Super Thunder Blade/Stage 2

Stage
Stage 2 is located in a mountainous area with wooded landscapes. One of the major features of the level is a stone structure with two entrances; the player must navigate their way through these openings. These openings lead to caves with pillars, stalagmites and stalactites, which must be avoided.

The difficulty increases dramatically from the first stage for two reasons. First, there's a lot more obstacles to avoid. You have to safely enter and exit the cave through the openings, and you have to avoid all of the pillars inside the caves. You will have to employ your air brake from time to time, as the chopper moves too quickly at full speed to avoid all of the threats. You're generally safe on the far sides of the screen than in the middle.

Second, you still need to avoid getting shot, but the need to avoid colliding with the terrain will conflict with this problem because you will often want to slow down and ensure that you are traveling in a safe line to ensure that you don't crash. You'll need to make sure that you are out of the line of fire before you hold still long enough to fly between pillars, or through the cave. Use the air brake from time to time to prevent yourself from crashing into something, while still being able to move around the screen to avoid getting shot.

Mid-boss
Fujii Sub-Commander (TU-027) in western manual or FUJII-027 [Tu-027D] in japanese manual. Exclusive to Super Thunder Blade, this is an attack aircraft that which fires from its wings, and launches missiles from the middle. Hovers in front of player and shoots at him with missiles out of rear. May hit player while entering the screen despite doing circle motion. While it's on screen, you don't have to fear any pillars or other obstacles, so you can fly freely around the screen in a circle in order to avoid getting shot. Destroy all three firing areas to proceed.

Boss
Land-Buster Commander (TFA-001A) in western manual or LAND-BUSTER [TFA-001A] in japanese manual. Huge strategic tank with nuclear engine. Somewhat different from Thunder Blade counterpart including missile launchers placement. It fires from its cannons in the middle. Move to the near-ends of the right and left of the screen while shooting to take out any cannons and avoid fire. Use your air brake effectively to allow the tank to get ahead of you from time to time so that you can "go back" and destroy clusters of guns that you may have missed the first time flying over them.