Press (1) to activate the engine. Press (2) and throttle up in order to fold the wings. The Pummeler was originally designed as a fighter, and when it came time for the Pilotmario Navy to adopt a fighter, the cash-strapped carrier program decided to adapt it as a carrierborne fighter as the Mk 1. The type proved adept to the conditions of naval aviation. However, it was realized that the Navy needed more fighter wings on their carriers, and the only solution was to make the fighters smaller. The Navy eventually added folding wings to the type, allowing an extra squadron to embark. To extend range, a provision for a drop tank was added.
It was this variant which proved its effectiveness as an attack plane. Due to budgetary concerns, the Navy was unable to procure dedicated attack aircraft, and reluctantly thrust the Pummeler into this role. It proved surprisingly effective, especially in dive-bombing. It was in an attack against the port of Athens known as the First Athens Raid where the type proved its value as an attack plane. 60 Pummelers from the carriers Paternia, Barracuda Island, and President Zachary Victoria III, struck in the afternoon, striking the dry docks. Despite the intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, they were able to destroy three out of four dry docks capable of berthning a capital ship and damage the fourth. They lost three aircraft, and the raid was considered an astounding success.
Pilotmario Marines in Salamis Point found the type effective in a tactical role as well. Navy Pummelers operating from Marine runways alongside Marine anti-tank teams and armor responsible for the destruction of the 1st Armored Division in the counterattack. Standing against them were five Pummelers from the Paternia, as well as 17th Company of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Division, totalling 300 infantry, ten anti-tank guns, and ten tanks. Of the 110 tanks and 3,000 infantry the Olympians committed, 79 were destroyed and 2,000 casualties were sustained when they attempted to engage the Marines without their tanks. The Marines lost one tank, three guns, and 7 men.
The Navy Pummelers soldiered on longer, due to Navy concerns with the Hawk. The Navy did eventually adopt the Hawk, but retained the Pummelers at attack aircraft until the introduction of the Hummingbird.
The Air Force took note, but did nothing until they began replacing their Pummelers with Hawks, and were left with a large number of perfectly good airplanes. Before, they had a capability gap in terms of close air support, fielding few attack aircraft of value. With large numbers of lightly-used Pummeler airframes and reports of their effectiveness as ground attack types, many were converted into the Pummeler Attack Mk 2, giving this aircraft a new lease on life, where it became legendary for its precision and firepower, and gained a cult following and its status as a symbol of the Pilotmario Republic's armed forces. The type continues to serve the Pilotmario Republic well.
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Predecessor Pummeler A-1B
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 34.3ft (10.4m)
- Length 25.8ft (7.9m)
- Height 11.8ft (3.6m)
- Empty Weight 5,777lbs (2,620kg)
- Loaded Weight 9,425lbs (4,275kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.212
- Wing Loading 42.4lbs/ft2 (207.0kg/m2)
- Wing Area 222.3ft2 (20.7m2)
- Drag Points 2412
Parts
- Number of Parts 64
- Control Surfaces 7
- Performance Cost 341
Short answer: Not soon. @Glaceon
The type has been out of Pilotmario Navy service for decades, excluding Marine aircraft. The PAF has not used the type as a fighter for decades, although it is not uncommon for Pummeler wings to report aerial victories, mostly against drones, aerial intruders and the like.
But as an attack plane? Not in the short term. The Mk 4 Pummeler has the highest mission readiness rate for any airplane in the PAF at 95%. Second place is the Mk 2 Pummeler at 92%. That means 93.5% of all PAF Pummelers are ready to fly missions. In contrast, the Dart has a 77% readiness rate, the Hummingbird a 83% rate, the Provider II a 88% readiness rate, the Endurance heavy bomber with an 80.2% readiness rate, the Viper with a 71% readiness rate, and the Renegade II with a 61% readiness rate.
To operate one Pummeler on average on regular missions will set you back $9,000 a year. To operate a Boar, Provider II, or Hummingbird will set you back $21,000 a year. To operate one Viper on average will set you back $75,000 a year. The operating cost of a Renegade II costs $1,521,000 a year, comparable to the Endurance Heavy bomber or Provisioner II.
As for its combat effectiveness, Punmeler pilots were able to achieve similar levels of precision in ground strike with rockets as the Boar and the Hummingbird with missiles. It costs the PAF $7,700 to launch a full salvo from a rocket pod. An Inferno missile will set you back at $117,000 a pop. The only advantage an Inferno missile has its its greater standoff capability. Of any warplane available, commanders request the Pummeler the most. In addition to its precision, it is also one of the most intimidating airplanes. Even when out of munitions, Pummeler pilots often make passes at enemy troops in order to scare them into cover or retreat, allowing ground troops to advance.
Why would we replace our most cost effective warplane so soon? It does its job well and with high effectiveness, readiness, and at a low cost. Many planes have been proposed to replace it, but none have succeeded completely. The closest to a Pummeler replacement was the Boar, which was designed with Pummeler pilot input. The only reason why it does not see more widespread service is due to its higher unit cost, although it is still cheaper than a fighter. @Glaceon
@Pilotmario Tis is going to be replaced eventually right xD
@Glaceon When you have an adaptable airframe that has been in service for 50+ years, there will be dozens of variants.
It's my go-to plane for testing airplane-related things out. In fact, for my gold rank celebration, I was considering recoloring a Pummeler in gold. However, I decided to make a golden gun.
Too many variants xD