Difference between revisions of "Attacker FB 1"

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{{Specs-Card|code=attaker_fb1}}
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{{About
 +
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = the premium version
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| link = Attacker FB.2
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=attaker_fb1
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
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}}
  
 
== 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 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.'' -->
 +
As an attempt to replace the Spitfire, Supermarine created the Spiteful fighter with redesigned wings and undercarriage. However, with the advent of jet engine development, piston-engined aircraft were beginning to be overlooked for better performing aircraft. To save the project, Supermarine offered to convert the aircraft into a jet-powered version and also adapting it for the Royal Navy, who were also looking for a new jet-powered aircraft. Following successful redesign and testing, the new jet was accepted into production as the '''Attacker'''. Originally designed as a fighter with designation ''Attacker F 1'', 11 of the last production units were converted into a fighter-bomber version designated '''Attacker FB 1'''.
 +
[[File:HMS Eagle (R05) flight deck at Gibraltar c1953.jpg|thumbnail|right|Attackers on-board HMS Eagle ]]
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]], the Attacker FB 1 follows the Sea Fury in the Fleet Air Arm branch and is the first operational carrier-based jet in the Royal Navy's arsenal. The design allows for a multi-role function between fighting in the air or ground. The Attacker is the only British jet from its period to feature wing-mounted cannon armament. Unlike other British jet fighters that adopt nose-mounted configurations, the 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk V cannons on the Attacker do require careful use of convergence as a result of their positioning, much like the Sea Fury and Seafires. The Attacker can also mount 2 bombs and or 12 rockets. This combined with the universal or ground targets belts allows the Attacker to live up to its namesake, should pilots choose to use it in a fast ground-attack fighter-bomber role.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed 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" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| 885 || 860 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.2 || 26.9 || 22.8 || 21.5 || rowspan="2" | 950
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 936 || 922 || 23.9 || 25.0 || 33.8 || 28.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 502 || 477 || 351 || ~10 || ~6
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 491 || < 600 || < 620 || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Engine performance ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine
 +
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
 +
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Nene-3 ||  1
 +
| colspan="2" | 4,400 kg || colspan="2" | 261 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
 +
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 +
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel
 +
|-
 +
| 930 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
 +
| 4,690 kg || 5,120 kg || 5,442 kg || 7,170 kg
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
 +
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
 +
|-
 +
! Condition || 100% || WEP
 +
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel || MTOW
 +
|-
 +
| ''Stationary'' || 2,109 kgf || N/A
 +
| 0.45 || 0.41 || 0.39 || 0.29
 +
|-
 +
| ''Optimal'' || 2,109 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
 +
| 0.45 || 0.41 || 0.39 || 0.29
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
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{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
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<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate behind the pilot's seat
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{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.'' -->
 +
[[File:FighterImage_Shot 2015 07 28 13 04 55.jpg|thumbnail|right|X-Ray View of the Attacker FB.Mk 1]]
 +
{{main|Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon, wing-mounted (167 rpg inner, 145 outer = 624 total)
  
 
=== 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|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|RP-3}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 +
 
 +
* Without load
 +
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
 +
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
 +
* 12 x RP-3 rockets
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
The Attacker FB 1 is a versatile platform for multiple tasks both in ground and air battles, featuring a competitive armament in air battles and tremendous firepower in ground battles. The main weaponry of the Attacker is the 4 Hispanos Mk. V 20 mm cannons, capable of doing significant damage to ground and air targets.
 +
 
 +
'''When in air battles'''
 +
 
 +
The Attacker has multiple roles in air battles: fighter, interceptor, bomber and attacker (unironically). It should be noted that, at 7.0, you will face many prop planes. This is a pro and a con. The Attacker has superb speed, climb rate and flying ceiling than any prop plane you will encounter but it also lacks acceleration, turn speed and it is not a really manoeuvrable plane when dogfighting.
  
−
=== Defensive armament ===
+
'''As fighter'''
−
''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.''
 
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
Do not engage in turnfights as you will lose a tremendous amount of energy and the acceleration is not great to regain said lost energy, be aware when fighting a target. Also, be aware that most enemies will have both better speed and acceleration and climb rate than you so you will need to adapt your playstyle accordingly.
−
''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 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).''
+
 
 +
'''As interceptor/bomber hunter'''
 +
 
 +
This should be the main role of the Attacker when there is no need for dogfighting. Its high speed, decent climb rate, superb firepower and superiority at high altitudes make the Attacker an excellent bomber hunter. Be aware of jet bombers you may encounter ([[Ar 234 B-2]], [[Ar 234 C-3]], [[IL-28]], etc.) as they are able to outrun you most of the time. Some jet bombers, like the IL-28, will have superb defensive firepower which will do significant damage for whoever does not know how to engage them. When facing an IL-28, attack from the sides or from the bottom, do not try to tail him. Your armament is more than enough to cause fatal damage to any bomber you may encounter ([[He 177 A-5]] for example)
 +
 
 +
'''As a strike aircraft'''
 +
 
 +
As expected, the Attacker can be used as a strike fighter due to the ordnance it carries (refer to armament chapter) which can be able of taking pillboxes, AA emplacements, artillery, armoured vehicles, tanks, dive bombers, etc. There is no rule on which armament the Attacker should use, it all depends on the pilot's discretion, map, battle rating, etc. It is recommended to use ground targets belts due to the AP ammunition but universal belts may be enough to deal with light armoured vehicles and light pillboxes, leaving the ordnance for heavier and more armoured threats.
 +
 
 +
'''As a bomber'''
 +
 
 +
Due to being a jet, it is able to be a lighting strike bomber. This means to fly the Attacker in a really low altitude (also known as grass cutting flying) with bombs (1,000 lb G.P. Mk. 1 bombs are recommended for base bombing) with a 2-4 second time fuze. When the Attacker is on a base, the pilot should drop the bombs really low to the ground to ensure accuracy as no bombsight is able to be used. It may require practice on how and when to drop the bombs. The 2-4 second fuze makes the plane be able to move to a safe zone away from the blast zone. When no time fuze is set, the Attacker will be forced to drop the bombs at a higher altitude or be prompt to be killed in the blast zone with assault fuze.
 +
 
 +
'''When in ground battles'''
 +
 
 +
The Attacker has only 1 role in ground battles, Close Air Support (CAS). The variety of ordnance is enough to be used in all situations depending on the pilot's discretion. RP-3 are launched in pairs and will disable or destroy even the heaviest armour encountered with a couple of rockets. The con of rockets is that they are hard to be aimed, practice will be required. Bombs, on the other hand, are more lenient when it comes to accuracy as the blast zone is bigger and are able to destroy one or more targets at a time. The con of bombs is that a fuze might have to be added depending on the way the pilot wants to drop them (lighting strike, dive-bombing, etc), they are also heavier than the rockets, making the Attacker more vulnerable to anti-air fire and dogfighting.
 +
 
 +
When it comes to just the 20 mm cannons, it should be noted than most of the vehicles the Attacker will encounter ([[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[Ru 251]], [[BMP-1]], etc) will have a poorly armoured roof which the armour-piercing shells will penetrate. Heavier targets ([[T-54/55 (Family)|T-54]], [[T-44]], [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]]) will only be able to be killed with suspended ordnance as they will not be able to penetrate the roof.
 +
 
 +
[[File:FighterImage_Supermarine 510 landing on HMS Illustrious (R87) 1950.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Supermarine 510 swept-wing development of the Attacker would ultimately lead to the Swift]]
  
 
=== 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. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Powerful armament consisting of 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk V cannons
 +
* Wide track undercarriage for easier, stable landings
 +
* Ability to land on carriers
 +
* Clear visibility cockpit with good all-round vision
 +
* Good ground strike payloads for multi-role capabilities
 +
* Air brakes
 +
* Good rate of climb
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Poor acceleration
−
''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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Wing-mounted cannons prove to be lacking when compared to the nose-mounted armament of other jets
 +
* The taildragger gear configuration makes for difficult carrier take-off's and landings, particularly in simulator battles
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
 
 +
[[File:FighterImage_Supermarine Attacker TS413 on the ground 1947.jpg|thumbnail|left|Supermarine Type 398]]
 +
The Attacker was part of the first generation of jet aircraft to enter service with the Royal Navy and had the distinction of being the first operational combat jet on a British carrier. Whilst the Royal Air Force was already equipped with Meteors and Vampires, the Fleet Air Arm fell behind due to the difficulty of operating such a radical new technology from the Navy's existing carriers. This was partially the reasoning the FAA showed interest in the Sea Fury and the later Griffon Seafires as a "make-do" solution.
 +
 
 +
After trials with the de Havilland Sea Vampire, the Navy wanted a jet aircraft that could be operated from its current ships. Supermarine's failed Spitfire replacement, the Spiteful, was rejected by both the FAA and RAF due to already sufficient stocks of operational piston engine aircraft. However, this led to a jet engine design incorporating the same wing and undercarriage from the Spiteful, along with a tailwheel configuration as a result, and utilized a Rolls Royce Nene jet engine.
 +
 
 +
This rather primitive and rushed design was operational from 1951; however it had an extremely short career - being taken out of front-line service by 1954. This was primarily due to the aircraft's limitations being a "tail-dragger" that made operating on anything other than the deck of an aircraft carrier problematic because of the jet exhaust. The rear tail wheel only made the already hazardous task of operating a jet on a carrier even more problematic for pilots.
 +
 
 +
The Attacker quickly became superseded by the Hawker Sea Hawk and de Havilland Sea Venom, both of which were much more modern and refined designs featuring more powerful engines, tricycle undercarriages, and possessing superior performance. The Attacker did, however, serve as the base of Supermarine's first swept-wing jet for the RAF, the Swift, as can be seen by the similarity of the nose and fuselage. It would also lead to the more successful Supermarine Scimitar naval jet fighter in the latter part of the 1950s.
 +
 
 +
Whilst the Attacker saw no major service and was relatively short-lived from an operational standpoint, it nonetheless holds the distinction of being the very first of a very new breed of carrier-borne aircraft and the first chapter in a rapidly advancing era of aviation evolution.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
Whilst the world's leading air forces forged ahead with the development of new jet aircraft in the mid to late 1940s, naval aviation was left behind in the piston era due to the as of yet undefeated complexities of successfully operating jet aircraft from aircraft carriers. Whilst purpose-designed naval jet aircraft were still embryonic in Britain, there was at least still some scope for converting land-based jet aircraft.
 +
 
 +
Supermarine had enjoyed the premium position as the designer and manufacturer of fighter aircraft with the world-beating Spitfire but were now in danger of being left behind by other British aviation companies who had moved ahead with jet fighters. The Supermarine Attacker was originally developed for the RAF as a land-based jet in accordance with Spec E.10/44, with its prototype first flying in July 1946.
 +
 
 +
Powered by the Rolls-Royce Nene engine and using the laminar flow wing which had been successfully tested on the Spiteful, the Attacker failed to offer any performance advantage over the Meteor or Vampire and so was rejected by the RAF. The Fleet Air Arm, however, saw some potential in the aircraft's navalised prototypes and pursued the design to carrier trials in October 1947.
 +
 
 +
The first production Supermarine Attacker flew in May 1950 and 800 Naval Air Squadron became the first front line jet fighter squadron of the Royal Navy in August 1951 – although some jet experience had been gleaned from a small number of de Havilland Vampires purchased for just that reason.
 +
 
 +
Armed with four 20 mm Hispano cannon and able to carry eight 60 lb rockets or two 1,000 lb bombs, the Attacker was capable of reaching 590 mph at sea level and climbing at 6,350 feet per minute. However, the Attacker was a true first-generation jet fighter and was already outclassed by fighters of other nations when it entered service. It served only briefly as a front line fighter, being replaced by the Sea Hawk and Sea Venom from 1954 onwards.
 +
 
 +
It continued in second-line service with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 1957 and was also used by the Royal Pakistan Air Force.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
  
−
== Read also ==
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=attaker_fb1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''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.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
* [[Ar 234 C-3]] - A common enemy of the Attacker, the Ar 234 C-3 has comparable ground-attack capabilities.
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
 
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/772|[Devblog] Attacker FB.1 and M10 & M36 Slugger]]
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/262859-supermarine-attacker-fb-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
* [[wt:en/news/3233-vehicle-profile-supermarine-attacker-en|[Vehicle Profile] Supermarine Attacker]]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
 +
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 20:08, 27 January 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the British jet fighter Attacker FB 1. For the premium version, see Attacker FB.2.
Attacker FB 1
attaker_fb1.png
GarageImage Attacker FB 1.jpg
Attacker FB 1
Britain flag.png Britain
V Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.3 7.0 7.3
Class:
Research:95 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

As an attempt to replace the Spitfire, Supermarine created the Spiteful fighter with redesigned wings and undercarriage. However, with the advent of jet engine development, piston-engined aircraft were beginning to be overlooked for better performing aircraft. To save the project, Supermarine offered to convert the aircraft into a jet-powered version and also adapting it for the Royal Navy, who were also looking for a new jet-powered aircraft. Following successful redesign and testing, the new jet was accepted into production as the Attacker. Originally designed as a fighter with designation Attacker F 1, 11 of the last production units were converted into a fighter-bomber version designated Attacker FB 1.

Attackers on-board HMS Eagle

Introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory", the Attacker FB 1 follows the Sea Fury in the Fleet Air Arm branch and is the first operational carrier-based jet in the Royal Navy's arsenal. The design allows for a multi-role function between fighting in the air or ground. The Attacker is the only British jet from its period to feature wing-mounted cannon armament. Unlike other British jet fighters that adopt nose-mounted configurations, the 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk V cannons on the Attacker do require careful use of convergence as a result of their positioning, much like the Sea Fury and Seafires. The Attacker can also mount 2 bombs and or 12 rockets. This combined with the universal or ground targets belts allows the Attacker to live up to its namesake, should pilots choose to use it in a fast ground-attack fighter-bomber role.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 0 m922 km/h
Turn time25 s
Max altitude12 191 m
EngineRolls-Royce Nene-3
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight7 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 0 m - sea level) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 885 860 12191 26.2 26.9 22.8 21.5 950
Upgraded 936 922 23.9 25.0 33.8 28.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 351 502 477 351 ~10 ~6
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 491 < 600 < 620 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Empty mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Rolls-Royce Nene-3 1 4,400 kg 261 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 8m fuel 20m fuel 29m fuel
930 kg Centrifugal-flow turbojet 4,690 kg 5,120 kg 5,442 kg 7,170 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition 100% WEP 8m fuel 20m fuel 29m fuel MTOW
Stationary 2,109 kgf N/A 0.45 0.41 0.39 0.29
Optimal 2,109 kgf
(0 km/h) 		N/A 0.45 0.41 0.39 0.29

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear351 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
  • 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate behind the pilot's seat

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 296 → 4 693 Sl icon.png
RB8 406 → 11 970 Sl icon.png
SB12 454 → 17 734 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications80 100 Rp icon.png
129 500 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training78 000 Sl icon.png
Experts270 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 500 Ge icon.png
Research Aces670 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 320 / 600 % Sl icon.png
190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
8 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 700 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 100 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 100 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 700 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 100 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
8 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GLBC mk.3
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 700 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk5_new_gun
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 100 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
GRC mk.8
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 14 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon
Ammunition624 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
X-Ray View of the Attacker FB.Mk 1
Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Attacker FB 1 is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon, wing-mounted (167 rpg inner, 145 outer = 624 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)
Setup 12 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bomb
Setup 22 x 1000 lb M.C. Mk.I bomb
Setup 36 x RP-3 rockets
6 x RP-3 rockets
Main articles: H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb), M.C. Mk.I (1,000 lb), RP-3

The Attacker FB 1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 12 x RP-3 rockets

Usage in battles

The Attacker FB 1 is a versatile platform for multiple tasks both in ground and air battles, featuring a competitive armament in air battles and tremendous firepower in ground battles. The main weaponry of the Attacker is the 4 Hispanos Mk. V 20 mm cannons, capable of doing significant damage to ground and air targets.

When in air battles

The Attacker has multiple roles in air battles: fighter, interceptor, bomber and attacker (unironically). It should be noted that, at 7.0, you will face many prop planes. This is a pro and a con. The Attacker has superb speed, climb rate and flying ceiling than any prop plane you will encounter but it also lacks acceleration, turn speed and it is not a really manoeuvrable plane when dogfighting.

As fighter

Do not engage in turnfights as you will lose a tremendous amount of energy and the acceleration is not great to regain said lost energy, be aware when fighting a target. Also, be aware that most enemies will have both better speed and acceleration and climb rate than you so you will need to adapt your playstyle accordingly.

As interceptor/bomber hunter

This should be the main role of the Attacker when there is no need for dogfighting. Its high speed, decent climb rate, superb firepower and superiority at high altitudes make the Attacker an excellent bomber hunter. Be aware of jet bombers you may encounter (Ar 234 B-2, Ar 234 C-3, IL-28, etc.) as they are able to outrun you most of the time. Some jet bombers, like the IL-28, will have superb defensive firepower which will do significant damage for whoever does not know how to engage them. When facing an IL-28, attack from the sides or from the bottom, do not try to tail him. Your armament is more than enough to cause fatal damage to any bomber you may encounter (He 177 A-5 for example)

As a strike aircraft

As expected, the Attacker can be used as a strike fighter due to the ordnance it carries (refer to armament chapter) which can be able of taking pillboxes, AA emplacements, artillery, armoured vehicles, tanks, dive bombers, etc. There is no rule on which armament the Attacker should use, it all depends on the pilot's discretion, map, battle rating, etc. It is recommended to use ground targets belts due to the AP ammunition but universal belts may be enough to deal with light armoured vehicles and light pillboxes, leaving the ordnance for heavier and more armoured threats.

As a bomber

Due to being a jet, it is able to be a lighting strike bomber. This means to fly the Attacker in a really low altitude (also known as grass cutting flying) with bombs (1,000 lb G.P. Mk. 1 bombs are recommended for base bombing) with a 2-4 second time fuze. When the Attacker is on a base, the pilot should drop the bombs really low to the ground to ensure accuracy as no bombsight is able to be used. It may require practice on how and when to drop the bombs. The 2-4 second fuze makes the plane be able to move to a safe zone away from the blast zone. When no time fuze is set, the Attacker will be forced to drop the bombs at a higher altitude or be prompt to be killed in the blast zone with assault fuze.

When in ground battles

The Attacker has only 1 role in ground battles, Close Air Support (CAS). The variety of ordnance is enough to be used in all situations depending on the pilot's discretion. RP-3 are launched in pairs and will disable or destroy even the heaviest armour encountered with a couple of rockets. The con of rockets is that they are hard to be aimed, practice will be required. Bombs, on the other hand, are more lenient when it comes to accuracy as the blast zone is bigger and are able to destroy one or more targets at a time. The con of bombs is that a fuze might have to be added depending on the way the pilot wants to drop them (lighting strike, dive-bombing, etc), they are also heavier than the rockets, making the Attacker more vulnerable to anti-air fire and dogfighting.

When it comes to just the 20 mm cannons, it should be noted than most of the vehicles the Attacker will encounter (Leopard 1, Ru 251, BMP-1, etc) will have a poorly armoured roof which the armour-piercing shells will penetrate. Heavier targets (T-54, T-44, IS-2) will only be able to be killed with suspended ordnance as they will not be able to penetrate the roof.

The Supermarine 510 swept-wing development of the Attacker would ultimately lead to the Swift

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful armament consisting of 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk V cannons
  • Wide track undercarriage for easier, stable landings
  • Ability to land on carriers
  • Clear visibility cockpit with good all-round vision
  • Good ground strike payloads for multi-role capabilities
  • Air brakes
  • Good rate of climb

Cons:

  • Poor acceleration
  • Wing-mounted cannons prove to be lacking when compared to the nose-mounted armament of other jets
  • The taildragger gear configuration makes for difficult carrier take-off's and landings, particularly in simulator battles

History

Supermarine Type 398

The Attacker was part of the first generation of jet aircraft to enter service with the Royal Navy and had the distinction of being the first operational combat jet on a British carrier. Whilst the Royal Air Force was already equipped with Meteors and Vampires, the Fleet Air Arm fell behind due to the difficulty of operating such a radical new technology from the Navy's existing carriers. This was partially the reasoning the FAA showed interest in the Sea Fury and the later Griffon Seafires as a "make-do" solution.

After trials with the de Havilland Sea Vampire, the Navy wanted a jet aircraft that could be operated from its current ships. Supermarine's failed Spitfire replacement, the Spiteful, was rejected by both the FAA and RAF due to already sufficient stocks of operational piston engine aircraft. However, this led to a jet engine design incorporating the same wing and undercarriage from the Spiteful, along with a tailwheel configuration as a result, and utilized a Rolls Royce Nene jet engine.

This rather primitive and rushed design was operational from 1951; however it had an extremely short career - being taken out of front-line service by 1954. This was primarily due to the aircraft's limitations being a "tail-dragger" that made operating on anything other than the deck of an aircraft carrier problematic because of the jet exhaust. The rear tail wheel only made the already hazardous task of operating a jet on a carrier even more problematic for pilots.

The Attacker quickly became superseded by the Hawker Sea Hawk and de Havilland Sea Venom, both of which were much more modern and refined designs featuring more powerful engines, tricycle undercarriages, and possessing superior performance. The Attacker did, however, serve as the base of Supermarine's first swept-wing jet for the RAF, the Swift, as can be seen by the similarity of the nose and fuselage. It would also lead to the more successful Supermarine Scimitar naval jet fighter in the latter part of the 1950s.

Whilst the Attacker saw no major service and was relatively short-lived from an operational standpoint, it nonetheless holds the distinction of being the very first of a very new breed of carrier-borne aircraft and the first chapter in a rapidly advancing era of aviation evolution.


Archive of the in-game description

Whilst the world's leading air forces forged ahead with the development of new jet aircraft in the mid to late 1940s, naval aviation was left behind in the piston era due to the as of yet undefeated complexities of successfully operating jet aircraft from aircraft carriers. Whilst purpose-designed naval jet aircraft were still embryonic in Britain, there was at least still some scope for converting land-based jet aircraft.

Supermarine had enjoyed the premium position as the designer and manufacturer of fighter aircraft with the world-beating Spitfire but were now in danger of being left behind by other British aviation companies who had moved ahead with jet fighters. The Supermarine Attacker was originally developed for the RAF as a land-based jet in accordance with Spec E.10/44, with its prototype first flying in July 1946.

Powered by the Rolls-Royce Nene engine and using the laminar flow wing which had been successfully tested on the Spiteful, the Attacker failed to offer any performance advantage over the Meteor or Vampire and so was rejected by the RAF. The Fleet Air Arm, however, saw some potential in the aircraft's navalised prototypes and pursued the design to carrier trials in October 1947.

The first production Supermarine Attacker flew in May 1950 and 800 Naval Air Squadron became the first front line jet fighter squadron of the Royal Navy in August 1951 – although some jet experience had been gleaned from a small number of de Havilland Vampires purchased for just that reason.

Armed with four 20 mm Hispano cannon and able to carry eight 60 lb rockets or two 1,000 lb bombs, the Attacker was capable of reaching 590 mph at sea level and climbing at 6,350 feet per minute. However, the Attacker was a true first-generation jet fighter and was already outclassed by fighters of other nations when it entered service. It served only briefly as a front line fighter, being replaced by the Sea Hawk and Sea Venom from 1954 onwards.

It continued in second-line service with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 1957 and was also used by the Royal Pakistan Air Force.


Media

Skins

See also

  • Ar 234 C-3 - A common enemy of the Attacker, the Ar 234 C-3 has comparable ground-attack capabilities.

External links


Supermarine
Spitfires 
Merlin engine  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb
  Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop
  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
  Spitfire LF Mk IX · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc
Griffon engine  Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Spitfire F Mk XIVe · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe · Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe · Spitfire F Mk 22 · Spitfire F Mk 24
Export  ▄Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) · Weizman's Spitfire LF Mk.IXe · ▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
Seafires  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Export  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III
Jet fighters  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Hydroplanes  Walrus Mk.I

Britain jet aircraft
Blackburn  Buccaneer S.1 · Buccaneer S.2 · Buccaneer S.2B
British Aerospace  Harrier GR.7 · Sea Harrier FRS.1 (e) · Sea Harrier FRS.1 · Sea Harrier FA 2
British Aircraft Corporation  Strikemaster Mk.88
English Electric  Canberra B Mk 2 · Canberra B (I) Mk 6 · Lightning F.6 · Lightning F.53
Gloster  Meteor F Mk 3 · Sea Meteor F Mk 3 · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41F · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41G · Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K · Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper
  Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9
de Havilland  Vampire F.B.5 · Venom FB.4 · Sea Venom FAW 20 · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2
Hawker  Sea Hawk FGA.6 · Hunter F.1 · Hunter F.6 · Hunter FGA.9 · Harrier GR.1 · Harrier GR.3
Panavia  Tornado GR.1 · Tornado GR.4 · Tornado F.3 · Tornado F.3 Late
SEPECAT  Jaguar GR.1 · Jaguar GR.1A · Jaguar IS
Supermarine  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Foreign  Phantom FG.1 (USA) · Phantom FGR.2 (USA) · F-4J(UK) Phantom II (USA)
Australia  F-111C
India  ▄MiG-21 Bison
South Africa  ▄JAS39C

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