Matthew Sylvan0
I-3 F3
The I-3 has many other variants, this being the latest, the F3 low-altitude dogfighter.
The F3
All production F3s have clipped wings for low altitude dogfighting (it increases the roll rate and acceleration due to lower drag but sacrifices some of the aircrafts's rate of climb), are fitted with a shorter fuselage and a smaller displacement engine than the original, a modified Hispano-Suiza 8F which has been optimised for high air-density low-altitude operation (up to 3000-4000m).
The heart of the machine, a Hispano-Suiza 8G(T) is a 18.47l supercharged V8 DOHC engine (the DOHC design allows for the optimum placement of the spark plug which, in turn, improves combustion efficiency and reduces fuel consumption). The 8G is rated at 375hp. With this, the F3 has a maximum speed of 246km/h at sea level. With this engine the aircraft could be faster, however, it compensates for it by having amazing acceleration instead, which is essential in turn-fighting where planes bleed energy quite fast.
It mounts two 13.2mm machineguns
Before I get all the flak, I can back up these numbers.
I-3 F3
The I-3 has many other variants, this being the latest, the F3 low-altitude dogfighter.
The F3
All production F3s have clipped wings for low altitude dogfighting (it increases the roll rate and acceleration due to lower drag but sacrifices some of the aircrafts's rate of climb), are fitted with a shorter fuselage and a smaller displacement engine than the original, a modified Hispano-Suiza 8F which has been optimised for high air-density low-altitude operation (up to 3000-4000m).
The heart of the machine, a Hispano-Suiza 8G(T) is a 18.47l supercharged V8 DOHC engine (the DOHC design allows for the optimum placement of the spark plug which, in turn, improves combustion efficiency and reduces fuel consumption). The 8G is rated at 375hp. With this, the F3 has a maximum speed of 246km/h at sea level. With this engine the aircraft could be faster, however, it compensates for it by having amazing acceleration instead, which is essential in turn-fighting where planes bleed energy quite fast.
It mounts two 13.2mm machineguns
Before I get all the flak, I can back up these numbers.