Mistel 2 was a German strike system built during the Second World War, consisting of a Fw 190 fighter acting as a carrier aircraft and a Ju 88 bomber, where the cockpit had been replaced by an explosive warhead!
Mistel 2: A Premium Bomber for Germany at Rank III
At a glance:
- Unique two-aircraft design
- 3,500 kg warhead!
- No forward-firing armament
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Introducing the Mistel 2
Meet Mistel 2, a very unique composite aircraft that can be obtained in the Dreams Come True event! This aircraft combines two aircraft together, where one drops the other as it acts like a bomb. Let’s take a look at how it works!
Using the Mistel 2 in Battle
In combat, the Mistel 2 essentially functions as a bomber carrying a single, massive payload. The airframe of a twin-engine Ju-88G-1 was modified, replacing the cockpit area with an explosive shaped-charge warhead with a TNT equivalent of nearly 2,200 kg. Once the “bomb” (the entire aircraft) is aimed at its target, the carrier aircraft, the Fw 190A-8 fighter, releases the struts and connecting rod holding the bomber in place, allowing it to fly straight toward the target on autopilot. You’ll then have to return the carrier aircraft to an airfield to rearm the “bomb” (or in Arcade Mode, it reloads while in the air). Be careful though, as to save takeoff weight the Fw 190A-8’s own armament was removed, leaving the aircraft completely defenseless during flight. This does however make it very fast, allowing the carrier to potentially outrun enemies on the way back to the airfield.
Feature Spotlight: The coupled-aircraft configuration
Although the concept of two attached aircraft has appeared elsewhere in history, the Mistel 2 will be the first type in War Thunder! The primary goal behind this unusual configuration was to extend operational range and deliver the immense destructive power of a massive warhead. The entire assembly was controlled by a single pilot seated in the cockpit of the fighter aircraft. The large explosive charge, featuring a shaped-charge warhead, was intended for the destruction of warships, fortified structures, and critical strategic targets, such as bridges, power plants, and factories.
Developer comment: The Dreams Come True event is a great opportunity to add some truly unique military vehicles to the game. We’ve long considered implementing the Mistel system, and we are now thrilled to bring this unconventional strike platform to all War Thunder players. Developing the Mistel was an engaging challenge! We modeled the “bomb-aircraft” from scratch: it’s a Ju 88 G-1 with a completely redesigned nose section. For the Mistel configuration, we also had to modify the Fw 190A-8, removing its cannons and machine guns and creating a custom mounting system. Finally, we had to develop the mechanics for releasing the bomb-aircraft and guiding it toward its target, as nothing like this had existed in the game before. The result is a one-of-a-kind vehicle with its own distinct characteristics, and it’s easily one of the most unique machines in the game!
Vehicle History
The concept of composite aircraft was not a military innovation. These configurations had already been explored during the interwar period as a means to extend the range of passenger flights. In 1942, as Germany sought unconventional methods to counter the superior forces of the Allies, the idea was revisited. Engineers at Junkers proposed converting Ju 88 bombers into unmanned carriers for large explosive charges, with a manned fighter, either a Bf 109 or an Fw 190, mounted on top via special struts to control the entire assembly. The project was designated “Mistel” (German for “mistletoe”), though it was often jokingly referred to as “Father and Son”. The first flight took place in July 1943, and the results were deemed promising enough to launch a secret program codenamed “Beethoven”, carried out by the specialized unit KG 200.
During the war, several variants of the “Mistel” were developed, with a total of approximately 250 such units built. Their combat use was sporadic and failed to influence the course of the war. In June 1944, they were deployed for the first time against the Allied invasion fleet in Normandy; one attack damaged the British frigate HMS Nith, but no major vessels were sunk. A large-scale strike against the Soviet power plants supplying Moscow was planned, but it was ultimately canceled due to the rapid advance of the Red Army. The final instances of their use occurred during the defense of the Oder in April 1945, when they were employed against Soviet river crossings.
The Mistel 2 can be obtained in the Dreams Come True event, which starts today! Check out the link below for more details.
Please note that vehicle specifications may be subject to revision and change before being added to the game.
Click here to find out more details about the Dreams Come True event
