Preface
Denmark and Norway are among two of the four Nordic nations not yet represented in War Thunder, aside from the premium Leopard 1A5NO. While these nations were never producers of unique aircraft like Sweden, or employers of diverse modified imports like Finland, the two nations still have potential to bring unique twists to familiar vehicles in game, and help fill the ranks of the Swedish Air Tree, the second smallest tree after the Israeli tree. In a similar move to the addition of the Finnish sub-tree, a Danish-Norwegian subtree can be included without limiting future unique additions sourced from Sweden and Finland.
Pros/Cons
• Representation of more minor nations (DK/NO)
• Bolstering the size of the Swedish tree
• Introduction of “copy-paste” vehicles
The List of Aircraft
A general list has been compiled from quick research. Note that not all should be added, and while all are possibilities, some may just be boring copy-paste with no unique value, presented just to fill a position/gap in the subtree. This is not an official suggestion, rather just a compilation of potential vehicles to be more researched and suggested for eventual implementation in game.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Aircraft
Gladiator Mk.II [NO] - Rank I, BR 1.3
This airplane is identical to the British Gladiator, and nearly identical to the Swedish J8B. This listing is here for its historical importance - the Gladiator Mk.II was critical to the early Norwegian contribution to WW2. Whilst hopelessly outdated and outnumbered, the Norwegian Gladiators were able to take down a couple of German bombers before fleeing to the UK, and forming the basis of the Norwegian detachment in the RAF.
Image of Norwegian Gladiator Mk.II
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/50/17/9d5017a4716ba2f2dc7fc85598541eb4.jpg
He-115 [SWE/NO] - Rank I, BR 1.0
A foreign model, procured from German manufacturer Heinkel, the He-115 served as a float-based naval torpedo bomber/mine layer. It provides the low-tiers of the Swedish tree with a torpedo bomber and float capability. Designated He-115N or He-115S for each export customer (or T 2 by Sweden).
He-115 Performance Statistics + Images
- Crew: 3
- Empty Weight: 5,290 kg
- Powerplant: ×2 BMW 132K 9-cyl radial (950 hp per)
- Max Speed: 327 km/h
- Combat Range: 2,100 km
- Service Ceiling: 5,200 m
- Turrets: two turrets, one 8 mm Ksp each: nose turret, dorsal turret.
- Ordinance: ×2 250 kg bombs, or ×1 m/38 torpedo, or ×1 m/41 torpedo
- Add. Info + Image: https://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Torped/192t2/192T2.htm
Fokker D.XXI-1 [DK] - Rank II, BR 2.0
One of the primary export customers of the Dutch Fokker fighter was Denmark. Due to the early start of the war which saw both Netherlands and Denmark fall to German occupation in 1940, only 3 examples of the D.XXI-1 were built, with additional examples planned to have been license-built in Denmark. What makes this aircraft unique is its armament. A pair of nose-mounted 8 mm machine guns, and a pair of wing-mounted 20 mm Madsen cannons. The Madsen cannon was Denmark’s primary anti-armor autocannon, responsible for destroying a handful of German armored cars and Panzer I’s on land-based usage. The Madsen cannon fired a powerful 20×120 mm cartridge at 900 m/s velocity, beating out the MG-FF mounted on the Finnish equivalent. This could make the airplane, especially at the BR of 2.0, a very effective CAS element.
Image of Danish Fokker D.XXI-1
https://lirp.cdn-website.com/564b3bc8/dms3rep/multi/opt/D-serie+0515-1920w.jpg
Picture of the 20 mm Madsen on the Fokker:
https://lirp.cdn-website.com/564b3bc8/dms3rep/multi/opt/D-serie+0516-1920w.jpg
Spitfire H.F. Mk.IXe [DK] - Rank III, BR 4.3
The Spitfire Mk.IX is an iconic and numerous British fighter. In Danish service, the airplane first appeared in 1947, bought from British surplus to help Denmark rebuild its military capabilities. One specific variant Denmark employed was the “high flying” HF.IXe, a high-altitude modification of the Mk.IX Spitfire, powered by the Merlin 70 introduced in 1944. This granted the Spitfire HF.IX performance figures of 1710 hp at 3300 m altitude, and a top speed of 652 kmh at 7700 m altitude.
Image of Danish Spitfire HF Mk.IXe
Firefly Mk.I [DK] - Rank III, BR 3.3
Another vehicle purchased in the immediate post-war years, the Firefly Mk.I was an iconic British naval strike aircraft. In the months before VJ-day (defeat of Japan), the Allies anticipated and planned for an invasion of the Japanese home islands. For this, Canada planned to begin purchasing Fireflies and aircraft carries from the Royal Navy, and employ them in the Pacific theater alongside the US Navy. The RCN (Royal Canadian Navy) debated on purchasing American Hellcats or British Fireflies, and chose the British designs. The aircraft were purchased, and preparing for deployment when the two nuclear bombs and abrupt Japanese surrender cancelled such plans. The now surplus Fireflies were sold to Denmark. The Danish used their for training purposes primarily, as such Danish Fireflies may have all been purchased completely unarmed (barring them from potential addition in-game).
Image of Danish Firefly Mk.I
https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/3/0/7/1817703.jpg?v=v40
Spitfire L.F. Mk.IX [NO] - Rank IV, BR 5.7
The legendary and formidable “low-flying” Spitfire Mk.IX is already a powerful and versatile fighter plane in the British, American and Israeli tech trees. The RNoAF purchased theirs from the UK in 1947, under a similar deal the Danish had with the UK. No definite answer as to whether the Norwegians operated their post-war Spitfires with 150 octane fuel, however it can be assumed it had such fuel given this was plane was operated in the peacetime of late 1940’s Europe.
Image of Norwegian Spitfire L.F. Mk.IX
http://www.venturapublications.com/news/uploads/norwegian-spitfire-a-cd.jpg
F-84G-21 Thunderjet [DK/NO] - Rank V, BR 7.7
The F-84G is already ubiquitous as the first NATO-standard jet attacker, arming other NATO and western-aligned air forces including the USAF, the French Air Force, the Italian Air Force and the Republic of China Air Force. Norway and Denmark acquired the F-84G at the same time as the other European NATO members. While not a unique vehicle, it provides a decent platform for multirole use at mid-rank V.
Image of Danish F-84G Thunderjet
https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/8/7/5/0187578.jpg?v=v40
Image of Norwegian F-84G Thunderjet
Meteor NF.11 [DK] - Rank V, BR 7.7 OR Meteor F.8 [DK] - Rank V, BR 8.0
The Meteor in Danish service was acquired as the complimentary fighter/interceptor to the F-84’s strike role. Three variants of the Meteor operated in Denmark - the F.4, F.8 and NF.11. The first two are well known in the British tree, and are primarily fighters with some ground attack capacity. The NF.11 is a radar-equipped all-weather “night-fighting” Meteor, similar to the NF.13 in the Israeli tree. Note that either Meteor variant may be extraneous/redundant for the Swedish tree as a whole.
Image of Danish Meteor NF.11
Image of Danish Meteor F.8
F-86F-40 Sabre [NO] - Rank V, BR 8.7
The vanguard of the West’s swept-wing air superiority fighter development, the Sabre became an important component to NATO’s aerial might in the early 1950s. Norway, as one of the NATO members, was one such nation to acquire the Sabre from the United States. The block-40 Sabre re-introduced the forward slatted wing for improved agility and low-speed handling. Norway did not upgrade its F-86F’s with Sidewinder missiles. One unique addition to the Norwegian Sabres is the addition of RATO - Rocket-Assisted Take-Off.
Image of Norwegian F-86F-40 Sabre
F-86K-4 Sabredog [NO] - Rank VI, BR 9.0
The larger, afterburning sibling of the Sabre, the Sabredog also saw service across NATO air forces as an important component in its mutual air-defense. The F-86K was the cannon-armed variant of the rocket-armed F-86D, fitted with a search radar for all-weather night operations and ranged interception of enemy nuclear bombers. Armed with a compliment of four M24 cannons, and a pair of AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles. Possibly also equipped with the RATO system used on the F-86F.
Image of Norwegian F-86K-4 Sabredog
F-100D-83 Super Sabre [DK] - Rank VI, BR 9.3
The development of the Sabre’s design into a true supersonic jet aircraft led to the F-100 Super Sabre. Under the Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), the F-100D strike fighter was obtained by the RDAF in 1959. In Danish service from 1959 to 1980, the Danish F-100s were provided with many upgrades over the years, most significant being a Saab BT-9 ballistics computer and AGM-12B Bullpup missiles.
Image of Danish F-100D-83 Super Sabre
https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/4/1/2191141.jpg?v=v40
CF-104 Starfighter [DK/NO] - Rank VI, BR 9.3
Another widespread NATO adoption was the use of the F-104 as a strike platform. Canada was one such nation building F-104’s for such mission (designed CF-104 built by Canadair). Originally equipped for rapid nuclear strike, the Canadian CF-104s were eventually modified for conventional strike, equipped with multitudes of bombs and rocket weaponry - such as the Canadian-designed CRV-7 rockets. These Canadian Starfighters would see eventual export to friendly NATO nations already operating American or German built F-104’s, including Denmark and Norway. The Canadian Starfighter can fit in the strike line as a rapid, strike-focused platform.
Image of Danish CF-104 Starfighter
Image of Norwegian CF-104 Starfighter
https://cdn.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2017/4/2/878818.jpg
Saab 35XD [DK] - Rank VII, BR 9.7 to 10.7
The Saab 35XD Xerxes David (Export Denmark) is the export variant of the Saab J35 fighter to Denmark. Based on the J35D airframe, the XD was built to fulfill a multi-role/strike capacity from the start. First ordered in 1968, it beat out the F-5A and Mirage III for the Danish contract. The aircraft remained in service until 1986, as such it saw much upgrades to its weapon and sensor suite. These upgrades are listed below, and depending on implementation can lead to various potential BR’s.
Saab 35XD 1968 base spec
- ×2 30 mm ADEN cannon
- ×9 ordinance hardpoints
- ×2 AIM-9B Sidewinder
- Maximum payload of 10,000 lbs NATO-bombs (Mk. series)
- FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- AGM-12B Bullpups
- Saab BT-9R ballistics computer
Saab 35XD 1970's upgrades
- Addition of RWR (ALR-45 or ALR-65)
- Addition of countermeasures dispensers (flares and chaff)
Saab 35XD 1980's WDNS
- WDNS - Weapons Delivery and Navigation System
- Pair of AIM-9N-2 Missiles (the AIM-9N is an AIM-9J with solid-state electronics replacing vacuum-tubing. Same principle applies to the AIM-9H compared to the AIM-9G)
- Ferranti Laser Rangefinder and Marked Target Seeker (as found on British Jaguars and Harriers)
- Loss of AGM-12B Bullpups
Image of Danish Saab 35XD
https://cdn.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2013/3/10/274928.jpg
F-5A Freedom Fighter [NO] - Rank VII, BR 10.7
The F-5A was acquired by the RNoAF in 1966, as a light fighter complement to its Starfighter fleet. For Norwegian use, small modifications were performed such as the equipping of a drogue chute, land arresting hook, and JATO equipment. The Norwegian Freedom Fighters lasted in service until the year 2000, 20-years longer than expected.
Image of Norwegian F-5A Freedom Fighter
F-104G Starfighter [NO] - Rank VII, BR 10.7
Until 1980, Norway continually operated the F-104. Many variants of the Starfighter were present in the RNoAF, including the aforementioned CF-104, and the strike-capable F-104G, originally produced for West Germany. F-104G’s were first acquired in 1963 directly from Lockheed in the United States. Subsequently, in 1972, F-104G’s were also acquired from West German stocks. If Norwegian F-104G’s were ever upgraded/equipped like German Starfighters, they would fit in BR 10.7, otherwise the aircraft would be redundant and have no reason to be added.
Image of Norwegian F-104G Starfighter
F-16A-10 Fighting Falcon [DK/NO] - Rank VIII, BR 12.0
Both Denmark and Norway were part of the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF), a group of four including Belgium and the Netherlands that sought to acquire the F-16A as one of its first export/license build customers in 1977. For these four nations, the F-16A’s were assembled by SABCA in Belgium, or Fokker in the Netherlands. Originally block-1 variants, they were eventually upgraded to block-5 and block-10 specifications. These aircraft were built to the same spec as block-10s operated by the US and Israel (named Netz). In Denmark and Norway both, the F-16A served as the answer to replace many decades-old aircraft in their inventories, such as the F-100D, CF-104/F-104G, and F-5A.
Image of Danish F-16A Fighting Falcon
Image of Norwegian F-16A Fighting Falcon
https://www.f-16.net/g3/var/resizes/f-16-photos/album37/album09/aai.jpg?m=1370460136
