Difference between revisions of "Fw 190 A-4"

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{{Specs-Card|code=fw-190a-4}}
 
{{Specs-Card|code=fw-190a-4}}
 +
{{About
 +
| about = German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Fw 190 (Family)
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''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.''-->
+
<!-- ''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_Fw190A4.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_Fw190A4.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
+
{{Break}}
The '''Fw 190 A-4''' is a Rank II German fighter with a battle rating of 4.3. It was introduced in Update 1.43.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]].
  
 
''"Würger"'' is the German nickname of this beast of a plane, or in English, Shrike. It can also be translated as ''slayer'', ''choker'', or ''strangler''. In that regard fits the English designation well too: ''"Butcher-bird"''
 
''"Würger"'' is the German nickname of this beast of a plane, or in English, Shrike. It can also be translated as ''slayer'', ''choker'', or ''strangler''. In that regard fits the English designation well too: ''"Butcher-bird"''
  
Fw 190s are fighters, while this one can load additional payload, it will reduce the planes combat ability. Using it as a [[Fighter-bombers|fighter-bomber]] is generally not advised, this would be the duty of the [[Fw 190 F-8|Fw 190 F-8]].
+
Fw 190s are fighters, while this one can load additional payload, it will reduce the planes combat ability. Using it as a fighter-bomber is generally not advised, this would be the duty of the [[Fw 190 F-8|Fw 190 F-8]].
 +
 
 +
The best ammo to use for both cannons is the Air Target belts. They will destroy fighters and bombers faster than tracers. They are different for both cannons, however. For the MG 151's they have a high explosive incendiary shell, armour-piercing shell, and incendiary tracer shell costing 110 silver lions per "per reload". The Mg FF/M's have high explosive incendiary shell, Fragmentation incendiary tracer shell (self-destroying) and armour piercing high explosive shell which cost 40 Sliver Lions "per reload."
  
The best ammo to use for both cannons is the Air Target belts. They will destroy fighters and bombers faster than tracers. They are different for both cannons however. For the MG 151's they have: High explosive incendiary shell, armor-piercing shell, and incendiary tracer shell costing 110 silver lions per "per reload". The Mg FF/M's have: High explosive incendiary shell, Fragmentation incendiary tracer shell (self destroying) and armor piercing high explosive shell which cost 40 Sliver Lions "per reload."
+
The best ammunition available for use with machine guns is Universal. Universal utilizes armour-piercing tracer rounds, armour-piercing rounds, adjustment incendiary rounds, and armour-piercing incendiary rounds. Reloading only costs 9 silver lions "per reload".
  
The best ammunition available for use with machine guns is Universal.  Universal utilizes armor-piercing tracer rounds, armor-piercing rounds, adjustment incendiary rounds, and armor-piercing incendiary rounds. Reloading only costs 9 silver lions "per reload".
 
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed 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.''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
 
|-
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,800 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,800 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! 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>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 
|-
 
|-
! AB
+
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 619 || 602 || 12,000 || 23.4 || 23.9 || 8.6 || 10.6 || 420
+
! Stock
 +
| 619 || 603 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.4 || 24.0 || 10.6 || 10.6 || rowspan="2" | 420
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
+
! Upgraded
|-
+
| 675 || 648 || 20.9 || 22.0 || 18.4 || 14.1
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,800 m)
 
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 
|-
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
|-
 
| ? || ? || 12,000 || ??.? || ??.? || ?.? || ?.? || 420
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
====Details====
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==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
! Combat flap
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! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
! Take-off flap
 
! Landing flap
 
! Air brakes
 
! Arrestor gear
 
 
|-
 
|-
| || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
+
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
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! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
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! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
! +
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
! -
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 860 || 450 || ??? || ~20 || ~20
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| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 700 || 310 || ~13 || ~6
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
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! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
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! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
| < 420 || < 510 || < 510 || > 280
+
| < 420 || < 240 || < 550 || > 280
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
| 1,500 m || 1,520 hp || 1,727 hp  
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| 1,500 m || 1,520 hp || 1,727 hp
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
| 5,300 m || 1,420 hp || 1,613 hp  
+
| 5,300 m || 1,420 hp || 1,613 hp
|-
 
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
 
|-
 
|-
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? 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.'' -->
 +
 
 
* 3 mm Steel - Fore engine cowling
 
* 3 mm Steel - Fore engine cowling
 
* 5 mm Steel - Secondary engine cowling
 
* 5 mm Steel - Secondary engine cowling
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== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== 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.'' -->
{{main|MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG FF (20 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}
+
{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)|MG FF/M (20 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}
  
The Fw 190 A-4 is armed with:
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
  
* 2 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
+
* 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannon, wing-mounted (90 rpg = 180 total)  
+
* 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannons, wing-mounted (90 rpg = 180 total)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun, nose-mounted (900 rpg = 1,800 total)
+
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (900 rpg = 1,800 total)
  
====Ammo Belts====
 
 
Pilots who are really experienced with the aiming and hitting of the MG151/20 might want to use stealth belts on the MGs and cannons, to avoid being spotted by tracers. Using stealth belts on the machine guns only is also useful for aiming the cannon more easily without the distraction provided by the light machine gun tracers.<br />
 
Pilots who are really experienced with the aiming and hitting of the MG151/20 might want to use stealth belts on the MGs and cannons, to avoid being spotted by tracers. Using stealth belts on the machine guns only is also useful for aiming the cannon more easily without the distraction provided by the light machine gun tracers.<br />
 +
 
:'''7.92mm MG 17'''
 
:'''7.92mm MG 17'''
 +
 
*Air Targets: Universal (AP-T/AP/AI/AP-I)
 
*Air Targets: Universal (AP-T/AP/AI/AP-I)
 
*Ground Targets: Tracer (AP-T)
 
*Ground Targets: Tracer (AP-T)
:'''20mm MG151/20'''
 
*Air Targets: Air Targets (AP-I/HEI/HEI/HEI/HEI/IT) // Consisting of 2/3 Minengeschoße, this belt is very effective against any aircraft.
 
*Ground Targets: Armored Targets (APHE/APHE/APHE/IT)
 
:'''20 mm MGFF/M'''
 
*Air target
 
<!--=== 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.''
 
  
=== Defensive armament ===
+
:'''20mm MG 151'''
''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.''
+
 
-->
+
*Air Targets: Air targets (AP-I/HEI/HEI/HEI/HEI/IT) // Consisting of 2/3 Minengeschoße, this belt is very effective against any aircraft.
== Usage in the battles ==
+
*Ground Targets: Armored targets (APHE/APHE/APHE/IT)
<!--''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 A-4 in Arcade is a punishing Boom & Zoom fighter. The armament is fantastic, climb rate top par (rivaled by the [[Bf 109 F-4|Bf 109 F-4]]), and dive speed/top-speed is very good. Use this to as advantage. As characteristic with the Focke Wulfs, the sustained turn rate and radius is extremely slow and large, respectively. Turning is not recommended at all with the '''Fw 190'''.
+
:'''20 mm MG FF/M'''
  
This should not discourage you from seizing opportunities. A Fw 190 A-4 in a balanced furball can be devastating, when it acts as a wingman, keeping other fighters from getting on your team's tails. The enemy fighters are less concerned with evading, giving you the time to line them up. As soon as the amount of planes tips in the enemies' favor, it's time for you to make a quick disappearance, as planes actively trying to get on your tail will almost always get there.
+
*Air targets
  
Armament is fantastic, too. Four 20 mm cannons are more than enough to rip any plane to shreds. Firepower is only rivaled by other twin-engine fighters.
+
== 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).'' -->
 +
The A-4 is a punishing Boom & Zoom fighter. The armament is fantastic, climb rate top par (rivalled by the [[Bf 109 F-4|Bf 109 F-4]]), and dive speed/top-speed is very good. Use this to your advantage. As should be familiar now with the previous Focke-Wulf (and future models), the turning capabilities of this plane are very poor. Dogfighting is not recommended with the Fw 190.
  
The '''Fw 190A-4''', as all the planes in this line, are some of the best "[[BnZ|Boom and Zoomers]]" in the game and should be flown exclusively in this style. But like the [[Fw 190 A-1|Fw 190 A-1]] it is the more maneuverable in the house of Focke-Wulf. The performance at high speeds is excellent, as is their dive and zoom characteristics. '''Do not ever engage in a turn fight''' as this will most likely end bad. Instead fight only in the vertical. Try to have an altitude, or speed advantage over your opponents (by climbing to the side at the start of the battle and then enter the highest battle you see). But you can still win fights, when you are lower in energy than your foe.
+
This should not discourage you from seizing opportunities, however. A Fw 190 A-4 in a balanced furball can be devastating when acting as a wingman, keeping other fighters from attacking your teammates. These opponents are less focused on evading you, as they are busy trying to attack your allies, giving you the time to line up the shot. As soon as the fight begins to tip in the enemies' favour, it's time for you to make a quick disappearance, as enemies actively trying to get on your tail will almost always succeed.
  
In the defensive, you can often just dive away from planes, such as [[Spitfire F. Mk IX|Spitfires]] and [[La-5FN Ussr|La-5]]s, but you need at a decent altitude to gain top-speed, so do not be to quick to dive after an enemy, if they fly below your plane. Unless you are higher then everybody else, or alone. Just be sure then to have the time to regain the lost altitude.
+
The 190-A4's weapon set is fantastic, too. Four 20 mm cannons are more than enough to rip any plane to shreds and the backup MGs, while not particularly damaging against other fighters at this tier, are great for strafing light ground targets like AA guns. Your firepower is only rivalled by the Aircobras and the twin-engine heavy fighters.
  
In a dive the 190 can, due its short wings, pull quite some ''stunts'' to either lose the hunter, or even make him loose his own wings! This is favourable strategy against La-5s, [[Yak|Yak]]s & Spitfires who have due their low wing-loading (and partly wooden wings for the Russians), less resistance against high G maneuvers. Again be sure to regain your energy by a zoom-climb. Just look out while doing so, many pilots die as they do not notice a second enemy aircraft approaching. German proverb: ''"Wenn Zwei sich streiten, freut sich der Dritte."'' (German for "When two quarrel, the third will reap the success.") Of course this could also be you.
+
The Fw 190 A-4, as all the planes in this line, are some of the best Boom & Zoomers in the game and should be flown exclusively in this style. But like the [[Fw 190 A-1|Fw 190 A-1]], it is one of the more manoeuvrable Focke-Wulfs. The performance at high speeds is excellent, as is it's dive and climb characteristics. '''Do not ever engage this aircraft in a turn fight''' as this will usually end badly. Instead, fight primarily in the vertical. Always try to have an altitude or speed advantage over your opponents (climb off to the side at the start of the battle and then enter the highest battle you come across).
<br>
 
Simulator Battles:
 
Visibility is actually decent with the A-4. Although forward visibility is very good, backwards viewing is very poor due to the cockpit design. Overall, the A-4 has better visibility than average.
 
  
The Fw 190 A-4, as all the planes in this line, are some of the best "Boom & Zoomers" in the game and should be flown exclusively in this style. But like the [[Fw 190 A-1|A-1]] it is the more maneuverable in the house of Focke-Wulf. The performance at high speeds is excellent, as is their dive and zoom characteristics. '''Do not ever engage in a turn fight'' as this will most likely end bad. Instead fight only in the vertical. Try to have an altitude, or speed advantage over your opponents (by climbing to the side at the start of the battle and then enter the highest battle you see). But you can still win fights, when you are lower in energy than your foe.
+
In the defensive, as in the previous plane, you can often just dive away from most planes at high speed. In a dive, the 190 can, due to its short wings, pull quite some stunts to lose your attacker or even cause him to lose his wings! Again, be sure to regain your energy and altitude after a fight.
  
In the defensive, you can often just dive away from planes, such as [[Spitfire F. Mk IX|Spitfires]] and [[La-5FN Ussr|La-5]]s, but you need at a decent altitude to gain topspeed, so do not be to quick to dive after an enemy, if they fly below your plane. Unless you are higher then everybody else, or alone. Just be sure then to have the time to regain the lost altitude.
+
The best tactic for this plane is Boom and Zoom tactics, although careful energy-fighting works well too at higher speeds. There are generally two types of Boom & Zoom strategies: '''Tailing Boom & Zoom''' or '''Burst Boom & Zoom''':
  
In a dive the 190 can, due its short wings, pull quite some ''stunts'' to either lose the hunter, or even make him loose his own wings! This is favourable strategy against La-5s, [[Yak-9T|Yak]]s & Spitfires who have due their low wing-loading (and partly wooden wings for the Russians), less resistance against high G maneuvers. Again be sure to regain your energy by a zoom-climb. Just look out while doing so, many pilots die as they do not notice a second enemy aircraft approaching. German proverb: ''"Wenn Zwei sich streiten, freut sich der Dritte."'' (German for "When two quarrel, the third will reap the success.") Of course this could also be you.
+
A '''Tailing Boom & Zoom''' is when the pilot sweeps in behind a target and follows (or "tails") him for a few seconds before breaking away. The benefit of doing this is that the attacker has a longer time to aim and take down the target. This comes at the cost of having less energy to climb back up afterwards, and you are a fairly easy target for other nearby enemies.
  
The best tactic  for this plane: is Boom and Zoom Boom & Zoom meaning it is better as an energy fighter (Boom and Zoom or keeping it's energy up instead of turn fighting).
+
If you remain behind your target for too long, you will lose too much energy and won't be able to climb back up to safety. Any turning involved makes your situation worse, though remember that smart foes in more agile planes will often try to counter this tactic by baiting you into a turn. Keeping their plane just out of your sights entices you to keep following them for just another second more until they've drained your speed and then you will be a slow, easy target.
Boom and zooming is a tactic that takes all of your potential energy and turn it into kinetic energy, as you pull up it turns back into potential energy.
 
 
There is two type of "Boom and Zooms", tailing BnZ or quick burst BnZ.
 
 
A Tailing BnZ is when the pilot Boom or Dives to the target and tail him for 2-4 seconds. The benefits of doing this is players get a longer time to aim and a better chance of shooting him or her down, but it comes with a cost you will have less energy to climb back up, and you are more of an easy target for an enemy who came to help his/hers teammate. There is dangerous parts to doing this though. If you stick on your target to long you will lose too much energy and can't climb back up to Altitude. If this happens fly to your teammates the enemy has the advantage now. Turning will make your problem worse and makes pilots and "easy" kill to the enemy.
 
 
Quick Burst BnZ is when pilots Dive and fire a 1-2 second burst at your enemy and climb back to altitude. The benefits of doing this is you have more speed to climb back up to altitude. The disadvantages are you have a less amount of time to aim and destroying the enemy.  
 
  
'''''How to engage an enemy if he is going to Boom & Zoom you'''''<br>
+
'''Burst Boom & Zoom''' is when a pilot dives down directly onto an enemy, fires a 1-2 second burst at close range, and immediately zooms back up to a safe altitude. The benefits of this tactic, as opposed to the former, is you have far more speed to climb back up and you will be safer from return fire, as you will have spent less time in the enemy's "zone". The problem with this is that you have far less time to shoot, and may not even damage the enemy if your aim is off even by a little.
If you see a enemy who is about to use the Boom & Zoom tactic on you have some options.
 
 
If you are at a high energy state best move is to turn towards him throwing off his aim due and going head on with him.
 
another one is if you are at a low energy state best move is to turn under him. this will force him to pull up or he/she will lose all of their energy.
 
Each of these moves can save your life in a dangerous situation of an encounter with a Boom & Zoom fighters, but your best bet is to turn in him if you can
 
  
 
====Specific enemies worth noting====
 
====Specific enemies worth noting====
 
<!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)-->
 
<!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)-->
Some planes, you might see which are very deadly opponents are the: [[Spitfire_F._Mk_IX|Spitfires]], [[Typhoon_Mk_1b_/Late|Typhoons]], [[Beaufighter_Mk_21|Beaufighter's]] [[P-51D-5_Mustang|Mustang's]], [[Yak-9U|Yakovlev's]], [[B-17E_Flying_Fortress_/Late|B-17's]] and the [[Wellington_Mk_Ic_/Late|Wellington's]] These planes should not be underestimated, they can all fight this aircraft extremely well.
+
Some planes, you might see which are very deadly opponents are the: [[Spitfire_F_Mk_IX|Spitfires]], [[Typhoon_Mk_Ib/L|Typhoons]], [[Beaufighter_Mk_21|Beaufighters]], [[P-51D-5|Mustangs]], [[Yak-9U|Yakovlevs]], [[B-17E/L|B-17s]] and the [[Wellington_Mk_Ic/L|Wellingtons]] These planes should not be underestimated, they can all fight this aircraft extremely well.
===Manual Engine Control===
+
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 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 !! Type
! Water
 
! Type  
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| Not controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Combined || Not controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===Modules===
+
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! Tier
! Flight performance
+
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
! Survivability
 
! Survivability
! Weaponry
+
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
|-
 
|-
 
| I
 
| I
| Fuselage Repair, Radiator
+
| Fuselage repair
|  
+
| Radiator
 +
|
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| II
 
| II
 +
|
 
| Compressor
 
| Compressor
 
| Airframe
 
| Airframe
 
| New 7 mm MGs
 
| New 7 mm MGs
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| III
 
| III
| Wing Repair, Engine
+
| Wings repair
|  
+
| Engine
| Offensive 20 mm, Offensive 20 mm
+
|
 +
| Offensive 20 mm
 +
| Offensive 20 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| IV
| Engine Injection
+
|
 +
| Engine injection
 
| Cover
 
| Cover
| New 20 mm Cannons, New 20 mm Cannons
+
| New 20 mm cannons
 +
| New 20 mm cannons
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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* Excellent firepower
 
* Excellent firepower
 
* Excellent roll rate
 
* Excellent roll rate
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* Looses power above 5000 m (16,400 ft) steadily
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* Loses power above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) steadily
 
* Stalls quickly in simulator battle
 
* Stalls quickly in simulator battle
* Very bad turn rate, as a trade off for the high dive speed
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* Very bad turn rate, as a trade-off for the high dive 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 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.''
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''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>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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{{Youtube-gallery|vtCKzvbLfNg|'''The Shooting Range #18''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:03 discusses the Fw 190A.}}
  
== Read also ==
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== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
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''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.''
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== Sources ==
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== External links ==
 
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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{{AirManufacturer Focke-Wulf}}
 
{{Germany fighters}}
 
{{Germany fighters}}

Revision as of 14:46, 19 July 2020

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
fw-190a-4.png
Fw 190 A-4
AB RB SB
4.3 4.0 4.0
Class:
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the German fighter Fw 190 A-4. For other versions, see Fw 190 (Family).

Description

GarageImage Fw 190 A-4.jpg


The Fw 190 A-4 is a rank III German fighter with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB) and 4.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.43.

"Würger" is the German nickname of this beast of a plane, or in English, Shrike. It can also be translated as slayer, choker, or strangler. In that regard fits the English designation well too: "Butcher-bird"

Fw 190s are fighters, while this one can load additional payload, it will reduce the planes combat ability. Using it as a fighter-bomber is generally not advised, this would be the duty of the Fw 190 F-8.

The best ammo to use for both cannons is the Air Target belts. They will destroy fighters and bombers faster than tracers. They are different for both cannons, however. For the MG 151's they have a high explosive incendiary shell, armour-piercing shell, and incendiary tracer shell costing 110 silver lions per "per reload". The Mg FF/M's have high explosive incendiary shell, Fragmentation incendiary tracer shell (self-destroying) and armour piercing high explosive shell which cost 40 Sliver Lions "per reload."

The best ammunition available for use with machine guns is Universal. Universal utilizes armour-piercing tracer rounds, armour-piercing rounds, adjustment incendiary rounds, and armour-piercing incendiary rounds. Reloading only costs 9 silver lions "per reload".

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 Max Speed
(km/h at 5,800 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 619 603 12000 23.4 24.0 10.6 10.6 420
Upgraded 675 648 20.9 22.0 18.4 14.1

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
912 310 N/A 700 310 ~13 ~6
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 420 < 240 < 550 > 280
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,500 m 1,520 hp 1,727 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
5,300 m 1,420 hp 1,613 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 3 mm Steel - Fore engine cowling
  • 5 mm Steel - Secondary engine cowling
  • 6 mm Steel - Lower engine plate
  • 8 mm Steel - Lower cockpit/fuel tank plate
  • 5 mm Steel - Rear fuel tank plate
  • 6 mm Steel - Pilot seat back (first plate)
  • 8 mm Steel - Pilot seat back (second plate)
  • 12 mm Steel - Headrest
  • 57 mm Bulletproof glass

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Fw 190 A-4 is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
  • 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannons, wing-mounted (90 rpg = 180 total)
  • 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (900 rpg = 1,800 total)

Pilots who are really experienced with the aiming and hitting of the MG151/20 might want to use stealth belts on the MGs and cannons, to avoid being spotted by tracers. Using stealth belts on the machine guns only is also useful for aiming the cannon more easily without the distraction provided by the light machine gun tracers.

7.92mm MG 17
  • Air Targets: Universal (AP-T/AP/AI/AP-I)
  • Ground Targets: Tracer (AP-T)
20mm MG 151
  • Air Targets: Air targets (AP-I/HEI/HEI/HEI/HEI/IT) // Consisting of 2/3 Minengeschoße, this belt is very effective against any aircraft.
  • Ground Targets: Armored targets (APHE/APHE/APHE/IT)
20 mm MG FF/M
  • Air targets

Usage in battles

The A-4 is a punishing Boom & Zoom fighter. The armament is fantastic, climb rate top par (rivalled by the Bf 109 F-4), and dive speed/top-speed is very good. Use this to your advantage. As should be familiar now with the previous Focke-Wulf (and future models), the turning capabilities of this plane are very poor. Dogfighting is not recommended with the Fw 190.

This should not discourage you from seizing opportunities, however. A Fw 190 A-4 in a balanced furball can be devastating when acting as a wingman, keeping other fighters from attacking your teammates. These opponents are less focused on evading you, as they are busy trying to attack your allies, giving you the time to line up the shot. As soon as the fight begins to tip in the enemies' favour, it's time for you to make a quick disappearance, as enemies actively trying to get on your tail will almost always succeed.

The 190-A4's weapon set is fantastic, too. Four 20 mm cannons are more than enough to rip any plane to shreds and the backup MGs, while not particularly damaging against other fighters at this tier, are great for strafing light ground targets like AA guns. Your firepower is only rivalled by the Aircobras and the twin-engine heavy fighters.

The Fw 190 A-4, as all the planes in this line, are some of the best Boom & Zoomers in the game and should be flown exclusively in this style. But like the Fw 190 A-1, it is one of the more manoeuvrable Focke-Wulfs. The performance at high speeds is excellent, as is it's dive and climb characteristics. Do not ever engage this aircraft in a turn fight as this will usually end badly. Instead, fight primarily in the vertical. Always try to have an altitude or speed advantage over your opponents (climb off to the side at the start of the battle and then enter the highest battle you come across).

In the defensive, as in the previous plane, you can often just dive away from most planes at high speed. In a dive, the 190 can, due to its short wings, pull quite some stunts to lose your attacker or even cause him to lose his wings! Again, be sure to regain your energy and altitude after a fight.

The best tactic for this plane is Boom and Zoom tactics, although careful energy-fighting works well too at higher speeds. There are generally two types of Boom & Zoom strategies: Tailing Boom & Zoom or Burst Boom & Zoom:

A Tailing Boom & Zoom is when the pilot sweeps in behind a target and follows (or "tails") him for a few seconds before breaking away. The benefit of doing this is that the attacker has a longer time to aim and take down the target. This comes at the cost of having less energy to climb back up afterwards, and you are a fairly easy target for other nearby enemies.

If you remain behind your target for too long, you will lose too much energy and won't be able to climb back up to safety. Any turning involved makes your situation worse, though remember that smart foes in more agile planes will often try to counter this tactic by baiting you into a turn. Keeping their plane just out of your sights entices you to keep following them for just another second more until they've drained your speed and then you will be a slow, easy target.

Burst Boom & Zoom is when a pilot dives down directly onto an enemy, fires a 1-2 second burst at close range, and immediately zooms back up to a safe altitude. The benefits of this tactic, as opposed to the former, is you have far more speed to climb back up and you will be safer from return fire, as you will have spent less time in the enemy's "zone". The problem with this is that you have far less time to shoot, and may not even damage the enemy if your aim is off even by a little.

Specific enemies worth noting

Some planes, you might see which are very deadly opponents are the: Spitfires, Typhoons, Beaufighters, Mustangs, Yakovlevs, B-17s and the Wellingtons These planes should not be underestimated, they can all fight this aircraft extremely well.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm Offensive 20 mm
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent firepower
  • Excellent roll rate
  • Great energy retention
  • Great dive performance
  • Good climb rate
  • Good top speed
  • Good supply of cannon ammo
  • Good bomber hunter
  • Engine almost never overheats even on WEP
  • Simulator battle: Good instantaneous turn

Cons:

  • Loses power above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) steadily
  • Stalls quickly in simulator battle
  • Very bad turn rate, as a trade-off for the high dive speed

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

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.


Focke-Wulf Aircraft Corporation (Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau Aktiengesellschaft)
Fighters  Fw 190 A-1 · Fw 190 A-4 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5/U2 · Fw 190 A-5/U12 · Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 A-8
  Fw 190 C
  Fw 190 D-9 · Fw 190 D-12 · Fw 190 D-13
  Fw 190 F-8
  Ta 152 C-3* · Ta 152 H-1* · Ta 154 A-1*
Bombers  Fw 189 A-1 · Fw 200 C-1
Export  ▅Fw 190 A-5
Captured  ▃Fw 190 A-8 · ▂Fw 190 D-9
  * In 1944, the Germany Air Ministry changed new fighter aircraft designation to that of the chief designer. Kurt Tank was the chief designer at Focke-Wulf and later aircraft he designed were given the prefix of Ta.

Germany fighters
Heinkel 
He 51  He 51 A-1 · He 51 B-1 · He 51 B-2/H · He 51 C-1 · He 51 C-1/L
He 100  He 100 D-1
He 112  He 112 A-0 · He 112 B-0 · He 112 B-1/U2 · He 112 B-2/U2 · He 112 V-5
Messerschmitt 
Bf 109 (Jumo)  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 B-1 · Bf 109 C-1
Bf 109 (DB-601)  Bf 109 E-1 · Bf 109 E-3 · Bf 109 E-4 · Bf 109 E-7/U2 · Bf 109 F-1 · Bf 109 F-2 · Bf 109 F-4 · Bf 109 F-4/trop
Bf 109 (DB-605)  Bf 109 G-2/trop · Bf 109 G-2 · Bf 109 G-6 · Bf 109 G-10 · Bf 109 G-14 · Bf 109 K-4
Focke-Wulf 
Fw 190 (early)  Fw 190 A-1 · Fw 190 A-4 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5/U2 · Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 A-8 · Fw 190 C
Fw 190 (late)  Fw 190 D-9 · Fw 190 D-12 · Fw 190 D-13
Ta 152  Ta 152 C-3 · Ta 152 H-1
Blohm & Voss 
BV 155  BV 155 B-1
  Foreign:
USA  ▀P-47D-16-RE · ▀P-47D
USSR  ▀La-5FN · ▀Yak-1B
Britain  ▀Tempest Mk V
Italy  ▀CR.42 · ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀G.50 serie 2 · ▀G.50 AS serie 7 · ▀C. 200 serie 3 · ▀C. 200 serie 7 · ▀C. 202
Finland  ▀Hawk H-75A-2