http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3541857/War_Thunder_FAQ.html#Post3541857

I tried to like WOP, but it didn't work out.

Some of the aspects that turned me away from WOP may have been addressed in WarThunder, time will tell. COD may have some competition, atleast in the fun category.

Yep, im pretty sure it will be fun! but im not sure its what we really want Chivas.
I will buy and try it for sure though.

I'm pretty sure it will be a free-to-play MMO so you don't have to buy it.

isn't that the other "world of airplanes" that's the free MMO?

War Thunder is the renamed 'World of Planes', due to 'World of Tanks' people doing something similar with the industry's apparently very limited 'World of Available Game Titles' problem.

http://warthunder.ru/en/

It looks fantastic visualy.. a step on from WoP.. if the gameplay is anywhere near IL2 standards then I'll be all over this.
The only worry though is the map size.. at present it's 65 x 65km's.. so pretty small.
I used to love the large maps in IL2, forming up, then gaining altitude and a decent route to objective, wondering if the opposition had worked out which way we were coming in.. but the small maps will perhaps restrict this?

65 x 65 km is about the combat area on ATAG.

Are you sure Furbs - a quick eyeball of something like this:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3278914/Re_Printable_map.html#Post3278914

..makes me guess about 320km by 320km? (or is ATAG not that map? I can't remember tbh)

Personally, large maps are a gameplay balance thing, and if a mission requires hours of climb/cruise/bomb then we're getting to smaller numbers of keen players. Perhaps it will have a 'bombing missions' room as part of the MMO - they did mention 300km maps in their FAQ as something they could do..

I mean the actual COMBAT area, anyway im not being that serious, just a gentle nudge in the ribs, Remember all the hoohaa about having a huge map of north-west europe? wasn't really needed was it.

For the longest time it felt like we had two combat areas:

1) Hawkinge - Lympne

2) Manston - Ramsgate

The combat areas combined seemed less than 65 km x 65 km LOL.....and it was all fought down on the deck!

Things have evolved. More and more players on both sides are involving themselves in the objectives aspect of the server. With targets spread out on both sides of the Channel (plus ship convoys for both sides within the Channel), vulching is a pale whisper compared to the recent past since it accomplishes little in destroying or defendings thse far flung objectives. With the conversion from RAF fighters of about six more Blenheim pilots, the Red side is far more aggressive -- and effective -- in putting the hurt on the Axis side. To be fair, the Blue side is responding accordingly with growth of its own bomber contingent. Both sides are asking for, and getting, increased fighter cover from the ranks of those who were until recently more preoccupied with low level raids on coastal airfields and/or defending against same. It's fun to monitor the server reports. When a report comes up that "3 Red merchantmen were sunk by 110's flown by XXX, YYY, AND ZZZ", then that's a cue to head mid-channel to cut off the 110's in their dash for home. Etc etc

The targets & objectives are changing. AAA protection of targets & airfields is changing. More TS channels are being used by the different flights. It's getting tough to sign off at times!