Firebrand TF Mk IV

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RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
firebrand_tf4.png
Firebrand TF Mk IV
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

GarageImage Firebrand TF Mk IV.jpg


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

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

General info

Flight performance

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 4,572 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
540 526 9143 26.3 27.4 11.9 11.9 310
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 4,572 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
592 565 9143 23.8 25.0 19.1 15.1 310

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
420 ~10 ~5
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 433 < 500 < 550 > 307
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,023 m 2,150 hp 2,448 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
3,880 m 1,975 hp 2,180 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 12.7 mm Steel - Armour plate, upper seat back and headrest
  • 42.8 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Firebrand TF Mk IV is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

Main articles: RP-3, Mark XV

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

  • Without load
  • 1 x Mark XV torpedo
  • 2 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)
  • 2 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs + 8 x RP-3 rockets (500 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb + 2 x 500 lb G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bomb (1,000 lb total)
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets

Usage in battles

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

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

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

Due to unlimited ammunition, the cannons are remarkably effective in Arcade battles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Auto control available
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Separate Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator FTC mk.IV HSBC mk.2
II Compressor Airframe HMBC mk.2
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm HLBC mk.2
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons HRC mk.8

Pros and cons

Pros:

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

Cons:

  • Poor manoeuvrability and handling in general- roll rate, turn rate, etc. are very poor
  • Large target
  • Mediocre climb rate
  • Poor high-altitude performance
  • Controls unresponsive at speeds near 550 km/h (350 mph)
  • Mediocre energy retention
  • Lacks any bombload stock
  • The Hispano Mk.Vs' bullet dispersion when firing can be frustrating

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.


Britain strike aircraft
Blackburn  Firebrand TF Mk IV · Firecrest
Bristol  Beaufighter Mk I (40-mm) · Beaufighter Mk VIc · Beaufighter Mk X · Beaufighter Mk 21
CAC  ▄Wirraway
Fairey  Firefly F Mk I · Firefly FR Mk V
de Havilland  Mosquito FB Mk VI · Mosquito FB Mk XVIII
Hawker  Hurricane Mk IV · Tempest Mk V (Vickers P)
Westland  Wyvern S4