Firebrand TF Mk IV

Firebrand TF Mk IV

Sea Hurricane Mk IC

Firefly F Mk I

Firebrand TF Mk IV

Sea Hurricane Mk IC

Firefly F Mk I

Britain

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	4.3

Class:

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Torpedo bomber

Research:11 000

Purchase:22 000

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Description

The Firebrand TF Mk IV is a rank II British strike fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB) and 4.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.51 "Cold Steel".

The Firebrand can be considered as a British P-47. With extremely heavy armament as well as a respectable secondary load, the Firebrand is foremost a striker aircraft, then a fighter. Carrying 4 fast-firing and high-capacity Hispano Mk.5 cannons, the Firebrand Mk IV can rip through all aircraft at its BR and all "soft" ground targets with ease. The torpedo options allow anti-ship capabilities, and conventional bombs effectively destroy ground targets.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
537	524	9143	26.7	27.4	10.3	11.9	310
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
592	565	9143	23.8	25.0	19.1	15.1	310

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
750	300	420	~8	~4

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 433	< 500	< 550	> 350

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,023 m	2,150 hp	2,448 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,880 m	1,975 hp	2,180 hp

Survivability and armour

• 12.77 mm Steel - Armor plate, upper seat back and headrest
• 42.8 mm Bulletproof glass - Armored windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Firebrand TF Mk IV is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)

Suspended armament

      Main article: Bombs, Rockets, Torpedoes

The Firebrand TF Mk IV can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• 1 x 18 inch Mark XV torpedo
• 2 x 250 lb bombs (500 lb total)
• 8 x RP-3 rockets + 2 x 250 lb bombs (500 lb total)
• 2 x 500 lb bombs (1,000 lb total)
• 1 x G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb bombs (2,000 lb total)
• 1 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb bombs (2,000 lb total)
• 1 x G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 1 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 8 x RP-3 rockets

Usage in the battles

In arcade battle, the Firebrand can actually excel. There are no speed limits or breakage and performance are exaggerated. Thus, the Firebrand can be used somewhat effectively as a fighter. Turning and handling are both still poor performers with this aircraft compared with realistic battle while the climb rate is significantly increased.

Boom & Run is a good tactic in arcade battle. Due to terrible handling characteristics, simply diving and flying flat is a good defensive tactic.

As a striker, the Firebrand can be extremely effective as well. Diving at an insane speed at targets is a good tactic, as its wings cannot rip and the Firebrand possesses amazing top speed and dive acceleration. Make sure to pull up quite soon, however, as handling is very poor.

Due to unlimited ammunition, the cannons are remarkably effective in arcade battle.

When using the Firebrand as a striker, it is recommended to side climb at the beginning of the match. Perform a shallow dive until you reach the target, as speed will accumulate rapidly and the evasion of ground fire and enemy aircraft will be far easier. Plan ahead when striking your target - don't begin diving until you have approximated where the target may be once you reach it (say a destroyer or convoy), as turning to attack a target at high speed may rip the Firebrand's wings or slow you down significantly - resulting in easy prey for other fighters.

As a fighter, the Firebrand is more lacklustre. It possesses very poor handling capabilities, and manoeuvring is very sluggish. Partially due to wing-loading and weight, the Firebrand does, surprisingly, have a small turn radius and turns quite quickly, similar to the Me-410. However, turning with the Firebrand is not recommended - turning will severely bleed energy, enough to make you an eventual sitting duck.

High altitude performance, as well as zoom climbing, is extremely poor due to the lack of engine injection or throttle. Roll rate is poor as well, and the Firebrand is a massive target, compared to smaller and nimbler fighters such as the Bf-109. However, energy retention, as well as level-flight speed, is excellent. Using Boom & Run is recommended when using the Firebrand as a fighter, and using the Firebrand as a bomber hunter is also a good idea.

Always avoid fur balls with superior turning fighters, which includes almost all single-engine fighters at 4.3-5.3. In general, tactics for the Firebrand also apply for the Me-410, and vice versa.

Unlike realistic battle, simulator battles require the use of the cockpit, and the first-person view with the Firebrand is actually quite decent. It has quite a good view due to its decent bubble canopy. Unfortunately, due to the size of the cowling and wings, there are many blind spots around the plane.

Thus, the Firebrand offers good visibility for its battle rating level in simulator battles.

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		FTV mk.IV	HSBC mk.2
II		Compressor	Airframe		HMBC mk.2
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm	HLBC mk.2
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 20 mm Cannons	HRC mk.8

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Unrivaled armament compared to planes of the 4.3-5.3 BR, Hispano Mk.V variant fires very fast compared to standard Mk.II
• High Ammo capacity
• "Air Targets" ammunition overwhelmingly effective - composed entirely of HEF
• Small turn radius
• Good durability
• Decent level speed
• Good secondary payload
• Torpedo options

Cons:

• Poor manoeuvrability and handling in general- roll rate, turn rate, etc. are very poor
• Large target
• Mediocre climb rate
• Poor high-altitude performance
• Controls unresponsive as speeds near 400 mph
• Mediocre energy retention
• Lacks any bomb load stock
• The Hispano Mk.Vs' bullet dispersion when firing can be frustrating

History

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Media

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Read also

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Sources

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