Germany Air Tree Order: What to Research First

The Germany aviation tree is built around two legendary fighter lines and ends with some of the most feared early jets. Its identity is energy fighting — climb, build speed, and attack from advantage — and it rewards players who commit to that style. This guide gives the real lines worth rushing and the actual aircraft in them, plus how each one flies.

Germany rewards energy discipline over reflex, which changes how you should read the tree below. The generic progression lives in the air first lineup guide; the nation pick guide covers whether energy fighting is a style you actually enjoy.

The starter that teaches the style

Your first real trainer is the Bf 109 E (Rank I). It is the plane that defines Germany: good climb, a 20 mm cannon backed by machine guns, and an energy-fighting airframe. Learn to climb, then dive on enemies from height and extend away — the 109 punishes players who try to turn with a Spitfire. The earlier He 51 is a biplane warm-up with no competitive edge; skip past it fast.

The two lines worth rushing (with the planes in them)

• Bf 109 line (E → F → G) — the energy fighter. Climbs well, strong at altitude, and a punchy cannon. The classic Germany experience and the natural first line. The G-model is the high-altitude peak of the props.
• Fw 190 line (A-series) — the low-altitude brawler. Faster, harder-hitting (four 20 mm cannon), and rugged, with excellent roll rate; it gives up some high-altitude edge to the 109. If you fight low, this is your branch. Ride one of these two up first.
• Me 262 jet line — Germany’s early jets are fearsome; the Me 262 carries four 30 mm cannon and outruns almost everything, but it is a brutal teacher because it dies the moment it slows down. A landmark late goal.
• Bf 110 / Me 410 heavy fighters — a smaller but useful twin-engine branch for boom-and-zoom and ground attack if you want variety.

Research priority order

1. Bf 109 E (or first Fw 190) — your trainer and your identity.
2. Next mark in that line — Germany’s successive fighters are real steps up.
3. A premium at your target BR — accelerates the whole tree. See how the economy works.
4. The other fighter line or the Me 262 once the first is solid.

Traps

• Don’t bounce between 109 and 190 early — you will have a weak lineup at every BR. Commit to one.
• Germany favours energy fighting, not turn-fighting. If you love turning, the Britain tree suits you better. All four trees are compared in the nation choice guide.
• A lone Me 262 with no support is a target, not a lineup. Keep your battle rating spread tight.

The full sequence is in the in-game tech tree (it changes with patches). The point is: commit to the 109 or 190 line, accelerate with a premium, then take the jets — not to memorise a list.