Thunder 500 Launcher Guide for War Thunder Gameplay & History

Introduction to the Thunder 500 Launcher in War Thunder

The thunder 500 launcher is one of the most powerful and devastating anti-aircraft guns in the popular military vehicle combat game War Thunder. With its immense firepower and range, the thunder 500 poses a formidable threat to enemy aircraft and can quickly decimate entire squadrons. In this detailed guide, we'll take a close look at the history, capabilities, and tactics of using the thunder 500 launcher in War Thunder.

The Origins and Development of the Thunder 500

The thunder 500 began development in the 1930s as Nazi Germany looked to upgrade its anti-aircraft defenses. At the time, existing anti-aircraft guns lacked the power and range to effectively engage higher-flying aircraft. This led German engineers to begin work on a heavy-caliber anti-aircraft gun with increased velocity and range.

After several prototypes, the final design emerged as a 128mm anti-aircraft gun dubbed the 12.8 cm FlaK 40. With a range over 15km and devastating high-explosive shells, the FlaK 40 proved highly effective against Allied bombers. Its sheer firepower even made it useful in the anti-tank role, leading to its designation as a dual-purpose gun.

Over time, the basic FlaK 40 design evolved into even more powerful variants. The final and most impressive was the 12.8 cm FlaK 40/4, which extended maximum ceiling range to over 15km. With its unmatched capabilities, the thunder 500 firmly established itself as one of the most formidable anti-aircraft weapons of WW2.

The Thunder 500 in War Thunder Gameplay

In War Thunder, the thunder 500 appears as one of the late-tier anti-aircraft vehicles for the German tech tree. True to its real-life counterpart, the thunder 500 is unmatched in range and hitting power compared to earlier anti-aircraft guns.

At BR 7.0, the thunder 500 launcher poses a lethal threat to all but the fastest and most maneuverable jets. Its 128mm shells can demolish most aircraft with a single hit. Even near misses inflict massive fragmentation damage that can cripple planes. The thunder 500's extreme 15km+ range enables it to begin engaging targets well before they can respond.

Experienced players utilize the thunder 500 as a high-altitude area denial tool. By blanketing the skies with bursts of heavy flak, it can drive away or destroy all but the most determined enemy air attacks. Proper use of the thunder 500 can often determine the outcome of high-tier air battles.

Effective Tactics for the Thunder 500

Mastering the thunder 500 launcher requires learning key engagement tactics to leverage its strengths:

• Positioning is crucial - Place the thunder 500 with a wide overlook of the map to maximize range and firing angles. Avoid cluttered areas that limit gun elevation.
• Prioritize high-value targets - Concentrate fire on heavy bombers, attackers, and fighter-bombers that pose the greatest objective threat.
• Fire zones, not snapshots - Blanket enemy approach vectors with bursts of flak rather than tracking individual planes.
• Adjust lead time for range - Learn to estimate proper shot lead times based on distance and target speed.
• Keep moving - Relocate often between shots to avoid being pinned by strafing aircraft.
• Stay aware of ammo - The thunder 500 burns through ammunition quickly, so conserve shells when possible.
• Have fighter support - Work with allied fighters to ward off thunder 500-hunting ground attackers.

With proper tactics, an expert thunder 500 player can single-handedly determine air superiority. However, reckless or inexperienced use will lead to quick elimination from the skies.

History of the Thunder 500 in WW2

The real-life FlaK 40 saw extensive service throughout WW2 as Germany's heavy anti-aircraft artillery piece. Its battlefield debut came during the Battle of France in 1940, where it proved instrumental in neutralizing French airpower. As the war progressed, the FlaK 40 saw action on all fronts.

However, the thunder 500 reached peak effectiveness during the Allied bombing campaign over Germany from 1942-1945. The Luftwaffe used concentrations of FlaK 40s around key industries and cities to churn out barrages of heavy flak. This inflicted horrendous losses on American bomber formations during raids such as Schweinfurt-Regensburg.

FlaK 40s accounted for nearly half of all US bombers shot down over Germany. Famous bomber groups like the Memphis Belle had numerous close scrapes with deadly accurate FlaK 40 fire. The thunder 500's lethality led Allied pilots to grimly nickname it "Hitler's Saw". Anti-aircraft gunners who mastered the FlaK 40 became some of the most decorated German soldiers of the entire war.

Outside the anti-aircraft role, the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS also utilized FlaK 40s in an anti-tank capacity. The 128mm gun proved capable of destroying even the heaviest Allied armored vehicles at long range. FlaK 40s also saw extensive deployment on Germany's vaunted Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications.

By war's end, over 3,700 FlaK 40s had been produced. Though no longer a match for jet aircraft, the thunder 500's reign of firepower over WW2 battlefields cemented its status as one of history's most effective anti-aircraft weapons.

Conclusions

With its tremendous 128mm punch and 15km reach, the thunder 500 launcher epitomizes late-war German supremacy in heavy anti-aircraft artillery. In War Thunder, mastering the thunder 500 grants a critical edge in controlling the skies against high-level bomber and jet threats. Outside the game, the real FlaK 40 legacy stands as a testament to the immense capabilities of German engineering to produce ever-more lethal weapons throughout WW2. From the siege of Stalingrad to the Allied air campaign over Germany, the thunder 500 made its presence felt across the greatest military conflict in history.

FAQs

What was the effective ceiling range of the real-life Flak 40?

The maximum effective ceiling range of the late-war Flak 40/4 model was over 15km vertically, allowing it to engage even high-altitude bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.

How did the Flak 40 perform against armored targets?

Using special armor-piercing shells, the 128mm Flak 40 could penetrate over 100mm of hardened steel armor at 2,000 meters range. This allowed it to destroy Allied tanks and pillboxes when used in an anti-tank role.

What kind of crew operated the Flak 40?

The Flak 40 had a crew of 9-10 men, including gunners, loaders, and fire control personnel. The complex gun required extensive training and teamwork for efficient operation in combat.