Difference between pages "Churchill I" and "S.81"

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{{Specs-Card|code=uk_a_22_mk_1_churchill_1941}}
+
{{Specs-Card|code=s_81_ar125}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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 screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
−
[[File:GarageImage_Churchill Mk I.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
 
 +
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
−
The '''Infantry Tank Mk IV A22 Churchill Mk I''' (or just '''Churchill Mk I''') is a Rank II British heavy tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in [[Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica"]] along with the [[Vickers Battle Tank Mk.1|Vickers Mk.1]] and [[Chieftain Mk.5]] as an expansion to the British tech tree. As the original model of the Churchill infantry tank, it has the substantial frontal armour able to withstand enemy shells.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian bomber {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A"]].
  
−
The Churchill Mk I is one of the more capable heavy tanks at Rank 2. The tank has excellent frontal armour that can absorb and bounce shots. Tanks such as the [[Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J1|Panzer III]], [[T-34 1941|T-34]], [[Medium Tank M4 Sherman|M4 Sherman]], and even the dreaded [[Panzer IV F2]] can be blocked if angled. Very few tanks can deal with you effectively from the front, such as the [[3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10|M10]] or [[17_pounder_Self-Propelled_M10|Achilles]]. Its 2-pounder gun however is very underpowered for it's 3.3 BR. It is of small caliber and low penetration and damage. It's howitzer is also nearly useless as it only has HE shells. It does have a lower BR of 3.3 however.
+
The S.81 is distinctive with its three engines, two on the wings and one in the nose. This provides a level of redundancy with the nose engine unlikely to be disabled except from a head-on or a diving attack. Although, each engine is less powerful than contemporaries on other aircraft so each engine loss will heavily impact the aircraft's speed, causing it to lose altitude. Losing one engine on the wing would also cause the aircraft to start rolling over to the weakened end.  
  
−
The Churchill Mk I is slow and hard to turn, which can be taken into advantage of when flanking. Its engine is also easily damaged. The thick armour is also completely unangled.
+
The plane in its default state is covered in a light green paint with black splotches around to break up the solid figure. A huge white band stretch out at the mid-section of the fuselage, right around the beam turrets, which could serve as reference points for enemies to knockout the beam and ventral turret gunners. On the tail's vertical stabilizer, a large white cross is also present with the logo of the ''Regia Aeronautica'' in the upper center point of the paint. On the wings, the ''Regia Aeronautica'' roundels were also present to make the vehicle certainly belonging to the Italian tech tree.
 +
 
 +
Three types of turrets are available on the S.81, a dorsal turret on top, a ventral turret on the bottom, and two beam turrets for both sides of the fuselage. All the turrets provide excellent arc of fires on their sectors, with mutual machine gun fire from more than one turret able to be met in most areas. Unfortunately, all the turrets used a 7.7 mm machine gun and while sustained fire could cause sufficient damage, they lack the quick stopping power needed to prevent fighters from strafing the bomber, and taking down enemy fighters quickly is crucial as the S.81 lacks any sort of armour for itself and the crew except self-sealing fuel tanks. Enemy machine gun fire will quickly go through, damaging modules and crew members.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Survivability and armour ===
+
=== Flight Performance ===
−
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
−
 
 
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
−
'''Armour type:'''
 
−
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
 
−
* Cast homogeneous armour (Driver view port, Machine gun area, Gun mantlet)
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|-
 
−
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
−
|-
 
−
| Hull || 89 mm ''Front plate'' <br> 89 + 89 mm ''Front plate (MG Port)'' <br> 38 mm (63°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 76.2 mm (19°) ''Lower glacis'' || 63.5 mm ''Overall side armour'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Side hatch'' <br> 38.1 mm ''Side edge'' || 50.8 mm <br> 25.4 mm (68°) ''Bottom'' || 15.87 mm
 
−
|-
 
−
| Turret || 89 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 89 mm (0-30°) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 18 mm (76°) ''Roof area'' || 76.2 mm || 76.2 mm || 18 mm
 
−
|}
 
−
'''Notes:'''
 
−
* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
 
−
* Belly armour is 19 mm thick.
 
−
* A 8 mm Structural steel plate separates the engine and crew compartment.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Mobility ===
 
−
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
+
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
−
|-
 
−
! Weight (tons)
 
−
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 
−
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|rowspan="2" | 37.8 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 28.7 (AB)
+
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|27.0 (RB/SB)
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,000 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
+
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="1" | Mode
+
| 314 || 310 || 6,800 || 30.5 || 31.3 || 2.9 || 3.9 || 450
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|''Arcade''
+
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
−
|452
 
−
|556
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,000 m)
−
|310
+
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
−
|350
+
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
+
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="1" | Mode
+
| 356 || 335 || 6,800 || 27.6 || 29.0 || 11.2 || 6.3 || 450
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Arcade''
 
−
|11.96
 
−
|14.71
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
−
|8.20
 
−
|9.26
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Armaments ==
+
====Details====
−
=== Main armament ===
 
−
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
 
−
{{main|Ordnance QF 2-pounder (40 mm)}}
 
−
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | [[Ordnance QF 2-pounder (40 mm)|40 mm OQF 2-pounder]]
+
! colspan="5" | Features
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
−
|-
 
−
| colspan="3" | 150 || -15°/+20° || ±180° || Vertical
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
−
|-
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Arcade'' || 14.28 || 19.80 || 24.0 || 26.60 || 28.24
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Realistic'' || 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.4 || 22.60 || 24.00
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! Combat flap
 +
! Take-off flap
 +
! Landing flap
 +
! Air brakes
 +
! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
| X || X || X || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 3.6|| __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== Ammunition =====
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
! colspan="5" | Limits
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 10m
+
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
−
! 100m
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
−
! 500m
+
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
−
! 1000m
+
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
−
! 1500m
 
−
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Shot Mk.1 AP/T || AP || 80 || 79 || 61 || 46 || 32 || 21
+
! +
 +
! -
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Shot Mk.1 APCBC/T || APCBC || 74 || 72 || 64 || 58 || 48 || 43
+
| ??? || ??? || ??? || ~?? || ~?
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
 
−
! colspan="11" | Shell details
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 
−
''in m:''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 
−
''in mm:''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 
−
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 0%
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
−
! 50%
 
−
! 100%
 
−
|-
 
−
| Shot Mk.1 AP/T || AP || 853 || 1.1 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
−
|-
 
−
| Shot Mk.1 APCBC/T || APCBC || 853 || 1.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
+
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
+
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
+
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br /> rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br /> rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| '''150''' || 110&nbsp;''(+40)'' || 80&nbsp;''(+70)'' || 58&nbsp;''(+92)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+114)'' || 26&nbsp;''(+124)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+134)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+149)'' || style="text-align:left" | no
+
| < ??? || < ??? || < ??? || > ???
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
Center & turret empty: 58&nbsp;''(+92)''
 
−
 
−
=== Additional armament ===
 
−
<!--''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
 
−
{{main|Ordnance QF 3-inch Howitzer (75 mm)}}
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | [[Ordnance QF 3-inch Howitzer (75 mm)|75 mm OQF 3-inch Howitzer]]
+
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
+
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="3" | 58 || -5°/+9° || ±15° || N/A
+
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
+
| ?,??? m || ??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
|-
 
|-
−
! style="width:4em" |Mode
+
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
−
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Arcade'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Realistic'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
! Optimal altitude
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
+
! 100% Engine power
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
+
! WEP Engine power
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 +
|- -->
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== Ammunition =====
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
<!--''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.''-->
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
* No armour plating
−
|-
+
* No armour glazing
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
* More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
+
 
−
|-
+
== Armaments ==
−
! 10m
+
<!--=== Offensive armament ===
−
! 100m
+
''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
−
! 500m
+
{{main|MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)}}
−
! 1000m
+
 
−
! 1500m
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
−
! 2000m
+
 
−
|-
+
* 4 x 7.5 mm [[MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)|MAC 1934]] machine guns (300 rpg = 1,200 total)
−
| 3-inch HE || HE || 8 || 8 || 8 || 8 || 8 || 8
+
 
−
|-
+
The four machine guns are arranged in bundles of two mounted on the underside of the upper wing. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that all guns will fire with each other until empty.-->
−
|}
+
=== Suspended armament ===
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
<!--''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.''-->
−
! colspan="11" | Shell details
+
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Main article:&nbsp;'''[[:Category:Suspended armaments|Bombs]]'''''
−
|-
+
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinance:
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
* 28 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (1,400 kg total)
−
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
* 16 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
+
* 4 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (1,000 kg total)
−
''in m:''
+
* 4 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (2,000 kg total)
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
+
 
−
''in mm:''
+
=== Defensive armament ===
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
<!--''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.''-->
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
+
{{main|Breda-SAFAT da 7.7 mm (7.7 mm)|Lewis (7.7 mm)}}
−
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
+
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:
 +
 
 +
* 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
 +
* 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
 +
* 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, left beam turret (500 rpg)
 +
* 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, right beam turret (500 rpg)
 +
 
 +
== Usage in the 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 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).''-->
 +
When flying the S.81 there are 2 payloads that are recommended 16 x 100 kg for ground strike against enemy vehicles or 4 x 500 kg for bombing bases. Always try to avoid enemy fighter aircraft as rifle caliber machine guns will shred this plane very easily.
 +
 
 +
The primary enemy of the S.81 is any fighter as it can be easily destroyed by rifle caliber machine gun fire, with sustained fire able to ignite the fuel or engine and cause a fire that could potentially burn down the aircraft.
 +
 
 +
===Manual Engine Control===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 0%
+
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
−
! 50%
 
−
! 100%
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 3-inch HE || HE || 210 || 6.3 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 530 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
+
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" |Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
 
|-
 
|-
−
|}
+
! Oil
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
! Water
−
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
+
! Type
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Ammunition
+
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
−
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
−
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
−
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
 
−
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
 
−
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
 
−
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
−
|-
 
−
| 3-inch Smoke || 210 || 6.1 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
===Modules===
−
[[File:Ammoracks_Churchill Mk I.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] for the Churchill Mk.I.]]
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
!colspan = "1"| Tier
−
|-
+
!colspan = "2"| Flight performance
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
!colspan = "1"| Survivability
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
+
!colspan = "2"| Weaponry
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
−
|-
 
−
|| '''58''' || 45&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+42)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+57)'' || style="text-align:left" | no
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
Minimal load: 16&nbsp;''(+42)''
 
−
 
 
−
=== Machine guns ===
 
−
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 
−
{{main|BESA (7.92 mm)}}
 
−
 
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | [[BESA (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm BESA]]
+
| I
 +
| Fuselage Repair
 +
| Radiator
 +
|
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
+
| II
 +
|
 +
| Compressor
 +
| Airframe
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
| III
−
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
+
| Wings Repair
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
+
| Engine
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
+
|  
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="4" | 4,950 (225) || 600 || N/A || N/A
+
| IV
 +
|  
 +
| Engine Injection
 +
| Cover
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
* When grinding this plane for improvements and modules, focus on the payload first, then the plane performance. Ignore the defensive firepower upgrades as the defensive firepower upgraded is still extremely weak until its the last upgrades you have to get.
 +
=== Pros and cons ===
 +
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
'''Pros:'''
−
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the 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. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
+
* Decent payload, can hold large numbers of 50 kg bombs
−
This tank can use a play style similar to the Matilda or a weaker Churchill III. It's best played up close, to make use of your armour and also its gun. Since the tank is rather boxy, it's very good at angling. Unlike the Churchill III, it's gun isn't capable of taking on most other tanks of its rank. Its main role in the battlefield is to soak up and take shots, with it's thick armour, that can withstand most tanks of its rank. Your main enemies in this tank would be the M10, the Achilles, the 88 mm SFL, and most Panzer IVs and StuGs.
+
* Machine gun turrets can reach all sides of the bomber
−
 
 
−
The Churchill has heavy armour, especially when it is angled, but this certainly does not mean that it is invincible. Infact, there are a lot of guns around BR 3.0 that can kill you, even at long range. The most immediate threat comes from the Germans, as in every RB/SB battle you will be facing them. By far the most lethal tanks are the Panzer IVs with the long barrel 75mm. They can penetrate you frontally at long range. Later versions of the Panzer IV also have armour which you will really struggle to penetrate at long range, putting you at a big disadvantage. The same applies to any vehicle armed with the long barrel 75mm gun, including the Stug III F/G, Marder III H (Particularly the Marder III H which has almost 200mm penetration with APCR). You will also come across tanks like the 88mm Flak Truck which is a massive threat.  Your 40mm is almost useless against the Flak Truck as you will have to take each crew member out individually. Luckily, you have access to the 75mm howitzer, which gives you well needed explosive firepower. It can quite easily hull break the Flak Truck. Luckily, the Flak Truck is a whole BR higher than the Churchill, so it will be a rare opponent. Also, watch out for tanks armed with HEAT (such as Panzer III/IVs with the short barreled 75mm), as it has up to 100mm penetration. The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G is also dangerous, with a powerful HE round and a high penetration HEAT round. Luckily both of the aforementioned tanks will have to close into shorter ranges to effectively attack you, as their guns have poor ballistics. This means that your 40mm gun will be more effective. Also watch out for the Sd.Kfz.234/2 or Sd.Kfz.234/4. These are vehicles based on the Puma armoured car. The /2 has a 50mm and the /4 has a 75mm gun. Both are excellent flanking vehicles, extremely fast and potent. They will easily outflank you.
 
  
−
Sometimes in RB matches you will also face the Russians. At long range, the Zis-30 proves to be a real threat. it has a high penetration gun and is great at ambushing. Luckily, it has light armour and can be killed easily. Russian armour is a bigger threat. Tanks like the T34 are highly resistant to your 40mm gun due to their steep sloping armour. The L11 gun on the T34 (1940) will struggle to kill you, but the F-34 gun found on Post 1940 versions is much more effective. Below 500mm it can kill you with its potent BR-350B APHEBC rounds or APCR rounds (though they do less damage). An even bigger threat are the KV1 tanks. A Churchill vs a KV1 L11 can end in a stalemate situation, as both tanks will struggle to penetrate the other frontally. However, later KV1 models have the ZIS 5 gun, which is pretty much identical to the F-34 gun found on the T34. There is also the German premium KV1 B which has upgraded armour but a weaker gun, which is a dangerous opponent and quite common despite being a premium vehicle.
 
−
 
−
From the Japanese, be careful of the Ho Ro with its massive howitzer, or the Chi Nu with its powerful 75mm gun.
 
−
 
−
=== Pros and cons ===
 
−
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
 
−
'''Pros:'''
 
−
* Excellent frontal armour.
 
−
* Almost immune to small caliber guns.
 
−
* Well armoured sides.
 
−
* Good mantlet.
 
−
* Quick firing gun.
 
−
* It's size eliminates any recoil from the gun, making it easy to fire a second shot without losing any accuracy.
 
−
* Ability to pivot steer.
 
−
* Large suspension sides have side hits more likely to break tracks than penetrate the hull.
 
−
* Incredibly hard to dislodge or destroy when properly angled.
 
−
* Works well as the spearhead of an assault when capturing a point, absorbing damage.
 
−
* Good acceleration.
 
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
* 40mm gun is ineffective against anything with sloped armour
+
* Slow and sluggish
−
* Will lose a lot of speed when making a sharp turn in motion.
+
* No armour or bulletproof glass for protection
−
* Has difficulties engaging another heavy tanks.
+
* Abysmal defensive firepower
−
* Up-gunned Panzer IVs are a major threat.
+
* Loss of a single engine will hamper the plane's ability to stay in the air
−
* Poor mobility when compared to other heavy tanks from other nations.
+
* Low maximum altitude
−
* Terrible reverse speed.
 
−
* Boxy armour, although still thick.
 
−
* Has trouble scaling obstacles.
 
−
* Very slow, will take a lot of time just to reach the combat zone from spawn points.
 
−
* Frontal 50 mm weakspot (Machine gun port).
 
−
* Roof armour is somehow thin.
 
−
* Ammo racks just below the turret, smart player will shoot you there and will be lethal most of the time.
 
−
* Priority target by planes due to size and bad reverse speed.
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle 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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!--''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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
−
===Development===
+
Under the need to have an aircraft capable reaching the far reaches of the Italian colonies in Africa, a project was made to develop an aircraft able to suit the Regia Aeronautica. Approaching manufacturer Savoia-Marchetti, chief designer Alessandro Marchetti developed the aircraft based on the Savoia's SM.73 airliner and militarized the vehicle for its intended use.<ref name="MFS.81">Military Factory 2017</ref> The first prototype was built and flown in early 1935, approximately six months after the SM.73 debuted.<ref name="CenturyS.81">Century of Flight 2007</ref> This aircraft was then known as the '''SM.81 "Pipistrello"''' ('''"Bat"'''). The aircraft was accepted for service in the same year with mass-production slated, with different engines used throughout the production life. 534 SM.81 would be produced in the time span between 1935 to 1944.<ref name="MurphyS.81">Murphy 2009</ref>
−
The General Staff specification ''A20'' was implemented before World War II and was meant to replace the [[A12 Mk.II Matilda II|Matilda II]] and [[Valentine Mk.XI|Valentine]] infantry tanks. The specification was based around the British infantry tank doctrine and with the expectation that the coming war would be based off the World War I trench warfare, thus the tank was needed to travel across unfavorable terrain and able to destroy enemy defenses and infantry obstacles. As speed and heavy firepower was not taken with priority, the vehicle was to have two 2-pounder gun on side sponson mounts with a coaxial machine gun, with another machine gun and smoke dischargers on the front hull, armour was about 60 mm on the turret. Four prototypes were made by June 1940 by Harland and Wolff. The front hull would see an upgrade in armament with a 3-inch howitzer during the prototype stages, the 43 ton tank had a 300 hp Meadows engine from the Covenanter tank and was made the tank underpowered. The A20 project was cancelled with the Battle of France, which saw the emergency evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk that left a majority of their heavy equipment behind.
 
  
−
The Battle of France proved that the coming World War II was not going to be a stagnant battlefield like the trench warfare from World War I. The entire concept had to be redesigned and was done so by Henry Merrit, the director of Tank Design at Woolwich Arsenal. His new concept, the '''A22''' or '''Infantry Tank Mark IV Churchill''', was given to Vauxhall Motors in June 1940. War Office requested that the A22 be ready to enter production within the year due to growing pressure of a German invasion of Britain. The designs were ready in July 1940 and the first prototypes were made by December of the same year, production soon followed in June 1941. The rushed development was acknowledged in the company to being the cause of many faults and defects in the tank, but the demand by the government was so great that it must be carried out, with the expectation that the issues will be fixed during production. The Churchill tank suffered from an under-powered engine, weak armament, and mechanical issues. The weak armament from a 2-pounder was fixed with the arming of a 6-pounder on the Churchill, but the other issues caused poor performance of the Churchill in the battlefield. In fact, the Churchill production was almost cancelled in favor of the [[Mark VIII A27M Cromwell V|Cromwell]] due to its issues, but its usage in the Second Battle of El Alamein proved its value and kept it in service.
+
===Combat usage===
 +
At its inception, the SM.81 was considered one of the better medium bombers of the era with its top speed of 211 miles, long range of 1,336 miles, well armed with six machine gun positions and able to carry a payload of up to 2,205 lbs.<ref name="MurphyS.81"/> The SM.81 found a versatile use on the battlefield, being used in a transport, bombing, ground attack, and a reconnaissance role, ensuring its relevancy even later in the war. One was procured by Benito Mussolini to be used as his private aircraft, the aircraft being nicknamed "Taratuga" ("Turtle") for its sluggish speed.
  
−
The Churchill would carry on the rest of the war as one of the most versatile tank design in British service, serving in many specialist roles other than its tank role. Altogether, a total of 7,568 Churchill units produced from 1941 to 1945, with 5,968 as tanks.
+
The SM.81 were first used in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (also known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War), lasting from 03 October 1935 to May 1936, quickly putting the SM.81 into action. Their versatile performed well in their support of the Italian troops, culminating with the annexation of Ethiopia into Italy's East African colonies. The SM.81 saw use again in the Spanish Civil War to aid the Spanish Nationalists in the Aviazione Legionaria, where they were used to the same degree as in Ethiopia. Though 12 were sent on a 705 mile flight on 29 July 1936 to Spanish-controlled Morocco, complexity in the flight had only nine arrive. These nine bombers provided a great asset in the Strait of Gibraltar as more aircraft arrived, keeping the Spanish Republican's Navy at bay. As the Nationalists push closer to Madrid, the SM.81, working alongside the German Condor Legion, bombed the Spanish capital almost daily. Though the SM.81 sometimes flew with escorting [[C.R.32]] biplanes, flying unescorted with tight formations was also possible due to the mutual machine gun protection with each other.<ref name="SmithS.81">Smith 2011</ref> However, when Soviet [[I-15_M-22|I-15]] and [[I-16type5|I-16]] appeared, flights started to be conducted at night to avoid losing precious bombers. When Italy left Spain at the conclusion of the war, around 64 SM.81 was left behind for the Spanish Air Force.
  
−
===Variants===
+
By the outbreak of World War II, the SM.81 was showing its age, though 300 units still remained in the Regia Aeronautica's inventory.<ref name="MFS.81"/> With the faster and more powerful [[SM.79Sparviero_(1936)_IT|SM.79]] beginning to see service in 1936, the SM.81's roles was supplemented. The SM.81 still saw service in secondary roles and so deliveries still continued. It was used in the African theater as the main bomber against British forces in East Africa, but British [[Gladiator_Mk_II|Gladiators]] and [[Hurricane_Mk_IIB|Hurricanes]] posed a major threat. Due to this the SM.81 was relegated as a night bomber in North Africa, with the darkness as cover against the enemy fighters. 80 SM.81 were also produced into a dedicated transport aircraft, known as ''SM.81T'', which proved vital in transporting troops and material to Rommel's Afrika Korps.<ref name="MurphyS.81"/>
−
The Churchill, used in a multitude of roles, is made into many different variants. 12 different kinds of tank variants were produced for combat roles, with 11 more variants in specialized roles ranging from armoured personnel carrier, a bridge-layer, mine clearer, a [[3 inch Gun Carrier]], flamethrower tank, and an armoured recovery vehicle.
 
  
−
===Combat usage===
+
Even after Italy's surrender to Allied forces in September 1943, the SM.81 still saw service in North Italy's Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and South Italy's Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana. Though South Italy soon removed them from service, North Italy used them until the end of the war.<ref name="MFS.81"/> In the conclusion of World War II, several SM.81 were still in service with the post-war Aeronautica Militare Italiana, sticking around until 1950 when they were all officially retired.
−
The Churchill tank was first used in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. While it was really a test on how an opposed landing would work, the 60 Churchill tanks to support the Canadian units suffered from mechanical issues, and those that did work are not able to penetrate past the sea wall due to impassable defenses. None of the Churchill tanks that landed returned from the beaches and with a 70% casualty rate, the raid's attempt to establish a beachhead was a failure.
 
  
−
The next use of the Churchill was in North Africa during the Second Battle of El Alamein. At this point, the Churchills have been upgraded to the '''Mk.III''' variants with 6-pounders as their main armament. The detachment, code named "King Force", help supported the 7th Motor Brigade in their attack. The Churchills were fired upon by many German anti-tank weapons, but none were taken out with only one receiving note worthy damage. "King Force", as a test bed for the feasibility of Churchills operating in the desert environment, was disbanded with the establishment of the 25th Army Tank Brigade with the Churchills to see action in February 1943 in Tunisia. In the German offensive Operation Ochsenkpf, two Churchill Mk.III from the 51st Royal Tank Regiment came across an entire German transport column that they ambushed. The end result was a loss of twelve artillery pieces, 25 wheeled vehicles, two [[Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J|Panzer III]]s and 200 casualties on the German side with no losses for the British. The Churchill also played a key role in the Battle of Longstop Hill, where Churchill tanks in the 48th Royal Tank Regiment faced off with Germany's newest heavy tank [[Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. H1|Tiger I]]. Though suffering losses, a lucky 6-pounder shot from the Churchill ended up jamming the Tiger's turret and turret ring that injured the crew, forcing them to abandon the tank. The Tiger tank was captured by the British for intelligence purpose on Germany's armoured forces. The Tiger Tank is named Tiger 131.
+
===Other developments===
 +
Two main variants of the SM.81 existed, the SM.81 as a bomber/transport variant and the SM.81T as a dedicated transport aircraft, both using various engines as propulsion. A project was done known as the ''SM.81B'', which used a two-engine configuration. This provided inadequate performance compared to the three-engine configurations and so the project was discontinued.
  
−
After the North African campaign, the Churchill began to see widespread usage in the British army as a support unit for the infantry. The Churchill saw much more operation hours than any other British tank in service. It was at this point that the Churchill Mk.III began a conversion into the 75 mm guns that were used on the American [[Medium Tank M4 Sherman|M4 Sherman]] tanks. These conversions, known as ''NA75'', proved to be more efficient than the Shermans and were used more effectively. Some Churchills were also converted into close support vehicles with 95 mm howitzers as their main armaments. In response to the growing German anti-tank firepower in the later years of World War II, the Churchill tanks were also upgraded in armour by a large degree, though their engines were also upgraded to compensate for the additional weight. The [[A22 Churchill Mk.VII|Churchill Mk.VII]], for example, has armour ranging up to 152 mm thick in the front, in comparison to the Mk.III 89 mm thick front hull. The Churchills also saw service in Europe during Operation Overlord. At the time, it was considered that the Churchill would become severely outdated with the growing tank technology, so an experimental program under specification A43, otherwise known as the [[A.43 Black Prince|Black Prince]], to uparmour and upgun the Churchill. While this experimented seem fruitful, the development of more agile tanks with the same level of protection and armament such as the [[Centurion Mk.3|Centurion]] rendered the project obsolete.
+
Though the SM.81 saw use in the various Italian air forces and in Spain, three were also sent to the Chinese Nationalist forces, arriving at an unknown date. However, all three samples were destroyed in training exercises in early 1938.<ref name="MFS.81"/>
−
 
 
−
The Churchills were also given out to the Allies to help combat the Axis forces. The Australian Army received a handful of Churchills for testing alongside the M4 Sherman with the Matilda II as the basis, to which proved that the Churchill was superior in jungle warfare. Of the 510 Churchills ordered by the Australians in the war, only 46 arrived in time and were not used in the Pacific War, the rest were cancelled with the end of World War II. The USSR also used the Churchills given by the British as part of the Lend-Lease act. 301 Churchills were sent, but 43 were lost to the sea by German naval forces. Of those that arrived, the Soviets gave the Churchills to the 5th Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Prokhorovka during the Kursk Offensive.
 
−
 
 
−
After World War II, the Churchill stuck around in the British Army until the Korean War, where the British sent the Churchill Crocodile Squadron (C squadron of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment) to Korea to fight with the Allied coalition. They fought as gun tanks in battle such as the Third Battle of Seoul. The Churchills were instrumental in some victories and were widely praised by both British and American forces and historians. After the Korean war, the Churchills remains in combat service until 1952, with the specialized bridge-layer variant stayin until the 1970s. The Irish Army also received three Churchill tanks in 1948 and another in 1949 as rentals until 1954, where they were purchased after trials with the vehicles. Despite running out of spare parts for the Churchill, the Irish Army took them in and experimented with using different engines to keep them functional, though this ended with a failure and by 1967, only one was still functional. All were retired in 1969 and one was preserved at the Curragh Camp.
 
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 377: Line 264:
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/4793-vehicle-profile-a22-churchill-mk-i-first-of-its-breed-en [Vehicle Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> A22 Churchill Mk I - "First of Its Breed"]
+
''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.''
 +
<!--''ETC.''-->
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
−
''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;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
 +
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
* Century of Flight. "Savoia Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello." Italian Aircraft of World War Two, 11 Nov 2007, [http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Savoia%20Marchetti.htm#r Website].
 +
* Military Factory. "Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello (Bat) Medium Bomber / Transport Aircraft." Military Factory, 31 May 2017, [http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=811 Website].
 +
* Murphy, Justin D., and Matthew A. McNiece. Military Aircraft, 1919-1945: an Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO, 2009.
 +
* Smith, Richard K., and R. Cargill. Hall. Five down, No Glory: Frank G. Tinker, Mercenary Ace in the Spanish Civil War. Naval Institute Press, 2011.
 +
 
  
−
{{Britain heavy tanks}}
+
{{Italian bombers}}

Revision as of 12:06, 13 December 2018

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
S.81
s_81_ar125.png
S.81
Italy flag.png Italy
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage S.81.jpg


The S.81 is a Rank I Italian bomber with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A".

The S.81 is distinctive with its three engines, two on the wings and one in the nose. This provides a level of redundancy with the nose engine unlikely to be disabled except from a head-on or a diving attack. Although, each engine is less powerful than contemporaries on other aircraft so each engine loss will heavily impact the aircraft's speed, causing it to lose altitude. Losing one engine on the wing would also cause the aircraft to start rolling over to the weakened end.

The plane in its default state is covered in a light green paint with black splotches around to break up the solid figure. A huge white band stretch out at the mid-section of the fuselage, right around the beam turrets, which could serve as reference points for enemies to knockout the beam and ventral turret gunners. On the tail's vertical stabilizer, a large white cross is also present with the logo of the Regia Aeronautica in the upper center point of the paint. On the wings, the Regia Aeronautica roundels were also present to make the vehicle certainly belonging to the Italian tech tree.

Three types of turrets are available on the S.81, a dorsal turret on top, a ventral turret on the bottom, and two beam turrets for both sides of the fuselage. All the turrets provide excellent arc of fires on their sectors, with mutual machine gun fire from more than one turret able to be met in most areas. Unfortunately, all the turrets used a 7.7 mm machine gun and while sustained fire could cause sufficient damage, they lack the quick stopping power needed to prevent fighters from strafing the bomber, and taking down enemy fighters quickly is crucial as the S.81 lacks any sort of armour for itself and the crew except self-sealing fuel tanks. Enemy machine gun fire will quickly go through, damaging modules and crew members.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m) 		Max altitude
(meters) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
314 310 6,800 30.5 31.3 2.9 3.9 450
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m) 		Max altitude (meters) Turn time (seconds) Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run (meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
356 335 6,800 27.6 29.0 11.2 6.3 450

Details

Features
Combat flap Take-off flap Landing flap Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h) 		Gear limit
(km/h) 		Combat flap
(km/h) 		Max Static G
+ -
 ???  ???  ??? ~?? ~?
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h) 		Rudder
(km/h) 		Elevators
(km/h) 		Radiator
(km/h)
< ??? < ??? < ??? > ???
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
 ?,??? m  ??? hp  ?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

  • No armour plating
  • No armour glazing
  • Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage

Armaments

Suspended armament

      Main article: Bombs

The S.81 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

  • 28 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (1,400 kg total)
  • 16 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
  • 4 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 4 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (2,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

Main articles: Breda-SAFAT da 7.7 mm (7.7 mm), Lewis (7.7 mm)

The S.81 is defended by:

  • 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
  • 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, left beam turret (500 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, right beam turret (500 rpg)

Usage in the battles

When flying the S.81 there are 2 payloads that are recommended 16 x 100 kg for ground strike against enemy vehicles or 4 x 500 kg for bombing bases. Always try to avoid enemy fighter aircraft as rifle caliber machine guns will shred this plane very easily.

The primary enemy of the S.81 is any fighter as it can be easily destroyed by rifle caliber machine gun fire, with sustained fire able to ignite the fuel or engine and cause a fire that could potentially burn down the aircraft.

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
  • When grinding this plane for improvements and modules, focus on the payload first, then the plane performance. Ignore the defensive firepower upgrades as the defensive firepower upgraded is still extremely weak until its the last upgrades you have to get.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent payload, can hold large numbers of 50 kg bombs
  • Machine gun turrets can reach all sides of the bomber

Cons:

  • Slow and sluggish
  • No armour or bulletproof glass for protection
  • Abysmal defensive firepower
  • Loss of a single engine will hamper the plane's ability to stay in the air
  • Low maximum altitude

History

Under the need to have an aircraft capable reaching the far reaches of the Italian colonies in Africa, a project was made to develop an aircraft able to suit the Regia Aeronautica. Approaching manufacturer Savoia-Marchetti, chief designer Alessandro Marchetti developed the aircraft based on the Savoia's SM.73 airliner and militarized the vehicle for its intended use.[1] The first prototype was built and flown in early 1935, approximately six months after the SM.73 debuted.[2] This aircraft was then known as the SM.81 "Pipistrello" ("Bat"). The aircraft was accepted for service in the same year with mass-production slated, with different engines used throughout the production life. 534 SM.81 would be produced in the time span between 1935 to 1944.[3]

Combat usage

At its inception, the SM.81 was considered one of the better medium bombers of the era with its top speed of 211 miles, long range of 1,336 miles, well armed with six machine gun positions and able to carry a payload of up to 2,205 lbs.[3] The SM.81 found a versatile use on the battlefield, being used in a transport, bombing, ground attack, and a reconnaissance role, ensuring its relevancy even later in the war. One was procured by Benito Mussolini to be used as his private aircraft, the aircraft being nicknamed "Taratuga" ("Turtle") for its sluggish speed.

The SM.81 were first used in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (also known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War), lasting from 03 October 1935 to May 1936, quickly putting the SM.81 into action. Their versatile performed well in their support of the Italian troops, culminating with the annexation of Ethiopia into Italy's East African colonies. The SM.81 saw use again in the Spanish Civil War to aid the Spanish Nationalists in the Aviazione Legionaria, where they were used to the same degree as in Ethiopia. Though 12 were sent on a 705 mile flight on 29 July 1936 to Spanish-controlled Morocco, complexity in the flight had only nine arrive. These nine bombers provided a great asset in the Strait of Gibraltar as more aircraft arrived, keeping the Spanish Republican's Navy at bay. As the Nationalists push closer to Madrid, the SM.81, working alongside the German Condor Legion, bombed the Spanish capital almost daily. Though the SM.81 sometimes flew with escorting C.R.32 biplanes, flying unescorted with tight formations was also possible due to the mutual machine gun protection with each other.[4] However, when Soviet I-15 and I-16 appeared, flights started to be conducted at night to avoid losing precious bombers. When Italy left Spain at the conclusion of the war, around 64 SM.81 was left behind for the Spanish Air Force.

By the outbreak of World War II, the SM.81 was showing its age, though 300 units still remained in the Regia Aeronautica's inventory.[1] With the faster and more powerful SM.79 beginning to see service in 1936, the SM.81's roles was supplemented. The SM.81 still saw service in secondary roles and so deliveries still continued. It was used in the African theater as the main bomber against British forces in East Africa, but British Gladiators and Hurricanes posed a major threat. Due to this the SM.81 was relegated as a night bomber in North Africa, with the darkness as cover against the enemy fighters. 80 SM.81 were also produced into a dedicated transport aircraft, known as SM.81T, which proved vital in transporting troops and material to Rommel's Afrika Korps.[3]

Even after Italy's surrender to Allied forces in September 1943, the SM.81 still saw service in North Italy's Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and South Italy's Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana. Though South Italy soon removed them from service, North Italy used them until the end of the war.[1] In the conclusion of World War II, several SM.81 were still in service with the post-war Aeronautica Militare Italiana, sticking around until 1950 when they were all officially retired.

Other developments

Two main variants of the SM.81 existed, the SM.81 as a bomber/transport variant and the SM.81T as a dedicated transport aircraft, both using various engines as propulsion. A project was done known as the SM.81B, which used a two-engine configuration. This provided inadequate performance compared to the three-engine configurations and so the project was discontinued.

Though the SM.81 saw use in the various Italian air forces and in Spain, three were also sent to the Chinese Nationalist forces, arriving at an unknown date. However, all three samples were destroyed in training exercises in early 1938.[1]

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read 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.

Sources

  • Century of Flight. "Savoia Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello." Italian Aircraft of World War Two, 11 Nov 2007, Website.
  • Military Factory. "Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello (Bat) Medium Bomber / Transport Aircraft." Military Factory, 31 May 2017, Website.
  • Murphy, Justin D., and Matthew A. McNiece. Military Aircraft, 1919-1945: an Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO, 2009.
  • Smith, Richard K., and R. Cargill. Hall. Five down, No Glory: Frank G. Tinker, Mercenary Ace in the Spanish Civil War. Naval Institute Press, 2011.


Italy bombers
Fiat  B.R.20DR · B.R.20M M1
Savoia-Marchetti  S.81 · S.M.79 serie 1 · S.M.79 B · S.M.79 serie 8 · S.M.79 AS · S.M.79 bis/T.M
CANT  Z.1007 bis serie 3 · Z.1007 bis serie 5
Piaggio  P.108B serie 1 · P.108B serie 2
  Foreign:
Germany  ▄Ju 87 R-2 · ▄Ju 87 D-3
Hungary  ◔Tu-2S-59

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Military Factory 2017
  2. ↑ Century of Flight 2007
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Murphy 2009
  4. ↑ Smith 2011
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