War Thunder can't be considered as an awesome simulation of all-out war if not for the availability of dogfighting or aerial forces. Those are essentially the cavalry of the modern world-- unfair, elevated, and majestic. Needless to say, aircraft, typically fighter planes, bombers, and helicopters, play a vital role in War Thunder.
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While the tank crews toil in the mud below and die in their glorified metal caskets, aces up in the heavens spit fire at each other in a blaze of glory. When doing such a celebrated stunt in warfare, one not only has to look good but also be effective. When it comes to that, War Thunder's best aircraft come to mind, so get ready to rain some death from above with these bogeys.
10 EC-665 Tiger HAP
Helicopters aren't exactly the best or the most exciting aircraft since they can't perform as great as planes but they make for good air support for tanks. With their rather limited role in combat, they have to at least be flexible enough.
For that matter, the Eurocopter 665 Tiger HAP is one flexible bird. It's a rank VI French attack helicopter that was removed from the game's store but then was brought back after several updates. It's a well-rounded helicopter that's decent in all aspects and is a good investment for later tiers.
9 AH-1Z
Now, for those who want the best ground attack helicopter, then the AH-1Z. This attack helicopter is one of the fastest in the game and can reach heights of up to 6,000 meters, making it relatively safe against anti-helicopter weapons and gunfire.
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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 can't exactly operate independently most of the time without getting shot down but the specific attack role it fills in makes it an important part of any assault.
8 B29A-BN
Speaking of specific attack roles, bombers are made for the sole purpose of ending battles and matches in a flash. Not many planes are as successful as the B29A-BN Superfortress. The 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 one bombing run. Due to its size and how conspicuous it is, it's usually 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 it a priority to rip apart bombers.
7 FW 190 A-4
The FW 190 A-4 is a low-rank or tier German fighter plane 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 action, that name is well-earned.
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The Wurger can destroy enemy fighter planes fast and double as a bomber since it can have an additional payload. The FW 190 can also carry a lovely variety of special ammunition that can spell trouble for anyone who doesn't expect incendiary or explosive shells in dogfights.
6 Ho 229
For fighter planes, maneuverability and mobility is often a more significant factor than firepower or protection, especially for skilled players. How else could you pull off some ace moves and dominate the skies? With the Ho 229, that's more doable than usual.
This Axis German plane boasts a high rating and looks futuristic despite being a WWII craft. It's the first jet in the Luftwaffe tech tree and the experimental nature of this fighter makes it more lightly armed than most aircraft. Even so, it makes up for it with how fast and evasive it can be, plus the intimidation factor associated with the plane's design.
5 Sea Meteor F Mk. 3
One of the oldest planes in the game's development, the Sea Meteor has gone through a lot but remains among one of the favorite fighter planes of many players. This one takes a special kind of skill and restraint to pilot, however.
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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 care at high speeds can pay off if done right.
4 F8F-1B Bearcat
For a WWII plane that can strike fear in the hearts of Axis enemies, look no further than the Bearcat or aptly called F8F-1B. It's the last plane in the single-engine fighter category of the US Navy branch, making it one of the most refined aircraft in the tech tree.
What's even more impressive is that most of the Bearcat's enemies are jet fighters because it's 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 as well as an impressive acceleration.
3 Spitfire MK. 24
The Spitfire was a formidable aircraft of the RAF back in WWII and pretty much held the Luftwaffe at bay. One 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 performance engine with a significant output in horsepower.
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It makes the speedy Spitfire into a nigh-untouchable scourge of the skies. When it comes to dogfighting, players have to take advantage of the Spitfire's superior speed and acceleration to win. Other types of victory such as one that relies purely on armaments might turn out differently which is why the Spitfire is a fun plane to pilot.
2 BF 109-G2
When purchasing military hardware in War Thunder, most of you will want something that can fill in many roles because let's face it, that's a cheaper way to do it. That's why planes like the BF 109-G2 or its variants are in-demand and quite popular for the meta.
It's an aircraft that can fill in many roles. It can intercept bombers and even become a bomber itself. However, it's best used as a fighter and in that role, this Axis plane shines with its accurate and deadly armaments as well as the emergency maneuvers and commendable altitude speeds.
1 F-86F-2
Every aircraft player in War Thunder will eventually want their own jet plane at some point and for high-tier matches. In such cases, the F-86F-2 is one of the most standard choices due to its versatility and high win rate.
This variant of the F-86F-25 has better guns and can melt enemy planes pretty fast. It does require some careful aiming and control as the guns overheat fast. Nevertheless, in the right hands, the F-86F-2 can wipe out an entire team of fighter planes gracefully and can make an ace out of a player who understands it.