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Curtiss H-87 B3

Curtiss H-87 B3
Specifications
Type	Fighter
Armament	.50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning machineguns (6)
Crew	1 pilot
Weight	3,622 kg
Top Speed	589 kph

History

The P-40 "Warhawk", or Curtiss Hawk 87, introduced the air combat world to "sic fiddies" (six fifty-caliber heavy machine guns) in American and British Commonwealth aviation.

Curtiss developed the Hawk 87 from its successful Hawk 81 that had been ordered by the French Air Force and was already serving in the USAAF as the P-40B and P-40C. Introduced as the P-40D in the USAAF, and Kittyhawk Mk.I in the RAF, the Hawk 87 was then further upgraded by fitting a Merlin engine in place of the original Allison. The H-87 B-3 modelled in Battleground Europe is this Merlin-engined variant, also known as the early, short-tailed P-40F model, or Kittyhawk Mk.II in the RAF.

While still not the best in speed or climb above low/med altitudes, the H-87 B-3 did perform better than the earlier variants due to a two-stage supercharged Packard-built Merlin engine. Its rugged construction, good maneuverability, and incredible dive performance continued to serve it better than its performance on a stats sheet might suggest. Of course, part of this was the crushing lethality of six fifty-caliber machine guns on the structural integrity of enemy aircraft.

This model carries the "Sioux Head" markings of the La Fayette escadrille, which was made famous in WWI when American pilots flew for France as members of that unit. The French Groupe de chasse II/5, that had preserved these markings, flew P-40Fs of in combat over Tunisia and the Meditteranean.

Game Play

The H-87 Warhawk is a challenging fighter that requires a specific mind set to do well in. Heavier by about 1800 lb (816 kg) than its predecessor the H-81 on account of its heavier wing-mounted armament and associated ammunition, the H-87 behaves accordingly. The increased weight is offset by a more powerful engine and a destructive potential that earns the H-87 a nickname as the “poor man’s P-47”. Like the H-81 and the P-47 the Warhawk has a useful rate of roll and dives like a lorry loaded with bullion. Therein lies its forte, and recognizing this fact the H-87 pilot shuns extended horizontal turnfighting like the plague.

Coming down from above with six of the famed Browning "Ma Deuce" .50 cal heavy machine guns in the wings the H-87 is rightly feared by the opposition. It has the roll rate and initial turn performance to correct a guns solution on the way down, and retains its energy well following the dive if the pilot treats her gently and does not push the dive and subsequent extension too far. And anything caught before those “six fiddies” is history with just a brief touch of the trigger.

Because of its weight and relative sluggishness at low speeds and at high altitudes, the Warhawk thrives in the medium altitude band where it can fall upon lower prey and dive away from higher threats. If kept engaged for too long on the deck the H-87 is increasingly at a disadvantage because it has insufficient acceleration, speed and climb performance to disengage safely. All of these disadvantages are easily offset however by keeping it high and fast, and by reducing exposure to risk by sticking to “one pass, haul ***” tactics, preferably in the company of wingmen. That said, a blob of H-87’s down below, with a Spitfire or P-38 “roof” to protect them from surprise attack, can inflict calamituous damage on enemy air and ground units alike – it is all about the situation and realizing what you have to work with.

In single combat and given equal pilot skill, the H-87 is normally worsted by the Bf 109-E which can turn inside it with relative ease and use its superior climb performance to stay directly overhead as well – though given half a chance the H-87 may reach out with his guns and pluck down the careless Messerschmitt driver. The Bf 109-F is considerably more nimble and powerful in comparison to the H-87, requiring the latter to work extensively with rolling scissors and endeavouring to displace the circles so as to force high angle off, near head on situations. Against the Focke-Wulf 190, the H-87 has a somewhat better chance. The Warhawk has a smaller turn radius but lacks the speed to counter a FW 190 who keeps his energy intact, therefore the H-87 pilot must work to get inside the FW 190’s turn by lead pursuit and coax him to commit to a slow turning fight. Be very wary against FW 190s that use the vertical dimension to control separation and angles, and work to keep the fight in the horizontal as much as possible by extending when you have the chance.

The Warhawk is a formidable strafing machine with a plentiful ammunition allowance, making it a particularly well suited for the Close Air Support task. Although it lacks a bomb to deal with the heaviest targets it can nevertheless cause grief and disruption against all else including recon vehicles and light tanks. Avoid becoming slow and predictable below 1 km altitude however, as there are plenty of capable AA gunners around.