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--fast, elevated, and majestic. Needless to say, aircraft, typically fighter planes, bombers, and helicopters, play a vital role in War Thunder.
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 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 pilot them, to get a sense of their capabilities. The fastest planes in War Thunder may be great for hit-and-runs, but, 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 destruction to enemies and offer much-needed support to allies. However, at the end of the day, one's piloting skills are the most important factor for victory.
15 EC-665 Tiger HAP
Helicopters aren't exactly most people's cup of tea or the most exciting aircraft since they aren't as fast 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 to maneuver around the battlefield.
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.
EC-665 Tiger HAP Stats
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Max Speed |
300 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
4,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
30 mm GIAT M781 cannon |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
450 rounds |
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Main Weapon Fire Rate |
720 shots per minute |
14 AH-1Z
Now, for those who want the best ground attack helicopter: choose 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.
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.
AH-1Z Stats
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Max Speed |
411 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
6,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
20 mm M197 cannon |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
750 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
13 B-29A-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 B-29A-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.
B-29A-BN Stats
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Max Speed |
641 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
12,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns (x4) |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
4,000 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
12 FW 190 A-4
The FW 190 A-4 is a low-rank 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.
The FW 190 A-4 can destroy enemy fighter planes fast and double as a bomber since it can have an additional payload. The Wurger 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.
FW 190 A-4 Stats
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Max Speed |
648 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
12,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
20 mm MG 151 cannon (x2) |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
500 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
700 shots per minute |
11 Ho 229 V3
For fighter planes, maneuverability and mobility are often more significant 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 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.
Ho 229 V3 Stats
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Max Speed |
910 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
12,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
30 mm MK 103 cannon (x2) |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
340 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
380 shots per minute |
10 Arado Ar 234 B-2
One of the earliest planes in War Thunder, the Arado Ar 234 B-2 bomber also holds the record for being the first-ever jet bomber in the world, all thanks to German engineering back in WWII. As expected, it was a marvel back in its heyday.
It has a BR of 6.3 and is well-liked by players for being easy to fly--almost effortless. That makes other activities such as doing bombing runs or dive-bombing easier since players don't have to strain too much in maneuvering this bomber.
Arado Ar 234 B-2 Stats
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Max Speed |
742 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
11,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
Only possesses ordnance options |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
N/a |
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Main Weapon Fire Rate |
N/a |
9 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.
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.
Sea Meteor F Mk 3 Stats
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Max Speed |
927 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
12,500 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon (x4) |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
780 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
8 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 impressive acceleration.
F8F-1B Bearcat Stats
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Max Speed |
708 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
10,900 m |
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Main Weapon |
20 mm M3 cannon (x4) |
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Main Weapon Max Ammo |
836 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
7 Sea Hawk FGA.6
The British are some of the most proficient builders of impressive aircraft and the Sea Hawk FGA.6 is a testament to this record. It flew the skies near the end of WWII and is one of Britain's earliest jet fighters. In War Thunder, the Sea Hawk FGA.6 is one of the best.
It has a battle rating of 8.0 and has several roles from being a fighter craft to ground support. That's all thanks to the high maneuverability of the Sea Hawk. Its brakes let it slow down fast for more precise targeting.
Sea Hawk FGA.6 Stats
|
Max Speed |
933 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
13,500 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon (x4) |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
600 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
6 Yak-3P
This Soviet fighter ranks high in many players' lists thanks to being an awesome all-around fighter plane. It 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 red paint can be a liability when players are looking to avoid enemy eyes, but other than that, it's a pretty solid plane whose only glaring problem is a poor defense.
Yak-3P Stats
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Max Speed |
639 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
10,400 m |
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Main Weapon |
20 mm B-20S cannon (x2) |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
260 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
750 shots per minute |
5 G.56
Speaking of good fighter planes, the Italian G.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's strength lies in how easy it is to set up the weapons and initiate some attacks. The large ammo storage also helps a ton in keeping the G.56 in action. A BR of 6.3 also makes it viable as a jet fighter hunter.
G.56 Stats
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Max Speed |
700 km/h |
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Max Altitude |
10,360 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm MG 151 cannon (x3) |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
800 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
700 shots per minute |
4 F-4C Phantom II
Looking for a good late-game jet plane? Then leave it to the US of A to bring some iconic top guns right at your hangar. The F-4C Phantom II is one of the best planes the country has to offer in War Thunder. It comes in a BR of 10.7.
The F-4C Phantom II 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
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Max Speed |
2,288 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
16,000 m |
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Main Weapon |
Many armament options |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
Depends on chosen armament |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
Depends on chosen armament |
3 Spitfire F 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-performing engine with a significant output of horsepower.
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.
Spitfire F MK 24 Stats
|
Max Speed |
753 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
11,800 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon (x4) |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
650 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
600 shots per minute |
2 Bf 109 G-2
When purchasing military hardware in War Thunder, most 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 G-2 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, the Bf 109 G-2 is 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.
Bf 109 G-2 Stats
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Max Speed |
696 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
10,360 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm MG 151 cannon |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
200 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
700 shots per minute |
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.
F-86F-2 Stats
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Max Speed |
1,106 km/h |
|
Max Altitude |
14,700 m |
|
Main Weapon |
20 mm FMC T-160 cannon (x4) |
|
Main Weapon Max Ammo |
460 rounds |
|
Main Weapon Fire Rate |
1,500 shots per minute |
War Thunder is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.