TIS MA

TIS MA

TIS MA

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	4.3	3.7

Class:

PREMIUM

Strike aircraft

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The TIS MA is a gift rank III Soviet twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/SB) and 4.3 (RB). It was introduced during Update 1.95 "Northern Wind" in the Operation F.R.O.S.T. event.

One of the last projects of the Polikarpov design bureau, the TIS MA is a unique and deadly aircraft. Its general configuration is similar to the famous Pe-2/3 "Peska", having two inline engines slung under the wings, a gunner in the back of the cockpit, and twin vertical stabilizers mounted at the ends of the horizontal stabilizers. However the TIS MA is a different animal compared to the Pe-3 heavy fighter. While the Pe-3 was a hastily adapted variant of the Pe-2 dive bomber, the TIS MA was a purpose designed heavy fighter. It is smaller and slimmer, leading to a less bulbous and more insectoid appearance. More importantly, its flight characteristics and firepower are much improved; pilots who struggled with the Peskas's poor maneuverability and mediocre armament will be pleasantly surprised by the TIS MA's decent handling and burning hatred for any enemies foolish enough to find themselves in front of it.

General info

Flight performance

The TIS MA's speed is not very impressive for its rank, but it is still faster than the Pe-3bis and is quite speedy at low altitudes, where its twin AM-38F engines (the same type used on the IL-2s) have impressive power output. The engines are essentially immune to overheating when undamaged and WEP can be sustained indefinitely, which aids in recovering speed after diving and hard maneuvers. The TIS MA has a good roll and turn rate for a twin engine fighter. This is helpful when attacking ground targets since the former makes it easier to line up strafing or bombing runs and the latter allows the pilot to recover and not strike the ground. Getting into extended dogfights with single engined fighters is not advisable, but with good energy management, use of combat flaps, and some teammate support, it is still possible to get a firing solution.

Note that like the IL-2s it shares engines with, the TIS MA only has good performance at low altitudes. The engines will quickly asphyxiate at more than 2000 meters and as a result the climb rate and acceleration will be impacted significantly. Avoid exceeding those altitudes when enemy attack is a concern.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 1,660 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	511	494	8000	25.1	25.9	6.8	6.8	420
Upgraded	556	534		23.0	24.0	14.5	10.3

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	X	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
740	320	400	___	270	~10	~8

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 380	< 380	< 420	> 329

Compressor	Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
Setting 1	750 m	1,500 hp	1,623 hp

Survivability and armour

• 8.5 mm steel pilot seat

Fuel tanks are self sealing and located in the wing roots and middle fuselage.

The TIS MA is a fragile plane. The pilot's seat is the only armor available and the cockpit does not even have bulletproof glass, so enemies with rapid fire guns can often knock out the pilot. The fuel tanks are large, and although they are self sealing, they do not have the neutral gas pressurization system featured by the Pe-3bis and can be ignited by damage. The rest of the plane is decently sturdy and it can fly on one engine, so it can sustain considerable amounts of superficial damage and still return home.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The TIS MA is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 2 x 37 mm NS-37 cannons, wing-mounted (75 rpg = 150 total) + 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)
  • 2 x 45 mm NS-45 cannons, wing-mounted (50 rpg = 100 total) + 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

The twin ShVAK guns are mounted right next to each other in the nose, and their tight clustering ensures that their accuracy is high and convergence is not an issue. While the ShVAK is a fairly weak weapon by itself, having two of them compensates for its faults. They are also unsynchronized since there is no central propeller to fire through, leading to a slightly higher burst mass than on the La-5 series. The best belts for the ShVAK are Default or Armored Targets, though some players use Tracers. Avoid belts containing HE-I rounds, as those do little damage and often spark. Do not forget about the ShVAKs! While they are definitely not as powerful as the TIS MA's other cannons, their extreme accuracy means that in tail chase or head-on engagements where the convergence and lower rate of fire on the high caliber guns can be an issue, the ShVAKs can unload a laser beam of pain.

The high caliber guns are mounted in the wing roots, and the convergence should be tailored towards these instead. They are still mounted more closely than on the IL-2-37, so players familiar with that aircraft will have an easier time.

The NS-37 cannons, famous for their use on the Yak-9T and several Soviet attacker aircraft, are very deadly weapons indeed. They have a high muzzle velocity of about 900 m/s and a good rate of fire for a large caliber weapon. For ground striking the Armored Targets belt is the best, as it consists entirely of AP-T rounds capable of penetrating 60 mm of armor at point-blank range. While in practice this maximum value is not achievable due to distance and angle issues, it is still capable of perforating light vehicles and going through the roofs and engine decks of medium or heavy tanks, sometimes even the sides as well. In Air RB it will take out Light Pillboxes in short order. The AP rounds are also highly effective against aircraft, capable of igniting fuel tanks and shearing off tails/wings (sometimes all at the same time), making it the best general purpose belt. For those who prefer more explosive effects, the Air Targets belt consists of only HEFI-T rounds and is also good against aircraft, but not significantly more so than the AP rounds, and since it is nearly useless against armored ground targets it is more situational. The Default belt has an even mix of AP-T and HEFI-T rounds but does not really offer any advantages and should be disregarded.

The alternative NS-45 cannons, as seen on the infamous Yak-9K and its later successor the Yak-9UT, are ludicrously powerful against aircraft and certainly look intimidating when mounted, muzzle break and all. A single good hit can destroy a heavy bomber and smaller aircraft will be dismembered. That said, the cannons have several unfavorable characteristics. The muzzle velocity is lower than the NS-37 and the accuracy can be truly abysmal, with anything besides single, paced shots being noticeably inaccurate and unlikely to hit. When fired too quickly the rounds can actually leave the barrel at impossible angles! Hits are not guaranteed kills either as there is a tendency for glancing shots to spark. Since the NS-37 is no slouch against aircraft and the NS-45 does not have any AP rounds available, it is best to use the NS-45s only for fun.

Another notable feature is the TIS MA's large ammunition capacity. The NS-37 cannons carry 75 rounds each, which is more than twice as much as the Yak-9T, and the NS-45 cannons carry 50 rounds each, still more than the Yak-9K's meager 29 rounds. This gives the TIS MA more staying power and one can afford to unload many rounds against difficult air targets.

Suspended armament

The TIS MA can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 8 x RS-132 rockets
• 8 x RBS-132 rockets

The TIS MA's firepower is not limited to its gun armament. Its bomb and rocket armaments are actually better than the IL-2s and Pe-3s; unlike the former, it has access to the powerful FAB-500 bombs, and unlike the latter it can carry 2 more RS/RBS-132 rockets. The bombs are mounted externally under the center wing and drop individually, while the rockets are mounted outboard of the engines and can be tricky to aim as a result. External ordinance will affect the flight performance noticeably, but as a heavy twin engine fighter, it will not become a complete brick.

Defensive armament

The TIS MA is defended by:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, dorsal turret (200 rpg)

The rear gunner has useful armament and should not be disregarded. Enemies tailing the TIS MA may be surprised with an onslaught of heavy machine gun fire. The Berezin UB is a good weapon, and when equipped with the Universal belt it can ignite enemies quite nicely. Alternatively the Armored Targets belt includes cermet cored rounds that can knock out engines and pilots more easily. Both are good options.

Usage in battles

A versatile plane, the TIS MA lends itself to several roles, mainly limited by its bad high altitude performance and the fact that it's still a twin-engined, heavy aircraft. Throwing oneself incautiously at lightweight planes with superior turning or climbing capabilities will often not end well.

In Air RB, the TIS MA is best used in one of two ways:

Opportunistic Low-Level Interceptor

For this role, equip the NS-37s with the Air Targets belt. Take off, set throttle to WEP, and don't ever turn off WEP. Climb to around 2000 m, and look for fighters, attackers, and bombers nearby that are nearby and at low altitudes, preferably near allies. When a suitable target is located, dive and try to deal crippling damage in the first pass. If they survive, there are 2 choices: if they are more maneuverable, then climb away, and if not, turn around and set up another shot. When the enemy is destroyed, regain altitude and repeat. Watch out for enemies diving from above and be prepared to break hard to dodge them. If an engagement is unfavorable, extend away towards allies and spray the target with the rear gunner if they pursue, making dodging fire if necessary.

Note that using the Air Targets belt for the NS-37s and not taking ordinance will make attacking ground targets difficult. Using the Armored Targets belt for the ShVAKs offers a secondary weapon for taking out AAA and light vehicles, but the low ammo capacity makes this hard to sustain. Loading the NS-37s with Armored Targets belts instead may be a better choice if the team is short on attackers.

Attacker

Though the TIS MA has the weaponry and performance for ground attack, its fragility and the lack of an airspawn pose some issues. The RBS-132 rockets are probably the best option, as with careful aim a single hit can destroy a Light Pillbox. Alternatively the FAB-500 bombs can destroy heavy and medium tanks, though since only two are available this may be better left to planes with more payload. Armored Targets belts for the NS-37 are a must as they can destroy all sorts of vehicles and emplacements. ShVAK belts are up to personal preference but the Armored Targets belt may be helpful in a pinch if the NS-37s run dry (though at that point it is usually a better idea to RTB and resupply).

Take off and stay at relatively low altitudes. One will likely arrive at the front lines not long after the IL-2s do. Use up the ordinance first to avoid being overburdened if attacked by enemies later on and keep an eye out for AAA emplacements, as the TIS MA's lack of armor and large size do it no favors. When enemy ground strikers arrive, it may be tempting to go for head-ons immediately, but since such engagements tend to be mutual kills, another option is to circle around, climb a bit, and attack from a less hazardous angle. Twin-engined aircraft are large targets and can be shredded by the NS-37s effectively. Around this time, furballs of fighters often will have developed. If an enemy fighter approaches from a high energy state, it can be fruitful to bait them into a head-on, fire a few cannon salvos from a distance, and then break off early to avoid the brunt of the incoming fire; unlike an IL-2, the TIS MA cannot afford to take hits. If the enemy is diving and head-ons are not possible, try to break hard and dodge them, then either dogfight or extend away towards teammates depending on the situation, as mentioned previously.

With the TIS MA it is tempting to bite off more than one can chew. Though the excellent armament means that risky moves can still yield kills, if one wishes to avoid becoming an additional flaming wreck on the battlefield, caution should still be exercised. Also, while the TIS MA can really dish out pain, there are some aircraft it can meet in uptiers that are equally good or better at this. The German He 219 A-7 has incredible burst mass and is far faster, and the Ta 154 A-1 still packs a huge punch while having all-round superior performance. Other twin-engined fighters that have tightly clustered armament are hazardous as well due to the TIS MA's lack of pilot protection. Think carefully before entering head-ons with aircraft like these.

Ground RB

In Ground RB, the TIS MA really shines. Here, it has an airspawn and there are fewer enemy fighters to worry about, allowing the user to focus on attacking enemy tanks. Definitely use the NS-37s loaded with Armored Targets belts. The FAB-500 bombs are generally the best choice of ordinance since they have a large blast radius and drop individually. Those who have been disappointed by the FAB-250s mounted on the IL-2s will be happy with these, and they can take out multiple opponents clustered together at choke points, objective locations, or sniping zones. The RBS-132 rockets are also viable if one is comfortable with aiming them, as they theoretically offer up to 4 kills. They boast around 80 mm of penetration, which is enough to penetrate light tanks with ease, whereas medium or heavy tanks will usually require hits to the side, rear, or roof. A successful penetration will almost certainly annihilate the target because each rocket packs 1.35 kg of TNT. While the early IL-2s also have this rocket loadout, the TIS MA's flight performance is better and lining up good rocket salvos can be easier.

The NS-37s will chew up lightly armored targets. Against medium and heavy tanks, the effects are less catastrophic, but good hits can still knock out engines and important crew members. Watch out for SPAAs when doing extended or repeated gun runs, as these behaviors will make the TIS MA a slower and more predictable target. Using rockets against SPAAs can be a good idea, as they are effective at a distance (though aiming is tricky) and the pilot can immediately break off after releasing them. Otherwise, do not attack SPAAs unless they are obviously distracted; an IL-2 can survive some incoming fire, the TIS MA will have a much harder time.

Keep an eye on the sky. If there are enemy attackers in the area, consider going after them after unloading ordinance. Freshly spawned enemies can be baited into head-ons, and opponents will often fall for this. Due to the lack of markers in Ground RB, they may see the silhouette of a Soviet twin-engine fighter, not notice the distinctive camouflage, and assume it is a Peshka or some other plane not known for powerful forward armament. Their mistake can be corrected promptly by ripping their aircraft apart with the NS-37s. Again, if a mutual kill is not desired, fly cautiously. The rear gunner is obviously useful for hosing down pursuing fighters, and another creative usage is to fire at a soft target like an SPAA after completing a gun run and pulling up.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 20 mm	Offensive 37 mm	FAB-100
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 20 mm cannons	New 37 mm cannons	FAB-250
III	Wings repair	Engine		Turret 12 mm	NS-45 cannon	FAB-500
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 12 mm MGs (turret)	New 45 mm cannons	RO-132
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Ludicrously powerful armament layouts with decent ammo capacities
• Both the 37 mm cannons and 45 mm cannons have high muzzle velocity are quite accurate in short bursts
• Firing the guns barely slows the aircraft down
• Reasonable manoeuvrability for a twin-engined fighter bolstered by leading-edge slats
• Decent speed, but lower than most fighters it will encounter
• Acceptable acceleration for a twin-engined fighter
• All armaments centred in or near the nose, resulting in little need for convergence adjustments, except for long-distance shots
• Can mount bombs and rockets for ground-pounding
• Premium rewards

Cons:

• Slower than contemporary aircraft
• Lack of bulletproof glass makes the pilot prone to snipes, also vulnerable to head-on attacks
• Extremely prone to fires
• Bad high altitude performance

History

The TIS A (and the improved MA) were designed to a 1938 specification for a heavy fighter - but work did not begin until 1940 due to resources being devoted to the I-180 and SPB projects.

The TIS A was an all metal monocoque monoplane with a very heavy forward facing armament of some mix of 2 x 37mm, 2 x 20mm cannon; and 2 x 12.7mm UB + 4 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns, or 6 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns - sources vary on the exact nature of armament for the prototype. The single rear gunner had 2 ShKAS machine guns - 1 mounted to fire from a dorsal position, the other mounted to shoot through a ventral hatch. It was fitted with Mikulin AM-39 engines, but these had protracted development problems - they were unreliable and vibrated above 5000m altitude.

By 1942 flight testing showed several problems, and a major redesign was conducted - radiators were moved to the wings, the machine guns in the nose were replaced by 2 x ShVAK 20mm cannon, and 2 x 45mm 11P guns were fitted in the wing roots. The gunner's 2 x ShKAS were replaced by a single 12.7mm UBT machine gun. Engine reliability was not improved, so AM-38F engines (as fitted to Il-2's) were fitted instead - and these had much lower output resulting in predictably lower performance, especially at higher altitudes due to the AM-38's single stage supercharger optimised for lower altitudes.

This configuration was renamed the TIS-MA.

Flight testing of the TIS-MA from June-September 1944 found it performed as expected with the new engines - being generally disappointing at altitude. Calculations showed much better performance if the desired AM-39's could be fitted. However fate intervened - Polikarpov died on 30 July of stomach cancer, and when the TIS-MA crashed on 15 September it spelled the end of the program - his design bureau was being shut down and none of the others could or would take it on.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the TIS MA from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The bane of tanks discusses the TIS MA at 2:12 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

USSR twin-engine fighters
I-29

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