XF5F

XF5F

XF5F

USA

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	2.3	2.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

Naval aircraft

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The XF5F Skyrocket is a premium rank III American fighter with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.37.

The XF5F Skyrocket is an oddity. Its lightweight and underwhelming armament aren't what you'd expect from a twin-engine fighter, but neither is its surprising manoeuvrability. Indeed, it is among the most agile twin-engine plane out there. Coupled with the low weight and its two power plants, this aircraft makes for a unique flying style. The Skyrocket's primary role is going to be Boom & Zoom; the climb rate is decent, and so is the energy retention if you stay under 550 kph and opt for smooth, moderate turns. However, the lack of heavy armament means that you will have to keep your guns on target longer in order to achieve considerable damage. Such opportunity comes when the enemy is low on speed and not suspecting any enemies/tunnel-visioned on an ally; for example at the top of a loop, or in a sustained turn fight with an allied plane. Be cautious as you go past 600 kph, however, as it locks up, similar to the XP-50's high-speed compression. Overall, the XF5F is a plane that favours high altitude, medium speed engagements, where it is safe from crashing in the ground and has room to manoeuvre.

If required, you can push the XF5F into a more aggressive energy fighter, similar to the Bf 109 series, where looping back on the enemy while holding superior speed and altitude allows you to extinguish their energy little by little. The responsive roll and pull, in addition to the effective combat flaps, engine throttle management, and acceleration, allows for some nifty dogfighting against heavier planes that may see you as easy prey. Keep in mind, however, that the engines will overheat badly at low altitude, and even more so at around 2,800m due to the supercharger setting in. Overheating isn't nearly as serious at higher altitude (around 12,000 ft / 3,600 m), where fresh air will cool your motor apparatus quickly. Alternatively, you may manually set the radiators to ~40% water/20% oil for continuous 100% engine power.

General info

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.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 5,800 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
611	546	9400	19.9	20.6	22.7	18.9	180
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 5,800 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
642	576	9400	18.2	19.0	27.4	20.3	180

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		487	~10	~8

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 350	< 400	< 350	> 320

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,200-5,000 m	1,200 hp	N/A
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,200-9,000 m	1,120 hp	N/A

Survivability and armour

• 9.5 mm Steel plate in the nose
• 9.5 mm Steel plate behind the pilot

Armaments

Offensive armament

The XF5F is armed with:

• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
• 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in battles

Exploiting the opponent's weakness while relying on a fast straight-line acceleration may allow for escapes out of an unfavourable situation.

Energy fighters (Bf 109/C.205/La-5) trying to out turn a twin-engine plane can be lured into stall-speed turn fights and intercepted during their subsequent speed recovery.

Single engagements at low altitude are optimal thanks to fast acceleration trumping dive speed and climb.

Engagements with multiple opponents are to be avoided since the XF5F needs a substantially longer time to effectively engage and eliminate a target.

In Realistic Battle and Simulator Battle, the stiff opposition, in the form of Bf 109 G-2s, Fw 190As, Yak-9Ts, Yak-3, and La-5FN, will give you a serious run for your money. Always make sure you hold the energy advantage at all times and are picking your fights with care.

Countering an XF5F could include out-diving or -stalling with horizontal manoeuvres followed up by a steep ascend, exploiting its weak energy retention and sluggishness at low speeds. Another tactic is to force the XF5F into a head-on attack. Since it's not very well armed, there is a good chance that you will be able to deal damage without receiving much yourself.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 12 mm
IV			Cover	New 12 mm MGs

• As a gift plane, all modules are researched upon receipt of the aircraft.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Telescopic sight for RB/SB
• Good manoeuvrability overall
• Superb turn time
• Nose mounted armament
• Can fly on a single-engine, albeit not for long
• Does not have an arrestor hook, however, can land on a carrier to repair/rearm

Cons:

• Weak armament
• Control surfaces compress hard after exceeding around 600 kph
• Horrible energy retention
• Large profile, an easy target
• Large, fragile engines
• Engine overheats fast
• Somewhat underwhelming climb rate
• Terrible high altitude performance
• No WEP in RB/SB

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 big, 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>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === Encyclopedia Info ===, also if applicable).

Obtainable events

• During the January 2014 event "Winter Magic", the XF5F was given to those who participated the most in the event.
• On 31 October 2014, the XF5F was one of the few planes that could be received by Gaijin in their 2nd anniversary present giveaways.
• In March 2016, the XF5F was obtainable in the "War Thunder:100" team deathmatch event
• In September 2017, the XF5F was obtainable in the U.S. Air Force Anniversary Event
• It is currently considered a rare vehicle and is obtainable through the Gaijin Marketplace.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

{{Youtube-gallery|OcYq1It4TAI|War Thunder Premium Review: XF5F Skyrocket [Ugly Duckling]

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

• War Thunder Aircraft Data Sheet: Grumman XF5F
• Aviation History Online Museum - Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket
• Performance Data of XF5F-1 and XFL-1 (26 Dec 1942)
• SD-260 Detail Specification for Model XF5F-1 Airplane, May 5, 1938

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
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