Difference between revisions of "B-18A"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--''In the description, the first part | + | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> |
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | ||
{{break}} | {{break}} | ||
− | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]]. |
+ | |||
+ | This is the first multi-engine land-based bomber available in the American Bomber tech tree. With a maximum bomb load of 2000 lbs, it is a decent medium bomber, although its gunners' fields of fire are somewhat poor, the only viable one being the dorsal turret gunner which suffers from the large blind spot the rudder creates directly behind the aircraft. It is recommended to level bomb at high altitude, as its poor manoeuvrability means you will have a hard time bombing moving ground targets at low altitude without a relatively straight bombing run. | ||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Flight Performance === | === 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.'' | |
+ | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 16: | Line 19: | ||
! colspan="8" | ''Stock'' | ! colspan="8" | ''Stock'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at | + | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,049 m) |
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) | ||
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ||
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters) |
|- | |- | ||
! AB | ! AB | ||
Line 29: | Line 32: | ||
! RB | ! RB | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 357 || 344 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.9 || 22.8 || 5.7 || 5.7 || 500 |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded'' | ! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at | + | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,049 m) |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) |
− | ! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds) | + | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) |
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters) |
|- | |- | ||
! AB | ! AB | ||
Line 46: | Line 49: | ||
! RB | ! RB | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 395 || 375 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.1 || 21.0 || 10.3 || 7.7 || 500 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 55: | Line 58: | ||
! colspan="5" | Features | ! colspan="5" | Features | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Combat | + | ! Combat flaps |
− | ! Take-off | + | ! Take-off flaps |
− | ! Landing | + | ! Landing flaps |
! Air brakes | ! Air brakes | ||
! Arrestor gear | ! Arrestor gear | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ --> |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 71: | Line 74: | ||
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h) | ! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h) | ||
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h) | ! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | Combat | + | ! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h) |
! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 77: | Line 80: | ||
! - | ! - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{Specs| | + | | {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 340 || ~10 || ~4 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 90: | Line 93: | ||
! Radiator<br>(km/h) | ! Radiator<br>(km/h) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | < | + | | < 200 || < 270 || < 250 || > 324 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 104: | Line 107: | ||
! WEP Engine power | ! WEP Engine power | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 1,158 m || 860 hp || 1,032 hp |
|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! colspan="3" | Setting 2 | |
|- | |- | ||
! Optimal altitude | ! Optimal altitude | ||
Line 112: | Line 115: | ||
! WEP Engine power | ! WEP Engine power | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 2,926 m || 850 hp || 1,020 hp |
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|} | |} | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === 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. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''--> | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
− | * No armour | + | * No armour |
− | * | + | * Engines and fuel tanks in root of wing |
− | |||
− | |||
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
− | === | + | === Suspended armament === |
− | <!--''Describe the | + | <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' --> |
− | {{main| | + | {{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}} |
+ | |||
+ | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: | ||
− | + | * 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total) | |
+ | * 8 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (2,000 lb total) | ||
+ | * 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total) | ||
+ | * 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total) | ||
+ | * 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total) | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
=== Defensive armament === | === Defensive armament === | ||
− | ''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.'' | + | <!-- ''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.'' --> |
− | --> | + | {{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}} |
− | == Usage in | + | |
− | <!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''--> | + | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by: |
+ | |||
+ | * 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, chin turret (500 rpg) | ||
+ | * 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg) | ||
+ | * 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg) | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Usage in battles == | ||
+ | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | ||
+ | As the first non-naval bomber available to the Americans, this plane is faster than its predecessors in the tech tree, the PBY flying boats. Its bomb load isn't bad for tier 1, with its maximum bomb load being a single 2000 lb bomb, which is enough to destroy a base in one strike in RB (as of Update 1.91). The defensive armament is somewhat lackluster however, with only 3 defensive positions, and of the 3 only one is somewhat viable for the defence of the aircraft. The lower ventral gunner is almost useless, and easily taken out, and the frontal gunner is only useful if your current enemy is directly in front and below you. The last turret, a massive dorsal contraption, can only fire in a 180 degree arc rear of the aircraft, and a significant bind spot is formed by the turrets proximity to the rather large rudder. Overall this bomber can be considered a trainer for the later American heavy bombers with its slow lumbering presence and high bomb load, coupled with multiple defensive positions. | ||
===Manual Engine Control=== | ===Manual Engine Control=== | ||
Line 156: | Line 157: | ||
! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Mixer | + | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Pitch | + | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch |
− | ! colspan="3" |Radiator | + | ! colspan="3" | Radiator |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Supercharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger |
|- | |- | ||
! Oil | ! Oil | ||
! Water | ! Water | ||
− | ! Type | + | ! Type |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not | + | | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>2 gears || rowspan="2" | Not controllable |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 178: | Line 179: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| I | | I | ||
− | | Fuselage | + | | Fuselage repair |
| Radiator | | Radiator | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | Turret 7 mm |
+ | | LBC-17 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| II | | II | ||
− | | | + | | |
| Compressor | | Compressor | ||
| Airframe | | Airframe | ||
− | | | + | | New 7 mm MGs (turret) |
+ | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| III | | III | ||
− | | Wings | + | | Wings repair |
| Engine | | Engine | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
+ | | SBC-17 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| IV | | IV | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | Engine | + | | Engine injection |
| Cover | | Cover | ||
− | | | + | | |
+ | | MBC-17 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | <!--'' | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
+ | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
− | * Fairly | + | * Fairly manoeuvrable for a bomber |
− | * | + | * Single 2000 lb bomb can destroy a entire base, decimate vehicle formations, and be of great use in battles |
+ | * Frontal gunner has a bigger field of fire allowing some flexibility in engaging other aircraft | ||
+ | * Fairly fast for its tier and class, meaning you can outrun most biplanes, Russian I-153s being an exception | ||
+ | * Similar playstyle to the B-10, so any players new to the Bolo that have used the B-10 can expect the same general performance | ||
+ | * Matchmaking tends to place the {{PAGENAME}} against fairly weak enemy fighters | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
* Rather slow. | * Rather slow. | ||
− | * Weak defensive armament won't help you very well against enemy fighters | + | * Weak defensive armament won't help you very well against enemy fighters |
− | * Nose machine gun can't fire directly to the front. | + | * Nose machine gun can't fire directly to the front |
+ | * Very large plane and can be a easy target to shootdown without a fighter escort | ||
+ | * Defensive armament: .30cal MGs cannot compete with its Russian or German counterparts, or other nations that have a fire rate advantage | ||
+ | * The engines are fairly easy to target and be knocked out with centerlined weaponry. Yak-1 and LaGG series are very deadly to a B-18 | ||
+ | * It has gained a notoriety for its bombload, meaning you are a team wide target | ||
+ | * When doing a loop, it commonly overshoots the cursor, leading to a loss (or gain) of speed | ||
== History == | == 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 | + | <!-- ''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 long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
+ | The B-18 Bolo was designed because the US Army wanted a new bomber that was faster and carried a heavier bomb load than the existing Martin B-10. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Two competitors showed up. Boeing model 299 (B-17), and the Douglas DB-1. Although the Boeing design was clearly superior (heavier bombload, longer range, and better defensive armament) The Boeing model 299 crashed upon take-off, and the Army immediately switched to the Douglas model. The lower price also counted in favour of the B-18 ($58,000 compared to $99,260). The B-18 played a stop-gap role until better bombers (B-17 and B-24) were built to replace it. The B-18 was not very widely used due to the lack of defensive armament and speed. Only 350 B-18s were built until production stopped and the plane was declared obsolete. | ||
== Media == | == 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 | + | ''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;'' | * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;'' | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | ||
− | |||
− | == | + | == External links == |
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | * ''page on aircraft | + | * ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;'' |
* ''other literature.'' | * ''other literature.'' | ||
{{USA bombers}} | {{USA bombers}} |
Revision as of 01:34, 21 October 2019
Contents
Description
The B-18A is a rank I American bomber
with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB) and 1.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows".
This is the first multi-engine land-based bomber available in the American Bomber tech tree. With a maximum bomb load of 2000 lbs, it is a decent medium bomber, although its gunners' fields of fire are somewhat poor, the only viable one being the dorsal turret gunner which suffers from the large blind spot the rudder creates directly behind the aircraft. It is recommended to level bomb at high altitude, as its poor manoeuvrability means you will have a hard time bombing moving ground targets at low altitude without a relatively straight bombing run.
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 3,049 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
357 | 344 | 7500 | 21.9 | 22.8 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 500 |
Upgraded | |||||||
Max Speed (km/h at 3,049 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
395 | 375 | 7500 | 20.1 | 21.0 | 10.3 | 7.7 | 500 |
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 | |
+ | - | |||
340 | ~10 | ~4 |
Optimal velocities | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ailerons (km/h) |
Rudder (km/h) |
Elevators (km/h) |
Radiator (km/h) |
< 200 | < 270 | < 250 | > 324 |
Compressor (RB/SB) | ||
---|---|---|
Setting 1 | ||
Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
1,158 m | 860 hp | 1,032 hp |
Setting 2 | ||
Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
2,926 m | 850 hp | 1,020 hp |
Survivability and armour
- No armour
- Engines and fuel tanks in root of wing
Armaments
Suspended armament
The B-18A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
- 8 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total)
Defensive armament
The B-18A is defended by:
- 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, chin turret (500 rpg)
- 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
- 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)
Usage in battles
As the first non-naval bomber available to the Americans, this plane is faster than its predecessors in the tech tree, the PBY flying boats. Its bomb load isn't bad for tier 1, with its maximum bomb load being a single 2000 lb bomb, which is enough to destroy a base in one strike in RB (as of Update 1.91). The defensive armament is somewhat lackluster however, with only 3 defensive positions, and of the 3 only one is somewhat viable for the defence of the aircraft. The lower ventral gunner is almost useless, and easily taken out, and the frontal gunner is only useful if your current enemy is directly in front and below you. The last turret, a massive dorsal contraption, can only fire in a 180 degree arc rear of the aircraft, and a significant bind spot is formed by the turrets proximity to the rather large rudder. Overall this bomber can be considered a trainer for the later American heavy bombers with its slow lumbering presence and high bomb load, coupled with multiple defensive positions.
Manual Engine Control
MEC elements | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
Oil | Water | Type | ||||
Controllable | Controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Not auto controlled |
Separate | Controllable 2 gears |
Not controllable |
Modules
Tier | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I | Fuselage repair | Radiator | Turret 7 mm | LBC-17 | |
II | Compressor | Airframe | New 7 mm MGs (turret) | ||
III | Wings repair | Engine | SBC-17 | ||
IV | Engine injection | Cover | MBC-17 |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fairly manoeuvrable for a bomber
- Single 2000 lb bomb can destroy a entire base, decimate vehicle formations, and be of great use in battles
- Frontal gunner has a bigger field of fire allowing some flexibility in engaging other aircraft
- Fairly fast for its tier and class, meaning you can outrun most biplanes, Russian I-153s being an exception
- Similar playstyle to the B-10, so any players new to the Bolo that have used the B-10 can expect the same general performance
- Matchmaking tends to place the B-18A against fairly weak enemy fighters
Cons:
- Rather slow.
- Weak defensive armament won't help you very well against enemy fighters
- Nose machine gun can't fire directly to the front
- Very large plane and can be a easy target to shootdown without a fighter escort
- Defensive armament: .30cal MGs cannot compete with its Russian or German counterparts, or other nations that have a fire rate advantage
- The engines are fairly easy to target and be knocked out with centerlined weaponry. Yak-1 and LaGG series are very deadly to a B-18
- It has gained a notoriety for its bombload, meaning you are a team wide target
- When doing a loop, it commonly overshoots the cursor, leading to a loss (or gain) of speed
History
The B-18 Bolo was designed because the US Army wanted a new bomber that was faster and carried a heavier bomb load than the existing Martin B-10.
Two competitors showed up. Boeing model 299 (B-17), and the Douglas DB-1. Although the Boeing design was clearly superior (heavier bombload, longer range, and better defensive armament) The Boeing model 299 crashed upon take-off, and the Army immediately switched to the Douglas model. The lower price also counted in favour of the B-18 ($58,000 compared to $99,260). The B-18 played a stop-gap role until better bombers (B-17 and B-24) were built to replace it. The B-18 was not very widely used due to the lack of defensive armament and speed. Only 350 B-18s were built until production stopped and the plane was declared obsolete.
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:
- 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.
USA bombers | |
---|---|
Dive | SB2U-2 · SB2U-3 · SBD-3 · SB2C-1C · SB2C-4 |
Torpedo | TBD-1 · PBY-5 Catalina · PBY-5A Catalina · TBF-1C · BTD-1 |
Medium | B-10B · B-18A · B-34 · PV-2D · B-25J-1 · B-25J-20 · A-26C-45 · A-26C-45DT · B-26B |
Heavy | B-17E · B-17E/L · B-17G-60-VE · PB4Y-2 · B-24D-25-CO · B-29A-BN |
Hydroplanes | OS2U-1 · OS2U-3 · PBM-1 "Mariner" · PBM-3 "Mariner" |