Difference between revisions of "A-4E Early"
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=== 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.'' --> | ||
| − | '' | + | ''The A4E behaves like the A4B. Excellent maneuverability at speed, aided by the automatic wing slats. However, the aircraft bleeds speed rapidly during extended turns, and will drop down to about 190-210mph after more than a 90 degree turn. Overall, it can turn with [[G.91 (Family)|G.91]]'s and MiG-15's without issue, however extended dogfights should be avoided. If uptiered, flight performance leaves much to be desired, it can me outmaneuvered even by the [[Yak-38 (Family)|Yak-38]] or [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]] in a dogfight. Also, if playing at 9.7, you will face the [[Harrier GR.1]] with [[SRAAM]]'s, and if one gets on your tail, you will be quickly killed.'' |
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| − | + | Details | |
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The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine. | The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine. | ||
| − | One single well-placed round from a [[ADEN (30 mm)]] cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. | + | One single well-placed round from a [[ADEN (30 mm)]] cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. Overall, survivability is quite poor, the best armor is to not get hit. |
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
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== 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).'' --> | ||
| − | + | In Air Realistic Battles, one can take any combination of 3 paths during to the wide array of armament. First, one can use the attacker air spawn to your advantage with either the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] Sidewinders, the 2 [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9]]'s and the 20mm gunpod, or a triple gunpod array. Use the air spawn to climb to anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 meters, and either catch fighters trying to climb, or pounce on the low flying [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|Vautour]] bombers common at this BR. However, if uptiered, especially versus Britain with the [[Harrier GR.1]], this is not a good option, as you cannot climb with them, and they will bounce you. If this is the case, take either [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] rocket pods or [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12]] Bullpups or the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] pods and take out ground targets. The last option is to use the wide array of bombs, preferably the 14x 500 lb loadout, and take out either 1 or 2 bases with them. Then, return to base and optionally respawn with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9]]'s and pick off damaged enemies. | |
| + | |||
| + | In Ground RB, the only load outs worth taking are the [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zun]]<nowiki/>i or [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] pods, or better yet, the 5x [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12B]] Bullpup loadout. These missiles, with practice, can kill everything from 8.0 to 10.7. They are basically a precision 250lb bomb that is flown to the target. The A4E is currently the only aircraft in game that can carry this many, the only exception being the event [[FJ-4B VMF-232]]. The A4E is basically a complete lineup with the [[XM-803]], [[MBT-70]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]] GM, or the [[HSTV-L]]. | ||
=== Modules === | === Modules === | ||
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'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | * One of the best CAS plane in the game, can be armed with | + | * One of the best CAS plane in the game, can be armed with 5 [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles |
* Has loadouts with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter | * Has loadouts with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter | ||
* Researchable flares are a good counter to [[SRAAM]] missiles it '''''will''''' face at its BR | * Researchable flares are a good counter to [[SRAAM]] missiles it '''''will''''' face at its BR | ||
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* Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face | * Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face | ||
* Gun pods and [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles are tier IV modifications | * Gun pods and [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles are tier IV modifications | ||
| + | * [[Harrier GR.1]]'s will kill you within 5 minutes in almost every other battle | ||
== 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).'' --> | ||
| − | + | ''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).'' | |
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== Media == | == Media == | ||
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;Related development | ;Related development | ||
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* [[A-4B]] | * [[A-4B]] | ||
Revision as of 02:28, 12 December 2020
Contents
Description
The A-4E Skyhawk Early is a squadron rank VI American jet attacker with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB), 8.7 (RB), and 9.3 (SB). It was introduced during Update "New Power".
General info
Flight performance
The A4E behaves like the A4B. Excellent maneuverability at speed, aided by the automatic wing slats. However, the aircraft bleeds speed rapidly during extended turns, and will drop down to about 190-210mph after more than a 90 degree turn. Overall, it can turn with G.91's and MiG-15's without issue, however extended dogfights should be avoided. If uptiered, flight performance leaves much to be desired, it can me outmaneuvered even by the Yak-38 or F-104 in a dogfight. Also, if playing at 9.7, you will face the Harrier GR.1 with SRAAM's, and if one gets on your tail, you will be quickly killed.
| 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 | 1,066 | 1,057 | 12500 | 37.9 | 39.0 | 29.5 | 26.7 | 900 |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | ||
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 | + | - | ||
| 1167 | 437 | 615 | 615 | 410 | ~8 | ~2 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 450 | < 700 | < 490 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic Mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | ||||
| Pratt & Whitney J52-P-64A | 1 | 4,679 kg | 296 kg/m2 | ||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | |||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 12m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 40m fuel | ||
| 900 kg | Axial-flow turbojet | 5,419 kg | 5,913 kg | 6,530 kg | 7,147 kg | 11,113 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%) | ||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 12m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 40m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 3,470 kgf | N/A | 0.64 | 0.59 | 0.53 | 0.49 | 0.31 |
| Optimal | 3,470 kgf (0 km/h) |
N/A | 0.64 | 0.59 | 0.53 | 0.49 | 0.31 |
Survivability and armour
- 2.54mm steel surrounding bottom half of the pilot
- 50mm bulletproof glass in front of the cockpit
The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine.
One single well-placed round from a ADEN (30 mm) cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. Overall, survivability is quite poor, the best armor is to not get hit.
Armaments
Offensive armament
The A-4E Early is armed with:
- 2 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 200 total)
Suspended armament
The A-4E Early can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 3 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannons (750 rpg = 2,250 total)
- 20 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (5,000 lb total)
- 14 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (7,000 lb total)
- 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
- 5 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (5,000 lb total)
- 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
- 5 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 2 x AGM-12C Bullpup missiles
- 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
- 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
- 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
- 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 133 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 28 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
- 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
- 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 95 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 20 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon (750 rpg)
Usage in battles
In Air Realistic Battles, one can take any combination of 3 paths during to the wide array of armament. First, one can use the attacker air spawn to your advantage with either the 2 AIM-9B Sidewinders, the 2 AIM-9's and the 20mm gunpod, or a triple gunpod array. Use the air spawn to climb to anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 meters, and either catch fighters trying to climb, or pounce on the low flying Vautour bombers common at this BR. However, if uptiered, especially versus Britain with the Harrier GR.1, this is not a good option, as you cannot climb with them, and they will bounce you. If this is the case, take either FFAR rocket pods or AGM-12 Bullpups or the Zuni pods and take out ground targets. The last option is to use the wide array of bombs, preferably the 14x 500 lb loadout, and take out either 1 or 2 bases with them. Then, return to base and optionally respawn with AIM-9's and pick off damaged enemies.
In Ground RB, the only load outs worth taking are the Zuni or FFAR pods, or better yet, the 5x AGM-12B Bullpup loadout. These missiles, with practice, can kill everything from 8.0 to 10.7. They are basically a precision 250lb bomb that is flown to the target. The A4E is currently the only aircraft in game that can carry this many, the only exception being the event FJ-4B VMF-232. The A4E is basically a complete lineup with the XM-803, MBT-70, XM-1 GM, or the HSTV-L.
Modules
| Tier | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Fuselage repair | Compressor | Flares | Mk81 | AGM-12B Bullpup | |
| II | New boosters | Airframe | Offensive 20 mm | Mk82 | LAU-3/A | |
| III | Wings repair | Engine | New 20 mm cannons | Mk83 | LAU-10/A | |
| IV | G-suit | Cover | Gun pod Mk 4 Mod 0 | Mk84 | AIM-9B | |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- One of the best CAS plane in the game, can be armed with 5 AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- Has loadouts with AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter
- Researchable flares are a good counter to SRAAM missiles it will face at its BR
- AGM-12B Bullpup is a tier I modification
- Can use its airspawn to help play the role of a fighter
Cons:
- Subsonic status
- Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face
- Gun pods and AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles are tier IV modifications
- Harrier GR.1's will kill you within 5 minutes in almost every other battle
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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Related development
External links
| USA jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | |
| F9F | F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8 |
| F-80 | F-80A-5 · F-80C-10 |
| F-84 | F-84B-26 · F-84F · F-84G-21-RE |
| F-86 | F-86A-5 · F-86F-25 · F-86F-2 · F-86F-35 |
| F-89 | F-89B · F-89D |
| F-100 | F-100D |
| F-104 | F-104A · F-104C |
| F-4 | F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II |
| F-5 | F-5A · F-5C · F-5E · F-20A |
| F-8 | F8U-2 · F-8E |
| F-14 | F-14A Early · ▄F-14A IRIAF · F-14B |
| F-15 | F-15A · F-15C MSIP II · F-15E |
| F-16 | F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C |
| Other | P-59A · F2H-2 · F3D-1 · F3H-2 · F4D-1 · F11F-1 |
| Strike Aircraft | |
| FJ-4 | FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232 |
| A-4 | A-4B · A-4E Early |
| A-7 | A-7D · A-7E · A-7K |
| AV-8 | AV-8A · AV-8C · AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA) |
| A-10 | A-10A · A-10A Late · A-10C |
| F-111 | F-111A · F-111F |
| Other | A-6E TRAM · F-105D · F-117 |
| Bombers | |
| B-57 | B-57A · B-57B |
| Squadron aircraft | |
|---|---|
| USA | A-4E Early · F-117 |
| Germany | Me 262 A-1a/U1 · ◌Hunter F.58 |
| USSR | Su-22M3 |
| Britain | Firecrest · Sea Harrier FRS.1 |
| Japan | ▄F-5E FCU |
| China | JF-17 |
