Difference between pages "Maus" and "P-26A-34 M2"

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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_pzkpfw_Maus}}
+
{{Specs-Card
 +
| code = p-26a_34_m2
 +
| cockpit = 333252/1106408
 +
}}
 +
{{About
 +
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = P-26 (Family)
 +
}}
  
 
== 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 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_Maus.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]] as a main tree vehicle, however as of [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]] it was shifted to become a gift vehicle for players who previously owned it. The Maus is the definitive tank of ''heavy armour'' in Rank V and is the largest ground vehicle in game. The Maus can be a menace in the battlefield and conversely also a bullet magnet, a double-edged sword that must be played correctly or else fall victim to heavy enemy fire.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.
  
The "Maus" lives up to its reputation as a mobile bunker. The dual guns do great damage, however, against high-rank tanks it is best to use the 128 mm main gun. It is important to protect the back armour on the Maus and to make sure it does not get outflanked. Preferable used at long range and choke points. Best used as an armoured beast able to destroy vehicles and take any shot.
+
The P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter is a reserve fighter for the American aviation tree. Americans are known to use the Boom and Zoom tactic and most people recommend to use that same tactic for this plane.
  
Speed on the vehicle is roughly 20 kph. The sheer mass of the vehicle and its speed makes the mobility difference from the road to off-road negligible. The vehicle can actually turn pretty fast once at Gear 6, which is better than the Jagdtiger and some other Rank V heavy counterparts. Keep that in mind and use it as an advantage in {{Annotation|CQC|Close Quarters Combat}}.
+
The P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter's armament differs from the other American reserve planes in that it carries a single 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun with 200 rounds in the place of one of the 7.62 mm machine guns. This is the same set up as the P-36A and F2A-1. The 12.7 mm is more powerful, takes longer to overheat, has a longer reload time, and has a slightly lower rate of fire than the 7.62 mm.
 
 
The 128 mm is a great gun in-game, very accurate and perfect for mid to long range engagements. The reload is very good too for its calibre (23-second stock) that is a big advantage versus IS-4s, because the Maus has three seconds for an extra shot.  KwK44 has the best penetration value of any APHE shell in-game. However, the APCR and HEAT shells of the T-54 and late US vehicles surpasses it. Damage wise the 128mm PzGr.43 is equivalent to the [[IS-3|122mm BR-471 of the D-25T]], where penetration usually means a knock-out.
 
 
 
Coaxial LMG? Pff, that's for normal tanks (But it is there anyway). On the Maus, everything is ''bigger''. The short 75 mounted alongside the main 128 originally served as anti-infantry and soft target weapon of choice. In War Thunder, these vehicle types are either not found on the battlefield or as latter only on certain maps. It comes without question that the 75mm should be used against AAA, trucks and SPAA. However, the HEAT shell can be used to harass the enemy, lure them out/in of cover, or just damage medium tank's sides (T-54 and M46 do not exceed 80mm of armour) tracks and even hull break some lightly armored vehicles such as the BMP 1
 
 
 
. In addition, the secondary cannon has a good reload rate of around 5 sec, thus it can be used to defeat [[:Category:Light_tanks|light tanks]] and [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAA]] without wasting the precious 128 mm ammo for more heavily armoured targets.
 
  
 
== 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 helpful for survival in combat?''
+
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration 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
 
*Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
| Hull || 200 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 200 mm (35°) ''Lower glacis'' || 180 mm ''Top'' <br> 100 mm ''Bottom'' <br> 300 mm ''Weld joints''|| 150 mm (36°) ''Top'' <br> 150 mm (31°) ''Bottom'' || 50 mm ''General area'' <br> 100 mm ''Front roof''
 
|-
 
| Turret || 220 mm (3-53°)''Turret front'' <br> 240 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 200 mm (30°) || 200 mm (15°) || 60 mm
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
 
 
* Armour on the Maus is quite complex, and definitely does not end with the above-mentioned values
 
** Gun mantlet is 240 mm thick and nicely rounded, right around both guns the armour is 300 mm thick
 
** Tracks at the front are protected by 100+60 mm plates (100mm basic plate + attached tracks)
 
** Behind the frontal upper plate on deck armour, there are many 60mm highly sloped plates of armour, protecting the engine vents and turret ring from HEAT/HE shells and some small-calibre fire
 
** Frontal part of the belly is also 100 mm thick (Would be probably good against mines/other explosives), the rest is 50mm
 
** Deck armour in front of these plates is also strengthened to an impressive 100 mm
 
** Side armour is split to two parts, top with 180 mm and bottom with 100 mm + tracks
 
** Even inside the tank there is armour - there are many 20 mm plates inside the tank, separating crew compartments from various modules, and partially protecting the interior from shrapnel that penetrated the tank from other areas
 
***One plate is at the rear of the tank, between the enormous transmission and the fighting compartment
 
*** Second one is more to the front, separating fighting compartment from the middle-mounted Engine and its radiators
 
*** Third is in the front between the driver's compartment and the Engine
 
*** Around the driver there are many more 20 mm plates, adding some protection to Fuel Tanks located there
 
 
 
=== Mobility ===
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
 
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 1549|rbMinHp= 1061|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
 
 
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== 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|KwK 44 (128 mm)}}
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="6" | [[KwK 44 (128 mm)|128 mm KwK 44]]
+
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
+
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="3" | 68 || -7°/+23° || ±180° || N/A
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 2,286 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="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
+
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
+
| 364 || 351 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.6 || 19.7 || 8.2 || 8.2 || 170
! 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'' || 4.50 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 4.50 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 2,286 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="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
| 387 || 377 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 17.7 || 18.0 || 18.6 || 12 || 170
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
| 23.6 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 
|-
 
! 10m
 
! 100m
 
! 500m
 
! 1000m
 
! 1500m
 
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
| PzGr || APC ||227||224||213||200||188||176
+
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
| PzGr 43 || APCBC ||267||265|| 253 ||238||224||211
+
! Combat flaps
 +
! Take-off flaps
 +
! Landing flaps
 +
! Air brakes
 +
! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
| Sprgr. L/4,5 || HE ||45||45||44||43||41||40
+
| X || X || || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
{| 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
+
! colspan="5" | Limits
! 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%
+
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
! 50%
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
! 100%
+
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
| PzGr || APC || 930 || 28 || 0.8 || 28 || 786.5 || -1° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
! +
 +
! -
 
|-
 
|-
| PzGr 43 || APCBC || 940 || 28 || 0.8 || 28 || 786.5 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 500 || ~11 || ~8
|-
 
| Sprgr. L/4,5 || HE || 750 || 28 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 3,700 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
[[File:Ammoracks_Maus.png|right|framed|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] for the Maus.]]
+
|-
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
 
|-
 
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Ammo<br />parts
+
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br />ammo
+
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />rack empty
+
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />rack empty
+
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />rack empty
 
! 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" |8th<br />rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |9th<br />rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |10th<br />rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
 
|-
 
|-
| style="text-align:right" | ''Projectiles''<br />''Propellants''|| '''68'''<br />'''68'''|| 62&nbsp;''(+6)''<br />62&nbsp;''(+6)''|| 55&nbsp;''(+13)''<br />55&nbsp;''(+13)''|| 50&nbsp;''(+18)''<br />50&nbsp;''(+18)''|| 45&nbsp;''(+23)''<br />45&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 39&nbsp;''(+29)''<br />39&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 33&nbsp;''(+35)''<br />33&nbsp;''(+35)''|| 25&nbsp;''(+43)''<br />25&nbsp;''(+43)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+51)''<br />17&nbsp;''(+51)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+59)''<br />9&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+67)''<br />1&nbsp;''(+67)''|| style="text-align:left" | no
+
| < 260 || < 180 || < 340 || > 190
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
Turret empty: 45&nbsp;(+23)
 
 
=== 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|KwK 44 (75 mm)}}
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="6" | [[KwK 44 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK 44]]
+
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
 
! colspan="6" | ''Coaxial mount''
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 68 || N/A || N/A || N/A
 
|-
 
! 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'' || 11.30 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 
|-
 
| ''Realistic'' || 11.30 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 
|-
 
|-
! 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.
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 4.80 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| 1,829 m || 600 hp || 666 hp
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== Ammunition =====
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
The P-26 is a typical mid 1930's design, and just like all the contemporaries (other Reserve fighters) does not have pilot armor, but is upgraded with self sealing fuel tanks.  Pilot, engine, and fuel is centerally located, but its simple design (no flaps and retractable gear) has less that could be damaged.  Although a monoplane its speed is average to other Reserves, and do not dare turn fight. One major advantage is excellent visibility to easily spot threats in SB battles.
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
 
|-
+
== Armaments ==
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
=== Offensive armament ===
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
+
{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
|-
+
 
! 10m
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
! 100m
+
* 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg)
! 500m
+
* 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg)
! 1000m
+
 
! 1500m
+
=== Suspended armament ===
! 2000m
+
<!-- ''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-M30A1 (100 lb)}}
| Hl.Gr. 38B || HEAT || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80
+
 
|-
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| Hl.Gr. 38C || HEAT || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100
+
* Without load
|-
+
* 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)
| Sprgr. 34 || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
+
 
|-
+
== Usage in battles ==
|}
+
== Usage in battles ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
! colspan="11" | Shell details
+
 
|-
+
Generally, to do well in the P-29 never, ever turn fight, as it has a huge turning radius compared to other reserves.  Ideally practice "Boom & Zoom" tactics, that is climb above, dive in, attack, climb up again for a new attack. Also, use the "Stealth" ammunition belt, it is the hardest hitting belt for this aircraft and targets will not see where you are, giving you another second or two advantage.  Yes, stealth is harder to use, but it's worth it.  While a mediocre at best reserve fighter, it is a very good ground attacker carrying 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs with 24.5 kg of TNT each, which is effective against even some Rank 3 tanks and Rank 2 ships.  
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
A big plus to this P-26 variant is the .50 Cal M2 (12.7 mm) upgrade machine gun with 2.5x the penetration power making it much deadlier to targets (don't forget it will be on separate trigger).
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
 
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
Qualify the crew to "Expert", it is very cheap (1,000 SL), and put CrewXP to Pilot Vitality (resist injury) and Weapon Maintenace, good to take and give damage.
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
+
 
''in m:''
+
Study your opponents. The Japanese Ki-10 and Soviet I-15 are this aircraft's greatest threats, while the German He 51 is very low on the threat list.  Other rank 1 aircraft vary in threat level. Besides fighters, attacking bombers is a viable option, however, be mindful of defensive turrets as there are a few 20 mm cannons out there.
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
+
 
''in mm:''
+
 
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
=== Manual Engine Control ===
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
|-
 
! 0%
 
! 50%
 
! 100%
 
|-
 
| Hl.Gr. 38B || HEAT || 450 || 4.4 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 872.1 || +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
 
|-
 
| Hl.Gr. 38C || HEAT || 450 || 4.8 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 875.5 || +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Sprgr. 34 || HE || 570 || 5.7 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 715 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
+
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
|-
 
|-
|}
+
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
+
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 
|-
 
|-
! Ammunition
+
! Oil
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! Water
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! Type
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
 
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
 
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
 
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
 
|-
 
|-
| K.Gr.Rot Nb. || 423 || 6.8 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
+
| Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>Auto control available || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>Auto control available || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>1 gear || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable"
|-
+
! colspan="1" | Tier
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br />ammo
+
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />rack empty
+
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />rack empty
+
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />rack empty
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
|-
 
| '''100''' ||76&nbsp;''(+24)''||51&nbsp;''(+49)''||26&nbsp;''(+74)''||1&nbsp;''(+99)''|| style="text-align:left" | no
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
Turret empty: 76&nbsp;(+24)
 
 
 
=== 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|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}}
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="7" | [[MG 34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 34]]
+
| I
 +
| Fuselage repair
 +
| Radiator
 +
|
 +
| Offensive 7 mm
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
+
| II
 +
|
 +
| Compressor
 +
| Airframe
 +
| New 7 mm MGs
 +
| Mk.41
 
|-
 
|-
! 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
+
|
 +
| Offensive 12 mm
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="4" | 1,000 (150) || 900 || N/A || N/A
+
| IV
 +
|
 +
| Engine injection
 +
| Cover
 +
| New 12 mm MGs
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''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).''-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
Versus heavy tanks, the Maus has all the advantages. While slower it can make up for this in close combat thanks to the good turn rate of both tracks and turret. Just quickly angle the Maus (both turret and hull!) and ''turn'' it almost invincible heat shells can still penetrate the angled turret, be advised. Try angling the front drive wheel at the enemy tank and turn the turret so that the armour is at ~45 degrees to the enemy fire. The tanks that posses a threat are the m103, the m48, the chinese t62, and especially the bmp,s and the object 120 basically every tank that has got heatfs, atgm, and the apdsfs that can penetrate more than 320mm of armor
 
  
Versus medium tanks, the Panzerkampfwagen VIII can fight in {{Annotation|CQC|Close Quarter Combat}} with its great turret rotation speed, but at the cost of exposing the side armour and getting flanked, this should be kept as one's last and or only option. Distance is the ally of the Maus, which should be easy to do considering that the top speed is 20 kph.
 
 
=== 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:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 
+
* Decently fast for its rank
* Most armoured tank of the game
+
* Good armament thanks to the use of a .50 calibre machine gun
* Nigh invincible, if angled properly
+
* It is a monoplane reserve plane
* Capable of soaking a large amount of damage
+
* Turning is okay
* Powerful 128 mm cannon
 
* Nigh invulnerable to arty and large HE shells
 
* Very resilient to bombs and rockets
 
* Access to smoke grenades
 
* Surprisingly good off-road manoeuvrability
 
* Secondary 75 mm coaxial cannon to use when 128 mm is not necessary
 
* Turns pretty well in high gear movement or in neutral steer
 
* Very difficult to immobilize
 
* Turret sides are strong as, if not stronger than, the front of the turret
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 
+
* Not as manoeuvrable as other fighters at its rank
* Very slow, though still faster than the T28/95
+
* Slower than some late biplanes
* Takes a while to reach the action zone
+
* No armour
* Requires good teamwork to perform adequately
+
* Poor dive characteristics
* Slow turret rotation
+
* Poor energy retention
* The sides of the Maus is littered with ammo racks
 
* Very loud engine, players with 3D sound will be able to locate the Maus just by listening for the engine
 
* Vulnerable at all ranges to end rank American and Russian tanks using Sabot and HEAT rounds
 
* Extremely heavy, makes towing near impossible unless it is another Maus
 
* Vulnerable to 152 mm HE
 
* Resilient to bombs, but a large bomb will still have a high chance to destroy the Maus
 
* Optics have little zoom capability, difficult hitting long range targets
 
* Big target for [[Anti-tank_guided_missiles|ATGM]]
 
  
 
== 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 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).'' -->
===Development===
+
The Boeing P-26 Peashooter was a plane both ahead of its time and quickly made obsolete. First flown in 1932, the P-26 is the oldest plane in the game. It was one of the first all-metal monoplanes adopted into military service in 1933 (in comparison, the He 51 and Ki-10 entered service in 1935), making it one of the fastest fighters in the world at the time, but it suffered from poor flight performance and dangerous landing characteristics. However, as newer fighters entered service around the world, the P-26s advantages diminished and its disadvantages became vulnerabilities. By the time of World War Two, the P-26 was hopelessly obsolete.
This monster of a tank started development in 1942 on the suggestion of Ferdinand Porsche to Hitler, which was approved. The first prototype was to be completed by 1943 and the project vehicle was designated the ''Mammut'' (Mammoth). The name changed in December 1942 to ''Mäuschen'' (Little Mouse), then once more to the '''Maus''' (Mouse) in February 1943, which stayed as its designation (and perhaps proving that Germany does have a sense of humour).
 
 
 
The prototype used Ferdinand's "electric transmission" that was previously used on the rejected [[VK 45.01 (P)|Tiger(P)]], the vehicle would be powered by an MB 517 diesel engine. The Maus has a suspension design with 24 wheels on each side, 2 per bogie with two bogies side by side and six bogies lining up from front and back. The armour was perhaps the most defining feature at 220 mm thick at the hull front, the sides and rear were 190 mm thick. The turret was even thicker at 240 mm on the front and 200 mm on the sides and rear. The vehicle was to also have a 128 mm KwK 44 main gun with a 75 mm KwK 44 gun as a coaxial. The overwhelming design was approximated to weight 100 tons.
 
  
The production plan was to have the prototype completed by mid-1943 and for 10 vehicles per month after the prototype delivery. Work would be divided between Krupp and Alkett for the production of the machine. The wooden model of the tank was presented on May 1943 to Hitler. It was then approved for production and 150 of them were to be built. With the final design finished, it was estimated to weight 188 tons now. Though Hitler and his peers saw it with much favour, Heinz Guderian criticised the Maus design because there was a lack of machine guns, thus it was extremely vulnerable to infantry attacks at close-quarters for the same reason as the [[Ferdinand|Ferdinand tank destroyer]]. The anti-infantry problem was solved with the addition of a coaxial machine gun and a ''Nahverteidigungswaffe'' dischargers, firing smoke or high-explosive shells in its surrounding area, installed on the turret.
+
The P-26 saw the of its combat serving in the Chinese Nationalist Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War, against Japanese Ki-10s, and notably A5Ms in some of the first all-metal monoplane dogfights. Although it performed admirably in the pursuit role (bomber interception), in air-to-air combat with Japanese fighters, the deficiencies of the model showed.
  
===Production and cancellation===
+
In US service, the P-26 had a similar record. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the P-26s scored only a handful of air-to-air kills against Japanese attackers. On December 24, 1941, their crews burnt the remaining planes to prevent their capture. Of the one hundred and fifty-one built, only nine airworthy P-26s remained on Christmas 1941, a single squadron defending the Panama Canal Zone, which was removed from service shortly after.
Two prototypes of the Maus were made in 1943 and 1944. The first one, called ''V1'' was turretless and assembled by Alkett in December 1943, it was fitted with a mock turret that helped finalise the turret design in 1944. Here they determine the Maus was definitely too heavy for any bridges in existence so the Maus would ford rivers with a snorkel. The second prototype called ''V2'' by Alkett again had the first produced Maus turret attached with the 128 mm gun, coaxial 75 mm gun, and coaxial machine gun. In July 1944, Krupp was producing four more hulls, but these were scrapped and the whole project stopped on August 1944, though tests with the ''V2'' continued. The weight of the tank meant that the power-to-weight ratio was extremely poor, resulting in the Maus' ideal speed of about 8 miles per hour maximum in ideal conditions.
 
 
 
However, by 1944, the Red Army was advancing deeper and deeper into what was previously German-controlled territory. The vision that the Red Army might capture the testing grounds of the Maus prototypes and the prototypes themselves seem to come closer to reality. The Germans were forced to destroy the prototypes to prevent their capture by the Soviets, placing charges onto the ''V2'' prototype (the ''V1'' was only a hull so it wasn't combat-effective). The second prototype had the entire hull damaged as there was ammunition still in the tank when the charges went off, but the turret was mostly intact. The Russians captured the damaged prototypes and held them until the end of the war. After World War II, the Soviet Commander of Armoured and Mechanized troops ordered for the V1 hull to be attached with the turret from the V2 prototype. They had to use six ''Sd.Kfz. 9'', the largest half-track vehicles produced by Germany, to move the 55-ton turret to the hull. The fixed prototype was sent back to the Soviet Union for testing and arrive on May 4, 1946. Once this is done, the prototype was sent to Kubinka Tank museum where it lays today on display for the public.
 
  
 
=== In-game description ===
 
=== In-game description ===
"An experimental super-heavy tank built in Germany towards the end of the war. The project was developed by Ferdinand Porsche.
+
Many problems were revealed when the P-26's operation began. Due to its narrow landing gear tread and a landing speed too fast for its time, the aircraft was prone to nose over. When this happened, the pilots often lost their lives, although the planes themselves were not seriously damaged. As a result, the fuselage spine fairing was redesigned. Its height was increased by 20 cm, and the reinforced structure could endure a load of more than 12 tons if hit. The 29th production P-26А was the first to obtain this enlarged fuselage spine fairing, and the planes already produced were modified directly on the front lines.
The first tank was assembled at the Alkett factory in Berlin on August 1, 1943.
 
 
The first trial run of the Type 205/1 tank was conducted on December 24, 1943. The turret still wasn’t ready, so a load equal to the weight of the turret was placed on top of the tank. The prototype turned out to be quite maneuverable once it was able to leave the assembly area, where it had been rather cramped. According to those who had the opportunity to drive the tank, the Maus was easier to drive than the Pz.Kpfw. IV.
 
  
In November, 1943 a 44 caliber, 128mm KwK 44 cannon was built that was intended for the tank. The cannon’s designation was later changed to 12.8 cm KwK 82. The weapon was tested at the Meppen training ground. The turret was installed on the 205/1 prototype on July 6, 1944, and on October 3, 1944 the armament was installed and the fully-outfitted tank was tested at the training ground in Kummersdorf.
+
New wing flaps allowed the aircraft's landing speed to be reduced. The plane was also equipped, in the event of an emergency landing on water, with two inflatable sacks occupying the containers in the wing roots. Beginning at the 26th production aircraft, this equipment became standard for the P-26А, but it was not installed on the aircraft already produced. There is no documented evidence that this system was ever used for its intended purpose, but one aircraft crashed after the raft kit opened spontaneously during flight.
  
Both prototypes were tested in Kummersdorf, but no reliable information on these tests is available. Whether or not experimental firing was conducted is also unknown.
+
P-26Аs produced later had reinforced armament: one synchronous 7.62 mm Browning M1 machine gun to the left of the fuselage and one synchronous large-calibre 12.7 mm Browning M2.5 machine gun to the right. The magazine capacity of the large-calibre machine gun was 200 rounds.
  
Toward the end of the war, bodies and turrets had begun to be produced in addition to the prototypes that had been built.  
+
A combined total of 111 machines of the P-26A variant were produced. The 20th Fighter Group was the first in the USAAC to be armed with Peashooters. It was followed by two more: the 1st Fighter Group based in Selfridge, Michigan, and the 17th Fighter Group at March Air Force Base, California. At various times, P-26s were operated in 22 USAAC fighter squadrons.
  
As the Soviet troops were approaching in 1945 both prototypes were blown up. Soviet specialists were able to reconstruct one Maus from the wreckage. This rebuilt tank was delivered to the training ground in Kubinka in 1946, where various tests were performed.
+
Peashooters were flown by many pilots who later occupied high positions in the USAAF and then in the USAF, including Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold, future Commander-in-Chief of the USAF.
 
The Panzerkampfwagen Maus can currently be viewed on display at the tank museum in Kubinka."
 
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!--''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
+
<!--''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''-->
=== Skins ===
+
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|OVQq5Kbv2TI|'''The Grind - Spading the P-26A-34 M2''' ''The Digital Time Traveller''|pSfjJcDS1Aw|'''P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter ACE''' - ''ArnoMedia''}}
  
*[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23Maus Skins and camouflages for the Maus from live.warthunder]
+
== See also ==
**[http://live.warthunder.com/post/132778/ '''"Haus Maus Skin (Direct Painted)"''' by ''Face_OF_Insanity'']
+
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
**[http://live.warthunder.com/post/126700/ '''"Girls und Panzer Black Forest Peak "''' by ''CmdNomad'']
 
**[http://live.warthunder.com/post/138335/ '''"(Semihistorical) Maus Prototyp"''' by ''Tiger_VI'']
 
**[http://live.warthunder.com/post/138335/ '''"fictional sPzAbt 502 "Octopus Camouflage""''' by ''JoKeR_BvB09'']
 
  
=== Videos ===
+
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
'''History'''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
{{youtube|url = Zs9_u_plcSw|Simple History - The Maus Super-Heavy Tank}}
+
;Related development
 +
* [[P-26 (Family)]]
  
'''Gameplay'''
+
;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
{{Youtube-gallery|SfMT-d6Kez4|Tank overview & introduction '''"War Thunder - Mighty Maus"''' by ''TheDevildogGamer''|UY2FR8YFYpY|Early dev-server footage '''"War Thunder TANKS! MAUS GAMEPLAY - 30 Tanks VS MAUS!"''' by ''PhlyDaily''|NTX4WxzxQ3Y|'''"War Thunder Maus Tank Ace - The Mighty Mouse in RB - War Thunder Tanks 1.47"''' by ''BaronVonGamez''}}
 
  
== Read also ==
+
* Dewoitine [[D.500]]
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* Mitsubishi [[A5M4]]
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* Heinkel [[He 112 (Family)|He 112]]
''ETC.''-->
 
[https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/737/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Panzerkampfwagen VIII «Maus»]<br />
 
Official War Thunder forum article: [Historical<nowiki>]</nowiki> Panzerkampfwagen VIII "Maus", [[wt:en/news/2825-historical-panzerkampfwagen-viii-maus-part-i-en|Part I]], [[wt:en/news/2831-historical-panzerkampfwagen-viii-maus-part-ii-en|Part II]], and
 
[[wt:en/news/2843/current/|Part III]]
 
  
== Sources ==
+
== 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;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
{{Germany heavy tanks}}
+
{{AirManufacturer Boeing}}
[[Category:Hidden vehicles]]
+
{{USA fighters}}

Revision as of 22:35, 7 March 2020

RANK 6 BRITAIN
Rooikat 105 PACK
P-26A-34 M2
p-26a_34_m2.png
P-26A-34 M2
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:Free
Purchase:Free
Show in game
This page is about the American fighter P-26A-34 M2. For other versions, see P-26 (Family).

Description

GarageImage P-26A-34 M2.jpg


The P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter is a rank I American fighter with a battle rating of 1.0 (AB/RB/SB). It has been in the game since the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter is a reserve fighter for the American aviation tree. Americans are known to use the Boom and Zoom tactic and most people recommend to use that same tactic for this plane.

The P-26A-34 M2 Peashooter's armament differs from the other American reserve planes in that it carries a single 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun with 200 rounds in the place of one of the 7.62 mm machine guns. This is the same set up as the P-36A and F2A-1. The 12.7 mm is more powerful, takes longer to overheat, has a longer reload time, and has a slightly lower rate of fire than the 7.62 mm.

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 2,286 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
364 351 8500 18.6 19.7 8.2 8.2 170
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 2,286 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
387 377 8500 17.7 18.0 18.6 12 170

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
500 ~11 ~8
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 260 < 180 < 340 > 190
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,829 m 600 hp 666 hp

Survivability and armour

The P-26 is a typical mid 1930's design, and just like all the contemporaries (other Reserve fighters) does not have pilot armor, but is upgraded with self sealing fuel tanks. Pilot, engine, and fuel is centerally located, but its simple design (no flaps and retractable gear) has less that could be damaged. Although a monoplane its speed is average to other Reserves, and do not dare turn fight. One major advantage is excellent visibility to easily spot threats in SB battles.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-26A-34 M2 is armed with:

  • 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg)

Suspended armament

Main article: AN-M30A1 (100 lb)

The P-26A-34 M2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

Usage in battles

Usage in battles

Generally, to do well in the P-29 never, ever turn fight, as it has a huge turning radius compared to other reserves.  Ideally practice "Boom & Zoom" tactics, that is climb above, dive in, attack, climb up again for a new attack. Also, use the "Stealth" ammunition belt, it is the hardest hitting belt for this aircraft and targets will not see where you are, giving you another second or two advantage.  Yes, stealth is harder to use, but it's worth it.  While a mediocre at best reserve fighter, it is a very good ground attacker carrying 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs with 24.5 kg of TNT each, which is effective against even some Rank 3 tanks and Rank 2 ships.  

A big plus to this P-26 variant is the .50 Cal M2 (12.7 mm) upgrade machine gun with 2.5x the penetration power making it much deadlier to targets (don't forget it will be on separate trigger).

Qualify the crew to "Expert", it is very cheap (1,000 SL), and put CrewXP to Pilot Vitality (resist injury) and Weapon Maintenace, good to take and give damage.

Study your opponents. The Japanese Ki-10 and Soviet I-15 are this aircraft's greatest threats, while the German He 51 is very low on the threat list.  Other rank 1 aircraft vary in threat level. Besides fighters, attacking bombers is a viable option, however, be mindful of defensive turrets as there are a few 20 mm cannons out there.


Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Auto control available
Not controllable
Auto control available
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs Mk.41
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 12 mm
IV Engine injection Cover New 12 mm MGs

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decently fast for its rank
  • Good armament thanks to the use of a .50 calibre machine gun
  • It is a monoplane reserve plane
  • Turning is okay

Cons:

  • Not as manoeuvrable as other fighters at its rank
  • Slower than some late biplanes
  • No armour
  • Poor dive characteristics
  • Poor energy retention

History

The Boeing P-26 Peashooter was a plane both ahead of its time and quickly made obsolete. First flown in 1932, the P-26 is the oldest plane in the game. It was one of the first all-metal monoplanes adopted into military service in 1933 (in comparison, the He 51 and Ki-10 entered service in 1935), making it one of the fastest fighters in the world at the time, but it suffered from poor flight performance and dangerous landing characteristics. However, as newer fighters entered service around the world, the P-26s advantages diminished and its disadvantages became vulnerabilities. By the time of World War Two, the P-26 was hopelessly obsolete.

The P-26 saw the of its combat serving in the Chinese Nationalist Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War, against Japanese Ki-10s, and notably A5Ms in some of the first all-metal monoplane dogfights. Although it performed admirably in the pursuit role (bomber interception), in air-to-air combat with Japanese fighters, the deficiencies of the model showed.

In US service, the P-26 had a similar record. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the P-26s scored only a handful of air-to-air kills against Japanese attackers. On December 24, 1941, their crews burnt the remaining planes to prevent their capture. Of the one hundred and fifty-one built, only nine airworthy P-26s remained on Christmas 1941, a single squadron defending the Panama Canal Zone, which was removed from service shortly after.

In-game description

Many problems were revealed when the P-26's operation began. Due to its narrow landing gear tread and a landing speed too fast for its time, the aircraft was prone to nose over. When this happened, the pilots often lost their lives, although the planes themselves were not seriously damaged. As a result, the fuselage spine fairing was redesigned. Its height was increased by 20 cm, and the reinforced structure could endure a load of more than 12 tons if hit. The 29th production P-26А was the first to obtain this enlarged fuselage spine fairing, and the planes already produced were modified directly on the front lines.

New wing flaps allowed the aircraft's landing speed to be reduced. The plane was also equipped, in the event of an emergency landing on water, with two inflatable sacks occupying the containers in the wing roots. Beginning at the 26th production aircraft, this equipment became standard for the P-26А, but it was not installed on the aircraft already produced. There is no documented evidence that this system was ever used for its intended purpose, but one aircraft crashed after the raft kit opened spontaneously during flight.

P-26Аs produced later had reinforced armament: one synchronous 7.62 mm Browning M1 machine gun to the left of the fuselage and one synchronous large-calibre 12.7 mm Browning M2.5 machine gun to the right. The magazine capacity of the large-calibre machine gun was 200 rounds.

A combined total of 111 machines of the P-26A variant were produced. The 20th Fighter Group was the first in the USAAC to be armed with Peashooters. It was followed by two more: the 1st Fighter Group based in Selfridge, Michigan, and the 17th Fighter Group at March Air Force Base, California. At various times, P-26s were operated in 22 USAAC fighter squadrons.

Peashooters were flown by many pilots who later occupied high positions in the USAAF and then in the USAF, including Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold, future Commander-in-Chief of the USAF.

Media

Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
  • other literature.


Boeing Aircraft
Aircraft 
Fighters  P-26A-33 · P-26A-34 M2 · P-26B-35
Bombers  B-17E · B-17E/L · B-17G-60-VE
  B-29A-BN
Export  P-26A-34 · B-17G
Captured  ▅B-17E
Helicopters 
Attack  AH-64A · AH-64D
Export / Licensed  AH-64A (GR) · ▃AH-64A Peten · AH-64A Peten · ▅AH-64DJP · ▄AH Mk.1 · AHS
See Also  Tupolev Design Bureau · Westland Helicopters · Fuji Heavy Industries
  For Boeing-built ships, see Boeing Marine Branch

USA fighters
P-26 Peashooter  P-26A-33 · P-26A-34 · P-26A-34 M2 · P-26B-35
P-36 Hawk  P-36A · Rasmussen's P-36A · P-36C · ○P-36C · P-36G
P-39 Airacobra  P-400 · P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5
P-40  P-40C · P-40E-1 · P-40E-1 TD · P-40F-10
P-43 Lancer  P-43A-1
P-47 Thunderbolt  P-47D-22-RE · P-47D-25 · P-47D-28 · P-47M-1-RE · ⋠P-47M-1-RE · P-47N-15
P-51 Mustang  P-51 · P-51A (Thunder League) · P-51C-10 · P-51D-5 · P-51D-10 · P-51D-20-NA · P-51D-30 · P-51H-5-NA
P-63 Kingcobra  P-63A-5 · P-63A-10 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra
Prototypes  XP-55
F2A Buffalo  F2A-1 · Thach's F2A-1 · F2A-3
BF2C  BF2C-1
F3F  F3F-2 · Galer's F3F-2
F4F Wildcat  F4F-3 · F4F-4
F4U Corsair  F4U-1A · F4U-1A (USMC) · F4U-1D · F4U-1C · F4U-4 · F4U-4B · F4U-4B VMF-214 · F2G-1
F6F Hellcat  F6F-5 · F6F-5N
F8F Bearcat  F8F-1 · F8F-1B
Other countries  ▃Ki-43-II · ▃Ki-61-Ib · ▃A6M2 · ▃Bf 109 F-4 · ▃Fw 190 A-8 · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc