Difference between revisions of "Tandem MAI"

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{{Specs-Card|code=tandem_mai}}
+
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=tandem_mai
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]] during the [[wt:en/news/5453--en|2018 Chronicles of World War II]].
−
{{break}}
 
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} gift Russian attacker {{Battle-rating}}. This aircraft was introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]] during the 2018 World War Two Chronicles.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
{{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"
+
Tandem MAI is a tricky plane to learn at first; it has the speed to match most enemy fighters that it will face at the battle rating, but the manoeuvrability of the aircraft does not make it a great dogfighter. It can make small short turns to the side (a few degrees) but after a while it will have lost a lot of its speed, become heavy, and turning will be a slightly harder task to do which ruins its decent manoeuvrability fast. The climbing of the Tandem MAI is not the greatest but since it is given an attacker spawn so much climbing is not needed to be done for it. It can dive excellently and get out of dives easily.
−
|-
+
 
−
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
−
|-
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
−
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,250 m)
−
|-
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
−
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at ?,000 m)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
+
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
−
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
−
|-
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
|-
 
−
| ? || ? || {{Specs|ceiling}} || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ???
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at ?,000 m)
+
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
−
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! AB
+
! Stock
−
! RB
+
| 468 || 453 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.2 || 24.3 || 8.0 || 8.0 || rowspan="2" | 500
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ? || ? || {{Specs|ceiling}} || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ???
+
! Upgraded
 +
| 510 || 488 || 20.8 || 22.0 || 13.9 || 10.6
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
====Details====
+
==== Details ====
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Combat flap
+
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
−
! Take-off flap
 
−
! Landing flap
 
−
! Air brakes
 
−
! Arrestor gear
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| X || X || X || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
+
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Limits
+
! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
+
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
−
! +
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
−
! -
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || ??? || ~?? || ~?
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 448 || 419 || 270 || ~__ || ~__
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 84: Line 61:
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
+
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
−
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| < ??? || < ??? || < ??? || > ???
+
| < 350 || < 340 || < 340 || > ___
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
|-
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
−
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
−
|-
+
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
+
Tandem MAI has an 8.5 mm steel plate on the backrest for the pilot and not anywhere else on the aircraft. This exposes the engine to be prone to getting shot out by enemy fire from the ground and air. It also leaves a lot of the internal structure exposed to damage, but even with the lack of armour plates and general armour, the Tandem MAI can take a heavy beating and still be fine to fly around with. One drawback with the Tandem's armour and survivability is the gunner is exposed to enemy fire from any angle. The gunner cupola and the area of plane where the gunner is placed not having any sort of protection makes the gunner survivability low. Its fuel tanks are self-sealing, and have a neutral gas pressurization system. Both fuel tanks are located in front of the pilot.
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| ?,??? m || ??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
−
|-
 
−
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
−
|- -->
 
−
|}
 
  
−
=== Survivability and armour ===
+
=== Modifications and economy ===
−
''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.''
+
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
−
''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 4 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (600 rpg = 2,400 total)
 +
 
 +
The Tandem MAI has four 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns comparable to the I-16 and the I-153 in terms of firepower. The ShKAS have a high rate of fire and with four of them, they will make quick work of any enemy planes the Tandem MAI will face.
 +
 
 +
The Tandem MAI offensive armament gets to pick from 4 belts of choosing: Default, Universal, Tracers and Stealth belt, all of which are very effective against enemy aircraft.
 +
 
 +
Tracer or Universal belts are recommended for higher chance of setting the enemies on fire which is especially effective against bombers.
 +
 
 +
Stealth Belt are also a great recommendation, as a well-planned surprise attack will tear the enemy plane into shreds which will also take those who are not paying attention to surroundings by surprise.
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)|FAB-100sv (100 kg)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 +
 
 +
* Without load
 +
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)
 +
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (200 kg total)
  
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
=== Defensive armament ===
−
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}
 +
<!-- ''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:
 +
 
 +
* 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, tail turret (700 rpg)
 +
 
 +
Defensive armament on the Tandem MAI is a single [[ShKAS (7.62 mm)]] gun that is in a cupola on the furthest back on the plane with a exposed gunner which makes it important to have a relative good gunner crew for it with preferably high vitality, fire accuracy and fire precision. The ShKAS defensive turret get three sets of belt to pick from Default, Armoured Targets and Universal belt. It is recommended to use the Universal belt to easily down enemy planes.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
 
 +
Tandem MAI is an excellent interceptor aircraft with an air spawn it can intercept most enemy fighters before they achieve the altitude to be out of its reach. Four 7.62 mm ShKAS to overpower the enemy slower rate of fire machine guns with its own high rate of fire makes it an excellent head on vehicle but comes with the high risk of getting its engine get shot out or damaged that will force you to return for a repair.
 +
 
 +
Missing an enemy and let it come from behind would worry any fighter/attacker/bomber mostly those with small arc of the defensive guns or no guns at all. But not for the ShKAS on the Tandem MAI. It can attack enemies from most angles except where the twin stabilizers are and directly below. But it has a great arc of fire to ward off any possible attack from the rear.
  
−
===Manual Engine Control===
+
Ground attacking is not out of the picture for it but with a low capacity of bombs and small bombs makes it not the most efficient attacker role but it can be done and will need to be able to land the bombs as close as possible to the targets. If not it has four excellent ShKAS to take out light targets; for example, Howitzers, AAA guns, Armoured Cars and Trucks.
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
+
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
−
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
+
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
−
! colspan="3" |Radiator
+
! colspan="3" | Radiator
−
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
−
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
−
|-
 
−
! Oil
 
−
! Water
 
−
! Type
 
−
|-
 
−
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
===Modules===
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
! colspan="1" | Tier
 
−
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
−
! colspan="1" | Survivability
 
−
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
−
|-
 
−
| I
 
−
| Fuselage Repair
 
−
| Radiator
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| II
+
! Oil !! Water !! Type
−
|
 
−
| Compressor
 
−
| Airframe
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| III
+
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
−
| Wings Repair
 
−
| Engine
 
−
|  
 
−
|  
 
−
|-
 
−
| IV
 
−
|  
 
−
| Engine Injection
 
−
| Cover
 
−
|  
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize 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 - they can be substituted with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
+
<!-- ''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:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Good manoeuvrability
+
* Good manoeuvrability and decent acceleration over 250 km/h
 
* Has a tail gunner to ward off enemy aircraft
 
* Has a tail gunner to ward off enemy aircraft
−
* 4 x ShKAS machine guns can shred enemy aircraft of similar rank
+
* Gunner has quite a big area of fire
−
 
+
* Gunner can fire directly up
 +
* 4 x ShKAS machine guns can shred enemy aircraft of similar rank when equipped with tracers
 +
* Large amount of ammunition for offensive machine guns
 +
* Has a bombsight, despite being an attacker
 +
* Internal bomb bay means no drag is created by the bombs if carried
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
 
* The twin vertical stabilizers are two blind spots in rear gunner's field of fire
 
* The twin vertical stabilizers are two blind spots in rear gunner's field of fire
 +
* Bleeds decent amount of speed trying to manoeuvre
 +
* Poor payloads
  
 
== History ==
 
== 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 big, 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</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 '''{{PAGENAME}}''', also known as the MAI Sh-Tandem of Sh-MAI, was an experimental ground attack aircraft designed during the late-1930s by Pyotr Dmitrievich Grushin (1906-1993) at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). An alternative way of thinking in the development of the ''Shturmovik'' or ground attack/light bomber plane, the Tandem MAI featured an unusual front- and back-wing configuration, with the stabilizers being nearly as large as the wings themselves, and providing 45% of the lift. This had the advantage of creating an aircraft with a center of gravity which was further aft than with conventional aircraft, allowing ordnance to be installed in the main fuselage. The aircraft unusually also had elevons: both the front- and rear wing were equipped with combined aileron/elevators.
 +
 
 +
Due to the unusual placement of the vertical stabilizers in a crucifix configuration on the horizontal stabilizers, this left the rear fuselage free for the installation of a turret. This in turn gave the added benefit of a single gunner being capable of defending a very wide area around the aircraft's rear gunner, rather than the conventional design of a single rear gunner whose field of fire was partly blocked by the aircraft's fuselage.
 +
 
 +
Three prototypes of the Tandem MAI were built between 1937 and 1939, with the aircraft being flight-tested by Pyotr Mikhailovich Stefanovsky (1903-1976). It built from a conventional, light wooden monocoque frame with plywood/Bakelite covering: this allowed for a quick construction, with the first prototype being built by an 18-man team in just 45 days. The aircraft was supposed to be powered by the 1,100 hp Tumansky M-88 air-cooled radial engine, but due to its unavailability the prototypes were powered by the 950 hp Tumansky M-87A.
 +
 
 +
The first prototype was built as a single-seat unarmed concept tester, which showed the viability of the design. This prototype passed its preliminary flight tests by January 8th 1939. Subsequently the aircraft was developed into its definitive two-seater form, with a cockpit which was set slightly more rearwards, and the tail gun turret installed. This second prototype was finished by late summer of 1939, with state tests held in September and October of 1939. The state tests concluded on October 10th, after 51 flights had been made. The results were disappointing: it was noted that the changed configuration over the single-seater greatly impacted on the type's performance. The aircraft had longitudinal stability issues and poor rudder response; it had poor take-off performance; the cockpit was found to be cramped; and the tail turret design imposed a severe speed penalty on the design. The test report suggested changing the tail turret to a tapered conical design. Most seriously, the front wing and landing gear were found to be insufficiently strong.
 +
 
 +
A third prototype was built with a number of improvements, such as a different installation of a structurally strengthened front wing to improve take-off performance. However, by this time interest in the Tandem MAI had waned, especially given its armament of four fixed and one trainable ShKAS machine guns and 200 kg of ordnance was seen as insufficient for future attack aircraft. Accordingly, all further development of the MAI Tandem was halted.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=tandem_mai Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|INb9VjLxKf0|'''Most unusual aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:43 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|WA3jQgZLjAg|'''The Shooting Range #94''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 09:41 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''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;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
Line 221: Line 194:
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
−
 
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
−
{{USSR attackers}}
+
{{AirManufacturer MAI}}
 +
{{USSR strike aircraft}}
 +
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 21:13, 25 January 2023

Tandem MAI
tandem_mai.png
GarageImage Tandem MAI.jpg
Tandem MAI
USSR flag.png USSR
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.0 2.0 2.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

The Tandem MAI is a premium gift rank I Soviet strike aircraft with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm" during the 2018 Chronicles of World War II.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 250 m488 km/h
Turn time22 s
Max altitude8 000 m
EngineTumansky M-87
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t

Tandem MAI is a tricky plane to learn at first; it has the speed to match most enemy fighters that it will face at the battle rating, but the manoeuvrability of the aircraft does not make it a great dogfighter. It can make small short turns to the side (a few degrees) but after a while it will have lost a lot of its speed, become heavy, and turning will be a slightly harder task to do which ruins its decent manoeuvrability fast. The climbing of the Tandem MAI is not the greatest but since it is given an attacker spawn so much climbing is not needed to be done for it. It can dive excellently and get out of dives easily.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,250 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 468 453 8000 23.2 24.3 8.0 8.0 500
Upgraded 510 488 20.8 22.0 13.9 10.6

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 + -
650 310 448 419 270 ~__ ~__
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 350 < 340 < 340 > ___

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural650 km/h
Gear310 km/h

Tandem MAI has an 8.5 mm steel plate on the backrest for the pilot and not anywhere else on the aircraft. This exposes the engine to be prone to getting shot out by enemy fire from the ground and air. It also leaves a lot of the internal structure exposed to damage, but even with the lack of armour plates and general armour, the Tandem MAI can take a heavy beating and still be fine to fly around with. One drawback with the Tandem's armour and survivability is the gunner is exposed to enemy fire from any angle. The gunner cupola and the area of plane where the gunner is placed not having any sort of protection makes the gunner survivability low. Its fuel tanks are self-sealing, and have a neutral gas pressurization system. Both fuel tanks are located in front of the pilot.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB690 Sl icon.png
RB213 Sl icon.png
SB437 Sl icon.png
Crew training1 400 Sl icon.png
Experts9 000 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces270 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 30 / 40 / 90 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
shkas_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
shkas_new_gun
Mods pilon bomb.png
DZ-40
Mods ammo.png
shkas_turret_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
shkas_turret_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 14 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun
Ammunition2 400 rounds
Fire rate1 800 shots/min
Main article: ShKAS (7.62 mm)

The Tandem MAI is armed with:

  • 4 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (600 rpg = 2,400 total)

The Tandem MAI has four 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns comparable to the I-16 and the I-153 in terms of firepower. The ShKAS have a high rate of fire and with four of them, they will make quick work of any enemy planes the Tandem MAI will face.

The Tandem MAI offensive armament gets to pick from 4 belts of choosing: Default, Universal, Tracers and Stealth belt, all of which are very effective against enemy aircraft.

Tracer or Universal belts are recommended for higher chance of setting the enemies on fire which is especially effective against bombers.

Stealth Belt are also a great recommendation, as a well-planned surprise attack will tear the enemy plane into shreds which will also take those who are not paying attention to surroundings by surprise.

Suspended armament

List of setups (2)
Setup 12 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
Setup 22 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
Main articles: FAB-50sv (50 kg), FAB-100sv (100 kg)

The Tandem MAI can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)
  • 2 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (200 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun
Ammunition700 rounds
Fire rate1800 shots/min
Main article: ShKAS (7.62 mm)

The Tandem MAI is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, tail turret (700 rpg)

Defensive armament on the Tandem MAI is a single ShKAS (7.62 mm) gun that is in a cupola on the furthest back on the plane with a exposed gunner which makes it important to have a relative good gunner crew for it with preferably high vitality, fire accuracy and fire precision. The ShKAS defensive turret get three sets of belt to pick from Default, Armoured Targets and Universal belt. It is recommended to use the Universal belt to easily down enemy planes.

Usage in battles

Tandem MAI is an excellent interceptor aircraft with an air spawn it can intercept most enemy fighters before they achieve the altitude to be out of its reach. Four 7.62 mm ShKAS to overpower the enemy slower rate of fire machine guns with its own high rate of fire makes it an excellent head on vehicle but comes with the high risk of getting its engine get shot out or damaged that will force you to return for a repair.

Missing an enemy and let it come from behind would worry any fighter/attacker/bomber mostly those with small arc of the defensive guns or no guns at all. But not for the ShKAS on the Tandem MAI. It can attack enemies from most angles except where the twin stabilizers are and directly below. But it has a great arc of fire to ward off any possible attack from the rear.

Ground attacking is not out of the picture for it but with a low capacity of bombs and small bombs makes it not the most efficient attacker role but it can be done and will need to be able to land the bombs as close as possible to the targets. If not it has four excellent ShKAS to take out light targets; for example, Howitzers, AAA guns, Armoured Cars and Trucks.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Separate Not controllable
1 gear 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good manoeuvrability and decent acceleration over 250 km/h
  • Has a tail gunner to ward off enemy aircraft
  • Gunner has quite a big area of fire
  • Gunner can fire directly up
  • 4 x ShKAS machine guns can shred enemy aircraft of similar rank when equipped with tracers
  • Large amount of ammunition for offensive machine guns
  • Has a bombsight, despite being an attacker
  • Internal bomb bay means no drag is created by the bombs if carried

Cons:

  • The twin vertical stabilizers are two blind spots in rear gunner's field of fire
  • Bleeds decent amount of speed trying to manoeuvre
  • Poor payloads

History

The Tandem MAI, also known as the MAI Sh-Tandem of Sh-MAI, was an experimental ground attack aircraft designed during the late-1930s by Pyotr Dmitrievich Grushin (1906-1993) at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). An alternative way of thinking in the development of the Shturmovik or ground attack/light bomber plane, the Tandem MAI featured an unusual front- and back-wing configuration, with the stabilizers being nearly as large as the wings themselves, and providing 45% of the lift. This had the advantage of creating an aircraft with a center of gravity which was further aft than with conventional aircraft, allowing ordnance to be installed in the main fuselage. The aircraft unusually also had elevons: both the front- and rear wing were equipped with combined aileron/elevators.

Due to the unusual placement of the vertical stabilizers in a crucifix configuration on the horizontal stabilizers, this left the rear fuselage free for the installation of a turret. This in turn gave the added benefit of a single gunner being capable of defending a very wide area around the aircraft's rear gunner, rather than the conventional design of a single rear gunner whose field of fire was partly blocked by the aircraft's fuselage.

Three prototypes of the Tandem MAI were built between 1937 and 1939, with the aircraft being flight-tested by Pyotr Mikhailovich Stefanovsky (1903-1976). It built from a conventional, light wooden monocoque frame with plywood/Bakelite covering: this allowed for a quick construction, with the first prototype being built by an 18-man team in just 45 days. The aircraft was supposed to be powered by the 1,100 hp Tumansky M-88 air-cooled radial engine, but due to its unavailability the prototypes were powered by the 950 hp Tumansky M-87A.

The first prototype was built as a single-seat unarmed concept tester, which showed the viability of the design. This prototype passed its preliminary flight tests by January 8th 1939. Subsequently the aircraft was developed into its definitive two-seater form, with a cockpit which was set slightly more rearwards, and the tail gun turret installed. This second prototype was finished by late summer of 1939, with state tests held in September and October of 1939. The state tests concluded on October 10th, after 51 flights had been made. The results were disappointing: it was noted that the changed configuration over the single-seater greatly impacted on the type's performance. The aircraft had longitudinal stability issues and poor rudder response; it had poor take-off performance; the cockpit was found to be cramped; and the tail turret design imposed a severe speed penalty on the design. The test report suggested changing the tail turret to a tapered conical design. Most seriously, the front wing and landing gear were found to be insufficiently strong.

A third prototype was built with a number of improvements, such as a different installation of a structurally strengthened front wing to improve take-off performance. However, by this time interest in the Tandem MAI had waned, especially given its armament of four fixed and one trainable ShKAS machine guns and 200 kg of ordnance was seen as insufficient for future attack aircraft. Accordingly, all further development of the MAI Tandem was halted.

Media

Skins
Videos
Most unusual aircraft discusses the Tandem MAI at 6:43 - War Thunder Official Channel
The Shooting Range #94 - Pages of History section at 09:41 discusses the Tandem MAI.

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.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Moscow Aviation Institute (Московский авиационный институт)
Attackers  Tandem MAI

USSR strike aircraft
IL-2  IL-2 (1941) · IL-2 (1942) · IL-2M (1943) · IL-2M type 3 · IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2-37 · IL-2 M-82
IL-8  IL-8 (1944)
IL-10  IL-10 · IL-10 (1946)
Pe-3  Pe-3 (e) · Pe-3 · Pe-3bis
Su-2  BB-1 · Su-2 MV-5 · Su-2 TSS-1 · Su-2 (M-82)
Su-6  Su-6 · Su-6 (AM-42) · Su-6 (M-71F)
Su-8  Su-8
Tandem MAI  Tandem MAI
TIS MA  TIS MA
Tu-1  Tu-1
Yak-2  Yak-2 KABB

USSR premium aircraft
Fighters  Krasnolutsky's I-15bis · I-16 type 28 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P · I-180S · I-301 · ITP (M-1)
  LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-11
  Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3T · Golovachev's Yak-9M
  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5
  ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · ▂Fw 190 D-9
Twin-engine fighters  I-29
Jet fighters  Su-11 · MiG-15bis ISh · MiG-17AS · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-23ML
Strike aircraft  IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2 M-82 · IL-8 (1944) · Su-6 · Tandem MAI · TIS MA · Su-8 · Tu-1
  Yak-38 · Su-7BMK · Su-25K · Su-39
Bombers  Po-2M · Be-6 · MBR-2-M-34 · Pe-2-205 · TB-3M-17-32
  ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▂Hampden TB Mk I · ▂A-20G-30 · ▂B-25J-30

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