Mastering the skies is central to the War Thunder experience, and understanding how to unlock planes is the first step toward becoming a formidable pilot. The game boasts an extensive roster of historical aircraft, each requiring a specific progression path to access. This process is designed to mirror the development of real-world aviation technology, ensuring that players earn their wings through dedication and skill. By following the correct procedures, you can efficiently build your hangar without wasting time or resources.
Grinding Through the Tech Tree
The primary method for unlocking aircraft is progressing through the Research Tree, a branching hierarchy that organizes planes by nation and rank. To advance, you must complete research on a parent aircraft before accessing its direct successors. This often involves flying lower-tier planes to accumulate the necessary experience points (XP). The most efficient approach is to select a main battle tank or ship to grind on the ground or sea, allowing you to collect Research Points (RP) without actively piloting a plane. These RP can then be used to fast-track the unlocking of aircraft components or entire planes while you focus on other vehicles.
Leveraging Free Experience
Every time you finish a battle, whether in victory or defeat, you earn Free Experience (FEXP) for your commander. This universal currency is distinct from Squadron Experience (XP), which is specific to individual aircraft. FEXP is crucial for unlocking planes because it allows you to instantly train your crew to the required rank for a new aircraft type. Furthermore, you can apply FEXP directly to the airframe of a plane you already own partially, significantly reducing the time needed to meet the rank requirement. Prioritizing FEXP accumulation ensures you are always ready to jump into newly unlocked aircraft the moment they become available.
Utilizing Golden Eagles and Premium Aircraft
For players looking to bypass the lengthy grind, Golden Eagles—the premium currency—offer a direct solution to unlock planes. You can purchase certain aircraft directly from the Hangar menu using Eagles, granting immediate access to high-tier machines without the prerequisite research. Additionally, completing specific tasks or missions often rewards players with Eagles, providing a sustainable way to fund these purchases. Investing in a few premium planes can also be beneficial, as they often come with unique battle boosts or serve as efficient RP generators, helping you unlock the rest of your roster faster.
Mastering the Squadrons System
War Thunder’s Squadron system allows you to preset a group of aircraft that you can deploy with a single click, streamlining the unlocking process. When you unlock a new plane, you have the option to add it to one of your squadrons. This is particularly useful for organizing your hangar and preparing for specific battle modes. By creating squadrons tailored to air, ground, or naval battles, you save valuable time in the hangar screen and ensure you are always prepared for immediate action with your newly unlocked hardware.
Event Tokens and Special Rewards
Throughout the year, War Thunder hosts special events that offer unique paths to acquiring aircraft. Participating in these events allows you to earn Event Tokens by completing specific challenges, such as destroying a certain number of vehicles or surviving multiple battles. These tokens can be exchanged for exclusive planes or premium currency bundles. Keeping an eye on the calendar and actively participating in these limited-time events is one of the most exciting ways to expand your collection and learn how to unlock planes through alternative progression mechanics.
Strategic Research Planning
Efficiency is key when managing your research, and planning your path several steps ahead saves considerable frustration. Before you take off, open the Research Tree and identify the final aircraft you desire. Then, work backward to determine the most cost-effective route to get there. Sometimes, branching off to unlock a different line of vehicles (like ships or tanks) can provide the RP boost needed to afford a critical aircraft component. Treat your research with the same seriousness as a combat mission, and you will build your dream air force in no time.
