In the early Cold War era, the Belgian Air Force (Force Aérienne Belge, FAB) faced the challenge of modernizing its fighter fleet to meet escalating NATO air defence demands. During the 1950s, Belgium operated subsonic fighters such as the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak and the Hunter F.6, which were increasingly seen as inadequate against emerging high-speed threats. In response, NATO initiated a coordinated effort to equip several of its European members with a supersonic multi-role platform capable of both interception and tactical strike duties. Belgium opted to join this programme by selecting the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, a derivative of the original Lockheed F-104 designed with enhancements tailored for European operations.
The idea of a universal platform, one that can be adapted to a wide range of missions, has long captivated armored-vehicle designers. Vehicles like the M113 APC and the Marder and Warrior IFVs were conceived from the outset as the foundations for entire families of fighting machines. Their upgrade potential was baked in at the drawing-board stage.
The Mirage IIIC is an iconic French single-seat delta-wing jet fighter from the late 1950s. The aircraft is highly maneuverable with excellent flight performance, capable of flying at supersonic speeds at any altitude. Its primary armament consists of two 30mm DEFA cannons and air-to-air missiles, initially carrying only one Matra R530 radar-guided missile while later versions could also carry two AIM-9B or Magic 1 IR-guided missiles. For its time, the Mirage IIIC was equipped with a very modern radar, the Cyrano Ibis. This was the first radar in the world capable of automatically slewing its antenna onto a target, which meant that the pilot simply had to press a button, and the radar would acquire and lock onto the target. This reduced the workload of the pilot drastically, which is always of crucial importance in actual combat engagements.
In addition to playing on monitors, the PC version of War Thunder supports virtual reality (VR) devices. All modes are available with VR devices, but playing aircraft is the best way to play. Pilots have access to hundreds of detailed cockpits, and with the addition of throttle and control stick controllers, you'll have a full-fledged aviation simulator at home!
The CV 9035NL is a Dutch variant of the CV90 series Infantry Fighting Vehicle, produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds and developed from the Mk III platform. The vehicle was ordered by the Royal Netherlands Army in the early 2000s, with deliveries beginning around 2007. It is equipped with a 35 mm Bushmaster III automatic cannon and features advanced fire-control, thermals, and a laser rangefinder.
The British Fairey Swordfish bomber, remembered by history under its ironic nickname “Stringbag,” became one of the most striking paradoxes of World War 2. By 1939, this fabric-covered biplane with an open cockpit and fixed landing gear looked hopelessly obsolete. Yet it was precisely this slow, ungainly machine that went on to write some of the brightest chapters in naval warfare history.
The vast majority of piston aircraft use a pulling propeller layout. Pushers are far less common. But the most exotic configuration of all is the so-called “push-pull” design, with propellers mounted both in the nose and at the tail. Today’s subject is exactly such a machine: the unique Dutch fighter Fokker D.XXIII. Only a single prototype was ever built.
