, the Hampden is quite fast at altitude. It can turn well at lower speeds, but this feature should not be utilized if you're being engaged. The most effective method of escaping combat is to run, ditching your bombs if absolutely necessary. Its bottom and forward gunners can deal with unarmoured aircraft, but will struggle against anything with a small amount of armour. There is, however, a Berezin UB machine gun in the top rear turret that can effectively deal with most fighters if needed.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Combined	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Carries a large payload for rank I aircraft
• Offensive machine gun can be useful for killing soft ground targets and fighters
• Top rear gunner makes short work of low tier planes
• Good speed and overall manoeuvrability for a bomber
• Can carry a torpedo for anti-shipping runs

Cons:

• Roll rate is to be expected of a fast bomber
• Cannons obliterate the airframe easily
• Vickers K machine guns lack accuracy
• British torpedoes require a low drop speed

History

The Handley Page Hampden was the last and fastest twin-engined bomber of the aircraft designed to meet Air Ministry Specification B.9/32. Which called for a faster, heavier, and more powerful bomber that would replace the existing Bristol Blenheim and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. The designer, G.V Vokert, designed an interesting prototype, designated HP.52. This plane was originally equipped with Napier Sabre Dagger engines, but switched to the more powerful Bristol Pegasus radial engines. Originally the Hampden had two Vickers K gun in ventral and dorsal positions, which proved to be inadequate for daylight defense. This was then switched to two Vickers K gun with modifications. The Hampden had many nicknames because of the slim, compact, and cramped fuselage. It was often nicknamed the "Flying Suitcase". Oddly similar in role and appearance to the German fast day-bomber Do 17, which had the nickname the "Flying Pencil".

RAF Squadron No.49 was the first to receive their new Hampdens. Bearing the brunt of early bombing raids on Europe, the Hampden proved no match for Luftwaffe fighters. It was subsequently switched to various night time operations, such as mine-laying, bombing raids on German soil, propaganda, and torpedo bombing. Despite having great speed and manoeuvrability, the Hampden was declared obsolete and retired from service in 1942.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Hampden TB Mk I (USSR) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #84 - Pages of History section at 10:41 discusses the Hampden TB Mk I (USSR).

See also

Related development

• Hampden (Family)

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance