War Thunder can't be considered as an awesome simulation of all-out state of war if not for the availability of dogfighting or aeriform forces. Those are essentially the cavalry of the modern world--fast, elevated, and majestic. Needless to say, shipping, typically fighter planes, bombers, and helicopters, play a vital office in War Thunder.

While the tank crews toil in the mud below and die in their glorified metal caskets, aces upwardly in the heavens spit fire at each other in a bonfire of celebrity. When doing such a celebrated stunt in warfare, one not only has to expect good but also exist effective. When it comes to that, War Thunder'due south best shipping come up to mind, so get ready to pelting some decease from above with these flying metal beasts.

Updated on October 8, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: In order to determine the best aircraft for each job, players will need to look at their stats, as well as airplane pilot them, to get a sense of their capabilities. The fastest planes in War Thunder may be groovy for hitting-and-runs, only, sometimes, precision and control trump speed when it comes to aerial warfare.

With that said, the best planes and helicopters in War Thunder are those that can deliver unparalleled devastation to enemies and offer much-needed support to allies. Even so, at the stop of the day, ane's piloting skills are the most important factor for victory.

15 EC-665 Tiger HAP

eurocopter-tiger

Helicopters aren't exactly most people's cup of tea or the nigh exciting shipping since they aren't as fast equally planes but they brand for proficient air support for tanks. With their rather express role in combat, they have to at least be flexible enough to maneuver around the battlefield.

For that affair, the Eurocopter 665 Tiger HAP is one flexible bird. Information technology'due south a rank 6 French attack helicopter that was removed from the game'southward shop just then was brought dorsum afterwards several updates. It's a well-rounded helicopter that'south decent in all aspects and is a expert investment for subsequently tiers.

EC-665 Tiger HAP Stats

Max Speed 300 km/h
Max Altitude 4,000 m
Main Weapon 30 mm GIAT M781 cannon
Primary Weapon Max Ammo 450 rounds
Principal Weapon Fire Charge per unit 720 shots per infinitesimal

14 AH-1Z

ah-1z

Now, for those who want the all-time basis set on helicopter: choose the AH-1Z. This attack helicopter is ane of the fastest in the game and tin can achieve heights of up to 6,000 meters, making it relatively safe against anti-helicopter weapons and gunfire.

It does have a slightly lower rating compared to the Eurocopter because the AH-1Z is more of a glass cannon and relies on ground support. It tin't exactly operate independently nigh of the fourth dimension without getting shot downwardly simply the specific assail role it fills in makes information technology an important function of whatever assault.

AH-1Z Stats

Max Speed 411 km/h
Max Distance 6,000 thousand
Principal Weapon xx mm M197 cannon
Main Weapon Max Ammo 750 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 750 shots per minute

xiii B-29A-BN

b29-3

Speaking of specific attack roles, bombers are made for the sole purpose of catastrophe battles and matches in a flash. Non many planes are as successful as the B-29A-BN Superfortress. The proper name says it all; the B29 is a flying monster that's capable of defending itself and ending matches.

The B29 is can wipe out a base in 1 bombing run. Due to its size and how conspicuous it is, it's commonly a prime target for fighter planes. That means it's very much reliant on its own fighter escorts despite having several guns for defense. Many players make information technology a priority to rip apart bombers.

B-29A-BN Stats

Max Speed 641 km/h
Max Altitude 12,000 thou
Main Weapon 12.7 mm M2 Browning motorcar guns (x4)
Main Weapon Max Ammo 4,000 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 750 shots per minute

12 FW 190 A-iv

fw-190a5

The FW 190 A-four is a depression-rank German fighter aeroplane but that doesn't mean it's a pushover. Historically, its nickname is Wurger which means shrike or beast of a plane in English. Seeing the FW 190 in activity, that proper noun is well-earned.

The FW 190 A-4 can destroy enemy fighter planes fast and double as a bomber since it tin have an additional payload. The Wurger tin also carry a lovely multifariousness of special armament that can spell trouble for anyone who doesn't expect incendiary or explosive shells in dogfights.

FW 190 A-four Stats

Max Speed 648 km/h
Max Altitude 12,000 chiliad
Chief Weapon xx mm MG 151 cannon (x2)
Principal Weapon Max Ammo 500 rounds
Main Weapon Burn Charge per unit 700 shots per minute

11 Ho 229 V3

ho-229

For fighter planes, maneuverability and mobility are ofttimes more meaning factors than firepower or protection, especially for skilled players. How else could one pull off some ace moves and dominate the skies? With the Ho 229 V3, that's more than doable than usual.

This Centrality German language airplane boasts a high rating and looks futuristic despite being a WWII craft. Information technology'south the commencement jet in the Luftwaffe tech tree and the experimental nature of this fighter makes it more lightly armed than nearly aircraft. Even and so, it makes upward for it with how fast and evasive information technology can be, plus the intimidation factor associated with the plane's blueprint.

Ho 229 V3 Stats

Max Speed 910 km/h
Max Altitude 12,000 chiliad
Main Weapon xxx mm MK 103 cannon (x2)
Main Weapon Max Ammo 340 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 380 shots per infinitesimal

ten Arado Ar 234 B-ii

WarThunderB-2

One of the earliest planes in State of war Thunder, the Arado Ar 234 B-2 bomber also holds the tape for beingness the showtime-ever jet bomber in the earth, all thanks to German language engineering science back in WWII. As expected, it was a curiosity dorsum in its heyday.

It has a BR of half-dozen.iii and is well-liked by players for being easy to fly--well-nigh effortless. That makes other activities such as doing bombing runs or swoop-bombing easier since players don't have to strain too much in maneuvering this bomber.

Arado Ar 234 B-two Stats

Max Speed 742 km/h
Max Altitude 11,000 one thousand
Main Weapon Only possesses ordnance options
Main Weapon Max Ammo N/a
Main Weapon Burn Rate N/a

9 Sea Meteor F Mk 3

sea-meteor

One of the oldest planes in the game's development, the Sea Meteor has gone through a lot only remains among one of the favorite fighter planes of many players. This one takes a special kind of skill and restraint to pilot, however.

While the Sea Meteor is a fast plane that is capable of outrunning enemies and then resorting to dive counterattacks, the wings will rip off easily at the hands of less experienced pilots. That's why handling it with precision and intendance at high speeds tin pay off if done correct.

Sea Meteor F Mk 3 Stats

Max Speed 927 km/h
Max Altitude 12,500 m
Main Weapon 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon (x4)
Main Weapon Max Ammo 780 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 750 shots per infinitesimal

viii F8F-1B Bearcat

F8F-1

For a WWII plane that can strike fear in the hearts of Axis enemies, expect no further than the Bearcat or aptly called F8F-1B. It'due south the last plane in the single-engine fighter category of the The states Navy co-operative, making information technology one of the well-nigh refined aircraft in the tech tree.

What's even more impressive is that most of the Bearcat'southward enemies are jet fighters because it'southward rank VI with a high battle rating. However, it can duke it out with more advanced planes due to its impressive armaments and fast movements also as impressive acceleration.

F8F-1B Bearcat Stats

Max Speed 708 km/h
Max Distance x,900 chiliad
Main Weapon xx mm M3 cannon (x4)
Master Weapon Max Ammo 836 rounds
Principal Weapon Fire Rate 750 shots per minute

seven Sea Hawk FGA.6

sea_hawk_fga6

The British are some of the nearly practiced builders of impressive aircraft and the Ocean Hawk FGA.6 is a testament to this record. It flew the skies near the end of WWII and is one of U.k.'s earliest jet fighters. In War Thunder, the Sea Militarist FGA.6 is one of the best.

It has a boxing rating of 8.0 and has several roles from beingness a fighter craft to basis support. That'southward all thanks to the high maneuverability of the Sea Hawk. Its brakes allow information technology slow down fast for more precise targeting.

Bounding main Hawk FGA.6 Stats

Max Speed 933 km/h
Max Altitude thirteen,500 m
Main Weapon 20 mm Hispano Mk.Five cannon (x4)
Main Weapon Max Ammo 600 rounds
Principal Weapon Burn Charge per unit 750 shots per minute

half-dozen Yak-3P

yak 3p

This Soviet fighter ranks loftier in many players' lists thanks to being an awesome accommodating fighter aeroplane. Information technology has amazing maneuverability and fearsome weapons that don't hinder much of its speed. Players can't go wrong with this one, particularly those who are relatively new to the game and are looking for versatile aircraft.

The Yak-3P has a battle rating average of 5.3 and has wings with higher durability compared to its Yak cousins. The ruddy paint tin can be a liability when players are looking to avoid enemy eyes, but other than that, it's a pretty solid plane whose merely glaring problem is a poor defense force.

Yak-3P Stats

Max Speed 639 km/h
Max Distance 10,400 k
Primary Weapon 20 mm B-20S cannon (x2)
Primary Weapon Max Ammo 260 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 750 shots per minute

5 G.56

g_56_03

Speaking of expert fighter planes, the Italian K.56 is something that frequently strikes fear in the airspace. Many players love this one and their enemies surely hate the sight of it. It has powerful engines under the hood and can easily win a battle of endurance in mid-to-high altitudes.

The G.56'southward forcefulness lies in how like shooting fish in a barrel information technology is to set up the weapons and initiate some attacks. The big ammo storage also helps a ton in keeping the G.56 in action. A BR of 6.three also makes it viable as a jet fighter hunter.

G.56 Stats

Max Speed 700 km/h
Max Altitude ten,360 1000
Main Weapon 20 mm MG 151 cannon (x3)
Main Weapon Max Ammo 800 rounds
Principal Weapon Fire Charge per unit 700 shots per minute

4 F-4C Phantom II

f_4_phantom_2

Looking for a expert late-game jet airplane? Then go out it to the Usa of A to bring some iconic summit guns right at your hangar. The F-4C Phantom Ii is ane of the best planes the land has to offering in State of war Thunder. It comes in a BR of 10.7.

The F-4C Phantom Two is quite the workhorse for the US Navy and is unique as a jet plane due to its size without sacrificing too much of its other aspects. Hence, it's a fighter/bomber hybrid capable of shining in multiple categories of aerial combat and purposes.

F-4C Phantom II Stats

Max Speed 2,288 km/h
Max Altitude 16,000 m
Main Weapon Many armament options
Primary Weapon Max Ammo Depends on chosen armament
Main Weapon Fire Rate Depends on chosen ammunition

3 Spitfire F MK 24

spitifre-f.-mk.-24

The Spitfire was a formidable aircraft of the RAF back in WWII and pretty much held the Luftwaffe at bay. 1 of its finest iterations in War Thunder is the Mk 24 which is a fine upgrade from the Mk 22. The Mk 24 boasts a higher-performing engine with a significant output of horsepower.

It makes the speedy Spitfire into a nigh-untouchable scourge of the skies. When information technology comes to dogfighting, players have to have reward of the Spitfire's superior speed and dispatch to win. Other types of victory such every bit one that relies purely on armaments might turn out differently, which is why the Spitfire is a fun airplane to airplane pilot.

Spitfire F MK 24 Stats

Max Speed 753 km/h
Max Altitude 11,800 m
Main Weapon 20 mm Hispano Mk.Ii cannon (x4)
Principal Weapon Max Ammo 650 rounds
Main Weapon Fire Rate 600 shots per minute

ii Bf 109 K-2

bf-109

When purchasing military hardware in War Thunder, well-nigh will want something that tin can fill in many roles because, let'south face it, that's a cheaper style to practise it. That's why planes similar the Bf 109 G-2 or its variants are in-demand and quite popular for the meta.

It's an aircraft that tin fill in many roles. It can intercept bombers and fifty-fifty become a bomber itself. However, the Bf 109 G-2 is all-time used equally a fighter, and in that role; this Centrality plane shines with its accurate and deadly armaments also as the emergency maneuvers and laudable distance speeds.

Bf 109 Grand-2 Stats

Max Speed 696 km/h
Max Altitude 10,360 m
Main Weapon 20 mm MG 151 cannon
Master Weapon Max Ammo 200 rounds
Principal Weapon Burn Rate 700 shots per minute

i F-86F-2

war-thunder-jet

Every aircraft role player in War Thunder volition eventually want their own jet aeroplane at some point and for loftier-tier matches. In such cases, the F-86F-2 is one of the nigh standard choices due to its versatility and loftier win rate.

This variant of the F-86F-25 has better guns and can cook enemy planes pretty fast. It does crave some careful aiming and command as the guns overheat fast. Nevertheless, in the right hands, the F-86F-2 can wipe out an entire squad of fighter planes gracefully and tin can brand an ace out of a actor who understands it.

F-86F-2 Stats

Max Speed one,106 km/h
Max Altitude 14,700 m
Chief Weapon twenty mm FMC T-160 cannon (x4)
Chief Weapon Max Ammo 460 rounds
Main Weapon Burn Rate i,500 shots per infinitesimal

State of war Thunder is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Serial X, and Xbox Series S.

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