Me 264

From War Thunder Wiki
Revision as of 15:45, 7 June 2019 by TM_06 (talk | contribs) (General information and edits)

Jump to: navigation, search
RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
me_264.png
Me 264
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Me 264.jpg


The Me 264 is a rank III German bomber with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB) and 5.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy".

General info

Flight performance

The first thing the player will notice is the plane's similarity to the famed B-29, as it shares a similarly designed fuselage and glazed nose, but a different twin tail instead of the large single tail on the B-29. Despite being a heavy bomber, the 264 is quite responsive and maneuverable. However, you are still a heavy bomber and you shouldn't try to turn with anyone. It is also quite speedy for its rank and classification, able to outspeed some of the planes at its BR when at altitude.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 6,000 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
496 487 10000 38.1 39.1 1.2 1.2 2,600
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 6,000 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
545 519 10000 35.9 37.0 6.7 3.5 2,600

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
380 ~6 ~3
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 340 < 350 < 290 > 290
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
2,600 m 1,750 hp 2,074 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
6,800 m 1,540 hp 1,825 hp
Setting 3
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
9,700 m 1,230 hp 1,458 hp

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, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems. -->

Despite the lack of armour overall, the Me 264 Amerikabomber can take quite a beating and has a knack for surviving fires. Due to its four engines, it can lose one or two and still make it back to base for repairs. However, it is one of the largest planes in the game and thus is impossible to miss, so while you can take a lot of damage, you will be receiving a lot as well.

Although it has a general lack of armour, it has the guns to make up for it. With 3 x Mg 151/20's that have access to the dreaded Minengeschoß High-Explosive incendiary round complimented by another 3 x Mg 131 Heavy Machine Guns, as a few well-placed shots will make short work of any attacker that recklessly tails you.

Armaments

Suspended armament

The Me 264 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 9 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (2,250 kg total)
  • 6 x 500 kg SC500K bombs + 3 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (3,750 kg total)
  • 4 x 1,000 kg SC1000L2 bombs (4,000 kg total)
  • 2 x 1,800 kg SC1800B bombs + 3 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (4,350 kg total)

With a massive 4,000 kg payload, the 264 has the second best payload of any non-premium German bomber, and one of the best payloads at its BR. Ideally, you should use the 2 x 1,800 kg bombs + 3 x 250 kg bombs for destroying bases, as in arcade this payload can destroy a base in one pass (or get close depending on if you up-tier it) and in realistic, the 2 x 1,800 kg Satan bombs can destroy two bases with one for each base, and then you can damage the last base with the 3 x 250 kg bombs. The only other worth while payload is the 4 x 1,000 kg bombs, as these can be better for destroying ground targets, but you shouldn't be using the 264 in this way unless you absolutely know what you're doing.

Defensive armament

The Me 264 is defended by:

  • 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, nose turret (750 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, front dorsal turret (450 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, rear dorsal turret (450 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, ventral turret (750 rpg)
  • 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (500 rpg)

Usage in battles

When Flying As:

The Me 264 plays like your typical heavy bomber: A slow and lumbering beast that has amazing defensive armament and a good payload. While you may have one of the best defensive armaments in the German bomber line (or out of bombers in general), it is best to avoid engagements all together to minimize potential damage due to your massive size. However, if an enemy gets on your tail, they're as good as dead thanks to your superb defensive armament that can shred through planes like paper. Never allow a plane to head-on you. Be sure to face your tail towards the attacker, as more than half of your guns face towards the back and your glazed nose makes it easy to snipe your pilot out.

Notable enemies include any heavily armed interceptor that has at least semi-decent performance, but notably the P-61, P-38J, Mosquito and the P-47D's, as all of these planes can climb to your altitude and destroy you with their heavy armament.

Playstyles

There are two playstyles the 264 can cater to, although the second one is very risky and is not recommended.

High-Altitude Strategic Bomber: The role the 264 was designed for, and the role it excels the most at. Firstly climb to altitude, anywhere from 6-7 km and then maintain that altitude through level flight and gain some speed, as would-be attackers will struggle to catch you by keeping a constant speed of 400-435 Kph or 250-270 Mph. Make your way towards the bases and drop your bombs.

Gunship: While being significantly more dangerous to the player, the "Gunship" playstyle is infinitely more fun. It is only recommended to use this playstyle when the plane is spaded. Stay relatively low to the ground and attack ground troops, and if any player comes to attack you, focus your guns on them and let them tail you. The main bonus for flying in this way is that your extremely vulnerable belly is covered, preventing anybody from attacking you from there. The only reason this playstyle is viable is because the lower rank players you will encounter are more likely to make mistakes such as tailing you, allowing you to rack up kills.

When Attacking:

Repeat after me: "Never tail a Me 264". Tailing a 264 is basically suicide unless all of their gunners are knocked out. You can treat the 264 almost like a B-29 or B-17, as the planes are very similar in both design and defensive capabilities. It is best to head-on the bomber if you can as you can easily kill the pilots due to its glazed nose while also taking minimal damage. However the bomber lacks a ventral turret on its belly, making it easy to deal damage from below, but be weary of the downwards facing rear 20 mm cannon near the tail. When at a higher altitude, it is best to make a dive from an oblique angle and focus fire on the wings and nose.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Turret 13 mm ETC 500/II
II Compressor Airframe Turret 20 mm ETC 1000/I
III Wings repair Engine New 13 mm MGs (turret) ETC 1800
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons (turret)

The stock payload is quite poor, so pick up the ETC 500/II Modification first, followed by the 20 mm belts to add more minengeschoß rounds, then the ETC 1000/I and ETC 1800. The rest of the modules are up to you, but survivability modules are recommended to withstand the beating you will be getting.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Deadly and accurate defensive armament
  • Great payload, unmatched by any non-premium until the He 177 A-5
  • Decent speed and acceleration for a bomber
  • Maneuverability is good
  • Solid RP grinder
  • Surprisingly responsive

Cons:

  • Gunners have a lot of deadzones
  • Massive size, one of the biggest planes in the game
  • Has troubles diving at high speeds
  • Ludicrously high repair cost

History

Development of the Me 264 began in the late 1930s when Messerschmitt conducted work on developing a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, designated P.1061. In early 1941, six prototypes of the P.1061 were ordered and the aircraft received the formal designation of Me 264. However, the initial order for six prototypes would shortly afterwards be dropped to three.

Progress on constructing the ordered prototypes was slow at start, but development quickly picked up the pace with the start of the Amerikabomber project in spring 1942. The project called for new very long range strategic bomber designs, resulting in several designs being proposed, among them also the Me 264.

It soon became clear that despite all the advantages of the Me 264 the aircraft would not be able to demonstrate acceptable flight characteristics due to the lack of more powerful engines at that time. Apart from the Amerikabomber project, the Me 264 was also briefly considered by the Kriegsmarine as a possible replacement for the dated Fw 200 in the maritime reconnaissance role.

The first and only prototype of the Me 264 which saw completion, flew on 23 December 1942. While undergoing modifications, the Me 264 project had its further development halted, with the sole completed prototype being used as a transport machine. In 1943, the second prototype was destroyed during an allied bombing raid. The same fate also struck the first and unfinished third prototype in July 1944. After all prototypes were lost, the Me 264 project was officially cancelled in September 1944.

- From Devblog

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:

External links


Germany bombers
Arado  Ar 196 A-3
Blohm & Voss  BV 138 C-1 · BV 238
Dornier  Do 17 E-1 · Do 17 Z-2 · Do 217 E-2 · Do 217 E-4 · Do 217 K-1 · Do 217 M-1
Focke-Wulf  Fw 189 A-1 · Fw 200 C-1
Henschel  Hs 123 A-1
Heinkel  He 111 H-3 · He 111 H-6 · He 111 H-16 · He 115 C-1 · He 177 A-5
Junkers  Ju 87 B-2 · Ju 87 R-2 · Ju 87 R-2 Libya · Ju 87 D-3 · Ju 87 D-5 · Ju 88 A-1 · Ju 88 A-4 · Ju 188 A-2 · Ju 288 C
Messerschmitt  Me 264
Savoia-Marchetti  ▀S.M.79 serie 1 · ▀S.M.79 B · ▀S.M.79 serie 4 · ▀S.M.79 serie 8
  ▀S.M.79 AS · ▀S.M.79 bis/N · ▀S.M.79 bis/T.M
Trophies  ▀Wellington Mk Ic