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The NI-18 Dove is a fictional post war multirole fighter designed loosely off of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Hawker Sea Fury. Officially, the Dove is classified as a carrier-borne 'naval Interceptor'. This classification is due to the intended role of bomber and ship interception and it's use as a defensive weapon for a carrier group. However, the NI-18 is more than capable as a multirole fighter.

The design of the NI-18 is a combination of two prototype models, Type-15 and Type-17. The landing gear is taken from the Type-15 and the main body, cockpit layout, and engine are taken from the Type-17.

Type-15 Prototype

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Type-17/ BI-17 prototype

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Cockpit Interior

FCS, Radar, & Targetlink

Search Range: 8 km

Azimuth: 120 Degrees

Altitude: 60 Degrees

Max Targets: 1

The Dove carries a short range search radar used for acquiring bombers. It is quite underpowered and can only see one aircraft at a time. It has a horizontal range of 120 degrees and vertical range of 60 degrees

The Targetlink to the right of the radar screen tells the pilot the relative location of an aircraft in the area. It does not provide specific info about the targeted aircraft and only provides information when it is within 20 km of the NI-18.

The Fire Control System is to the left of the radar screen and is used for selecting weapons and switching targets.

Armament

4 ITM-65 Missiles

Max Range: 8.2 km

Max Speed: Mach 1.4

Explosion Multiplier: 0.8

Burn Time: 30 sec

A short range Interception missile which uses a hybrid system of Infrared and Radar to silently lock onto aircraft without notice. It is a first generation missile and is not great for dogfighting.
"Sneeki Breeki."

2 APAC-37 Autocannons

Impact Damage: 120-140

Explosion Damage: 200

Gun Convergence: ~1100 Meters

Fast firing autocannons with a quite powerful punch. Use Action Group 3 to switch the fuse type from impact or proximity.
"That's a lot of damage."

2 HT-125 Heavy Torpedoes

Explosion Multiplier: 1.25

One of the roles that the Dove covers is ship interception. The HT-125 is generally for defeating smaller frigates or destroyers rather than carriers. They are also quite heavy at 200 kg each, so it's recommended to jettison them before intercepting bombers.
"Boom, times two!"

Oh yeah, there's also two nose mounted guns if you want to use those.

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Max Speed: 750 kph (466 mph)
Never Exceed Speed: 980 kph (609 mph) or Mach 0.8
Stall Speed: 162 kph (100 mph)
Absolute Ceiling: ~11,200 Meters (36,800 Feet)
Maximum Range: 800 km (500 Miles)
Max Sustained Gs: 10g

Our engineering department has been experimenting with Funky Trees to create a variable thrust engine that responds to airspeed and altitude.

Nerd Stuff

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On takeoff use half flaps and 100% throttle. Rotate at 200 kph and climb at 10 degrees until 300 kph.

Do not use the catapult when on the USS Beast. To take off use full flaps instead of half.

On landing use full flaps and about 20% to 30% throttle. Landing speed should be at 190 kph with a vertical speed of -4 m/s

Using more than half flaps at speeds greater than 300 kph will extend the airbrakes to ensure that they don't rip off.

The Zenith engine is float carbureted and cannot perform maneuvers more than -1g. The engine also cuts out at +10g to avoid flooding in the pistons.

To use the ITM-65 Missiles the pilot can select them in the weapon menu or by selecting them while pointing directly at the intended target. The targeting square will become white when the target is locked.

Action Groups

AG1 Nav Lights
AG2 Master Arm
AG3 Fuse Type (Impact or Proximity)
AG4 Arresting Hook
AG5 Wing Folding
AG6 Torpedo Jettison
AG7 Missile Jettison
AG8 Stability Assist

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A NI-18 and NI-18T flying in formation

Damaged NI-18

Taking off from the USS Beast

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