Difference between revisions of "Attacker FB 1"
(Updated format) |
Inceptor57 (talk | contribs) (→Description: Updated to new format) |
||
(12 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
+ | {{About | ||
+ | | about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
+ | | usage = the premium version | ||
+ | | link = Attacker FB.2 | ||
+ | }} | ||
{{Specs-Card | {{Specs-Card | ||
|code=attaker_fb1 | |code=attaker_fb1 | ||
Line 6: | Line 11: | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
<!-- ''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.'' --> | ||
− | + | 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 ]] | [[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. | |
− | |||
− | The | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
Line 62: | Line 61: | ||
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! - | ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || | + | | {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 502 || 477 || 351 || ~10 || ~6 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 136: | Line 135: | ||
{{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| | + | {{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: | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: | ||
* Without load | * Without load | ||
− | * 2 x 500 lb | + | * 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total) |
− | * 2 x 1,000 lb | + | * 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total) |
* 12 x RP-3 rockets | * 12 x RP-3 rockets | ||
== Usage in battles == | == 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).'' --> | <!-- ''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 | + | 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 | + | '''When in air battles''' |
− | The | + | 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 | + | 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 | + | 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 | + | 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 | + | '''When in ground battles''' |
− | The | + | 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 | + | 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]] | [[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]] | ||
Line 202: | Line 201: | ||
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. | 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 | + | 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. | 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 | + | 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. | 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. | 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. | ||
Line 219: | Line 220: | ||
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. | 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 | + | 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. | 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 == | ||
− | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
+ | |||
+ | ;Skins | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=attaker_fb1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Line 231: | Line 237: | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | ||
− | * [[Ar 234 C-3]] - A common enemy of the Attacker | + | * [[Ar 234 C-3]] - A common enemy of the Attacker, the Ar 234 C-3 has comparable ground-attack capabilities. |
== 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;'' | ||
− | |||
* ''other literature.'' --> | * ''other literature.'' --> | ||
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/772|[Devblog] Attacker FB.1 and M10 & M36 Slugger]] | * [[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]] | * [[wt:en/news/3233-vehicle-profile-supermarine-attacker-en|[Vehicle Profile] Supermarine Attacker]] | ||
{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}} | {{AirManufacturer Supermarine}} | ||
{{Britain jet aircraft}} | {{Britain jet aircraft}} |
Latest revision as of 20:08, 27 January 2024
This page is about the British jet fighter Attacker FB 1. For the premium version, see Attacker FB.2. |
Contents
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.
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
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
- 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
- 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate behind the pilot's seat
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Offensive armament
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
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.
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
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
- [Devblog] Attacker FB.1 and M10 & M36 Slugger
- Official data sheet - more details about the performance
- [Vehicle Profile] Supermarine Attacker
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 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 |