Arsenal VB.10-02: Professional Striker
Initial testing of Arsenal’s first VB.10 prototype showed promising results but room for improvement--so the team at Arsenal made major improvements that resulted in the much more powerful VB.10-02. Although the prolonged development time for the aircraft prevented it from ever seeing active use, both VB.10s became part of France’s aviation tree in War Thunder update 1.73, "Vive la France".
Arsenal first replaced the dual Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 860 hp engines with the new 12Z-12/13 version, which increased the VB.10-02 horsepower to 1150. The cockpit canopy was also redesigned into a teardrop shape, and weapons were added to it.
Even before the second prototype was tested, the French government, already impressed by projected performance figures, ordered 200 of the aircraft. Unfortunately, because jet propulsion was increasingly seen as the future of fighter planes, interest in piston-engine fighters steadily dropped thereafter. In addition, while the French air force was establishing their own fleet of jet aircraft, they used American and British piston engine fighters as transitional equipment.
Due to waning interest and the use of allied planes in the interim, the French Air Force ultimately cancelled its initial order for the 200 VB.10-02 aircraft in September 1948, after the fourth production aircraft had been delivered. As a result, only six VB.10 aircraft were produced: the two initial prototype models, and the four production models.
In War Thunder, the VB.10-02 is a fighter in the French aviation research tree at Rank IV. Like its real-world counterpart, it transitions the player from piston engine machines into the jet era.
The VB.10-02 is a deceptive plane; it looks lighter and more lightly armed than it is. It is also one of the stranger looking aircraft in the game (in some ways resembling the American Bell P-63 Kingcobra), but still a deadly, capable fighter.
At Rank IV, the VB.10-02 is one of the most destructive and heavily armed fighters you can pilot, armed with four 20mm cannons alongside six .50 caliber heavy machine guns. Even a short burst from such a fearsome array of weapons is enough to severely cripple or destroy any aircraft the VB.10 is likely to meet in battle.
Such destructive potential still brings drawbacks, however. Like most heavy fighters, the aircraft’s enormous size and weight of the on board weaponry and dual engines make it slower and less maneuverable than other aircraft.
For a heavy fighter, the handling and top speed of the VB.10-02 is adequate, but it will not fare well against fast, maneuverable single-engine fighters. VB.10-02 pilots should avoid being dragged into dogfights with such aircraft. If you’ve played heavy fighters in the past, then you know that getting involved in prolonged turning engagements and extended dogfights with lighter, faster, and more maneuverable foes is a bad idea.
Instead, use the VB.10-02 to go after bombers and slower fighters. Not even the strongest airframes found on those types of aircraft can take the punishment and firepower the VB.10-02 delivers. Use high altitude and diving attacks to bring down your enemies, then regain position for the next attack.
Have you flown out the VB.10-02 yourself or faced it in battle? Share your experiences with us in the comments section—we are keen to hear your stories! Until next time!
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Comments (72)
Can't wait for 1.73 to drop! ;)
Our baguette coordinator had a brain freeze! On an unrelated topic, i just had a promotion and will work as a mineral harvester in Siberia! Boy i can't wait.
All answers (1)Ouiche, Looks like someone made... An Ouichie! xD
Same :D
This was not the plane blog i was looking for...
"We don't need to see his identification."
All answers (2)Ouiche, "You can go about your business"
It's actually deceptively weak. The damage model is designed in a way that just looking funny at the plane makes the wings fall. On bullet is enough. It might be a bug, but this is the most fragile of all heavy fighters.
I believe "Heave Fighter" refers to it's armament and payload rather than armour.
All answers (2)ESanders, Sure. Doesn't mean that this thing isn't a lemon though.
one of the, if not the worst heavy fighter:/ it even surpassed firebrand in the form of worthlessness
The firebrand is a gleaming jewel of awesome compared to this piece of junk.
Conte_Baracca, Gotta agree, this thing is a dumpster fire. Its compression is insane, its handling is worse than IL2, and its guns? Sparky McSparkster. Its just not a good plane. I'd take flying a Firebrand, heck flying a medium bomber as a heavy fighter over flying this, its just painful.
Use high altitude and diving? Cant even arrive at 2k and the enemies are already at 5-6k alt -.-
Absolutely true, you can add over heating engine, extremely fragile, very bad diver, and poor weapons bullets dispersion.
This really should be classed as an interceptor so you can start at speed and altitude. It's useless as a heavy fighter. Absolutely useless.
It badly needs an air spawn
This. All day.
Conte_Baracca, It would still be rubbish but at least it would have a chance to escape... a tiny one.
In next update can we see new Italian fighters?
You know a few other ones like: The RE.200 0, 1, 2, and 5 and the heavy fighters like the Ro.57, Ro.58, SM.88, SM.91, and SM.92. Maybe the Aerfers as the jets for the RE line...
Really. They've neglected the Italians ever since they released the tree. Needs more attackers and premiums too!