War Thunder News

A snow globe is a traditional holiday decoration and a great gift during the winter season. You can now treat yourself to one in War Thunder — only this one will bring you magical rewards when you open it!

The Snow Globe can be purchased in the in-game Item Shop for Silver Lions from December 18th (11:00 GMT) until January 14th (11:00 GMT). It can only be purchased by players who have at least one researchable vehicle at rank II or higher on their account.

[h2]What’s in the Snow Globe?[/h2]
The Snow Globe will reward you with vehicles, camouflages, decals, decorations and player profile icons from previous winter events, plus useful consumables, including boosters, universal backups, wagers and orders. Some items are here for the first time as coupons, meaning you’ll be able to sell them on the Market!



The Snow Globe can be purchased for 60,000 Silver Lions.

On January 14th (12:00 GMT), all Snow Globes will disappear from your inventory, so make sure open them before then!

[h2]Some rewards you can find in the Snow Globe:[/h2]



[h3]The “Snow Globe” contains the following rewards (open spoiler)[/h3]
[expand]
[h3]Vehicles (both immediately activated on the account and available as coupons)[/h3]

• Mirage 2000C-S4
  
• Vilkas
  
• USS Mississippi
  
• J9 Early (only direct to the account)
  
• Tornado IDS MFG
  
• T-80UM2
  
• USS Newport News
  
• Late 298D (only direct to the account)
  
• MiG-23MF (Germany)
  
• C. 202D (only direct to the account)
  
• AGS
  
• A.C.I (only direct to the account)
  
• IJN Hayanami (only direct to the account)
  
• MPK Pr.201K
  
• MiG-21PFM
  
• Ro.57 Quadriarma (only direct to the account)
  
• Class 3 (P)
  
• E.B.R. (1954) (only direct to the account)
  
• USS Baltimore
  
• Type K-8 No.13 (only direct to the account)
  
• TIS MA
  
• J6K1
  
• Merkava Mk.2B (USA)
  
• QF 3.7 Ram
  
• Jaguar
  
• PT-811
  
• Fw 190 C
  
• M.B.152C1
  
• T30
  
• SU-85A
  
• PBM-3 “Mariner” (only direct to the account)
  
• Leningrad (only direct to the account)
  
• P-40C
  
• NC.900 (only direct to the account)
  
• Ersatz M10 (only direct to the account)
  
• AEC Mk II
  
• Me 262 A-2a
  
• Ki-21-I hei
  
• LVT(A)(4) ZIS-2 (USA)
  
• Type 62 (USSR)*
  
• P-63C-5 (USSR) (only direct to the account)
  
• VK 45.01 (P)
  
• M8A1 GMC
  
• I-301
  

* the chances of receiving the Type 62 (USSR) are far lower than the other vehicles and are around 0.001%.

All vehicles will be immediately credited to your account, but there’s a chance to get it in the form of a coupon unless otherwise specified.

[h3]Camouflages (coupons only)[/h3]

• Mirage 2000C-S4: "Vendée" camouflage (first time as a coupon)
  
• Vilkas: Tricolor spotted camouflage (first time as a coupon)
  
• USS Mississippi: Tricolor geometric camouflage (first time as a coupon)
  
• Tornado IDS MFG: Anniversary camouflage MFG 2
  
• T-80UM2: Bicolor summer camouflage
  
• USS Newport News: Deforming camouflage
  
• MiG-23MF (Germany): Tricolor camouflage
  
• AGS: Snow w/Open Terrain camouflage MERDC
  
• MPK Pr.201K: Deforming camouflage
  
• MiG-21PFM: Demonstration camouflage
  
• Class 3 (P): PATRIA camouflage
  
• USS Baltimore: Deforming camouflage Design 33 16D
  
• TIS MA: Bicolor green camouflage
  
• J6K1: Experimental camouflage
  
• Merkava Mk.2B (USA): Tricolor camouflage
  
• QF 3.7 Ram: Late bicolor camouflage
  
• Jaguar: Deforming camouflage Bow sea
  
• PT-811: Deforming camouflage Design 20L
  
• Fw 190 C: Nonstandard tricolor camouflage
  
• M.B.152C1: Early camouflage
  
• T30: Winter verdant camouflage MERDC
  
• SU-85A: Bicolor summer camouflage
  
• P-40C: Olive-green camouflage
  

[h3]Decorations (both immediately activated on your account and available as coupons)[/h3]

• Snowbike (first time as a coupon)
  
• Ratrack (first time as a coupon)
  
• New Year's sign (first time as a coupon)
  
• Christmas gnome
  
• Christmas sleigh
  
• Christmas mill
  
• Cuckoo watch
  
• Christmas sock
  
• Christmas deer
  
• New Year Tree
  
• Snowman
  
• Sparkler
  
• Snowboard
  
• Snowshoe
  
• Biathlon rifle
  
• Ice Climber’s Backpack
  
• Snowmobile NKL-16/41
  
• DUKW
  
• Assault rifle with grenade launcher (USSR)
  
• Assault rifle with grenade launcher (China)
  
• Assault rifle with grenade launcher (Germany)
  
• Assault rifle with grenade launcher (Britain)
  
• Assault rifle (Sweden)
  
• Carl Gustaf M/45
  
• Assault rifle (China)
  
• Type 63
  
• Assault rifle (Japan)
  
• Assault rifle (USA)
  
• Assault rifle (Britain)
  
• Assault rifle (Germany)
  
• Assault rifle (France)
  
• Assault rifle (USSR)
  
• Christmas Wreath
  
• Sleigh
  
• Ski
  
• Skates
  

[h3]Decals (both immediately activated on your account and available as coupons):[/h3]

• "Ice cross downhill" decal
  
• "Kitewing" decal
  
• "Freestyle" decal
  
• "Snowkiting" decal
  
• "Snowmobiling" decal
  
• "Dragon Warrior" decal (only direct to the account)
  
• “We can climb it” decal
  
• “Christmas Lights” decal
  
• “Powder Day” decal
  
• “Secret Santa” decal
  
• “Times to Travel” decal
  
• Metal Bull (only direct to the account)
  
• “Raging Tiger” decal (only direct to the account)
  
• Battle Rabbit (only direct to the account)
  
• “Warrior of the North” decal
  
• “Warrior of the Slavs” decal
  
• “Desert Warrior” decal
  
• “Guard Warrior” decal
  
• “Warrior of the Rising Sun” decal
  
• “The Sherwood Warrior” decal
  
• “Warrior of the East” decal
  
• “Legion Warrior” decal
  
• Pin-up pilot China
  
• Pin-up pilot Sweden
  
• Pin-up pilot Italy
  
• New Year’s pin-up (China)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (France)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Germany)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Italy)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Japan)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Sweden)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Britain)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (USA)
  
• New Year’s pin-up (Russia)
  
• Pin-up pilot USA
  
• Pin-up pilot Russia
  
• Pin-up pilot Britain
  
• Pin-up pilot Japan
  
• Pin-up pilot Germany
  
• Pin-up pilot France
  
• Shark Jaws (1)
  
• Shark Jaws (2)
  
• Shark Jaws (3)
  
• Shark Jaws (4)
  
• “Christmas tree” victory marks
  
• Xmas Rocket
  
• Xmas Sock
  
• Xmas Tree
  

[h3]Profile Icons (will be immediately activated on your account and in the form of the coupons)[/h3]

• Snowboarder (first time as a coupon)
  
• Winter Pilot
  

[h3]Aerobatic Smokes (only activated on your account)[/h3]

• New Year Aerobatic Smoke
  

[h3]Naval Flags (only activated on your account)[/h3]

• New Year's flag
  

[h3]Silver Lions[/h3]

• 10000 — 1000000
  

[h3]Expendable items[/h3]

• Battle trophy (Research points booster)
  
• Battle trophy (Silver lions booster)
  
• Universal backup
  
• Universal backup x2
  
• Universal backup x3
  
• Random wager
  
• Random order
  

[/expand]

[h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2]

• RDF/LT — the rate of fire has been increased from 45 to 70 RPM. Source: AAI RDF/LT Booklet // Extended Area Protection & Survivability (EAPS) Gun and Ammunition Design Trade Study.
  
• HSTV-L — the rate of fire has been increased from 45 to 60 RPM. Source: Hearings on Military Posture H.R.6495 // Department of Defense Appropriations for 1984 (July 6th, 1983) // Heat Transfer and Erosion in the ARES 75mm High Velocity Cannon - Vol II.
  
• M44 — a bug where it was possible to fire the anti-aircraft machine gun when the machine gunner lost consciousness has been fixed. The crew transfer order has been corrected.
  
• Flak Sfl. / M44 and Ostwind / Wirbelwind — icons for the groups have been fixed.
  

[h2]Aircraft[/h2]

• Rafale, EF-2000, Typhoon FGR.4, F-2000A — additional camouflages have been added. They are available by completing missions and/or can be purchased with Golden Eagles.
  

[h2]Locations[/h2]

• Attica — collision on some buildings has been fixed.
  

[h2]Interface[/h2]

• A bug where the list of vehicles for the “Favorite vehicles” profile showcase displayed vehicles that were not on the account has been fixed.
  

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

Meet the M.B.151C.1 French fighter, one of the aircraft rewards in the Winter Tales event!

[h2]M.B.151C.1: A Premium Fighter for France at Rank I[/h2]
At a glance:

• Good top speed!
  
• Robust construction.
  
• Easy to control.
  
• Weak forward armament.
  

 
Vehicle History
[expand]
The Marcel-Bloch M.B.151C.1 fighter was considered by the French Air Force as a temporary solution until the more advanced Dewoitine fighters were adopted. During the testing phase, its characteristics proved to be insufficiently effective and the MB.151C.1 was almost immediately transferred to training units. Nevertheless, these aircraft still took part in World War II — they were used until they switched to the more modern Dewoitine D.520. German pilots also used some captured MB.151C.1 aircraft for training. Greece ordered 25 MB.151C.1s, but only nine aircraft were delivered, from which the 24th Squadron of the Greek Air Force was formed. These fighters took part in the defense of Greece during the Italian invasion (October 1940 to April 1941).
[/expand]



[h2]Introducing the M.B.151C.1![/h2]

One of the aircraft rewards in the Winter Tales event is the M.B.151C.1 fighter, a premium rank I French aircraft! A cool classic that’s sure to win the hearts of propeller driven plane fans, let’s take a closer look.



The M.B.151C.1 is a classic, pre-war monoplane with a good maximum speed, retractable landing gear and a fairly strong hull compared to biplanes. However, it’s weakly armed, featuring only four rifle-caliber machine guns in the wings, meaning it might be a little trickier to destroy enemy fighters in one pass and attacks on bombers might take a while longer to destroy. Definitely use the Universal belts for the MAC 1934 machine guns which contain an equal number of rounds with armor-piercing and incendiary belts. 



The M.B.151C.1 premium aircraft is a good choice to quickly start mastering French aircraft and will help to research ranks I and II of the French aviation tree. Take a look at the full list of rewards in the Winter Tales event through the link below!

Click here to find out more details about the Winter Tales event

[h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2]

• Strela-10M, Strela-10M2 — a bug where it was not possible to launch missiles after repairing has been fixed.
  

[h2]Aircraft[/h2]

• Typhoon FGR.4, F-2000A — display time of radar contacts in TWS tracking mode has been increased.
  

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

The HQ17 SAM vehicle has arrived at the end of the Chinese ground forces research tree in a group with the Tor-M1.

[h2]HQ17: An SPAA (SAM) for China at Rank VIII[/h2]
At a glance:

• Increased missile launch range and guidance time.
  
• Thermal imager.
  
• Capable of tracking and hitting two targets simultaneously.
  
• Barely any protection.
  

Vehicle History
[expand]
In the 1990s, China purchased the Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile system from Russia. However, a number of shortcomings were revealed during its operation, including difficulties in conducting combat operations at night since it lacked a night vision device. In 2005, the Chinese government decided to develop a new air defense system, the HQ17. It was based on the Tor-M1 but had improved functionality. Development lasted 10 years and was completed in 2015. The HQ17 series of air defense systems are currently in service with the PLA as the main medium-range air defense system.
[/expand]



[h2]Introducing the HQ17![/h2]

Today we’d like to talk about the HQ17, added to the Chinese ground forces tree this week in the Storm Warning major update, in a group with the Tor-M1. Despite the external similarities, the HQ17, which was developed entirely in China offers several improvements. Let’s take a look!



The HQ17 certainly looks familiar — that’s because it’s based on the Russian Tor-M1 SAM vehicle that’s already present in the game, but improved to meet the needs of the PLA. The HQ17 features a thermal imager, significantly helping when identifying and tracking targets in poor weather conditions or darkness. It also features a modernized missile! This new missile has a greater launch range and guidance time compared to the 9M331 missile found on the Tor-M1.

Important note from us: In the research tree, the HQ17 and Tor-M1 have been put into a group together.



In addition to the above, the HQ17 has a new phased array target acquisition radar with greater range, pattern and scanning angle. Much like the Tor-M1, it has the ability to track and fire at two targets simultaneously or guide two missiles to a single target.



Generally, the playstyle of the HQ17 is similar to the Tor-M1. Obviously the main and only role is to engage aircraft as it is unwise to fire the missiles at ground vehicles. With the radar deployed, the HQ17 can quite easily be spotted and as it only has bulletproof armor, so tactical positioning is vital. This vehicle is effective against all types of aircraft, with the ability to fire two missiles at a target at once being especially valuable. Keep in mind when playing the HQ17 that it can only carry 8 missiles in total.

That’s it for this dev blog! The HQ17 is already available to unlock as part of the Storm Warning major update. Give it a try, and have some fun!