Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Bücker Bü 181 C-3 Bestmann, a uniquely improvised ground-attack variant armed with Panzerfausts, for the German aviation tech tree in War Thunder. Originally designed as a trainer for the Luftwaffe, the Bü 181 was repurposed in the desperate final days of World War II as a last-ditch tank buster. Equipped with four Panzerfaust launchers, it saw limited success in its ground-attack role but suffered heavy losses due to the inherent risks of these missions. Despite its shortcomings, it could become a potential addition as an event premium or squadron vehicle.
Key Characteristics
Luftwaffe aerobatic monoplane trainer aircraft
Tank hunter variant derived from B-2 or C-2 subvariants
Only armed with four Panzerfaust anti-tank grenade launchers
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
With the addition of the F-117 to War Thunder as a bomb-only attacker, the Bü 181 C-3 Bestmann could find a fitting place as one of the most entertaining and unique aircraft in the game. Given its modest performance, a Battle Rating of 1.0 would be appropriate. Its armament, consisting of four Panzerfausts with an effective range of only 100 meters (330 feet), would make its utility in air battles extremely limited; thus, the Bu 181 C-3 could shine as a meme aircraft, much like the Polikarpov PO-2, only in the ground battle modes.
Although aircraft can no longer capture zones in ground battles, this feature should be reintroduced to make the Bü 181 C-3 an important asset. Its ability to land on capture zones and potentially reload would make it an interesting and unconventional value to gameplay. Beyond its in-game potential, the Bü 181 C-3 represents an aircraft with a fascinating history, especially transitioning from the Luftwaffe’s most important primary trainer to a desperate, last-ditch ground attack platform.
