War Thunder’s Fulmar Mk.II Will Bring 8,000 Rounds to Rank I
The British naval fighter will pair eight machine guns and a light bomb load with limited agility.
War Thunder’s British research tree will gain a researchable Rank I monoplane fighter with an unusual ammunition reserve. The Fulmar Mk.II will carry eight 7.7 mm machine guns and 8,000 rounds, but its slow roll and limited agility leave it poorly suited to prolonged turning fights.
The aircraft will arrive in the Eagle’s Shadow major update. Gaijin’s Steam announcement describes the ammunition supply as the largest base load for any fighter in the game, while noting that the vehicle’s specifications may change before it is added.
Endurance comes at the cost of agility
The Fulmar’s ammunition should let it engage multiple aircraft and light ground targets in one sortie, although firing eight guns will use that reserve quickly. It may stay active for much of a match if it avoids heavy damage. Its slow roll, meanwhile, makes it hard to shake an opponent once one gets onto its tail.
Rather than lead the opening clash, the Fulmar is better suited to gaining altitude and entering after the first engagements begin. Its dive speed gives it a chance to catch opponents off guard, but it has limited energy for sustained turning fights. Short attacks and support for teammates fit its strengths better than chasing one opponent around the sky.
The fighter will also have a light strike option in combined battles. It can carry one 500 lb bomb or two 250 lb bombs, released separately. An accurate hit can disable a light tank, while the machine guns can threaten vehicles with exposed crews.
A carrier fighter built for range and observation
The Fulmar’s endurance reflects its naval role. When the Royal Navy took control of the Fleet Air Arm again in 1937, it sought a modern carrier fighter with room for a second crew member to handle navigation and observation. Fairey adapted its P.4/34 light-bomber prototype into a two-seat fighter. The Mk.II’s 1,300-horsepower Merlin 30 engine improved its rate of climb, but did little to raise its top speed.
No. 806 Naval Air Squadron began operating the Fulmar in June 1940 aboard HMS Illustrious. The aircraft protected convoys around Malta, fought over Crete and helped shadow Bismarck. After leaving the day-fighter role in 1942, it served as a night fighter from escort carriers, with front-line service ending in February 1945.
Which part of the Fulmar’s announced setup seems more useful, its ammunition reserve or its bombs? For more on the aircraft and the additions coming in Eagle’s Shadow, follow along on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
War Thunder
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment
War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat MMO featuring aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval craft spanning from the early 20th century to the modern era. Players progress through technology trees across multiple nations, unlocking increasingly advanced military vehicles. The game offers three realism tiers for each vehicle type: arcade, realistic, and simulator modes. Originally developed as a flight simulator under the name "World of Planes," the game expanded to include tanks in 2014 and naval forces later, becoming a combined-arms experience. A mobile version was released in 2023.
- Genre Shooter, Simulator, Tactical
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
- Perspective First person, Third person, Virtual Reality
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release January 28, 2013
- Publisher Gaijin Entertainment
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