F6F-5N

[CAVPFCDD]

if you look on the wing of the TBM there is a radar antenna

[waystin2]

The -Ns were night fighters, and even so, very few of them ever used the 2x20mm armament [some did, mind you, but they were the minority]. Almost all of 'em had 6x50cals for many reasons.

Were the 20mm guns a field mod?

[Saxman]

I think all F6Fs came from the factory with the capability to mount the 20mm in place of one of the machine gun pairs, but only a SMALL handful of nightfighters ever actually did.

And yes, I realize the danger of even mentioning that in front of all the squeakers.

[waystin2]

And yes, I realize the danger of even mentioning that in front of all the squeakers.

Roger that.   I was more curious than anything.  Thanks for the info...

 
Way

[Anaxogoras]

The American version of the Hispano had a jamming problem when mounted in a wing, so it's no wonder it was rare.  It's also a good reason for perking the F4U-1C, even if its performance doesn't quite justify it.

[Puck]

The American version of the Hispano had a jamming problem when mounted in a wing, so it's no wonder it was rare.  It's also a good reason for perking the F4U-1C, even if its performance doesn't quite justify it.

You don't perk it because the guns jammed, you perk it because the alternative is a sky full of F4U-1Cs spraying and praying.

Not much need for a night fighter when you don't have night to fight in; that wasn't exactly the main event during the war anyway.  It's only recently all-weather (night is a weather) has become the standard.  Even the F-16 wasn't originally designed for night work.

Now, if you want to provide local dot-dar to radar aircraft (even when out of ground radar coverage or when the local radar is disabled) that might prove entertaining.

[Saxman]

Now, if you want to provide local dot-dar to radar aircraft (even when out of ground radar coverage or when the local radar is disabled) that might prove entertaining.

Outside of Scenario play, that's the only way I see radar-equipped aircraft being useful. It WOULD add an interesting dimension to play, though.

[Puck]

Outside of Scenario play, that's the only way I see radar-equipped aircraft being useful. It WOULD add an interesting dimension to play, though.

Oohhhh....scenarios...gosh, doesn't this add possibilities...

[Thor84]

point is include them all. p-47n is in the game allthough may be a bad example......  why do we have 5 or more versions of a couple and then one of another. give us the option of haveing the 20mm in the hellcat and the 4 bladed prop over the 3 blade. options for all the aircraft would be nice. especially when we are in the late war arenas.   late war being the most adanced part of the war.. just makes sense.  essentially when we fly the hellcat right now we are in the f6f-3.  im sure if you all thought for a few min that you all could find versions of aircraft or gvs that you would all like to be able to use and find an opposing vehicle that there are a few versions of. we all lobby for the changes we want. i wouldnt have started this if i hadnt read up on the versions of the hellcat. all i want are the same options for the hellcat as other more popular aircraft within the realm of what they actually did.

[Saxman]

The only F6F that I can find ANY information about utilizing the four-bladed prop was the XF6F-6, which never saw combat. In fact I think there were only two built at all.

[Cajunn]

point is include them all. p-47n is in the game allthough may be a bad example......  why do we have 5 or more versions of a couple and then one of another. give us the option of haveing the 20mm in the hellcat and the 4 bladed prop over the 3 blade. options for all the aircraft would be nice. especially when we are in the late war arenas.   late war being the most adanced part of the war.. just makes sense.  essentially when we fly the hellcat right now we are in the f6f-3.  im sure if you all thought for a few min that you all could find versions of aircraft or gvs that you would all like to be able to use and find an opposing vehicle that there are a few versions of. we all lobby for the changes we want. i wouldnt have started this if i hadnt read up on the versions of the hellcat. all i want are the same options for the hellcat as other more popular aircraft within the realm of what they actually did.

Good point, you don't hear or see much about the F4U-1C's but we have them!

[Puck]

Good point, you don't hear or see much about the F4U-1C's but we have them!

Interesting point, actually.  It is better to appreciate what we have or complain about what we don't?  "I have the F4U-1C, why can't I have the F4U-4C?" as opposed to "Thanks for the F4U-1C!!"

I suspect the initial request is hugely non-trivial.  Were it otherwise we would already have those variants.

[AWwrgwy]

why do we have 5 or more versions of a couple and then one of another. give us the option of haveing the 20mm in the hellcat and the 4 bladed prop over the 3 blade.

Because they performed differently.  Because they actually saw combat in squadron strength.  Because they fill a niche.

Think of it this way, we already have the F6F-5N in game just without the radar and the 20mm, that rarely, if ever actually saw combat.


wrongway

[Thor84]

the game f6f-5 doesnt have the performance of the actual f6f-5. and the 4 bladed prop was most certainly used. very late in the war.

[Saxman]

What's your source on that? I've never seen anything on four-bladed props on the F6F outside of test mules.