The Bf 109 F-2 is a German fighter. It was introduced in Update 1.37. Setting the basis for the definitive version of the Bf 109, the F-4, the Bf 109 F-2, alongside the Bf 109 F-1, saw substantial improvement over the earlier Emil series.
The second Bf 109 of the F series in War Thunder, the Bf 109 F-2 plays like the Bf 109 F-1. Successful F-1 pilots should feel at home with the F-2 almost instantaneously, allowing the player to acquire valuable 109 experience before grabbing the Bf 109 F-4.
As with the F-1, the most notable change of the Friedrich over the Emil is its performance. Having a more aerodynamically efficient design, especially in the nose, the F-2 is identical to the F-1 in its performance, propelled forward by a powerful DB 601 N producing up to 1,175 hp. Reaching speeds to up to 615 km/h at 5.2 km of altitude, the Friedrich is testimony to the trademark acceleration and speed found in the 109s. A powerful climber, the F-2 reaches altitude quickly and can easily outclimb most of its historic counterparts. As with all 109s, the optimal climbing speed is 270 km/h (IAS). As such, the Bf 109 F-2 should largely be played like the Emils, with the added bonus of additional performance making the flying and fighting even easier. As with the Emil, fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed use of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres, enable the Friedrich to quickly change an engagement to its favour.
The most striking change is its main armament. Although the player has had access to a 20 mm cannon with the E-3 and F-1, they are now presented with a 15 mm cannon. This may seem a disadvantage at first, but the 15 mm MG 151 is respectable. While a single shot tends to be less effective than a shot by the MG FF/M's mineshell available on the F-1, it has some upsides: overall better ballistics and a higher ammo count, sporting 200 rounds instead of the MG FF's characteristic 60 round magazine. Hitting a target no longer takes the extreme care that it does with the F-1, making long-range shooting possible but inadvisable. Despite these advantages, the lower calibre and lack of proper HE ammunition in the 15 mm cannon make it lacklustre in the damage department. Quick, clean kills aren't very common with this armament. Bomber hunting requires hitting the target with some good, steady bursts. Therefore, it is best to take care when engaging a bomber and mind its gunners. The rockets this fighter mounts optionally are an effective weapon to take down well-defended bombers (one hit with a rocket) as well as to pick off ground targets including tanks, but they also cause a lot of drag, degrading the performance.
Regarding the change that the higher battle rating brings to this aircraft, the fighting style shifts a little bit in that an advancement in BR means a shift in the characteristics of its opponents to better-diving, better-climbing, but worse-turning opponents. This means that, in some occasions, sustained turning is a viable option especially against its American counterparts. Diving as a means of escape will often end up with the pilot losing a fight, particularly when facing the heavy, streamlined aircraft of the U.S. line, such as Corsairs or Thunderbolts. Fighting better climbing opponents means that having an energy advantage at a start of an engagement, obtained by climbing upon spawning, is very important.
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Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
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10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
AP-T/IT/IT/HEF-T | 33 | 30 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | |
AP-T/HEF-T/AP-T/HEF-T | 33 | 30 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | |
API-T/HEF-T/HEF-T/HEF-T | 38 | 33 | 19 | 9 | 5 | 2 | |
AP-I(c)/AP-I(c)/AP-I(c)/HEF-T | 51 | 47 | 31 | 19 | 11 | 7 |
Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
AP-T/AP-I/AI | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
AP-T/AP/AI/AP-I | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
AP-T | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
AI/AP/AP/AP/AI | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Flight performance | |
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Survivability |
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Weaponry | ||
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