Difference between revisions of "PB4Y-2"

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{{Specs-Card|code=pb4y-2}}
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{{About
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|about=American bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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|usage=other versions
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|link=B-24/PB4Y (Family)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=pb4y-2
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== 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.''
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica"]].
 +
 
 +
Historically a maritime patrol/reconnaissance aircraft derived from the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]], the Privateer performs the function of a heavy bomber, optimized for dumping large amounts of high explosive on enemy bases.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
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=== 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.''
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{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!-- ''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" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
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! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 7,620 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
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! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| 385 ||369|| rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 39.4 || 41.0 || 1.3 || 1.3 || rowspan="2" | 950
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 427 || 404 || 36.7 || 38.0 || 6.5 || 3.5
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Since it is a heavy four-engine maritime bomber, the Privateer's manoeuvrability is unsurprisingly poor, it is also agonizingly slow, at nearly 100 km/h slower than the B-17E Flying Fortress (only 404 km/h top level speed). Its maximum speed in a dive is 580 km/h, and it has absolutely no chance of evading any of the fighters it might face using its speed or diving away. As a maritime patrol aircraft, the engines are optimized for low-level performance, thus its performance will suffer noticeably above 6,000 m while it can retain its energy gained form a dive reasonably well at below 3,000 m.
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
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! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
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! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| 599 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 360 || 263 || ~4 || ~2
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 200 || < 180 || < 180 || > 300
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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.''
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{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
  
== Weaponry ==
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* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of nose gunner
=== Offensive weaponry ===
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* 12.7 mm Steel plate in front of nose gunner
''Describe the offensive weaponry of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
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* 9.5 mm Steel plate underneath nose gunner
 +
* 9.5 mm Steel plates behind pilots
 +
* 9.5 mm Steel plates inside fuselage x 3
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* 9.5 mm Steel plates behind and under radial engines
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel plates behind dorsal gunners
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of beam gunners
 +
* 9.5 and 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of beam gunners
 +
* 55 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the tail gunner
 +
* 9.5 mm Steel plate in front of the tail gunner
  
=== Suspended weaponry ===
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=== Modifications and economy ===
''Describe the aircraft's suspended weapons: 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.''
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{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
The first priority for the Privateer pilots is to unlock its best payload; the naval mines, which can be unlocked early on by researching "Mk 13 Mod 0" modification at rank II. After this, you can either choose between flight performance or survivability upgrade. The other payload options is less effective compared to the mines and can be left until spaded.
 +
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 +
=== Suspended armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 +
<!-- ''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)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)|Type A Mark I mine}}
  
=== Defensive weaponry ===
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The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
''Defensive weaponry 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.''
 
  
== Usage in the battles ==
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* 20 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
''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).''
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* 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
 +
* 4 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
 +
* 8 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (8,000 lb total)
 +
* 4 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (8,000 lb total)
 +
* 4 x Type A Mark I mines
 +
* 8 x Type A Mark I mines
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
When stock, the Privateer is loaded with 20 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs, which are near useless at anything other than picking off light stationary targets. Fortunately, the Privateer gets its best payload option once you've researched the "Mk 13 Mod 0" modification at rank II: 8 x Type A Mark I naval mines, with 508 kg of TNT equivalent each (compared to 4 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs). This is the most potent payload for any American bomber until the B-29 Superfortress. These will do more damage to a base than the equivalent weight in 2,000 lb bombs that the B-17 Flying Fortress or B-24 Liberator can carry. Against ground targets, the Type A naval mine will work like an ordinary bomb (will explode upon ground contact after the fuse timer is up). Due to quantity of bombs and explosives, the Privateer can be used to either destroy the base or destroy a column of heavy vehicles.
 +
 
 +
Against naval targets, however, the naval mines will not explode when missed but instead armed itself underwater and wait for enemy contact. This reduces the overall effectiveness against stationary naval targets (as it requires a direct hit to trigger a detonation) but provides an additional use in naval battles, as you can lay these mines on various choke points and capture zones, as well as trapping any moving enemy vessel that comes too close to it.
 +
 
 +
=== Defensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}
 +
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 +
{{main|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:
 +
 
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose turret (600 rpg = 1,200 total)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, 2 x dorsal turrets (380 rpg = 1,520 total)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, 2 x beam turrets (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, tail turret (400 rpg = 800 total)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The PB4Y-2 features a large amount of .50 cal heavy machine guns as defensive armament. However, even when all of them can be brought to bear, it may not be sufficient to protect the bomber against determined or skilled fighter opposition. Only the tail turret can engage enemies attacking directly behind the Privateer, as the vertical stabilizer blocks the dorsal turrets (gunner dead-zone).
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
There are two ways to play the Privateer. One of them is as a conventional heavy bomber, attempting to gain as much altitude as possible while utilizing cloud cover to evade enemy fighters. Unfortunately, the Privateer does not have very good high altitude performance, and it will struggle to climb to high altitude. This approach will also expose the aircraft to attacks from below, against which the Privateer has very little protection.
 +
 
 +
The other approach is to fly at very low altitude. This has two advantages: it makes it extremely difficult for enemies to attack from below, and the engines are optimized for this altitude. It will also tempt enemy fighters to dive on an "easy" target, which will, in turn, make them easy targets for your own fighters. Unfortunately, flying at low altitude will make the aircraft very vulnerable to anti-aircraft guns.
 +
 
 +
;Shallow diving:
 +
 
 +
Diving is probably the most risky way of trying to bomb but it is the quickest if you do it right. Start by spawning in then dive at about -10 degrees. This will make sure you will not overspeed before reaching the bombing point. However enemy interceptors with air spawn can potentially catch you in a head on, which is an extremely dangerous situation.
 +
 
 +
;Steep diving:
 +
 
 +
Upon spawning, dive at an angle of about -40 degrees. The PB4Y will gradually pick up speed to around 500 km/h. Once you reach 580 km/h, cut throttle to avoid over speeding. If you are close to the bomb base, turn into shallow diving or level out and prepare for the bombing. Once bombs are out, bank towards your airfield while keep diving, you should fly at no more than 100 m above the ground.
 +
 
 +
During an encounter with enemy aircraft, if you have time to adjust your position, try putting the enemy plane at your 10 / 2 o'clock. This way you can utilise up to 8 M2 Brownings scattered across your fuselage (2 x dorsal turrets, beam turret & nose turret) against the enemy, at the price of presenting a huge silhouette to it. This is a very dangerous tactic, but sometimes it is worth a try.
 +
 
 +
In general, when engaged by fighters, one should attempt to force them to attack from oblique angles from above. This will allow the largest amount of machine guns to engage the attacker. Only the rear turret can engage aircraft directly behind the Privateer; thus, one should turn the Privateer or use the rudder to "wag the tail" which will allow other gunner positions to engage tail-chasing fighters. Under no circumstances should the belly be exposed to enemy fire; it usually becomes quickly fatal for the bomber.
 +
 
 +
;Enemies worth noting:
 +
 
 +
* [[Do 335 (Family)|Do 335]]: this interceptor posts a huge threat to the PB4Y due to its destructive firepower. An experienced Do 335 player might open fire from a far distance of 2.5 km away, at this range its MK108/MK103 shells still have adequate accuracy and damage to cripple the PB4Y, while the PB4Y's Browning M2 can barely do any damage. The PB4Y's tail is also prone to being blown off by a few HE cannon shells.
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil !! Water !! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Combined || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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".''
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<!-- ''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:'''
*
+
 
 +
* Large payload (8 x naval mines) allows the plane to be used for area denial in ground and naval battles
 +
* Great defensive coverage except from below
 +
* Tricycle landing gear helps the plane to land without the risk of nosing over
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
*
 
  
== Historical part ==
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* Mediocre stock payload
''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/index.php?title=Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
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* Mediocre survivability
 +
* The tail can come off very easily due to enemy attacks, causing the destruction of the vehicle
 +
* Extremely slow and sluggish, even for a heavy bomber
 +
* Poor engine performance at high altitude (optimized for low altitude)
 +
* Huge vertical stabiliser can be easily damaged
 +
* Gear retraction and lowering is rather slow
 +
 
 +
== 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: <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).'' -->
 +
The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was a heavy bomber & maritime patrol aircraft used by the United States Navy developed from the PB4Y-1, a minor modification of the B-24 Liberator used by the United States during WWII. The aircraft was a fully-navalized version of the B-24 featuring a taller single vertical stabilizer, a flight engineer's station and modified armament. The aircraft were used towards the end of the Second World War, and were used after the war as patrol aircraft by various countries. Some converted Privateers served as firefighters into the early 2000s; all aircraft are now retired from service, though two airframes are still fully airworthy.
 +
 
 +
The PB4Y-2 Privateer was a heavy modification on the previous PB4Y-1, which had been developed from the B-24 Liberator for the United States Navy and featured only minor changes from its air force cousin. The navy had been seeking a fully-navalized version of the B-24, and as a result, the aircraft featured numerous improvements over the previous PB4Y-1. The aircraft was similar in appearance to the B-24 but featured several defining features: first, the aircraft had a single vertical stabilizer compared to two smaller stabilizers on the B-24. The aircraft also had a longer fuselage accommodating a flight engineer's station, and a rebuilt armament suite consisting of twelve .50 caliber machine guns in two beam & dorsal turrets and one fore & aft turret. The ventral "ball" turret of the B-24 was removed, considering that the PB4Y was designed for low-altitude operations; the engine's superchargers were also removed for this purpose.
 +
 
 +
The Navy would eventually acquire 739 PB4Y-2 Privateers, though most of these aircraft arrived after the end of the war. The few aircraft that did serve during WWII provided maritime patrol and bombing capabilities. Notably, the aircraft dropped the ASM-N-2 Bat guided-bomb, similar to the German Fritz-X guided weapon, and was used with some success against Japanese vessels. For example, the Japanese coastal defence ship Aguni was damaged from a distance of 37 km by a Bat guided bomb dropped from a PB4Y Privateer. Effectively, the Bat was the first guided missile in United States service.
 +
 
 +
Following the end of the Second World War, the remaining PB4Ys were used as maritime patrol aircraft, patrol bombers and even hurricane hunters (several aircraft were lost in this role). The aircraft was used once again during the Korean War as a patrol bomber, and sold to both France and the Republic of China. All American PB4Ys were retired by 1954; small numbers of these aircraft were used as firefighting aircraft all the way until 2002, when a converted PB4Y disintegrated in mid-air while firefighting; as a result, the last of the firefighting PB4Ys were retired as well. Eight PB4Y-2 Privateers survive to this day, mostly in museums in the United States. Two aircraft are fully airworthy and a third is under restoration to become fully airworthy.
  
 
== 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
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=pb4y-2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
== Read 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;''
 
* ''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.''
''ETC.''
 
  
== Sources ==
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== 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;''
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
 
* ''other literature.''
+
* [[wt:en/news/4723-development-pb4y-2-privateer-pirate-of-the-skies-en|[Devblog] PB4Y-2 Privateer: Pirate of the Skies]]
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/365067-consolidated-pb4y-2-privateer/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer Consolidated}}
 +
{{USA bombers}}

Latest revision as of 00:00, 17 March 2023

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the American bomber PB4Y-2. For other versions, see B-24/PB4Y (Family).
pb4y-2.png
GarageImage PB4Y-2.jpg
ArtImage PB4Y-2.png
PB4Y-2
Research:40 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:135 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The PB4Y-2 Privateer is a rank III American heavy bomber with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB), 5.0 (RB), and 5.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica".

Historically a maritime patrol/reconnaissance aircraft derived from the B-24 Liberator, the Privateer performs the function of a heavy bomber, optimized for dumping large amounts of high explosive on enemy bases.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 7 620 m404 km/h
Turn time38 s
Max altitude10 000 m
Engine4 х Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight29 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 7,620 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 385 369 10000 39.4 41.0 1.3 1.3 950
Upgraded 427 404 36.7 38.0 6.5 3.5

Since it is a heavy four-engine maritime bomber, the Privateer's manoeuvrability is unsurprisingly poor, it is also agonizingly slow, at nearly 100 km/h slower than the B-17E Flying Fortress (only 404 km/h top level speed). Its maximum speed in a dive is 580 km/h, and it has absolutely no chance of evading any of the fighters it might face using its speed or diving away. As a maritime patrol aircraft, the engines are optimized for low-level performance, thus its performance will suffer noticeably above 6,000 m while it can retain its energy gained form a dive reasonably well at below 3,000 m.

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 + -
599 263 N/A 360 263 ~4 ~2
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 200 < 180 < 180 > 300

Survivability and armour

Crew8 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear263 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of nose gunner
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate in front of nose gunner
  • 9.5 mm Steel plate underneath nose gunner
  • 9.5 mm Steel plates behind pilots
  • 9.5 mm Steel plates inside fuselage x 3
  • 9.5 mm Steel plates behind and under radial engines
  • 12.7 mm Steel plates behind dorsal gunners
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of beam gunners
  • 9.5 and 6.35 mm Steel plates in front of beam gunners
  • 55 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the tail gunner
  • 9.5 mm Steel plate in front of the tail gunner

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 440 → 1 959 Sl icon.png
RB3 937 → 5 358 Sl icon.png
SB7 693 → 10 470 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications35 000 Rp icon.png
68 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 300 Ge icon.png
Crew training39 000 Sl icon.png
Experts135 000 Sl icon.png
Aces700 Ge icon.png
Research Aces390 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 180 / 420 % Sl icon.png
154 / 154 / 154 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 100 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 100 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 600 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 600 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods bulletproof vest.png
Protective vest
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SBC mk.I
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_turret_belt_pack
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 100 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
LBC-24
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 100 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mod arrow right 0.png
Mods air naval mine.png
Mk 13 Mod 0
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 100 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FLBC mk.1
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 600 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
bmg50_turret_new_gun
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
LBC-17
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png

The first priority for the Privateer pilots is to unlock its best payload; the naval mines, which can be unlocked early on by researching "Mk 13 Mod 0" modification at rank II. After this, you can either choose between flight performance or survivability upgrade. The other payload options is less effective compared to the mines and can be left until spaded.

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (7)
Setup 120 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bomb
Setup 28 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb
Setup 34 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb
Setup 48 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb
Setup 58 x 1000 lbs Type A Mark I aircraft laid magnetic mine
Setup 64 x 1000 lbs Type A Mark I aircraft laid magnetic mine
Setup 74 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb

The PB4Y-2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 20 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 8 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 8 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (8,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs (8,000 lb total)
  • 4 x Type A Mark I mines
  • 8 x Type A Mark I mines


When stock, the Privateer is loaded with 20 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs, which are near useless at anything other than picking off light stationary targets. Fortunately, the Privateer gets its best payload option once you've researched the "Mk 13 Mod 0" modification at rank II: 8 x Type A Mark I naval mines, with 508 kg of TNT equivalent each (compared to 4 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs). This is the most potent payload for any American bomber until the B-29 Superfortress. These will do more damage to a base than the equivalent weight in 2,000 lb bombs that the B-17 Flying Fortress or B-24 Liberator can carry. Against ground targets, the Type A naval mine will work like an ordinary bomb (will explode upon ground contact after the fuse timer is up). Due to quantity of bombs and explosives, the Privateer can be used to either destroy the base or destroy a column of heavy vehicles.

Against naval targets, however, the naval mines will not explode when missed but instead armed itself underwater and wait for enemy contact. This reduces the overall effectiveness against stationary naval targets (as it requires a direct hit to trigger a detonation) but provides an additional use in naval battles, as you can lay these mines on various choke points and capture zones, as well as trapping any moving enemy vessel that comes too close to it.

Defensive armament

Ammunition1200 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Ammunition760 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Ammunition800 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Main article: M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

The PB4Y-2 is defended by:

  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose turret (600 rpg = 1,200 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, 2 x dorsal turrets (380 rpg = 1,520 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, 2 x beam turrets (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, tail turret (400 rpg = 800 total)


The PB4Y-2 features a large amount of .50 cal heavy machine guns as defensive armament. However, even when all of them can be brought to bear, it may not be sufficient to protect the bomber against determined or skilled fighter opposition. Only the tail turret can engage enemies attacking directly behind the Privateer, as the vertical stabilizer blocks the dorsal turrets (gunner dead-zone).

Usage in battles

There are two ways to play the Privateer. One of them is as a conventional heavy bomber, attempting to gain as much altitude as possible while utilizing cloud cover to evade enemy fighters. Unfortunately, the Privateer does not have very good high altitude performance, and it will struggle to climb to high altitude. This approach will also expose the aircraft to attacks from below, against which the Privateer has very little protection.

The other approach is to fly at very low altitude. This has two advantages: it makes it extremely difficult for enemies to attack from below, and the engines are optimized for this altitude. It will also tempt enemy fighters to dive on an "easy" target, which will, in turn, make them easy targets for your own fighters. Unfortunately, flying at low altitude will make the aircraft very vulnerable to anti-aircraft guns.

Shallow diving

Diving is probably the most risky way of trying to bomb but it is the quickest if you do it right. Start by spawning in then dive at about -10 degrees. This will make sure you will not overspeed before reaching the bombing point. However enemy interceptors with air spawn can potentially catch you in a head on, which is an extremely dangerous situation.

Steep diving

Upon spawning, dive at an angle of about -40 degrees. The PB4Y will gradually pick up speed to around 500 km/h. Once you reach 580 km/h, cut throttle to avoid over speeding. If you are close to the bomb base, turn into shallow diving or level out and prepare for the bombing. Once bombs are out, bank towards your airfield while keep diving, you should fly at no more than 100 m above the ground.

During an encounter with enemy aircraft, if you have time to adjust your position, try putting the enemy plane at your 10 / 2 o'clock. This way you can utilise up to 8 M2 Brownings scattered across your fuselage (2 x dorsal turrets, beam turret & nose turret) against the enemy, at the price of presenting a huge silhouette to it. This is a very dangerous tactic, but sometimes it is worth a try.

In general, when engaged by fighters, one should attempt to force them to attack from oblique angles from above. This will allow the largest amount of machine guns to engage the attacker. Only the rear turret can engage aircraft directly behind the Privateer; thus, one should turn the Privateer or use the rudder to "wag the tail" which will allow other gunner positions to engage tail-chasing fighters. Under no circumstances should the belly be exposed to enemy fire; it usually becomes quickly fatal for the bomber.

Enemies worth noting
  • Do 335: this interceptor posts a huge threat to the PB4Y due to its destructive firepower. An experienced Do 335 player might open fire from a far distance of 2.5 km away, at this range its MK108/MK103 shells still have adequate accuracy and damage to cripple the PB4Y, while the PB4Y's Browning M2 can barely do any damage. The PB4Y's tail is also prone to being blown off by a few HE cannon shells.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Large payload (8 x naval mines) allows the plane to be used for area denial in ground and naval battles
  • Great defensive coverage except from below
  • Tricycle landing gear helps the plane to land without the risk of nosing over

Cons:

  • Mediocre stock payload
  • Mediocre survivability
  • The tail can come off very easily due to enemy attacks, causing the destruction of the vehicle
  • Extremely slow and sluggish, even for a heavy bomber
  • Poor engine performance at high altitude (optimized for low altitude)
  • Huge vertical stabiliser can be easily damaged
  • Gear retraction and lowering is rather slow

History

The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was a heavy bomber & maritime patrol aircraft used by the United States Navy developed from the PB4Y-1, a minor modification of the B-24 Liberator used by the United States during WWII. The aircraft was a fully-navalized version of the B-24 featuring a taller single vertical stabilizer, a flight engineer's station and modified armament. The aircraft were used towards the end of the Second World War, and were used after the war as patrol aircraft by various countries. Some converted Privateers served as firefighters into the early 2000s; all aircraft are now retired from service, though two airframes are still fully airworthy.

The PB4Y-2 Privateer was a heavy modification on the previous PB4Y-1, which had been developed from the B-24 Liberator for the United States Navy and featured only minor changes from its air force cousin. The navy had been seeking a fully-navalized version of the B-24, and as a result, the aircraft featured numerous improvements over the previous PB4Y-1. The aircraft was similar in appearance to the B-24 but featured several defining features: first, the aircraft had a single vertical stabilizer compared to two smaller stabilizers on the B-24. The aircraft also had a longer fuselage accommodating a flight engineer's station, and a rebuilt armament suite consisting of twelve .50 caliber machine guns in two beam & dorsal turrets and one fore & aft turret. The ventral "ball" turret of the B-24 was removed, considering that the PB4Y was designed for low-altitude operations; the engine's superchargers were also removed for this purpose.

The Navy would eventually acquire 739 PB4Y-2 Privateers, though most of these aircraft arrived after the end of the war. The few aircraft that did serve during WWII provided maritime patrol and bombing capabilities. Notably, the aircraft dropped the ASM-N-2 Bat guided-bomb, similar to the German Fritz-X guided weapon, and was used with some success against Japanese vessels. For example, the Japanese coastal defence ship Aguni was damaged from a distance of 37 km by a Bat guided bomb dropped from a PB4Y Privateer. Effectively, the Bat was the first guided missile in United States service.

Following the end of the Second World War, the remaining PB4Ys were used as maritime patrol aircraft, patrol bombers and even hurricane hunters (several aircraft were lost in this role). The aircraft was used once again during the Korean War as a patrol bomber, and sold to both France and the Republic of China. All American PB4Ys were retired by 1954; small numbers of these aircraft were used as firefighting aircraft all the way until 2002, when a converted PB4Y disintegrated in mid-air while firefighting; as a result, the last of the firefighting PB4Ys were retired as well. Eight PB4Y-2 Privateers survive to this day, mostly in museums in the United States. Two aircraft are fully airworthy and a third is under restoration to become fully airworthy.

Media

Skins

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


Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
Bombers  PBY-5 Catalina · PBY-5A Catalina
  PB4Y-2
  B-24D-25-CO
Export  ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▄PBY-5A Late · ␗PB4Y-2 · ▄PB4Y-2

USA bombers
Dive  SB2U-2 · SB2U-3 · SBD-3 · SB2C-1C · SB2C-4
Torpedo  TBD-1 · PBY-5 Catalina · PBY-5A Catalina · TBF-1C · BTD-1
Medium  B-10B · B-18A · B-34 · PV-2D · B-25J-1 · B-25J-20 · A-26C-45 · A-26C-45DT · B-26B
Heavy  B-17E · B-17E/L · B-17G-60-VE · PB4Y-2 · B-24D-25-CO · B-29A-BN
Hydroplanes  OS2U-1 · OS2U-3 · PBM-1 "Mariner" · PBM-3 "Mariner"