Difference between revisions of "Vampire F.B.5"
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{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}} | {{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.'' --> | <!-- ''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|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|H.E. M.C. Mk.13 (1,000 lb)|RP-3}} | + | {{main|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|M.C. Mk.I (500 lb)|H.E. M.C. Mk.13 (1,000 lb)|RP-3}} |
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: | ||
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* Without load | * Without load | ||
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total) | * 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total) | ||
| + | * 2 x 500 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (1,000 lb total) | ||
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total) | * 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total) | ||
| + | * 2 x 500 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total) | ||
* 2 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (2,000 lb total) | * 2 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (2,000 lb total) | ||
* 8 x RP-3 rockets | * 8 x RP-3 rockets | ||
Latest revision as of 14:09, 24 November 2024
| This page is about the British jet fighter Vampire F.B.5. For other versions, see Vampire (Family). |
Contents
Description
The de Havilland Vampire began in 1941 as a very experimental aircraft, designed around de Havilland's newly developed turbojet engine, the Halford H.1 (later renamed the de Havilland Goblin). It emerged just as turbojets were becoming powerful enough to power single-engined aircraft, aided by the Vampire's unusual twin-boom design, which allowed a shorter tail pipe to be fitted and thus reduced power loss from the engine. The prototype first flew in September 1943, only 6 months after the Gloster Meteor, and production began in May 1944, although the first units would not enter service until 1946. The Vampire FB.5 was introduced in 1948, featuring armour around the engine, clipped wings, and hardpoints for bombs and rockets, allowing it to undertake the fighter-bomber role. It was the most produced variant of the Vampire, with over 1,000 units built.
Introduced in Update 1.33, the Vampire is a highly manoeuvrable but relatively slow jet, making it rather similar in style to the numerous Spitfires found earlier in the tree. While it is unlikely to outaccelerate or outrun any of its opponents, even in a dive, the excellent manoeuvrability can allow the Vampire to dodge and entrap opponents into a turnfight which it will inevitably win. Once in position, the nimble but stable platform and four powerful Hispano cannons make taking shots relatively simple. However, as with all jets, particular attention must be paid to ensure that the Vampire is not left low on energy and vulnerable to encroaching enemies once a turnfight is committed to.
General info
Flight performance
When using the Vampire, the first thing a pilot should know is that it is inferior in most aspects to its opposition, thus requiring constant vigilance and consciousness of weakness. The Vampire cannot reach the speeds a MiG-9 (l) or an F2H-2 can, it cannot accelerate as well as many of its counterparts and it is appalling in a dive against most of its opponents. So, essentially, the "Vamp" cannot climb well, it can't catch many jets in a straight line and it can't out-accelerate much of its opposition. However, the Vampire has one impressive advantage against its jet-powered opponents: it can turn incredibly well. In fact, a good analogy to flying the Vampire is fighting jets in propeller aircraft.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 817 | 792 | 10668 | 25.0 | 25.7 | 16.1 | 15.1 | 650 |
| Upgraded | 895 | 855 | 23.5 | 24.0 | 24.4 | 20.0 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 888 | 330 | 496 | 464 | 300 | ~10 | ~5 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 550 | < 600 | < 600 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Empty mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | ||||
| de Havilland Goblin II | 1 | 3,385 kg | 190 kg/m2 | ||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | |||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 11m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 39m fuel | ||
| 705 kg | Centrifugal-flow turbojet | 3,734 kg | 4,014 kg | 4,325 kg | 4,605 kg | 5,606 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%) | ||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 11m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 39m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 1,290 kgf | N/A | 0.35 | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.28 | 0.23 |
| Optimal | 1,290 kgf (0 km/h) |
N/A | 0.35 | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.28 | 0.23 |
Survivability and armour
- 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
- 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate behind the pilot's head
- 3 mm Steel - Armour plate under the engine
The Vampire provides adequate protection to the pilot, as well as some armour under the engine. As with most jets, damage to the wings or fuselage greatly hampers flight performance, decreasing top speed and manoeuvrability. There are quite a few fuel tanks located in this plane's wings, so fuel fires may be common, especially when taking a high fuel loadout.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
Offensive armament
The Vampire F.B.5 is armed with:
- 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, chin-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)
Suspended armament
The Vampire F.B.5 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
- 2 x 500 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (1,000 lb total)
- 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total)
- 2 x 500 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total)
- 2 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 8 x RP-3 rockets
Usage in battles
The Vampire is well-known for its ability to turn on a dime, but its incredible manoeuvrability also means that it has poor manoeuvring energy retention. Climbing is important for this plane, as is careful airspeed maintenance. When in a battle situation, it is advisable to always stay above 400 km/h; any slower, and the Vampire will greatly struggle to evade enemy fire.
If the Vampire is able to keep its energy, it becomes one of the best dogfighters at this rank. It can outturn nearly every other jet of its tier, and has a powerful engine to boot. Thanks to its great manoeuvrability, it is often quite easy to line up a shot against the enemy. One common tactic is to try luring the enemy into a turnfight. The Vampire will almost always come out on top. However, never commit to a dogfight if there are multiple enemies nearby. Turning will cause the Vampire's airspeed to fall dramatically, at which point enemies can easily swoop in and destroy it.
It is valuable to note that the Vampire has a low top speed for a jet, at only ~880 km/h. It also tends to compress as higher speeds. The Vampire may have difficulty in chasing down a faster enemy. Also note that firing the main cannon armament causes a downward recoil.
For attacking ground targets, the Vampire can be equipped with either bombs or rockets.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Powerful armament
- Great manoeuvrability
- Decent payload options
- Good cockpit visibility
- Good at gliding without engine power
Cons:
- Low top speed and acceleration
- Weapons create significant recoil
- Poor dive rate
History
| Archive of the in-game description | |
|---|---|
|
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a single engine jet fighter which entered service with the RAF in 1946. Designed to Air Ministry specification F.6/41, the demand was for a fighter with a maximum speed in excess of 500 mph and a combat radius of at least 300 miles. The twin tail boom layout design allowed a short tailpipe from the powerplant, a de Havilland Goblin centrifugal turbojet. This limited the loss of thrust and reduced overall weight. Also of note in the design was the use of plywood and balsa wood in the construction of the cockpit section; de Havilland already had experience of using wood in the construction of high performance aircraft. Preliminary flight testing in September 1943 proved to be a success, with modifications made to the rudder to reduce drag and increase stability. The third prototype aircraft was also fitted with the planned standard armament of four 20mm Hispano cannon. In May 1944 an order for 120 aircraft was placed, and the first production Vampire F.Mk.I made its maiden flight in April 1945; the Vampire briefly held the record as the fastest British jet fighter with a top speed of 540 mph. No.247 Squadron was the first unit to be equipped with the Vampire in March 1946, shortly followed by No.54 and No.72 Squadrons to form the first Vampire Wing at RAF Chilbolton. In 1948 Vampires were employed by the 2nd Tactical Air Force based in Germany. A specially modified Vampire again hit the record books when it achieved a world altitude record of 59,446 feet. 1948 also saw the first testing of the FB.Mk.5. This was initially a modified Vampire F.3 with a strengthened and clipped wing, increased armour and greater ground clearance for the carrying of external ordnance. This fighter-bomber variant of the Vampire was capable of carrying up to 2000 lbs of bombs or 60 lb rockets, and went on to equip 40 squadrons within the RAF as well as being the first RAF jets to operate in the Far East. The Vampire FB.Mk.5 was used operationally in ground attack missions against insurgents in Malaya until it was replaced by the Venom in 1953. The FB.Mk.5 was also used as the basis for the Royal Navy's Sea Vampire F.Mk.20 which, fitted with an arrestor hook, long travel landing gear and larger wing flaps, entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in June 1949. A popular export fighter, just under 3300 Vampires were built - many under license overseas. | |
Media
- Skins
- Videos
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
| De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | Hornet Mk.I · Hornet Mk.III · Mosquito FB Mk VI · Mosquito FB Mk XVIII |
| Jet fighters | Vampire F.B.5 · Venom FB.4 · Sea Venom FAW 20 · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2 |
| Export | ␗Mosquito FB.Mk.26 · ▄Vampire FB 52A(Italy) · ▄Vampire FB 52A(Finland) · A28B |
| 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 |
