In War Thunder’s upcoming major update 1.71 “New E.R.A”, pilots will have the chance to try out the worthy successor to the legendary D3A carrier dive bomber. Welcome two versions of Japan’s best late-war naval dive bomber - the D4Y Suisei!

The D4Y series of aircraft were developed by the Japanese in the late 1930s as a replacement for the aging D3A naval dive bomber. Although the initial plan was to replace the legendary D3A with the Heinkel He-118, this option was quickly discarded once the German candidate proved itself unsuitable. Once Japanese engineers acquired license copies of the German DB601A engine, they started working on their own design, taking inspiration from the failed German design. The new aircraft, designated D4Y Suisei first took flight in December 1940 and subsequently entered serial production after successfully passing testing in 1942.





Keep your eyes peeled for two new additions coming to the Japanese air forces research tree, along with others, in the next major update 1.71 “New E.R.A”! Stay tuned!

For more information, read the Full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

In War Thunder’s upcoming major update 1.71 “New E.R.A”, pilots will have the chance to try out the worthy successor to the legendary D3A carrier dive bomber. Welcome two versions of Japan’s best late-war naval dive bomber - the D4Y Suisei!

The D4Y series of aircraft were developed by the Japanese in the late 1930s as a replacement for the aging D3A naval dive bomber. Although the initial plan was to replace the legendary D3A with the Heinkel He-118, this option was quickly discarded once the German candidate proved itself unsuitable. Once Japanese engineers acquired license copies of the German DB601A engine, they started working on their own design, taking inspiration from the failed German design. The new aircraft, designated D4Y Suisei first took flight in December 1940 and subsequently entered serial production after successfully passing testing in 1942.





Keep your eyes peeled for two new additions coming to the Japanese air forces research tree, along with others, in the next major update 1.71 “New E.R.A”! Stay tuned!

For more information, read the Full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

The H variant of the famous P-51 Mustang was the most technologically advanced, top-performing and final mass-produced Mustang modification of the series. Although this version of the legendary American piston-engined fighter arrived too late to take part in any hostilities during WW2, War Thunder pilots can look forward to pitting the arguably best Mustang version against its contemporaries in the upcoming update 1.71 “New E.R.A”!

In early 1945, American engineers began testing a new lightweight modification of the P-51 Mustang, which promised a significant increase in performance compared to the standard P-51D. The new P-51H, as it would be designated, received a number of changes to both airframe and powerplant, allowing it to outperform the older D modification in almost every aspect. For starters, the engineers replaced the old Packard V-1650-7 1,315 horsepower engine with the new V-1650-9, capable of delivering over 2,220 horsepower with WEP engaged. Furthermore, the fuselage was stretched out and the air intake underneath the cockpit streamlined. New tailfins were installed and the height of the vertical tail was increased, all of which resulted in a positive impact to the aircraft’s flight stability. Once all the changes were applied, the new and improved P-51H took to the skies for her maiden flight on 3rd February 1945.





Soon, all War Thunder pilots will be able to try out one of the fastest piston-engined production aircraft ever built for the American air force in the upcoming update 1.71 “New E.R.A”! Clear prop!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

The H variant of the famous P-51 Mustang was the most technologically advanced, top-performing and final mass-produced Mustang modification of the series. Although this version of the legendary American piston-engined fighter arrived too late to take part in any hostilities during WW2, War Thunder pilots can look forward to pitting the arguably best Mustang version against its contemporaries in the upcoming update 1.71 “New E.R.A”!

In early 1945, American engineers began testing a new lightweight modification of the P-51 Mustang, which promised a significant increase in performance compared to the standard P-51D. The new P-51H, as it would be designated, received a number of changes to both airframe and powerplant, allowing it to outperform the older D modification in almost every aspect. For starters, the engineers replaced the old Packard V-1650-7 1,315 horsepower engine with the new V-1650-9, capable of delivering over 2,220 horsepower with WEP engaged. Furthermore, the fuselage was stretched out and the air intake underneath the cockpit streamlined. New tailfins were installed and the height of the vertical tail was increased, all of which resulted in a positive impact to the aircraft’s flight stability. Once all the changes were applied, the new and improved P-51H took to the skies for her maiden flight on 3rd February 1945.





Soon, all War Thunder pilots will be able to try out one of the fastest piston-engined production aircraft ever built for the American air force in the upcoming update 1.71 “New E.R.A”! Clear prop!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

Developed as part of a family of British lightly armoured fighting vehicles, the FV102 Striker served as an ATGM missile carrier with the British army right up until the early 2000s. Although being only recently retired from active service, the Striker is far from ready to enter full retirement yet. In fact, he’s getting ready to soon join the fight against some of the top-performing steel beasts in War Thunder’s 1.71 Update!

In the mid 1960s, the UK began work on developing a new light tank, the FV 101 Scorpion. However, what was initially planned to be a standalone project, soon became the lead vehicle of a whole family of lightly armoured tracked vehicles. The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), or CVR(T), family consisted of seven vehicles based around the same chassis, which fulfilled various roles within the British army, ranging from scouting and reconnaissance to troop transport. Since all of the vehicles were based off the same chassis and powerplant, service and maintenance was cheap and easy, with spare parts always being available. In addition to cheap maintenance, this development choice allowed for the interchangeability of certain parts between different vehicles of the family, such as the engine and undercarriage, among others. CVR(T) vehicles were conceived in such a way that they would be able to follow and support infantry troops, no matter what the terrain or climate conditions were. Thus it’s also not surprising that vehicles of this class, thanks to their small size and weight, were even able to be transported by air as well.





The FV102 Striker will join the top ranks of the British ground forces tree as the successor of the FV438 Swingfire in the upcoming 1.71 update for War Thunder. See you there!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

Developed as part of a family of British lightly armoured fighting vehicles, the FV102 Striker served as an ATGM missile carrier with the British army right up until the early 2000s. Although being only recently retired from active service, the Striker is far from ready to enter full retirement yet. In fact, he’s getting ready to soon join the fight against some of the top-performing steel beasts in War Thunder’s 1.71 Update!

In the mid 1960s, the UK began work on developing a new light tank, the FV 101 Scorpion. However, what was initially planned to be a standalone project, soon became the lead vehicle of a whole family of lightly armoured tracked vehicles. The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), or CVR(T), family consisted of seven vehicles based around the same chassis, which fulfilled various roles within the British army, ranging from scouting and reconnaissance to troop transport. Since all of the vehicles were based off the same chassis and powerplant, service and maintenance was cheap and easy, with spare parts always being available. In addition to cheap maintenance, this development choice allowed for the interchangeability of certain parts between different vehicles of the family, such as the engine and undercarriage, among others. CVR(T) vehicles were conceived in such a way that they would be able to follow and support infantry troops, no matter what the terrain or climate conditions were. Thus it’s also not surprising that vehicles of this class, thanks to their small size and weight, were even able to be transported by air as well.





The FV102 Striker will join the top ranks of the British ground forces tree as the successor of the FV438 Swingfire in the upcoming 1.71 update for War Thunder. See you there!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

In the upcoming War Thunder update 1.71 “New E.R.A.” we present two new fighters and a complete remodeling of the legendary Corsair series.

The F4U-4 and F4U-4b were developed during WWII based on the combat experience of the previous versions of this carrier-based fighter aircraft. Modernisation led to a significant boost in speed and max altitude, as well as improved attack capabilities. The F4U-4, armed with reliable .50 calibre guns, and the F4U-4b autocannon-armed variant, both received the new R-2800-18W engine and huge four-bladed propellers. A new weapon carriage system allowed the Corsair to easily transform into a highly effective ground striker, and the modifications also allowed it to take on the role as a fast fighter-bomber.





Also, we have completely remodelled the entire F4U Corsair series in-game. Make sure you see how stunningly beautiful they have become in the upcoming War Thunder update 1.71 “New E.R.A.”! See you there!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

In the upcoming War Thunder update 1.71 “New E.R.A.” we present two new fighters and a complete remodeling of the legendary Corsair series.

The F4U-4 and F4U-4b were developed during WWII based on the combat experience of the previous versions of this carrier-based fighter aircraft. Modernisation led to a significant boost in speed and max altitude, as well as improved attack capabilities. The F4U-4, armed with reliable .50 calibre guns, and the F4U-4b autocannon-armed variant, both received the new R-2800-18W engine and huge four-bladed propellers. A new weapon carriage system allowed the Corsair to easily transform into a highly effective ground striker, and the modifications also allowed it to take on the role as a fast fighter-bomber.





Also, we have completely remodelled the entire F4U Corsair series in-game. Make sure you see how stunningly beautiful they have become in the upcoming War Thunder update 1.71 “New E.R.A.”! See you there!

For more information, read the full Dev Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

In honor of Lavochkin’s Birthday, the rare La-174 - Soviet jet fighter designed by Lavochkin is available for research and purchase!

On September 11th, 1900 the famous Soviet aircraft designer Semyon Alekseevich Lavochkin was born. Many iconic aircraft, such as the LaGG-3 were designed under his leadership and served with many Soviet pilots during the first half of the World War II. This included the famous La-5 series and up, to some of the first Soviet jets, the advanced La-11 and La-15 fighters. The prototype of those jet aircraft was known under the name "La-174".

Note : In order to obtain and keep the aircraft after the 18th of September, you need not only to research the aircraft, but also to purchase it.

The War Thunder Team

In honor of Lavochkin’s Birthday, the rare La-174 - Soviet jet fighter designed by Lavochkin is available for research and purchase!

On September 11th, 1900 the famous Soviet aircraft designer Semyon Alekseevich Lavochkin was born. Many iconic aircraft, such as the LaGG-3 were designed under his leadership and served with many Soviet pilots during the first half of the World War II. This included the famous La-5 series and up, to some of the first Soviet jets, the advanced La-11 and La-15 fighters. The prototype of those jet aircraft was known under the name "La-174".

Note : In order to obtain and keep the aircraft after the 18th of September, you need not only to research the aircraft, but also to purchase it.

The War Thunder Team