Difference between revisions of "F6F-5N (France)"

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(Some edits to grammar, being more straight to the point. Specified "M2" names to avoid confusion btwn the armaments)
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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_F6F-5NFrance.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French naval fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French naval fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]].
  
The F6F-5N (N stands for Night fighter variant) is the French variant of The '''Grumman F6F Hellcat'''The French Navy bought 124 F6F-5s and fifteen F6F-5Ns between 1950-1953.
+
The ▄F6F-5N (N stands for Night fighter variant) is the French variant of the '''Grumman F6F Hellcat'''. The French Navy bought 124 F6F-5s and fifteen F6F-5Ns between 1950-1953.
  
This F6F is distinctly capable thanks to the combination of cannons, heavy machine guns, and the addition of a search radar while keeping the ability to provide ground and sea support with highly menacing payloads. 
+
This F6F is distinctly capable thanks to the combination of cannons, heavy machine guns, and the addition of a search radar while keeping the ability to provide ground and sea support with highly menacing payloads.
  
 
An efficient jack-of-all-trades!
 
An efficient jack-of-all-trades!
Line 20: Line 20:
 
== 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. -->
+
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
The main drawback of this plane is the underpowered engine. This means that after all the weight added with the twin 20 mm cannons, radar, and payload. The plane becomes much slower compared to the previous F6F-5 on French service. This may be an indication to avoid engaging in air supremacy battles with other more dedicated fighters. Instead, these variants excel at ground strike and interdiction. Leaving the pure fighter role to other more fast fighters.  
+
The main drawback of this fighter is the powerful but often overloaded engine. This means that after all the weight added with the twin 20 mm cannons, radar, and payload, the plane becomes much slower compared to the previous F6F-5 in French service. This may be an indication to avoid engaging in air supremacy battles with other more dedicated air superiority fighters. Instead, these variants excel at ground strike and interdiction, leaving the pure fighter role to other more fast and agile fighters.
  
Once spaded, the F6F-5N feels similar to the F6F-5. But all of the main flight characteristics are slightly reduced. Such as the top speed, the rate of climb, and turn rate will also be reduced. When equipping payloads is a good idea to avoid extended combat, this is due to the fact the plane gets even slower and less maneuverable. French pilots should consider learning manual engine controls to boost the flight performance, its details are explained below.
+
Once spaded, the ▄F6F-5N feels similar to the ▄F6F-5, but all of the main flight characteristics are slightly reduced, such as the top speed, rate of climb, and turn rate. When equipping payloads is a good idea to avoid extended combat, this is due to the fact the plane gets even slower and less manoeuvrable. French pilots should consider learning (MEC) manual engine controls to boost the flight performance. Its details are explained below!
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,730 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,730 m)
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|-
 
|-
 
! Stock
 
! Stock
| 602 || 583 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.2 || 23.1 || colspan="2" | 8.1 || rowspan="2" | 399
+
| 602 || 583 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.2 || 23.1 || 8.1 || 8.1 || rowspan="2" | 399
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Upgraded
 
! Upgraded
Line 44: Line 44:
  
 
==== Details ====
 
==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 510 || 510 || 310 || ~11 || ~4
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | Features !! colspan="2" width="25%" | Limits (km/h)
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Wings !! Gear
+
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 
|-
 
|-
| || || ✓ || X || ✓ || {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}}    <!-- ✓ -->
+
| < 432 || < 420 || < 420 || > 420
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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* 3 mm Steel plate on top front of oil cooling system.
 
* 3 mm Steel plate on top front of oil cooling system.
 
* 3 mm Steel plates on bottom of engine.
 
* 3 mm Steel plates on bottom of engine.
 +
 +
The ▄F6F-5N is a considerably robust and armoured aircraft, a usual trait of American-made fighters. This armour will enable pilots to survive several hits if they end up tailed by some more agile enemy aircraft; like the Japanese [[Ki-61-II]] or the [[Bf 109 G-2/trop]]. Nonetheless, avoid being targeted and attacked!
 +
 +
The F6F-5N can take a lot of hits and the armour will be there to provide an important defence to the pilot against 7.62 mm up to some long-range 20 mm HE shells. But the airframe and the wide wing spars will start to weaken after heavy enemy damage, thus also compromising the flight performance and ultimately leading to the breakdown of the aircraft itself.
 +
 +
French pilots can take advantage of the adequate armoured glass, the armour around the nose, and the engine for head-on attacks or low bombing runs. To increase survivability, pilots should attempt to engage the more agile enemies frontally. There the majority of the armour and all the heavy machine guns and powerful cannons can be used, rather than holding from behind where the average top speed and turn rate won't provide the F6F-5N with any major advantage.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
In the offensive department, the ▄F6F-5N is devastating!
 +
 +
There are a plethora of choices on armaments that truly bring a lot of power to the French pilots. The 20 mm cannons and 12.7 mm machine guns are capable of devastating, if not destroying, light and medium tanks, even from the sides. This is accompanying the already lethal available payloads.
 +
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
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* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
 
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
  
The four machine guns and both cannons are arranged in bundles of two machine guns and one cannon mounted in each wing. Each cannon is armed with the same amount of ammo and the machine guns are each armed with the same amount of machine gun ammo, which means that all guns of each type will will fire together until empty (however if fired in unison, the cannons will run out of ammo before the machine guns will).
+
The familiar American M2 Browning provides quick-firing, adequate damage, and high penetration capacities. Not many aircraft can withstand a prolonged burst from the machine gun. However, they lack the fast, decisive punch of a large-calibre cannon. This could lead to the F6F-5N often staying in combat more than it should; something detrimental to its survival.
 +
 
 +
* The '''Ground targets''' belt is notably good to bypass the enemy's armour plates and also good for head-ons attacks. Works for some medium tanks, armoured cars and light tanks.
 +
 
 +
* The '''Tracers belt''' is handy to burst your enemies into flames. Mainly, the light and nimble planes with poor durability.
 +
 
 +
In this variant, the F6F-5N also receives two new powerful 20 mm AN/M2 cannons.
 +
 
 +
The 20 mm cannons will dramatically increase the firepower and lethality of the F6F. Their penetration and decent fire rate allow pilots to apply them proactively during air combats. The good ammo count also extends their time on combat if the pilot has trigger discipline.
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|Tiny Tim|HVAR|Mk.13/44 (569 mm)}}
+
{{main|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR|Tiny Tim|Mk.13-1 Case (1,927 lb)}}
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
Line 86: Line 129:
 
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
 
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
 
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (2,000 lb total)
 
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 1 x 569 mm Mk.13/44 torpedo
+
* 1 x 1,927 lb Mk.13-1 Case torpedo
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
Line 175: Line 218:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Lethal firepower thanks to 20 mm cannons, 5.0 kg/s fire burst mass
+
* Lethal firepower thanks to 20 mm cannons; 5.0 kg/s fire burst mass
 
* High ammo count on both cannon and machine guns
 
* High ammo count on both cannon and machine guns
* High durability and efficient armor protection for the engine and the pilot
+
* High durability and efficient armour protection for the engine and the pilot
* Multipurpose fighter (HVARs, 1k lb bombs, Tiny tim, torpedo and radar)  
+
* Multipurpose fighter (HVARs, 1k lb bombs, Tiny tim, torpedo and radar)
 
* Has both search and tracking radar
 
* Has both search and tracking radar
  
Line 184: Line 227:
  
 
* Slightly worse fighter's flight characteristics than F6F-5 while at a higher battle rating
 
* Slightly worse fighter's flight characteristics than F6F-5 while at a higher battle rating
* All maneuverability is drastically decreased by payloads
+
* All manoeuvrability is drastically decreased by payloads
 
* Turn rate is significantly higher than enemies it faces
 
* Turn rate is significantly higher than enemies it faces
* Hopelessly outmatched on speed by enemy planes on the same BR, as the [[Bf 109 (Family)]]  
+
* Hopelessly outmatched on speed by enemy planes on the same BR, as the [[Bf 109 (Family)]]
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 197: Line 240:
 
== See also ==
 
== 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.''
Line 203: Line 245:
 
== External links ==
 
== 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;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''

Revision as of 15:07, 17 November 2020

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
f6f-5n_france.png
▄F6F-5N
Research:46 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:155 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the naval fighter F6F-5N (France). For other versions, see F6F (Family).

Description

GarageImage F6F-5N (France).jpg


The ▄F6F-5N Hellcat is a rank IV French naval fighter with a battle rating of 5.0 (AB) and 4.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France".

The ▄F6F-5N (N stands for Night fighter variant) is the French variant of the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The French Navy bought 124 F6F-5s and fifteen F6F-5Ns between 1950-1953.

This F6F is distinctly capable thanks to the combination of cannons, heavy machine guns, and the addition of a search radar while keeping the ability to provide ground and sea support with highly menacing payloads.

An efficient jack-of-all-trades!

General info

Flight performance

The main drawback of this fighter is the powerful but often overloaded engine. This means that after all the weight added with the twin 20 mm cannons, radar, and payload, the plane becomes much slower compared to the previous F6F-5 in French service. This may be an indication to avoid engaging in air supremacy battles with other more dedicated air superiority fighters. Instead, these variants excel at ground strike and interdiction, leaving the pure fighter role to other more fast and agile fighters.

Once spaded, the ▄F6F-5N feels similar to the ▄F6F-5, but all of the main flight characteristics are slightly reduced, such as the top speed, rate of climb, and turn rate. When equipping payloads is a good idea to avoid extended combat, this is due to the fact the plane gets even slower and less manoeuvrable. French pilots should consider learning (MEC) manual engine controls to boost the flight performance. Its details are explained below!

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,730 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 602 583 11000 22.2 23.1 8.1 8.1 399
Upgraded 661 629 19.8 21.0 16.7 11.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
803 375 510 510 310 ~11 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 432 < 420 < 420 > 420

Survivability and armour

  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.
  • 6.35 mm Steel plates behind pilot.
  • 3 mm Steel plates on fuselage top in front of cockpit.
  • 3 mm Steel plate on top front of oil cooling system.
  • 3 mm Steel plates on bottom of engine.

The ▄F6F-5N is a considerably robust and armoured aircraft, a usual trait of American-made fighters. This armour will enable pilots to survive several hits if they end up tailed by some more agile enemy aircraft; like the Japanese Ki-61-II or the Bf 109 G-2/trop. Nonetheless, avoid being targeted and attacked!

The F6F-5N can take a lot of hits and the armour will be there to provide an important defence to the pilot against 7.62 mm up to some long-range 20 mm HE shells. But the airframe and the wide wing spars will start to weaken after heavy enemy damage, thus also compromising the flight performance and ultimately leading to the breakdown of the aircraft itself.

French pilots can take advantage of the adequate armoured glass, the armour around the nose, and the engine for head-on attacks or low bombing runs. To increase survivability, pilots should attempt to engage the more agile enemies frontally. There the majority of the armour and all the heavy machine guns and powerful cannons can be used, rather than holding from behind where the average top speed and turn rate won't provide the F6F-5N with any major advantage.

Armaments

In the offensive department, the ▄F6F-5N is devastating!

There are a plethora of choices on armaments that truly bring a lot of power to the French pilots. The 20 mm cannons and 12.7 mm machine guns are capable of devastating, if not destroying, light and medium tanks, even from the sides. This is accompanying the already lethal available payloads.

Offensive armament

The F6F-5N (France) is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, wing-mounted (231 rpg = 462 total)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

The familiar American M2 Browning provides quick-firing, adequate damage, and high penetration capacities. Not many aircraft can withstand a prolonged burst from the machine gun. However, they lack the fast, decisive punch of a large-calibre cannon. This could lead to the F6F-5N often staying in combat more than it should; something detrimental to its survival.

  • The Ground targets belt is notably good to bypass the enemy's armour plates and also good for head-ons attacks. Works for some medium tanks, armoured cars and light tanks.
  • The Tracers belt is handy to burst your enemies into flames. Mainly, the light and nimble planes with poor durability.

In this variant, the F6F-5N also receives two new powerful 20 mm AN/M2 cannons.

The 20 mm cannons will dramatically increase the firepower and lethality of the F6F. Their penetration and decent fire rate allow pilots to apply them proactively during air combats. The good ammo count also extends their time on combat if the pilot has trigger discipline.

Suspended armament

The F6F-5N (France) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 6 x HVAR rockets
  • 2 x Tiny Tim rockets
  • 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs + 6 x HVAR rockets (2,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,927 lb Mk.13-1 Case torpedo

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft 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).

Radars

Main article: AN/APS-6

The F6F-5N is equipped with an AN/APS-6 search and tracking radar. The radar is mounted in a pod under the right wing tip.

AN/APS-6 - Target Detection Radar
Maximum
Detection
Range
Guaranteed
Detection
Range
Max Azimuth
Scan Angle
Max Elevation
Scan Angle
60,000 m
(theoretical)
7,200 m ±60° ±60°
AN/APS-6 - Target Tracking Radar
Maximum
Tracking
Range
Minimum
Tracking
Range
Azimuth Tracking
Angle
Elevation Tracking
Angle
1,000 m 150 m ±15° ±15°

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Controllable
3 gears
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 12 mm ITC mk.III
II Compressor Airframe New 12 mm MGs FRC mk.2
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm LFRC mk.12
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons FLBC mk.1

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Lethal firepower thanks to 20 mm cannons; 5.0 kg/s fire burst mass
  • High ammo count on both cannon and machine guns
  • High durability and efficient armour protection for the engine and the pilot
  • Multipurpose fighter (HVARs, 1k lb bombs, Tiny tim, torpedo and radar)
  • Has both search and tracking radar

Cons:

  • Slightly worse fighter's flight characteristics than F6F-5 while at a higher battle rating
  • All manoeuvrability is drastically decreased by payloads
  • Turn rate is significantly higher than enemies it faces
  • Hopelessly outmatched on speed by enemy planes on the same BR, as the Bf 109 (Family)

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 long, 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></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

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.


Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Fighters 
F3F  F3F-2 · Galer's F3F-2
F4F Wildcat  F4F-3 · F4F-4
XF5F Skyrocket  XF5F · XP-50
F6F Hellcat  F6F-5 · F6F-5N
F7F Tigercat  F7F-1 · F7F-3
F8F Bearcat  F8F-1 · F8F-1B
Jet Fighters 
F9F Panther/Cougar  F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8
F-11 Tiger  F11F-1
F-14 Tomcat  F-14A Early · F-14B
Jet Strike Aircraft 
A-6 Intruder  A-6E TRAM
Bombers  TBF-1C
Export  ▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄F6F-5 · ▄F6F-5N · ▄F8F-1B · ▄Avenger Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II

France fighters
Dewoitine  D.371 · D.371 H.S.9 · D.373 · D.500 · D.501 · Pallier's D.510 · D.520
Morane-Saulnier  M.S.405C1 · M.S.406C1 · M.S.410
Arsenal  V.G.33C-1
Bloch  M.B.152C1 · M.B.157
Caudron  C.R.714
Sud-Ouest  S.O.8000 Narval
American  H-75A-1 · H-75A-4 · ▄P-39Q-25 · ▄P-40F-5 Lafayette · ▄P-47D-22-RE · ▄P-63C-5 · F-6C-10-NA
  ▄F6F-5 · ▄F6F-5N · F4U-7 · ▄F8F-1B
Other countries  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III · ▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · NC.900