War Thunder News

Your screenshots from last week showcasing rank 1 vehicles were great! Hopefully the return to low tiers brought back nostalgia for veteran players, and new players could show off one of their favorite or most interesting vehicles. The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 57th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen57. You have time until 10.03.2023 to submit your screenshot.

After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

[h2]Important addition: Screenshot theme - Sights at the Beach![/h2]

[h3]Terms:[/h3]

This week, we would like to see your screenshots with a naval theme.
Your screenshot must include any of the following: Amphibious tanks, hydroplanes, or planes operated by a country's navy. Ships and boats are acceptable as well!
You must add the #WTscreen57 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
• Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.
  
• You need to be the author of the screenshot.
  
• Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.
  
• We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).
  
• You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.
  
• You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.
  
• Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 14 working days.
  

[h2]And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 56th edition - Clear Skies![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2939685718
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2938606787
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2940834946

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2938635652
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2939600783
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2940628291

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

A little sneak peek of the new visual and physical improvements in War Thunder aviation that will be introduced into the game with the upcoming Sky Guardians update!


We have improved the vapour cone effect that can be seen at transonic speed of the aircraft due to the local pressure gradient. Look how realistic it is now!


The game will have a new effect of the contrail left by the running aircraft engines, the new contrail is visually longer, more distinctable and “fluffy”. Another improved effect that every pilot is familiar with is the wingtip flow separation effect. It may be observed as a long vortex cord from the wingtips during manoeuvres. Physical turbulence has been added to these effects, which makes them more varied and authentic.


Beginning with the Sky Guardians update, we are introducing the mechanics of ejection seats for aviation of the later periods. This is a purely cosmetic effect, but beauty and authenticity are important components of the gameplay. So, the animation of the ejection seat operation includes a series of successive events: the cockpit canopy is torn off by pyrotechnic charges, the effect of the pilot's seat being ejected from the cockpit, after which the seat is disconnected from the pilot and the rescue parachute is triggered. At the time of the release of the update, the new mechanics will work for most rank VIII aircraft in the game.


Our designers also made a few enhancements to the visual and physical effects of damage to War Thunder planes. Visual effects of shrapnel damage were added to the impact area when aircraft surfaces were hit by proximity fuse munitions. Hit marks from small calibres (20mm and below) HE shells have been improved as well.

When an aircraft is on fire, you will now see dynamic effects of burning and tarnishing in the centre of the fire.

The effect of the aircraft's collision with the ground has also improved - now a physical effect of earth particles and dust thrown into the air appears at the collision area. This is how the new effects will look in the game.

The М53/59 Praga is a Czechoslovak wheeled SPAAG developed in the late 1950s on the chassis of the Praga V3S truck. Coming to War Thunder as part of the next major update , Praga will soon make its way to the Soviet ground forces tree and expand its roster of highly capable SPAA units!

Briefly: A Czech SPAAG based on a modified truck chassis and fitted with a twin 30 mm anti-aircraft turret.

[h2]М53/59, SPAAG, USSR, rank IV.[/h2]
Features:

• Powerful 30 mm cannons
  
• Magazine feed
  
• Good mobility
  
• Light protection
  

In War Thunder, М53/59 will be a new SPAA unit arriving to rank IV of the Soviet ground forces tree as part of the upcoming update “Sky Guardians”. Unlike the more advanced ZSU-57-2, the М53/59 isn’t fitted with high-caliber semi automatic cannons, but rather with a pair of 30 mm fully automatic cannons mounted on a highly responsive turret. Furthermore, its 30 mm cannons can be loaded with armor-piercing ammunition which possess ample penetrating power to present a serious threat to all but the most heavily protected opponents. However, being fed by magazines with just a 50 round capacity means that aspiring Praga commanders will have to count on frequently reloading in between engagements. Therefore be sure to anticipate this and always stay in close proximity of hard cover in order to facilitate a quick and safe reload.



Being based on the modified chassis of a proven truck design means that М53/59 can boast rather good mobility, even in off road conditions. The М53/59 can reach a top speed over 60 km/h on roads while seeing only a relatively small decrease in off-road conditions. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that despite its ruggedness, М53/59 is still a wheeled vehicle. As a result, very soft surfaces such as snow and mud will inevitably have a severe negative impact on its mobility - so best stay clear of them if you can!

In contrast to the original Praga truck it’s based on however, the М53/59 does feature some protection. Having its engine compartment and driver cabin encased in 10 mm of steel plating gives М53/59 sufficient protection when it comes to small arms fire and shrapnel. However, not only is this protection insufficient against targeted enemy fire but also the exposed turret in the rear of the vehicle is likely to be the first target the enemy will point its gun at. As a result, Praga can quickly be rendered ineffective or outright destroyed if commanders recklessly place their vehicle in the direct line of enemy fire.



The М53/59 will soon make its way to the higher ranks of the Soviet ground forces tree and will become available to all tankers following the release of the next major update “Sky Guardians”. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned and follow the news as we continue unveiling more of what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

An upgraded version of the menacing Phantom II multirole jet fighter will join the top ranks of the US air forces as a new Premium aircraft in the “Sky Guardians” update. Check the exclusive content available for pre-order pack owners!

The F-4S Phantom II fighter was developed as part of a modernization program launched in the United States in 1975 to extend the life of the F-4J fighter. Compared to its predecessor, the F-4S has significantly increased maneuverability and reduced landing and stall speeds. There are no internal guns installed, but it is possible to equip a container with a 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 gun. The suspended weaponry is presented by the AIM-7F or AIM-9H guided air-to-air missiles, Zuni Mk 32 or FFAR Mighty Mouse unguided rockets, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 pound caliber bombs and also 500-pound Mk 77 incendiary bombs. The countermeasures represented by chaff and flares.

Pre-order of the F-4S Phantom II will automatically add to your account a pile of Golden Eagles, Premium days and will grant access to exclusive game content after the Sky Guardian update released: the "The Devil's Disciple" title, insignia of the VF-301 Fighter Squadron of the United States Naval Reserve, as well as majestic navy blue livery for your Phantom!

Pre-order - F-4S Phantom II Pack

• F-4S Phantom II (Rank 7, USA)
  
• 2500 Golden Eagles
  
• Premium account for 20 days
  
• Pre-order bonus: "The Devil's Disciple" title
  
• Pre-order bonus: VF-301 Insignia decal
  
• Pre-order bonus: Unique 'Vandy 75' camouflage, U.S. Navy
  

[h2]This pack can be pre-ordered from the Gaijin Store.[/h2]

All-weather multipurpose VTOL jet fighter Yak-141 will be the pinnacle of the Yakovlev fighter family in the Soviet tech tree with the upcoming “Sky Guardians” update!

[h2]Yak-141, Strike aircraft/Naval aircraft, USSR. Rank VIII[/h2]
Features:

• Supersonic
  
• Deadly air-to-air missiles
  
• VTOL capability
  
• Advanced electronics
  
• Lacks air-to-surface guided munitions
  

An experimental carrier-based multi-purpose V/STOL aircraft has been developed at the Yakovlev Design Bureau since the mid-1970s. The aircraft was designed as an advanced carrier-based aircraft to replace the Yak-38 with performance characteristics close to light fighters from the 4th generation. This jet fighter should become the standard carrier-based aircraft of the Soviet aircraft carriers, including carrier cruisers being designed and under construction. During development, the project has undergone many iterations, including fundamental changes in the aerodynamic schemes. Due to multiple issues and delays in the development of a power plant, the Yak-141 made its maiden flight only in March 1987, and deck tests on the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrying cruiser began only at the end of 1991. Due to the economic crisis and lack of funding, the project was closed. The aircraft also did not arouse commercial interest among potential foreign operators. In total, four prototypes of the Yak-141 were built, including two flight ones, which are on display in two museums near Moscow.



The new Soviet carrier-based multi-role jet fighter Yak-141 (NATO reporting name “Freestyle”) , which will appear in the War Thunder “Sky Guardians” update, will become the most advanced V/STOL carrier-based aircraft of the USSR tech tree and the pinnacle of Yakovlev aircraft in the game. Vertical takeoff and landing, speed of about Mach 1.7, excellent air-to-air missiles and good ground attack capabilities are the main features of the new aircraft! And now a little more details.

VTOL aircraft are quite widely known in the game and are mastered by a large audience of pro pilots who find more and more new tactics due to the unique ability of changing the thrust vector. The common problem of such aircraft is the relatively low maximum speed, which at their ranks does not allow full-fledged competition with light and almost twice as fast opponents. Well, here comes the Yak-141! Possessing an excellent climb rate, this jump jet very quickly breaks the sonic barrier, and at high altitude is able to speed up over 1,800 km/h at minimal payloads. Add to this very sensitive controls, satisfying roll and turn speeds, a radar and a RWS… a winning formula for an interceptor, no?



But a top-tier interceptor cannot be good without effective missiles. Again, the Yak-141 is locked and loaded! The R-60 missiles for close combat and the R-27 family of medium-range missiles in three versions: the radar-guided R-27R, the thermal R-27T, as well as one of the best in the game R-27ER missiles are at your service. It's pleasant that there are four suspension points for air-to-air missiles, so the pilot can combine missiles of different ranges and different target acquisition principles. The GSh-30-1 rapid-firing cannon with a modest 120 rounds of ammunition will help in the snap-shoot face offs.

Since the Yak-141 was also supposed to provide fire support to the troops from the air, a rather high payload of conventional armaments could be suspended on the wings, from incendiary and HE bombs up to 500 kg, gun pods, to a variety of unguided rockets, including heavy S-24B . But there are no air-to-surface guided armaments here, so it is still better to choose the Yak-38 for hunting tanks in a hover.



The cockpits of the brand new Yak-141s will wide open their canopies for their pilots with the release of the “Sky Guardians” update very soon. Keep an eye on the Devblog series for the most interesting news about the patch. See you in the War Thunder skies!