Difference between pages "Calliope" and "Red Top"

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(Main armament)
 
(Filled in Effective damage and some of comparison with analogues. Will finish off the comparison section later.)
 
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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m4_sherman_calliope}}
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[[File:RedTop Fired.jpg|thumb|x250px|A Red Top fired from a [[Lightning F.6]]]]
 
 
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle 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.-->
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<!--''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:GarageImage_Calliope.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''Red Top''' is a British [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|Infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]], along with the [[Lightning F.6]] (the only aircraft which currently carries it). The Red Top is one of the largest air-to-air missiles in the game, it is longer than any other air-to-air missile, while being second only to the [[Matra R530E]] in terms of weight, and having largest explosive mass (31 kg) of any air-to-air missile.
{{break}}
 
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced with [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. Though using the base model of a [[M4|M4 Sherman]], it has a 60 round rocket rack sitting above the turret that fires 114 mm rockets at a general location. While giving the team a good edge in firepower, the rocket rack also presents a large weak point that can be targeted with a high-explosive round for an ammo-rack detonation.
 
 
 
This vehicle has guide rails for 114 mm M8 rockets mounted on an M4 tank turret. The main cannon is still usable at any time.
 
 
 
The rocket armaments greatest disadvantage is the inaccuracy, despite its fin-stabilized tail. There is no guidance system, thus every barrage needs to be fired in an arc, greatly increasing the warhead dispersion. Furthermore, the stabilizing fins showed little impact in lateral guidance when fired from the ground, in comparison with their aerial version.
 
  
Another drawback is the small warhead with only a 1.9 kg of high explosive filler. Adequate against barricades and entrenchments, but lacking in stopping power against heavy armoured vehicles such as tanks and pillboxes. It is recommended to use multiple rockets on even medium tanks. Additionally, as with any other ground vehicle firing unguided rockets, the weapon will present a very loud but distinct firing signature, allowing enemies to identify the type of vehicle as well as its location on the map. The distinct smoke trail from fired rockets can also reveal the position of the vehicle. However, the higher fire rate of the M8 rockets allows for multiple volleys of rockets to be fired quickly at a target. The ensuing flash, fire and smoke effects from constant barrage against a target can temporarily blind targets and thus can be used as an emergency smoke screen. This rocket launcher system allowed fire not only from a defilade position but also from point-blank range.
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=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 +
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
  
Drawbacks are the inaccuracy of the volleys due to arc fire and the lack of anti-tank damage. The warheads are pure HE, thus they need to hit thinly armoured areas, like rooftops and armour hulls above the tracks to be able to deal with any sort of damage. You may wish to get close to a target before firing a volley to have the best chance of your barrage hitting the target.
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* {{Specs-Link|lightning_f6}}
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
+
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''
<!--Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?
 
 
 
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
 
 
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 
*Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
| Hull || 50.8 mm (56°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (12-56°) ''Transmission area'' <br> 50.8 (13-20°) + 25.4 mm (35°) ''Protruding hatches'' || 38.1 mm <br> 38.1 + 25.4 mm ''Appliqué addition'' || 38.1 mm (0-10°) ''Top'' <br> 25.4 mm (33-64°) ''Bottom'' || 19.5 mm ''Sides'' <br> 12.7 mm ''Engine deck and center''
 
|-
 
| Turret || 76.2-88.9 mm (4-67°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50.8 + 88.9 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 50.8 mm (0-68°) || 50.8 mm (2-66°) || 25.4 mm
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 
|-
 
| Cupola || 50.8 mm || 25.4 mm
 
|-
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
 
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
 
* The front armour has two protruding areas for the driver and co-driver hatches. These are weak points, as they present a flat armour surface.
 
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
 
 
 
=== Mobility ===
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
 
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 620|rbMinHp= 354|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
 
 
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
<!--Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.-->
 
{{main|M3 (75 mm)}}
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3]]
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 104 || -10°/+25° || ±180° || Vertical
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
|-
 
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
| ''Arcade'' ||22.85||31.62||38.40||42.47||45.18
 
|-
 
| ''Realistic'' || 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.4 || 22.60 || 24.00
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
|-
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
| 6.50 || 5.75 || 5.30 || 5.00
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
===== Ammunition =====
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 
|-
 
! 10m
 
! 100m
 
! 500m
 
! 1000m
 
! 1500m
 
! 2000m
 
|-
 
| M72 shot || AP || 110 || 109 || 92 || 76 || 62 || 51
 
|-
 
| M48 shell || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
 
|-
 
| M61 shot || APCBC || 90 || 88 || 81 || 73 || 65 || 59
 
|-
 
| T45 shot || APCR || 143 || 137 || 127 || 106 || 86 || 70
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 
''in m:''
 
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 
''in mm:''
 
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
|-
 
! 0%
 
! 50%
 
! 100%
 
|-
 
| M72 shot || AP || 619 || 6.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
| M48 shell || HE || 463 || 6.3 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 666 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| M61 shot || APCBC || 618 || 6.8 || 1.2 || 20 || 63.7 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
| T45 shot || APCR || 868 || 3.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
 
|-
 
! Ammunition
 
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
 
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
 
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
 
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
|-
 
| M89 || 259 || 3 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th<br />  rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
|-
 
|| '''97''' || 91&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 88&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 86&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 78&nbsp;''(+19)'' || 63&nbsp;''(+34)'' || 46&nbsp;''(+51)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+66)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+96)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
 
|-
 
|}
 
[[File:Ammoracks M4.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the M4 Sherman.]]
 
Notes:
 
 
 
* To go into battle with the turret basket empty of ammo, pack 78&nbsp;''(+19)'' shells (racks 1 to 4 emptied).
 
* To go into battle with the turret basket and the flanks empty of ammo, pack 31&nbsp;''(+66)'' shells (Racks 1 to 7 empty).
 
* The 8th rack is large and located at a a weak spot: the bottom section of the armor. In case of penetration, there is a high risk of ammo rack detonation. Make sure not to expose your flanks unnecessarily.
 
 
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
<!--Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.-->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | 114 mm M8 rocket
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Flight <br> speed (m/s)
 
! rowspan="1" | Range (m)
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 60 || -9°/+12° || 260 || 4,500
 
|-
 
|}
 
Rocket launcher tubes can easily be detonated by high-explosives when they are loaded with rockets.
 
  
=== Machine guns ===
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=== Effective damage ===
<!--Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.-->
+
<!-- Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc) -->
{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
+
The Red Top's warhead has the largest explosive mass of any air-to-air missile in the game, with 31 kg of TNT. This makes the Warhead very powerful and coupled with a wide proximity fuse range gives it a very large blast radius. On account of the massive warhead Red Top detonations tend to be immediately fatal to aircraft within the blast radius. However there are times (usually when the enemy aircraft is only just within the proximity fuse range and moving away from the missile) where enemy vehicles can survive, albeit usually with (often critical) damage.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
=== Comparison with analogues ===
|-
+
<!-- Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon. -->
! colspan="7" | [[Browning (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
+
The missile most comparable to the Red Top is it's direct predecessor, the [[Firestreak]]. Both missiles were designed to be used in the interception of Soviet bombers, and feature large warheads with reasonable overloads and uncaged seekers which support radar slaving.
|-
 
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
| colspan="4" | 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the 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. Describe 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 situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''
The '''T34 Calliope''' is effective as a close-quarters brawler. It should aim to start engagements suddenly and spam rockets primarily at an enemy's main cannon and roof armour. It is a small chance that this will immediately disable or knock out an enemy vehicle. This is usually enough to either finish off the target with rockets or by using the 75mm cannon.
 
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
! Protection
 
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Tracks
 
|
 
| Parts
 
| Horizontal Drive
 
|
 
|-
 
| II
 
| Suspension
 
| Brake System
 
| FPE
 
| Adjustment of Fire
 
| M61 shot
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Filters
 
|
 
| Crew Replenishment
 
| Elevation Mechanism
 
|
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| Transmission
 
| Engine
 
|
 
| Artillery Support
 
| M89
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" |This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a 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".-->
+
<!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''-->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Armament:
+
* Has an uncaged seeker with wide gimbal limits
** Quick-firing 75 mm gun with adequate shell options
+
* Can lock on to targets from the side aspect very well
** Is now equipped with 60 rockets, a salvo can blind or even cripple, if not destroy other enemy tanks
+
* Can be extremely hard to dodge when fired from side aspect
** Despite the rockets having very low penetration, the rack sits about a 1 meter above the already tall Sherman, allowing the calliope to hit the very weak top armour of its target at close range
+
* Massive warhead with large blast radius
* Armour:
+
* Supports radar slaving
** Reasonably good frontal protection, can work nicely when in down-tiers
 
** Turret is quite strong
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Size:
+
* Performs poorly when fired from directly behind an opponent (unless you have a speed advantage)
** The Sherman is already a pretty large vehicle, the addition of the rockets makes the Calliope stick out like a sore thumb.
+
* Loses speed very quickly after the motor burns out
* Armament:
+
* Overall poor range at low altitude (can be mitigated by firing while approaching the target from the side)
** The 75 mm gun begins to lack the penetration to go up against tougher foes
 
** Does not get access to the T45 APCR shot
 
** Rockets are inaccurate past ~100 meters
 
** Rockets act as a massive (and unarmoured) ammunition rack
 
** Rockets only have 29 mm of penetration
 
** Loses access to the .50 calibre M2 machine gun
 
** The distinctive firing sound of the rockets can lure unwanted enemies
 
** The rocket launcher is not linked to the main gun and will also aim at the target marker, meaning it will point downwards when you have returned to cover and the target marker is on the cover directly in front of you.
 
* Armour:
 
** Overall armour protection is no longer effective against tougher foes, especially against the German long 75 mm gun
 
** The extra 25.4 mm side plating indicates the location of ammunition racks (can be resolved by taking less than 23 cannon rounds)
 
* Price:
 
** The Calliope is the most expensive premium vehicle in War Thunder, cashing in at an astounding 9,740 Golden Eagles
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle 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></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>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).-->
+
''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>.''
===Development===
 
Midway into World War II in 1943, the Western Allies realized that unlike the Soviet Union, they did not have any form of a "multiple rocket launcher system" that the Soviets had with their ''Katyusha Launchers'' trucks. The idea of rocket launchers isn't new at this period, they present some advantage over the standard mortar or howitzer. The rocket launcher can launch massive amounts of high-explosive ammunition at a longer distance at a shorter time with a greater psychological impact than normal artillery, at the price of a longer reload time and less accuracy. The Soviets showed the best utilization of this weapon with their ''Katyushas'', having a whole bunch of them fire at a designated target, minimizing accuracy loss with a full area saturation of fire. The effectiveness of this system prompted the Allies to start producing some form of multiple rocket launcher system as well.
 
 
 
In 1943, the project began in the United States and the design was to use the current [[M4|M4 Sherman]] tanks in service to mount the rocket launchers to bring into combat. The design, developed by Victor Hawkins, had a rocket mount on the Sherman turret with sixty launch tubes, all made to fire the 4.5 in. M8 rockets. The project gave the experimental tank design the designation '''T34''', and the troops adopted the name '''"Calliope"''', which was the name of a steam organ and has a similar look.
 
 
 
===Combat usage===
 
These rocket launcher tanks were sent to France in 1944, although many never saw combat for various reasons. During its development, three different variants were made. The original T34 had 60 tubes for the 4.5 in. rockets with 36 fixed tubes on top and 24 on the bottom able to be jettisoned (except on the [[M4A1|M4A1 Sherman]] variant). The second, T34E1, has the 24 jettisonable tubes replaced by 28 tubes, though the total tubes were still 60. The T34E2 had the rocket calibre increased from 4.5 in. to 7.2 in. with the same 60 tubes. This saw combat during the 1944-1945 time span.
 
 
 
However, the modifications of the Shermans seem unnecessary as the war progressed, new development had the rocket launcher system mated to trucks, armoured chassis, and jeeps so the tanks could be left alone to do its purpose. But when the Calliope saw service in the Pacific and Europe, its performance was moderately successful. The T34 was replaced by the T40 "Whiz Bang" Sherman, which was a Sherman with a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher system like the T34, but only saw combat in the last few months of the war and had the 7.2 in. rockets.
 
 
 
=== In-game description ===
 
A jet-powered volley-fire system on the base of regular Sherman tank, it received the addition of a T34E1 launch system with a tubes for M8 missiles. The first versions had the body of a T34, which did not allow them to fire the tank cannon, so a modification of the T34E1 was created that was equipped with a special adapter that allowed the tank cannon to be fired on that body.
 
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
+
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 
 
;Skins
 
 
 
* [http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23calliope Skins and camouflages for the T34 Calliope from live.warthunder.com]
 
 
 
;Images
 
 
 
[[File:T-34-rocket-launcher-France.jpg|x250px|thumb|none|The T34 "Calliope" firing a salvo of 4.5 inch rockets.]]
 
 
 
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|RuBjkyZT6Yw|'''The Shooting Range #6''' - ''Challenge'' section at 05:58 discusses hunting aircraft with the Calliope.}}
 
  
 
== 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 vehicles;''
+
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
+
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''-->
  
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
+
* [[Firestreak]]
 
 
* [[M4]]
 
* [[M4A2]]
 
* [[M4 748 (a) (Germany)]]
 
 
 
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 
 
 
* [[15 cm Pz.W.42]]
 
* [[BM-13N]]
 
* [[Cromwell V (RP-3)]]
 
  
 
== 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 tank;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 
* ''other literature.''-->
  
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/775/|[Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> РСЗО T34 Sherman Calliope]]
+
* [[wt:en/news/6615-development-lightning-f-6-saddled-to-a-skyrocket-en|[Devblog] Lightning F.6: Saddled to a Skyrocket!]]
 +
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Top_(missile) Wikipedia - Red Top (missile)]
 +
 
 +
{{Missiles}}
  
{{USA medium tanks}}
+
[[Category:Suspended armaments]]
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}
 

Revision as of 17:28, 31 July 2020

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
A Red Top fired from a Lightning F.6

Description

The Red Top is a British Infrared homing air-to-air missile, it was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury", along with the Lightning F.6 (the only aircraft which currently carries it). The Red Top is one of the largest air-to-air missiles in the game, it is longer than any other air-to-air missile, while being second only to the Matra R530E in terms of weight, and having largest explosive mass (31 kg) of any air-to-air missile.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.

Effective damage

The Red Top's warhead has the largest explosive mass of any air-to-air missile in the game, with 31 kg of TNT. This makes the Warhead very powerful and coupled with a wide proximity fuse range gives it a very large blast radius. On account of the massive warhead Red Top detonations tend to be immediately fatal to aircraft within the blast radius. However there are times (usually when the enemy aircraft is only just within the proximity fuse range and moving away from the missile) where enemy vehicles can survive, albeit usually with (often critical) damage.

Comparison with analogues

The missile most comparable to the Red Top is it's direct predecessor, the Firestreak. Both missiles were designed to be used in the interception of Soviet bombers, and feature large warheads with reasonable overloads and uncaged seekers which support radar slaving.

Usage in battles

Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Has an uncaged seeker with wide gimbal limits
  • Can lock on to targets from the side aspect very well
  • Can be extremely hard to dodge when fired from side aspect
  • Massive warhead with large blast radius
  • Supports radar slaving

Cons:

  • Performs poorly when fired from directly behind an opponent (unless you have a speed advantage)
  • Loses speed very quickly after the motor burns out
  • Overall poor range at low altitude (can be mitigated by firing while approaching the target from the side)

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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.

Media

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

See also

External links


Missiles
USA 
AAM  AIM-54A Phoenix · AIM-54C Phoenix · ATAS (AIM-92)
Sparrow  AIM-7C · AIM-7D · AIM-7E · AIM-7E-2 · AIM-7F · AIM-7M
Sidewinder  AIM-9B · AIM-9C · AIM-9D · AIM-9E · AIM-9G · AIM-9H · AIM-9J · AIM-9L · AIM-9M · AIM-9P
AGM  AGM-22 · APKWS II (M151) · APKWS II (M282) · BGM-71D TOW-2
Bullpup  AGM-12B Bullpup · AGM-12C Bullpup
Hellfire  AGM-114B Hellfire · AGM-114K Hellfire II
Maverick  AGM-65A · AGM-65B · AGM-65D
ATGM  LOSAT/MGM-166A
TOW  BGM-71 · BGM-71A · BGM-71B · BGM-71C
SAM  FIM-92 Stinger · MIM-72 · MIM146
Naval SAM  RIM-24A
Germany 
AAM  AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder · Flz Lwf 63/80
AGM  9M14M Malyutka · Flz Lwf LB 82 · HOT-1 · HOT-2 TOW · HOT-3 · PARS 3 LR
AShM  AS.34 Kormoran
ATGM  HOT-K3S
SAM  Roland
USSR 
AAM  9M39 Igla · R-3R · R-3S · R-13M1 · R-23R · R-23T · R-24R · R-24T · R-27ER(1) · R-27ET(1) · R-27R(1) · R-27T(1) · R-60 · R-60M · R-60MK · R-73(E)
AGM  9K127 Vikhr · 9M17M Falanga · 9M120 Ataka · 9M120-1 Ataka
  Kh-23M · Kh-25 · Kh-25ML · Kh-29L · Kh-29T · Kh-29TE · Kh-29TD · Kh-66 · S-25L
ATGM  3M7 · 9M14 · 9M113 Konkurs · 9M114 Shturm · 9M123 Khrizantema · 9M133 · 9M133FM3 · 9M133M-2
SAM  95Ya6 · 9M311 · 9M311-1M · 9M331 · 9M37M
Naval SAM  Volna-M
Britain 
AAM  Fireflash · Firestreak · Red Top · Skyflash · Skyflash SuperTEMP · SRAAM
AGM  AS.12 · ZT-6 Mokopa
AShM  AJ.168
ATGM  BAe Swingfire · MILAN · MILAN 2 · ZT3
SAM  Starstreak
Japan 
AAM  AAM-3
AGM  Ki-148 I-Go Model 1B
ATGM  Type 64 MAT · Type 79 Jyu-MAT
SAM  Type 81 SAM-1C · Type 91
China 
AAM  PL-2 · PL-5B · PL-5C · PL-7 · PL-8 · TY-90
AGM  AKD-9 · AKD-10 · HJ-8A · HJ-8C · HJ-8E · HJ-8H
ATGM  302 · HJ-73 · HJ-73E · HJ-9 · QN201DD · QN502CDD
SAM  HN-6
Italy 
AAM  Aspide-1A
AGM  CIRIT · L-UMTAS · Spike ER
ATGM  Spike-LR2MR
Naval AShM  Nettuno
SAM  Mistral SATCP
France 
AAM  AA-20 Nord · Matra R511 · Matra R530 · Matra R530E · Matra Super 530D · Matra Super 530F · Matra R550 Magic 1 · Matra R550 Magic 2 · Mistral
AGM  9M14-2 Malyutka-2 · AS-20 Nord · AS-30 Nord · AS-30L Nord · HOT-1 · HOT-2 TOW · HOT-3 · Spike ER
ATGM  HOT · SS.11
SAM  Roland · VT1
Sweden 
AAM  RB24 · RB24J · RB71 · RB 74 · RB 74(M)
AGM  Rb05A · RB 53 Bantam · RB 55B Heli TOW · RB 55C Heli TOW · RB 75
ATGM  Rbs 55 · Rbs 56
SAM  Rbs 70
Israel 
AAM  Shafrir · Shafrir 2 · Python 3
ATGM  Spike-MR
  AAM = Air-to-Air Missile   AGM = Air-to-Ground Missile   AShM = Anti-Ship Missile   ATGM = Anti-Tank Guided Missile (Ground mounts)   SAM = Surface-to-Air Missile