Sunderland Mk IIIa

Sunderland Mk IIIa

Hampden TB Mk I

Sunderland Mk V

Sunderland Mk IIIa

Hampden TB Mk I

Sunderland Mk V

Britain

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.0	1.7	1.7

Class:

Bomber

Long Range bomber

Hydroplane

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

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This page is about the aircraft Sunderland Mk IIIa. For the other version, see Sunderland Mk V

Description

The Sunderland Mk IIIa in the garage

The Sunderland Mk IIIa is a Rank II British flying boat/heavy bomber with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB) and 1.7 (RB/SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March".

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,267 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
373	366	6096	36.3	36.9	4.2	4.2	740
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at ?,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
418	394	6096	33.9	35.0	11.7	6.5	740

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
414	450	520	~1	~1

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 350	< 350	< 250	> 200

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,450 m	3,260 hp	4,075 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,500 m	3,000 hp	3,750 hp

Survivability and armour

• No armour plating
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located in the wings of the aircraft (fuel, engine, controls)

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Sunderland Mk IIIa is armed with:

• 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 RPG = 2,000 total)

Suspended armament

The Sunderland Mk IIIa can be outfitted with the following ordinance"

• 8 x G.P 250lb Mk.IV bombs
• 4 x G.P 500lb Mk.IV bombs

Defensive armament

The Sunderland Mk IIIa is defended by:

• 2 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, nose turret (1,000 RPG = 2,000 total)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (500 RPG = 1,000 total)
• 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, tail turret (1,000 RPG = 4,000 total)

Usage in the battles

Side climbing is essential for the Sunderland Mk IIIa as, whilst it is a very rugged aircraft, the combination of slow climb rate and large bright (white) air frame makes you a very obvious target, meaning that you won't be flying for very long and find upgrading a real chore.

However don't be scared if an enemy plane is coming at you, chances are that if they don't have anything more than small calibre machine-guns, they aren't going to hurt you that badly. Focus on getting to your target, bombing and then returning to reload. Flying the Sunderland is like a shuttle-bus, focus on your target and try not to get distracted along the way, as it's very hard to regain your energy once lost. Research engine upgrades as soon as you can, as these will make a massive improvement in your performance, both level flying and climbing.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator
II		Compressor	Airframe
III	Wings Repair	Engine
IV		Engine Injection	Cover

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Very rugged air frame.
• Very good durability, will absorb a lot of bullets before going down.
• The Sunderland is a flying boat and thus it can land on water.
• Good handling with full fuel load.
• Excellent manoeuvrability and handling with minimum fuel load out.
• Excellent handling at low speeds.
• Good acceleration.
• Excels in destroying ground targets .
• Has four frontal machine guns.
• Powerful defensive armament that will deter enemy planes especially biplanes.

Cons:

• Structural damage (wing rips) occurs at 260 mph.
• Landing too hard (on water) can cause major internal damage (i.e. The control cables breaking).
• No wheels and thus cannot land on an airfield.
• No armor or protection at all.
• Cannon armed planes will destroy it very easily .
• Will be ripped to shreds easily by certain planes with large cannons like the Hurricane Mk IV, Ki-45 otsu and the Ki-44-II otsu
• Red lines at 245Mph
• Engines overheat very fast
• Not responsive when red lining.
• Only one pilot, no co-pilot unlike other bombers at the tier.
• Bombs are rather inadequate for its size.
• No Bomb bay, the bombs are slid from the fuselage onto the wings, thus there is a delay from pressing the space bar (or whatever key is bound). This must be taken into consideration when flying.

History

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Media

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Read also

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

Sources

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