Difference between revisions of "F7F-3"

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{{Specs-Card|code=f7f3}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = gift American naval fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = the regular version
 +
| link = F7F-1
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=f7f3
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
|cockpit=cockpit_f7f3.jpg
 +
|market=F7F-3 Tigercat
 +
}}
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.61 "Road to Glory"]] in the [[wt:en/news/4151-special-operation-s-u-m-m-e-r-updated-03-08-2016-en/|Operation S.U.M.M.E.R. event of 2016]].
 +
 
 +
The {{Specs|name}} is further development of the US Navy twin-engine fighter, the F7F-1. The third modification is equipped with more powerful engines which allowed for the installation of unguided rockets and which included three Tiny Tims, which are effective not only against ships, but also enemy bases. Although the original F7F could reach a very high speed for a twin-engine fighter, this new machine accelerates even faster both in level flight and in a dive, which makes it an excellent aircraft for "Boom and Zoom" tactics. Like the original Tigercat, the F7F-3 has four 20 mm guns AN/M2 and four 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns - a powerful arsenal with a fire rate of almost 8 kg of lead per second!
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 +
The F7F-3 is exceptionally fast at low and medium altitude, but it gets mediocre after reaching 7,000 m altitude and above. Climb rate is also very good since it is an interceptor, it is one of the best climbing propeller-driven fighters in the game, but similarly to the level speed, at high altitude it gets worse compared to the other fighters like the [[P-38 (Family)|Lightning]] or [[P-47 (Family)|Thunderbolt]]. A very good power to weight ratio makes its acceleration in level flight and diving great. Manoeuvrability is quite bad, it is comparable to some jets like the F-80, at low and medium speed it will not be able to win any dogfight and the high speed G load is very low, up to 8G, roll rate is very low, sometimes it can make the aiming a little hard. Stalling speed is very high, the plane can start spinning even at high speed during the attempt to perform a tight turn, stalling itself is not violent, the F7F does not start to spin right after reaching and exceeding the critical angle of attack, it takes up to two seconds for this to happen.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,877 m)
 +
! 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
 +
| 671 || 652 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.4 || 27.4 || 20.0 || 20.0 || rowspan="2" | 444
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 751 || 708 || 23.7 || 25.0 || 33.3 || 25.5
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 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}} || 455 || 425 || 277 || ~10 || ~8
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 466 || < 450 || < 555 || > 315
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! colspan="2" | Setting 1
 +
|-
 +
| 850 m
 +
| width="33%" | 2,100 hp
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 0 m || 2,590 hp
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! colspan="2" | Setting 2
 +
|-
 +
| 5,340 m || 1,700 hp
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 4,500 m || 2,100 hp
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-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, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot's windscreen
 +
* 9.5 mm Steel - Plate in the nose
 +
* 6.35 mm Aluminium Alloy - Fore cockpit armour plate
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
 +
* 6.35 mm Steel - Oil cooling system protection
 +
 
 +
=== 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.'' -->
 +
{{main|M3 (20 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)
 +
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 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.'' -->
  
−
=== Defensive armament ===
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
−
''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 ==
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
''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).''
+
|-
 +
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10 !! width="4%" | 11
 +
| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500 lb AN-M64A1]] bombs
 +
| || || || || 1 || || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb AN-M65A1]] bombs
 +
| || || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-Mk 1 (1,600 lb)|1,600 lb AN-Mk 1]] bombs
 +
| || || || || || 1 || || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb AN-M66A2]] bombs
 +
| || || || || || 1 || || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[HVAR]] rockets
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[Tiny Tim]] rockets
 +
| || || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[Type A Mark I mine|Type A Mark I]] mines
 +
| || || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="12" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,100 kg
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
 
 +
* Without load
 +
* 8 x HVAR rockets
 +
* 3 x Tiny Tim rockets
 +
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
 +
* 3 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (3,000 lb total)
 +
* 1 x 1,600 lb AN-Mk 1 bomb (1,600 lb total)
 +
* 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total)
 +
* 3 x Type A Mark I mines
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
 +
 
 +
== 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 F7F-3 is one of the best American interceptors, it possesses an above average climb rate, overwhelming armament and is quite stable. The climb rate allows it to get above everything enemy fighters or in the worst scenario at the same altitude, but then its armament can be used to push down the enemy fighters and force them to run or go for the head on attack, which in most cases the F7F will win, all its guns are place close to each other near the center of the plane, the gun convergence issues do not affect this plane and it possible to aim accurately even at the long distance, before the enemy gets close, a very high bullet velocity of shells for the guns also is helping a lot. After getting above the enemy the F7F can get very deadly because of its acceleration and energy retention, in most cases it will need only one approach to take out the enemy plane and trying to follow it in zoom climb can be an issue. When the F7F is below the enemy it can get hard, low turn and roll rate and also the fact that the plane is a large target will not help when the player is trying to avoid enemy attacks, although the superior dive acceleration and speed can be used to get away and then force the enemy to commit a head on attack. Dogfighting against any type of plane should be always avoided, an encounter at low speed will always end up very badly for the F7F because of its lacking manoeuvrability.
 +
 
 +
Against German planes the player should always try to get the altitude advantage and use [[Boom_%26_Run|Boom and Run techniques]], committing to head on can be a little risky since most of German planes has good offensive armament, very often comparable to the F7F. When they are above it could be possible to use the dive speed to get away from the Bf 109, their max allowed speed is lower, those fighters are also way slower from low to medium altitude. It can get harder in a fight against the Fw 190D series, they are considered bad at turning but the F7F would be equally good at turning at best, outturning will also be an issue, the Fw 190's wing break speed is higher, the only level speed difference in favour of the F7F over them is at low altitude.
 +
 
 +
Tactics used against the Italians should be similar since they have similar equipment, but compared to the Bf 109 series all their planes have very high wing break speed, trying to outrun them in a level flight is a better solution after getting into any trouble against them, most of their fighters are 80 km/h slower, sometimes the level speed difference is even higher.
 +
 
 +
The Japanese fighters have worse armament, going for the head on situation against them is always a good idea, specially since the F7F is a quite durable plane, when they get to the higher altitude the only way to not get shot down is to run, dogfighting is not an option, even against their heavy fighters.
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil !! Water !! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Very high climb rate
 +
* Great dive speed
 +
* Overwhelming armament with lots of ammunition
 +
* Good acceleration
 +
* Very rugged
 +
* Very fast, can catch a number of jets
 +
* Lots of payload options
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Mediocre manoeuvrability
−
''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.''
+
* Large target
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
The Grumman company continued to work on the F7F after it entered service. The third variant of the aircraft was a very deep modernization of the original, although visually the only difference was a bigger tail section (this resulted in a much better stability during flight). On the other hand, the biggest change was the introduction of the more powerful "Pratt & Whitney" R-2800-34W engines with a power output of 2,100 HP, which allowed for better flight characteristics in the Tigercat at high altitude.
 +
 
 +
Acceleration and climb rate increased, while the powerful weapons in the nose of the aircraft, consisting of four 20 mm guns and four 12.7 mm machine guns, remained. This fighter could carry rockets, which made it more universal and effective in attacking both ground and sea targets.
 +
 
 +
This aircraft was in production from March 1945 till June 1946 and during this time 250 units were built
  
 
== 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.'' -->
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f7f3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== 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.''
+
 
 +
;Related development
 +
 
 +
* [[F7F-1]]
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== 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;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
 
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [[wt:en/news/4151-special-operation-s-u-m-m-e-r-updated-03-08-2016-en|[Special] Operation S.U.M.M.E.R.]]
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4154-f7f-3-tigercat-en|[News] F7F-3 Tigercat]]
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/325085-f7f-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer Grumman}}
 +
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
 +
{{USA premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 03:55, 9 March 2024

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
This page is about the gift American naval fighter F7F-3. For the regular version, see F7F-1.
F7F-3
f7f3.png
GarageImage F7F-3.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/e/ed/Cockpit_f7f3.jpg
F7F-3
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.7 6.3 6.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The F7F-3 Tigercat is a premium gift rank IV American twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB/SB) and 6.3 (RB). It was introduced during Update 1.61 "Road to Glory" in the Operation S.U.M.M.E.R. event of 2016.

The F7F-3 Tigercat is further development of the US Navy twin-engine fighter, the F7F-1. The third modification is equipped with more powerful engines which allowed for the installation of unguided rockets and which included three Tiny Tims, which are effective not only against ships, but also enemy bases. Although the original F7F could reach a very high speed for a twin-engine fighter, this new machine accelerates even faster both in level flight and in a dive, which makes it an excellent aircraft for "Boom and Zoom" tactics. Like the original Tigercat, the F7F-3 has four 20 mm guns AN/M2 and four 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns - a powerful arsenal with a fire rate of almost 8 kg of lead per second!

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Max speed
at 4 876 m708 km/h
Turn time25 s
Max altitude12 800 m
Engine2 х Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight10 t

The F7F-3 is exceptionally fast at low and medium altitude, but it gets mediocre after reaching 7,000 m altitude and above. Climb rate is also very good since it is an interceptor, it is one of the best climbing propeller-driven fighters in the game, but similarly to the level speed, at high altitude it gets worse compared to the other fighters like the Lightning or Thunderbolt. A very good power to weight ratio makes its acceleration in level flight and diving great. Manoeuvrability is quite bad, it is comparable to some jets like the F-80, at low and medium speed it will not be able to win any dogfight and the high speed G load is very low, up to 8G, roll rate is very low, sometimes it can make the aiming a little hard. Stalling speed is very high, the plane can start spinning even at high speed during the attempt to perform a tight turn, stalling itself is not violent, the F7F does not start to spin right after reaching and exceeding the critical angle of attack, it takes up to two seconds for this to happen.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,877 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 671 652 12800 26.4 27.4 20.0 20.0 444
Upgraded 751 708 23.7 25.0 33.3 25.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
835.14 463 455 425 277 ~10 ~8
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 466 < 450 < 555 > 315
Compressor (RB/SB)
Optimal altitude Setting 1
850 m 2,100 hp 100% Engine power
0 m 2,590 hp WEP Engine power
Optimal altitude Setting 2
5,340 m 1,700 hp 100% Engine power
4,500 m 2,100 hp WEP Engine power

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural835 km/h
Gear463 km/h
  • 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot's windscreen
  • 9.5 mm Steel - Plate in the nose
  • 6.35 mm Aluminium Alloy - Fore cockpit armour plate
  • 12.7 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
  • 6.35 mm Steel - Oil cooling system protection

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 303 Sl icon.png
RB5 437 Sl icon.png
SB8 534 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 200 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 180 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 120 / 260 / 600 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FMBC mk.1
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Mods pilon bomb.png
FLBC mk.1
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
LFRC mk.12
Mods ammo.png
anm3_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air naval mine.png
Mk 13 Mod 0
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
anm3_new_gun
Mods pilon bomb.png
AN-Mk 1

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main articles: M3 (20 mm), M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

The F7F-3 is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

Suspended armament

The F7F-3 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Hardpoints F7F-3.png
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs 1 1
1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs 1 1 1
1,600 lb AN-Mk 1 bombs 1
2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs 1
HVAR rockets 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Tiny Tim rockets 1 1 1
Type A Mark I mines 1 1 1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,100 kg
Default weapon presets
  • Without load
  • 8 x HVAR rockets
  • 3 x Tiny Tim rockets
  • 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 3 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (3,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,600 lb AN-Mk 1 bomb (1,600 lb total)
  • 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total)
  • 3 x Type A Mark I mines

Usage in battles

The F7F-3 is one of the best American interceptors, it possesses an above average climb rate, overwhelming armament and is quite stable. The climb rate allows it to get above everything enemy fighters or in the worst scenario at the same altitude, but then its armament can be used to push down the enemy fighters and force them to run or go for the head on attack, which in most cases the F7F will win, all its guns are place close to each other near the center of the plane, the gun convergence issues do not affect this plane and it possible to aim accurately even at the long distance, before the enemy gets close, a very high bullet velocity of shells for the guns also is helping a lot. After getting above the enemy the F7F can get very deadly because of its acceleration and energy retention, in most cases it will need only one approach to take out the enemy plane and trying to follow it in zoom climb can be an issue. When the F7F is below the enemy it can get hard, low turn and roll rate and also the fact that the plane is a large target will not help when the player is trying to avoid enemy attacks, although the superior dive acceleration and speed can be used to get away and then force the enemy to commit a head on attack. Dogfighting against any type of plane should be always avoided, an encounter at low speed will always end up very badly for the F7F because of its lacking manoeuvrability.

Against German planes the player should always try to get the altitude advantage and use Boom and Run techniques, committing to head on can be a little risky since most of German planes has good offensive armament, very often comparable to the F7F. When they are above it could be possible to use the dive speed to get away from the Bf 109, their max allowed speed is lower, those fighters are also way slower from low to medium altitude. It can get harder in a fight against the Fw 190D series, they are considered bad at turning but the F7F would be equally good at turning at best, outturning will also be an issue, the Fw 190's wing break speed is higher, the only level speed difference in favour of the F7F over them is at low altitude.

Tactics used against the Italians should be similar since they have similar equipment, but compared to the Bf 109 series all their planes have very high wing break speed, trying to outrun them in a level flight is a better solution after getting into any trouble against them, most of their fighters are 80 km/h slower, sometimes the level speed difference is even higher.

The Japanese fighters have worse armament, going for the head on situation against them is always a good idea, specially since the F7F is a quite durable plane, when they get to the higher altitude the only way to not get shot down is to run, dogfighting is not an option, even against their heavy fighters.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very high climb rate
  • Great dive speed
  • Overwhelming armament with lots of ammunition
  • Good acceleration
  • Very rugged
  • Very fast, can catch a number of jets
  • Lots of payload options

Cons:

  • Mediocre manoeuvrability
  • Large target

History

The Grumman company continued to work on the F7F after it entered service. The third variant of the aircraft was a very deep modernization of the original, although visually the only difference was a bigger tail section (this resulted in a much better stability during flight). On the other hand, the biggest change was the introduction of the more powerful "Pratt & Whitney" R-2800-34W engines with a power output of 2,100 HP, which allowed for better flight characteristics in the Tigercat at high altitude.

Acceleration and climb rate increased, while the powerful weapons in the nose of the aircraft, consisting of four 20 mm guns and four 12.7 mm machine guns, remained. This fighter could carry rockets, which made it more universal and effective in attacking both ground and sea targets.

This aircraft was in production from March 1945 till June 1946 and during this time 250 units were built

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links


Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
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