Difference between revisions of "P-400"

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{{Specs-Card|code=p-400}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=p-400
 +
|name=P-400 Airacobra
 +
|display_name=P-400 Airacobra
 +
|cockpit=332110/1100883
 +
}}
 +
{{About
 +
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = P-39 (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_P-400.jpg|450px|thumbnail|left]]
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''P-400''' is a Rank II American fighter with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.37.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.37]].
  
The P-400 is the "little brother" of the [[P-39N-0Airacobra|P-39's]] and [[P-63A-5Kingcobra|P-63's]]. Reaching maximum speed at 2400m (7,900ft), meaning you will have to look for enemies below you, or sacrifice speed to meet the opposition higher up. At medium & low altitudes it can be considered quite a fast plane for it's [[BR]] range. It handles turning at higher speed rather well, but can become quite unstable at lower speeds. Watch out when engaging in stall fighting, hammerheads & Yo-yo's. The P-400 can survive at high speeds while diving, yet will suffer from compression. The plane is suitable for [[BnZ|high speeds attacks]] where you work with more with horizontal than vertical movements. Keep your speed up!
+
The P-400 is the "little brother" of the [[P-39N-0|P-39's]] and [[P-63A-5|P-63's]]. Reaching maximum speed at 2,400 m (7,900 ft) means you will have to look for enemies below you, or sacrifice speed to meet the opposition higher up. At medium & low altitudes it can be considered quite a fast plane for its [[BR]] range. It handles turning at higher speed rather well but can become quite unstable at lower speeds. Watch out when engaging in stall fighting, hammerheads & yo-yos. The P-400 can survive at high speeds while diving, yet will suffer from compression. The plane is suitable for high speeds attacks where you work with more with horizontal than vertical movements. Keep your speed up!
  
The P-400 has good weapons consisting of one 20 mm cannon with 60 rounds and two .50cals and four .30cals. If you have a good aim you can kill enemies in seconds, but if you don't the limited cannon ammo will run out in about 10-15 seconds. Yet the .50 cals will still kill foes fairly quickly, though the .30cals require a fair amount of consistent and concentrated fire.
+
The P-400 has good weapons consisting of one 20 mm cannon with 60 rounds and two .50 cals and four .30 cals. If you have a good aim, you can kill enemies in seconds, but if you don't the limited cannon ammo will run out in about 10-15 seconds. The .50 calibre will still destroy foes reasonably quickly, though the .30cals require the right amount of consistency and concentrated fire.
  
 
== 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.''
====Stat card====
+
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,550 m)
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 2,400 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! 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>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB
 
! AB
Line 34: Line 44:
 
! RB
 
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
| 538 || 527 || 8,260 || 29.4 || 29.8 || 5.4 || 7.2 || 270
+
| 553 || 536 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.2 || 24.1 || 6.9 || 6.9 || 320
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,550 m)
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 2,400 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! 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>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB
 
! AB
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! RB
 
! RB
 
|-
 
|-
| 594 || 565 || 8,260 || 26.7 || 28.0 || 17.7 || 10.4 || 270
+
| 603 || 576 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.2 || 22.0 || 13.3 || 9.7 || 320
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
====Details====
+
==== Details ====
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
! Combat flap
+
! Combat flaps
! Take-off flap
+
! Take-off flaps
! Landing flap
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! Landing flaps
 
! Air brakes
 
! Air brakes
 
! Arrestor gear
 
! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || || ✓  
+
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
Line 82: Line 92:
 
! -
 
! -
 
|-
 
|-
| 680 || 350 || 480 || ~16 || ~16
+
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 420 || ~12 || ~9
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 95: Line 105:
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
| < 460 || < 460 || < 420 || > 255
+
| < 360 || < 380 || < 450 || > 312
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 109: Line 119:
 
! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
| 2,000 m || 1,625 hp || 1,895 hp
+
| 3,677 m || 1,000 hp || 1,150 hp
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| 6,200 m || 1,420 hp || 1,656 hp  
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
====Engine performance====
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
|-
+
'''Armour plates:'''
! colspan="4" | Engine
+
* 15.87 mm Steel - Ring Behind propeller
|-
+
* 15.87 mm Steel - 2 on the left and right sides of the nose
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
+
* 7 mm Steel - Fore-cockpit plate
! colspan="3" | Number present
+
* 7 mm Steel - Cockpit front
|-
+
* 38 mm Bulletproof Glass - Cockpit front
| colspan="3" | Allison V-1710-35 12 cylinder || colspan="1" | 1
+
* 64 mm Bulletproof Glass - Behind Pilot
|-
+
* 7 mm steel - Cockpit Rear
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
+
* 6 mm steel - Behind cooling systems and engine
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
 
! colspan="1" | Type
 
! colspan="1" | Cooling
 
|-
 
| colspan="2" | 594 kg || Inline || Water
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
 
|-
 
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
! colspan="2" | Max
 
! colspan="2" | Take-off
 
|-
 
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 839 hp || colspan="2" | 1,040 hp
 
|-
 
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 829 hp || colspan="2" | 1,029 hp
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
 
|-
 
! Mode
 
! colspan="2" | Max
 
! colspan="2" | Take-off
 
|-
 
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 1,098 hp || colspan="2" | 1,299 hp
 
|-
 
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 950 hp || colspan="2" | 1,151 hp
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
'''Critical components:'''
|-
+
* Cooling and Engine are in the middle of the plane
! colspan="4" | WEP Duration
+
* Propeller shaft spans nearly the entire length of the aircraft
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Arcade
 
! colspan="2" | Realistic/Simulator
 
|-
 
| colspan="2" | 25 seconds || colspan="2" | 5 min 20 seconds
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
=== 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.''
 
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
<!--''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.''-->
+
=== 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.'' -->
 
{{main|Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
  
The P-400 is armed with:
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
* 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (270 rpg = 540 total)
 +
* 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (1,000 rpg = 4,000 total)
  
* 1 x 20 mm [[Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Hispano 404]] cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
+
== Usage in battles ==
* 2 x 12.7 mm [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning]] machine gun, nose-mounted (270 rpg = 540 total)
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in an 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).'' -->
* 4 x 7.92 mm [[Browning (7.62 mm)|Browning]] machine gun, wing-mounted in pairs, (500 outer rpg, 1,000 inner rpg = 3000 total)
+
Try using energy tactics at low altitude and Boom & Zoom to dispatch targets if you are at high altitude. In Domination matches, this plane comes into its environment with dogfight furballs occurring in which the P-400 can intervene. Use the excellent energy retention to your advantage and avoid any type of turn fighting, as even a [[F6F-5|F6F Hellcat]] would be able to out-turn your aircraft.
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
Never try to contest bomber altitude when you have it stock - it just lacks the engine power to compete above 4,000 meters, and even as a spaded aircraft, it still doesn't perform as well as the [[Spitfire Mk Ia|Spitfires]] and [[Bf 109 E-3|Bf 109s]] at similar battle ratings. If you're ever forced to dogfight, use the rudder and elevator to pull yourself into a sort of climbing spiral, which the P-400 is exceptionally good at thanks to its powerful engine.
<!--''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).''-->
 
Try using energy tactics at low altitude and use [[Boom and Zoom]] to dispatch targets if you are at high altitude. In domination games this plane comes into its own environment with dogfight furballs occurring that the P-400 can intervene in. Use the excellent energy retention to your advantage and avoid any sort of turn fighting, as even a [[F6F-3Hellcat|F6F Hellcat]] would be able to out turn you.  
 
  
Never try to contest bomber altitude when you have it stock - it just lacks the engine power to compete above 4000 meters, and even when it is spaded, it still doesn't perform as well as the [[SpitfireMkIa|Spitfires]] and [[Bf_109_E-3|Bf 109s]] at similar battle ratings. If you're ever forced to dogfight, use the rudder and elevator to pull yourself into a sort of climbing spiral, which the P-400 is exceptionally good at thanks to its powerful engine.  
+
The [[Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Hispano cannon]] once on target will easily take out fighters and most bombers with even a short burst, or at the very least, cripple it. However, if there is any good fighter pilot on the enemy team, they will climb and try to secure high altitude. When you see them in more agile aircraft, your only option is to dive away and begin to strafe the furball down low. Beware that many planes in this battle rating range, including the [[I-16 type 27|Cannon Ishak]], outperform this plane in at least one, if not more categories, but this plane usually has more than one advantage over every plane it will face (i.e. it is faster than the [[Spitfire_Mk_Ia|Spitfire Mk 1a]] and out rolls it).
  
The [[Hispano|Hispano cannon]] once on target will easily take out fighters and most bombers with even a short burst, or at the very least, cripple it. However, if there is any good fighter pilot on the enemy team they will climb and try to secure high altitude. When you see them in more agile aircraft, your only option is to dive away and begin to strafe the furball down low. Beware that many planes in this battle rating range, including the [[I-16_type_27_Ishak|Cannon Ishak]], outperforms this plane in at least one, if not more categories, but this plane usually has more than one advantage over every plane it will face (i.e. It is faster than the [[SpitfireMkIa|Spitfire Mk 1a]] and out rolls it).
+
Use the advantages of this plane - its high speed, great rudder, powerful engine, superior armament, and terrific initial turn at high speeds. However, don't use it in a way that exposes its weaknesses - bad low-speed handling, weak turning, and poor climb rate - in combat, like when you are getting Rope-a-Doped, just flip over with an Immelmann and Turn & Burn.
  
Long story short, use the advantages of this plane - its high speed, great rudder, powerful engine, excellent armament, and very good initial turn at high speeds, and don't use it in a way that exposes its weaknesses - bad low speed handling, bad turning, and bad climb rate - in combat, like when you are getting Rope-a-Doped, just flip over and get outta there.
+
=== 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
 
! Water
! Type  
+
! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable<br>1 gear || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Modules ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! colspan="1" | Tier
 +
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 +
! colspan="1" | Survivability
 +
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Fuselage repair
 +
| Radiator
 +
|
 +
| Offensive 7 mm
 +
| Offensive 12 mm
 
|-
 
|-
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not automatic pitch || rowspan="2" | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| II
 +
|
 +
| Compressor
 +
| Airframe
 +
| New 7 mm MGs
 +
| New 12 mm MGs
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Wings repair
 +
| Engine
 +
|
 +
| Offensive 20 mm
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
|
 +
| Engine injection
 +
| Cover
 +
| New 20 mm cannons
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!-- ''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".'' -->
 +
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* Fast plane up to ~3000 m (12,000 ft).
+
* Fast plane up to ~3,000 m (12,000 ft)
* Decent turn time (especially at higher speeds).
+
* Decent turn time (especially at higher speeds)
* Good pool of machine gun ammunition.
+
* Good pool of machine gun ammunition
* Good stopping power with all weapons active.
+
* Good stopping power with all weapons active
* Nose mounted 20 mm cannon (center line mounted weaponry equals good accuracy).
+
* Nose mounted 20 mm cannon (centre line mounted weaponry equals good accuracy)
* Well armoured.
+
* Well armoured
* Cockpit has a good visibility.
+
* Cockpit has good visibility
* Carries a total of 7 guns with 3 slightly different trajectories, resulting in a high hit probability with at least one of them.
+
* Carries a total of 7 guns with three slightly different trajectories, resulting in a high hit probability with at least one of them
* Hispano cannon is more accurate and reliable than the 37 mm cannon.
+
* Hispano cannon is more accurate and reliable than the 37 mm cannon
* Excellent rudder control even at high speeds.
+
* Excellent rudder control even at high speeds
* Very powerful engine.
+
* Powerful engine
 +
 
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
* Very low ammunition for 20 mm cannon.
+
* Very low ammunition for 20 mm cannon
* Machine guns, the .30 cal and the .50 cal has no separate trigger.
+
* Machine guns, the .30 cal and the .50 cal has no separate trigger
* Ammo counter represents the total amount of machine gun ammo, not the individual caliber.
+
* Ammo counter represents the total amount of machine gun ammo, not the particular calibre
* Gets pilot killed very easily due to the bubble canopy design.
+
* Gets pilot killed very easily due to the bubble canopy design
* Suffers a lot from compression.
+
* Suffers a lot from compression
* Becomes quite unstable at low speeds.
+
* Becomes quite unstable at low speeds
* Fuel cells are stretched across the wings, resulting in fairly common fires.
+
* Fuel cells are stretched across the wings, resulting in fairly common fires
* Engine is mounted at the rear of the plane, getting engine damage from being chased is common.
+
* The engine is centrally mounted, taking engine damage while being chased is common
  
 
== 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.''-->
+
''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 vehicles's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
A single-engine all-metal monoplane fighter with a closed cockpit and retractable tricycle landing gear with a nose leg. The aircraft had an unusual layout, with the engine placed behind the cockpit.
 +
 
 +
The aircraft was designed by the Bell Aircraft design office under the direction of R. Woods and H. Poyer. The experimental model XP-39 took its maiden flight on 6 April 1938.
 +
 
 +
The first overseas order came from France in October 1939. The French were in urgent need of rearming their fighter forces, and bought as many fighters as they could from overseas. However, the order was not fulfilled before France's capitulation in the summer of 1940. After the capitulation, all outstanding French orders for military vehicles were redirected to Britain.
 +
 
 +
The high flight characteristics of the experimental XP-39 also drew attention from the British buying committee in the USA. Seduced by its tricycle undercarriage, powerful armament, high climbing rate and promises of high speeds of up to 640 km/h, the British ordered 675 airplanes, including the 200 from the French order.
 +
 
 +
The fighters produced for Britain had the designation model 14A and were powered by the 12-cylinder air-cooled Allison V-1710-E4 engine with a maximum output of 1,150 hp.
 +
 
 +
The model 14A's armament consisted of a 20 mm British-Hispano M1 cannon with 60 shells, two large-caliber synchronized Colt Browning M2.5 machine guns on the fuselage with 200 rounds each and four British 7.7 mm Colt-Browning Mk.II .303 machine guns on the wing surfaces with 350 rounds each.
 +
 
 +
In the RAF, the model 14A fighters received the designation Airacobra Mk.I. However, when the British received the first Airacobra Mk.Is in the summer of 1941, tests revealed that rather than the high-altitude interceptor they had expected, they had actually received an unexceptional medium-altitude fighter, albeit with a powerful engine. At the same time, the fighter's maneuverability and responsiveness received good ratings.
 +
 
 +
In December 1941, the British Air Ministry decided to remove the Airacobra Mk.I from service. By this time, 164 of the fighters had been sent to Britain.
 +
 
 +
After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the US requisitioned the fighters which had not yet been shipped to the British or were still in various stages of assembly.
 +
 
 +
In December 1941, 179 of the aircraft went into service in the USAAF with the designation P-400. They kept their British camouflage and organizational numbering. The majority of these planes served within US territory as training vehicles, but a number of P-400s took part in combat operations in New Guinea and North Africa.
  
 
=== Joke ===
 
=== Joke ===
 
A joke which ''may'' (or may not) have been used by the British in WW2:<br />
 
A joke which ''may'' (or may not) have been used by the British in WW2:<br />
 
:''Why is the P-400 called the P-400?''
 
:''Why is the P-400 called the P-400?''
:''Because it's a P-40 with a Zero on it's tail!''<ref name="Joke">Copied from [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/291882-schlechte-witze-mit-war-thunder-bezug/?p=5693741#entry5693741 War Thunder Forum "Schlechte Witze mit War Thunder Bezug" - 'Bad jokes with War Thunder related content'], '''no source''' was given by the forum user. Topic is named/about "Bad jokes".</ref>
+
:''Because it's a P-40 with a Zero on its tail!''<ref name="Joke">Copied from [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/291882-schlechte-witze-mit-war-thunder-bezug/?p=5693741#entry5693741 War Thunder Forum "Schlechte Witze mit War Thunder Bezug" - 'Bad jokes with War Thunder related content'], '''no source''' was given by the forum user. Topic is named/about "Bad jokes".</ref>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23p400 '''Skins''' and camouflages for the P-400 from live.warthunder]
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* [http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23p400 '''Skins''' and camouflages for the P-400 from live.warthunder]
  
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{{AirManufacturer Bell}}
 
{{USA fighters}}
 
{{USA fighters}}

Revision as of 17:55, 30 December 2019

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
P-400
p-400.png
P-400
AB RB SB
2.7 2.0 2.0
Class:
Research:7 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:10 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the American fighter P-400. For other versions, see P-39 (Family).

Description

GarageImage P-400.jpg


The P-400 is a rank II American fighter with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 2.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.37.

The P-400 is the "little brother" of the P-39's and P-63's. Reaching maximum speed at 2,400 m (7,900 ft) means you will have to look for enemies below you, or sacrifice speed to meet the opposition higher up. At medium & low altitudes it can be considered quite a fast plane for its BR range. It handles turning at higher speed rather well but can become quite unstable at lower speeds. Watch out when engaging in stall fighting, hammerheads & yo-yos. The P-400 can survive at high speeds while diving, yet will suffer from compression. The plane is suitable for high speeds attacks where you work with more with horizontal than vertical movements. Keep your speed up!

The P-400 has good weapons consisting of one 20 mm cannon with 60 rounds and two .50 cals and four .30 cals. If you have a good aim, you can kill enemies in seconds, but if you don't the limited cannon ammo will run out in about 10-15 seconds. The .50 calibre will still destroy foes reasonably quickly, though the .30cals require the right amount of consistency and concentrated fire.

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 2,400 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
553 536 9500 23.2 24.1 6.9 6.9 320
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 2,400 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
603 576 9500 21.2 22.0 13.3 9.7 320

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
420 ~12 ~9
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 360 < 380 < 450 > 312
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
3,677 m 1,000 hp 1,150 hp

Survivability and armour

Armour plates:

  • 15.87 mm Steel - Ring Behind propeller
  • 15.87 mm Steel - 2 on the left and right sides of the nose
  • 7 mm Steel - Fore-cockpit plate
  • 7 mm Steel - Cockpit front
  • 38 mm Bulletproof Glass - Cockpit front
  • 64 mm Bulletproof Glass - Behind Pilot
  • 7 mm steel - Cockpit Rear
  • 6 mm steel - Behind cooling systems and engine

Critical components:

  • Cooling and Engine are in the middle of the plane
  • Propeller shaft spans nearly the entire length of the aircraft

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-400 is armed with:

  • 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (270 rpg = 540 total)
  • 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (1,000 rpg = 4,000 total)

Usage in battles

Try using energy tactics at low altitude and Boom & Zoom to dispatch targets if you are at high altitude. In Domination matches, this plane comes into its environment with dogfight furballs occurring in which the P-400 can intervene. Use the excellent energy retention to your advantage and avoid any type of turn fighting, as even a F6F Hellcat would be able to out-turn your aircraft.

Never try to contest bomber altitude when you have it stock - it just lacks the engine power to compete above 4,000 meters, and even as a spaded aircraft, it still doesn't perform as well as the Spitfires and Bf 109s at similar battle ratings. If you're ever forced to dogfight, use the rudder and elevator to pull yourself into a sort of climbing spiral, which the P-400 is exceptionally good at thanks to its powerful engine.

The Hispano cannon once on target will easily take out fighters and most bombers with even a short burst, or at the very least, cripple it. However, if there is any good fighter pilot on the enemy team, they will climb and try to secure high altitude. When you see them in more agile aircraft, your only option is to dive away and begin to strafe the furball down low. Beware that many planes in this battle rating range, including the Cannon Ishak, outperform this plane in at least one, if not more categories, but this plane usually has more than one advantage over every plane it will face (i.e. it is faster than the Spitfire Mk 1a and out rolls it).

Use the advantages of this plane - its high speed, great rudder, powerful engine, superior armament, and terrific initial turn at high speeds. However, don't use it in a way that exposes its weaknesses - bad low-speed handling, weak turning, and poor climb rate - in combat, like when you are getting Rope-a-Doped, just flip over with an Immelmann and Turn & Burn.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm Offensive 12 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs New 12 mm MGs
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fast plane up to ~3,000 m (12,000 ft)
  • Decent turn time (especially at higher speeds)
  • Good pool of machine gun ammunition
  • Good stopping power with all weapons active
  • Nose mounted 20 mm cannon (centre line mounted weaponry equals good accuracy)
  • Well armoured
  • Cockpit has good visibility
  • Carries a total of 7 guns with three slightly different trajectories, resulting in a high hit probability with at least one of them
  • Hispano cannon is more accurate and reliable than the 37 mm cannon
  • Excellent rudder control even at high speeds
  • Powerful engine

Cons:

  • Very low ammunition for 20 mm cannon
  • Machine guns, the .30 cal and the .50 cal has no separate trigger
  • Ammo counter represents the total amount of machine gun ammo, not the particular calibre
  • Gets pilot killed very easily due to the bubble canopy design
  • Suffers a lot from compression
  • Becomes quite unstable at low speeds
  • Fuel cells are stretched across the wings, resulting in fairly common fires
  • The engine is centrally mounted, taking engine damage while being chased is common

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 vehicles's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

In-game description

A single-engine all-metal monoplane fighter with a closed cockpit and retractable tricycle landing gear with a nose leg. The aircraft had an unusual layout, with the engine placed behind the cockpit.

The aircraft was designed by the Bell Aircraft design office under the direction of R. Woods and H. Poyer. The experimental model XP-39 took its maiden flight on 6 April 1938.

The first overseas order came from France in October 1939. The French were in urgent need of rearming their fighter forces, and bought as many fighters as they could from overseas. However, the order was not fulfilled before France's capitulation in the summer of 1940. After the capitulation, all outstanding French orders for military vehicles were redirected to Britain.

The high flight characteristics of the experimental XP-39 also drew attention from the British buying committee in the USA. Seduced by its tricycle undercarriage, powerful armament, high climbing rate and promises of high speeds of up to 640 km/h, the British ordered 675 airplanes, including the 200 from the French order.

The fighters produced for Britain had the designation model 14A and were powered by the 12-cylinder air-cooled Allison V-1710-E4 engine with a maximum output of 1,150 hp.

The model 14A's armament consisted of a 20 mm British-Hispano M1 cannon with 60 shells, two large-caliber synchronized Colt Browning M2.5 machine guns on the fuselage with 200 rounds each and four British 7.7 mm Colt-Browning Mk.II .303 machine guns on the wing surfaces with 350 rounds each.

In the RAF, the model 14A fighters received the designation Airacobra Mk.I. However, when the British received the first Airacobra Mk.Is in the summer of 1941, tests revealed that rather than the high-altitude interceptor they had expected, they had actually received an unexceptional medium-altitude fighter, albeit with a powerful engine. At the same time, the fighter's maneuverability and responsiveness received good ratings.

In December 1941, the British Air Ministry decided to remove the Airacobra Mk.I from service. By this time, 164 of the fighters had been sent to Britain.

After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the US requisitioned the fighters which had not yet been shipped to the British or were still in various stages of assembly.

In December 1941, 179 of the aircraft went into service in the USAAF with the designation P-400. They kept their British camouflage and organizational numbering. The majority of these planes served within US territory as training vehicles, but a number of P-400s took part in combat operations in New Guinea and North Africa.

Joke

A joke which may (or may not) have been used by the British in WW2:

Why is the P-400 called the P-400?
Because it's a P-40 with a Zero on its tail![1]

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.

References

  1. Copied from War Thunder Forum "Schlechte Witze mit War Thunder Bezug" - 'Bad jokes with War Thunder related content', no source was given by the forum user. Topic is named/about "Bad jokes".

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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


Bell Aircraft Corporation
Aircraft 
Fighters  P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5
  P-400
  P-63A-10 · P-63A-5 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra
Jet Fighters  P-59A
Export  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▄P-39Q-25
  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 · ▄P-63C-5
Helicopters 
Attack  AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z · AH-1W
  OH-58D
Utility  UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30
Export/Licensed  ▅UH-1B · ◄UH-1D
  Tzefa A · Tzefa B · Tzefa D/E · ▅AH-1S early · ▅AH-1S · ▅AH-1S Kisarazu · ␗AH-1W
  ␗OH-58D
See Also  Fuji Heavy Industries · Agusta

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