Difference between revisions of "Firebrand TF Mk IV"

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<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
−
{{break}}
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{{Break}}
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British strike fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].
  
 
The Firebrand can be considered as a British P-47. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a striker aircraft, then a fighter. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
 
The Firebrand can be considered as a British P-47. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a striker aircraft, then a fighter. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.
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== 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.''
+
<!-- ''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%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
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=== 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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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. 250 lb Mk.IV (250 lb)|G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)}}
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{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (250 lb)|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)}}
−
{{main|RP-3|Mark XV}}
+
{{main|RP-3|Uncle Tom|18 inch Mark XV (450 mm)}}
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
  
 
* Without load
 
* Without load
−
* 1 x Mark XV torpedo
+
* 1 x 18 inch Mark XV torpedo
−
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)
+
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)
−
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (500 lb total)
+
* 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (500 lb total)
−
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
+
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
−
* 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
+
* 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
−
* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
+
* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
−
* 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
+
* 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
 
* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
 
* 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
 
* 8 x RP-3 rockets
 
* 8 x RP-3 rockets
 +
* 2 x Uncle Tom rockets
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in an 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).'' -->
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 
In Arcade battles, the Firebrand can actually excel. There are no speed limits or breakage and performance is exaggerated. Thus, the Firebrand can be used somewhat effectively as a fighter. Turning and handling are both still poor performers with this aircraft compared with Realistic battle while the climb rate is significantly increased.
 
In Arcade battles, the Firebrand can actually excel. There are no speed limits or breakage and performance is exaggerated. Thus, the Firebrand can be used somewhat effectively as a fighter. Turning and handling are both still poor performers with this aircraft compared with Realistic battle while the climb rate is significantly increased.
  
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! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
! Survivability
 
! Survivability
−
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
+
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
 
|-
 
|-
 
| I
 
| I
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| Radiator
 
| Radiator
 
|
 
|
 +
| Offensive 20 mm
 
| FTC mk.IV
 
| FTC mk.IV
−
| HSBC mk.2
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| II
 
| II
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| Airframe
 
| Airframe
 
|
 
|
−
| HMBC mk.2
+
| HSBC mk.2
 +
| HRC mk.8
 
|-
 
|-
 
| III
 
| III
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| Engine
 
| Engine
 
|
 
|
−
| Offensive 20 mm
+
| New 20 mm cannons
−
| HLBC mk.2
+
| HMBC mk.2
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| IV
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| Engine injection
 
| Engine injection
 
| Cover
 
| Cover
−
| New 20 mm cannons
+
|
−
| HRC mk.8
+
| HLBC mk.2
 +
| Uncle Tom
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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== 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 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).''-->
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 
{{main|Firebrand TF Mk IV/History|l1=History of the Firebrand TF Mk IV}}
 
{{main|Firebrand TF Mk IV/History|l1=History of the Firebrand TF Mk IV}}
  
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Blackburn won the contract, however, the prototype fighter turned out to be too slow and too heavy to be considered for a fighter role and the destruction of one prototype attempting an emergency landing with a dead engine lead to concern for the direction the aircraft was going. Following the belated realisation the Firebrand would not make an adequate fighter, the Admiralty decided it would instead become a fast torpedo bomber as a replacement for the antiquated [[Swordfish Mk I|Fairey Swordfish]], especially for use against heavily defended targets such as capital battleships. Following a redesign, the first Firebrand torpedo bomber flew on March 31st 1943; by this time the design had been refined, but it still had alarming landing properties, such as abrupt trim changes during missed wire approaches and poor forward sight which made it liable to being rejected for carrier operations.
 
Blackburn won the contract, however, the prototype fighter turned out to be too slow and too heavy to be considered for a fighter role and the destruction of one prototype attempting an emergency landing with a dead engine lead to concern for the direction the aircraft was going. Following the belated realisation the Firebrand would not make an adequate fighter, the Admiralty decided it would instead become a fast torpedo bomber as a replacement for the antiquated [[Swordfish Mk I|Fairey Swordfish]], especially for use against heavily defended targets such as capital battleships. Following a redesign, the first Firebrand torpedo bomber flew on March 31st 1943; by this time the design had been refined, but it still had alarming landing properties, such as abrupt trim changes during missed wire approaches and poor forward sight which made it liable to being rejected for carrier operations.
  
−
Problems with the prototypes, several adjustments to the aircraft’s requirements and inability to get necessary engines towards the end of the war belated the {{PAGENAME}}’s entry into service, missing World War II entirely. Though pressed into service, production ceased by March of 1947 and all were withdrawn from active duty by May 1953.
+
Problems with the prototypes, several adjustments to the aircraft's requirements and inability to get necessary engines towards the end of the war belated the {{PAGENAME}}'s entry into service, missing World War II entirely. Though pressed into service, production ceased by March of 1947 and all were withdrawn from active duty by May 1953.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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== 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.''
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== 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;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''

Revision as of 18:57, 23 August 2020

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
Firebrand TF Mk IV
firebrand_tf4.png
Firebrand TF Mk IV
Britain flag.png Britain
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.7 3.7 4.3
Class:
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Firebrand TF Mk IV.jpg


The Firebrand TF Mk IV is a rank II British fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB) and 4.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.51 "Cold Steel".

The Firebrand can be considered as a British P-47. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a striker aircraft, then a fighter. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.V cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.

General info

Flight performance

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 540 526 9143 26.3 27.4 11.9 11.9 310
Upgraded 592 565 23.8 25.0 19.1 15.1

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
750 300 420 420 250 ~10 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 433 < 500 < 550 > 307
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,023 m 2,150 hp 2,448 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
3,880 m 1,975 hp 2,180 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate, upper seat back and headrest
  • 42.8 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Firebrand TF Mk IV is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)

Suspended armament

Main articles: G.P. Mk.IV (250 lb), G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb), M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb), G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)
Main articles: RP-3, Uncle Tom, 18 inch Mark XV (450 mm)

The Firebrand TF Mk IV can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 18 inch Mark XV torpedo
  • 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)
  • 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (500 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets
  • 2 x Uncle Tom rockets

Usage in battles

In Arcade battles, the Firebrand can actually excel. There are no speed limits or breakage and performance is exaggerated. Thus, the Firebrand can be used somewhat effectively as a fighter. Turning and handling are both still poor performers with this aircraft compared with Realistic battle while the climb rate is significantly increased.

Boom & Zoom is a good tactic in Arcade battles. Due to terrible handling characteristics, simply diving and flying flat is a good defensive tactic.

As a striker, the Firebrand can be extremely effective as well. Diving at an insane speed at targets is a good tactic, as its wings cannot rip and the Firebrand possesses amazing top speed and dive acceleration. Make sure to pull up quite soon, however, as handling is very poor.

Due to unlimited ammunition, the cannons are remarkably effective in Arcade battles.

When using the Firebrand as a striker, it is recommended to side climb at the beginning of the match. Perform a shallow dive until you reach the target, as speed will accumulate rapidly and the evasion of ground fire and enemy aircraft will be far easier. Plan ahead when striking your target - don't begin diving until you have approximated where the target may be once you reach it (say a destroyer or convoy), as turning to attack a target at high speed may rip the Firebrand's wings or slow you down significantly - resulting in easy prey for other fighters.

As a fighter, the Firebrand is more lacklustre. It possesses very poor handling capabilities, and manoeuvring is very sluggish. Partially due to wing-loading and weight, the Firebrand does, surprisingly, have a small turn radius and turns quite quickly, similar to the Me 410. However, turning with the Firebrand is not recommended - turning will severely bleed energy, enough to make you an eventual sitting duck.

High altitude performance, as well as zoom climbing, is extremely poor due to the lack of engine injection or throttle. Roll rate is poor as well, and the Firebrand is a massive target, compared to smaller and nimbler fighters such as the Bf-109. However, energy retention, as well as level-flight speed, is excellent. Using Boom & Zoom is recommended when using the Firebrand as a fighter, and using the Firebrand as a bomber hunter is also a good idea.

Always avoid fur balls with superior turning fighters, which includes almost all single-engine fighters at 4.3-5.3. In general, tactics for the Firebrand also apply for the Me-410, and vice versa.

Unlike Realistic battles, Simulator battles require the use of the cockpit, and the first-person view with the Firebrand is actually quite decent. It has quite a good view due to its decent bubble canopy. Unfortunately, due to the size of the cowling and wings, there are many blind spots around the plane.

Thus, the Firebrand offers good visibility for its battle rating level in simulator battles.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 20 mm FTC mk.IV
II Compressor Airframe HSBC mk.2 HRC mk.8
III Wings repair Engine New 20 mm cannons HMBC mk.2
IV Engine injection Cover HLBC mk.2 Uncle Tom

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Unrivalled armament compared to planes of the 4.3-5.3 BR, Hispano Mk.V variant fires very fast compared to standard Mk.II
  • High ammo capacity
  • "Air targets" ammunition overwhelmingly effective - composed entirely of HEF
  • Small turn radius
  • Good durability
  • Decent level speed
  • Good secondary payload
  • Torpedo options

Cons:

  • Poor manoeuvrability and handling in general- roll rate, turn rate, etc. are very poor
  • Large target
  • Mediocre climb rate
  • Poor high-altitude performance
  • Controls unresponsive at speeds near 550 km/h (350 mph)
  • Mediocre energy retention
  • Lacks any bombload stock
  • The Hispano Mk.Vs' bullet dispersion when firing can be frustrating

History

Main article: History of the Firebrand TF Mk IV

The Blackburn Firebrand was a British naval torpedo strike fighter, originally designed as a naval fighter aircraft. Due to circumstances, it was overtaken by events, and by the time it finally entered service it was no longer relevant - and too late to enter service in World War II. Designed to a 1939 tender by the Royal Navy's Admiralty, originally the Fairey Firebrand was intended as a carrier-borne escort fighter, with emphasis on its range over speed. This was due to a prevailing school of thought that carrier fighters' primary task was that of escorting strikes on enemy forces, with the aerial defence of the fleet best left to the ships' own anti-aircraft guns. The original tender, N.8/39, specified a carrier-borne fighter with a fixed forward armament of 4 x 20 mm cannons, preferably an aircraft with a two-man crew consisting of a pilot and a navigator for long-distance flights over water. Blackburn started preliminary work on such a design.

Already having two aircraft serving in a fighter role, the Gloster Sea Gladiator and the Blackburn Skua, the Admiralty belatedly realised the folly of their original tender and modified the N.8/39 specification into a new set, N.11/40, which retained most of the previous specifications but explicitly called for a single-seat fighter with 400 mph performance and a 4-hour endurance. Both Blackburn and Hawker responded to this tender, Blackburn with their B-37 design which would eventually evolve into the Firebrand and Hawker with their P.1009 proposal of a navalised Hawker Typhoon.

Blackburn won the contract, however, the prototype fighter turned out to be too slow and too heavy to be considered for a fighter role and the destruction of one prototype attempting an emergency landing with a dead engine lead to concern for the direction the aircraft was going. Following the belated realisation the Firebrand would not make an adequate fighter, the Admiralty decided it would instead become a fast torpedo bomber as a replacement for the antiquated Fairey Swordfish, especially for use against heavily defended targets such as capital battleships. Following a redesign, the first Firebrand torpedo bomber flew on March 31st 1943; by this time the design had been refined, but it still had alarming landing properties, such as abrupt trim changes during missed wire approaches and poor forward sight which made it liable to being rejected for carrier operations.

Problems with the prototypes, several adjustments to the aircraft's requirements and inability to get necessary engines towards the end of the war belated the Firebrand TF Mk IV's entry into service, missing World War II entirely. Though pressed into service, production ceased by March of 1947 and all were withdrawn from active duty by May 1953.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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;
  • encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
  • other literature.


Blackburn Aircraft Ltd.
Fighters  Firebrand TF Mk IV · Firecrest
Strike aircraft  Buccaneer S.1 · Buccaneer S.2 · Buccaneer S.2B

Britain strike aircraft
Blackburn  Firebrand TF Mk IV · Firecrest
Bristol  Beaufighter Mk I (40-mm) · Beaufighter Mk VIc · Beaufighter Mk X · Beaufighter Mk 21
CAC  ▄Wirraway
Fairey  Firefly F Mk I · Firefly FR Mk V
de Havilland  Mosquito FB Mk VI · Mosquito FB Mk XVIII
Hawker  Hurricane Mk IV · Tempest Mk V (Vickers P)
Westland  Wyvern S4

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