A new update to the War Thunder series brings with it a seventh nation to the games ambitious line-up of pre and post World War II era aircraft. War Thunder 1.73 adds a half dozen bombers, fighters, attack planes and post-war jets to the tech tree lineup.

Vive La France

France fought for a year during the early parts of World War II. Dubbed the “Phoney War” on the account of lack of action. Nonetheless there were hostilities and the first bomber and fighter missions on the Western front were flown by the French and British air forces.

By June 1940 everything had come crashing down and France had surrendered and become an occupied country. But up until that point there was a busy and interesting aircraft industry – one that resumed post-war and continues to this day.

War Thunder takes some aircraft that had hardly a chance to become refined or used operationally and throws them into the incredible mix of aircraft that the series offers.

Light tech tree but usable

The French tech-tree is a little light compared to the German, Russian, American and British trees but it does have just enough to get started. Bombers include the massive Rank 1 (BR 1.3) Farman F.222.2 bomber and better known types like the D.520 and MS.410. You also get to fly aircraft like the VG.33 which had almost no service life but were about to enter the war.

It’s of course interesting to theorize what might have happened but War Thunder doesn’t go too much further. Had the D.520 or VG.33 had time to be developed like the Spitfire had for example then you may have seen some really interesting aircraft.

For the middle tiers France relies on lend-lease types including the F6F Hellcat and A-35B Vengeance. Finally in the Rank V aircraft feature some early French jets including the Mystère II.

This is an interesting pack featuring aircraft that I have only vaguely read about before. Bringing them to life makes them a little more memorable. To play with the French force right now you need to have bought into a Premium French fighter such as the Dewoitine D.371 H.S.9 ($9.99) or the SO.8000 Narval ($29.99).

Watch the trailer and find out more details here.

Image source: War Thunder website