War Thunder News

HMS Glorious is a WWI-era British battlecruiser purpose-built for an ambitious plan to defeat Germany through a naval invasion on its eastern flank. Despite the plan itself never materialising, the ships necessary for it did and thus captains will soon have the chance to take command of this highly unorthodox warship design, arriving in War Thunder as part of the next major update “Fire and Ice”!

Briefly: An extremely lightly armoured but nimble British battlecruiser design, sporting 15’’ cannons.

[h2]HMS Glorious, battlecruiser, Britain, Rank V[/h2]

Features:

• Powerful 15’’ cannons
  
• Very thin belt armour
  
• Excellent mobility
  
• Numerous secondary guns
  
• Weak AA protection
  

In War Thunder, HMS Glorious will be a new battlecruiser arriving at the top rank of the British bluewater fleet in the next major update “Fire and Ice”. Unlike other warships of this type already present in the game, HMS Glorious really takes the definition of what a battlecruiser is supposed to be to the extreme - featuring quite superb firepower and mobility but at the cost of having been fitted with virtually no meaningful protection. Captains, prepare to meet the epitome of the naval equivalent of a ‘glass cannon’!

As we already mentioned, HMS Glorious can boast some serious firepower. While not quite matching some of the battleships it’ll undoubtedly face on the battlefield, this rather light vessel is fitted with a pair of twin 15’’ (381 mm) canons of the same type also fitted to the familiar HMS Hood, introduced in a previous update. In addition, HMS Glorious can also engage surface targets with its six triple 4’’ (102 mm) cannons, spread throughout the ship’s superstructure. The modest anti-air armament of the ship consists of three 3’’ (76 mm) cannons. Lastly, rounding off HMS Glorious’ arsenal is an additional 14 533 mm torpedo launchers, with a pair being submerged below the ship’s forward turret whereas the remaining six twin launchers are situated in fixed positions at the ship’s aft. As a result, HMS Glorious is capable of engaging a vast variety of surface targets, but remains vulnerable to aerial attack, like most ships of its era.

Fun Fact: During its carrier conversion, the 15’’ turrets from HMS Glorious were placed in storage and were later on reused in the outfitting of HMS Vanguard - the Royal Navy’s last battleship.

On the other hand, British shipbuilders outfitted HMS Glorious with very thin armour. Although by nature battlecruisers trade protection for speed and firepower, HMS Glorious only features minimal protection in the form of a 76 mm thick belt. As a result, HMS Glorious is about as well protected as some interwar light cruisers and is therefore susceptible to take damage from high-calibre rounds fired by heavy cruisers and especially battleships. Therefore, captains might want to rethink leading the charge against the enemy whilst commanding HMS Glorious.



However, not being weighed down by excessive armour also means that HMS Glorious’ displacement could be kept rather low. This, in combination with a 90,000 horsepower steam propulsion system ensures an impressive top speed of 32 kts (59 km/h), thus allowing HMS Glorious to keep pace with other cruisers on its team. This is a particularly handy trait when captains can keep up with dedicated anti-air cruisers, capable of extending their protective sphere around HMS Glorious and thus eliminating one of the ship’s weaknesses.



HMS Glorious is soon docking in players’ ports with the release of the next major update coming soon to War Thunder. In the meantime, be sure to keep scanning the horizon for more news as we continue sharing the latest on what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, calm seas and happy hunting captains!

The “Fire and Ice” update brings two new locations to the game - both hot and ice cold! Meet the “Rocky Canyon” designed for aerial battles, and the giant “Arctic” location with two combat zones for mixed battles!

[h3]"Rocky Canyon"[/h3]

The air battle location “Rocky Canyon” was inspired by the famous American Grand Canyon and the Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan - amazing natural monuments with an extensive altitudinal zonality. The river in the center of the map is located at the very bottom of the canyon and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs that rise several levels up and turn into a wide plateau. On the plateau, surrounded by dense forests, two small towns are located to the left and right of the canyon. “Rocky Canyon” will become a location with one of the largest altitude variations in the game. Ground targets are located at different levels and will require pilots to properly plan the route. The difference in heights and the difficult terrain will allow you to stealthily approach the enemy and easily evade missile attacks!




[h3]"Arctic"[/h3]

While creating the new location "Arctic", we tried to incarnate a collective image of the inhabited part of Arctic. Gloomy rocky islands covered with glaciers, abandoned fishing villages where lonely fishermen still live, majestic icebreakers making their way through the ice, and of course, myths and legends about secret military bases hidden in the endless icy wastelands. The Arctic is an unique area with a harsh climate, unusual landscape and the spirit of new discoveries. The huge location allowed us to make two full-fledged play zones for mixed battles.

The first zone is a battle for the Arctic station. The terrain here is open, but full of hills and covers. which allow even large tanks to take cover. To the sides from the station, another two strategic points are located - one in the abandoned fishing village, another in the container camp of the construction site workers.

The second combat zone is the polar port. The first capture point is located near the moored giant icebreaker, in the central part there are domes and antennas of the “friend or foe” early warning radar complex, and the third point is the station of the gas transmission system.

New rare decals await future owners! A Russian bear and Israeli bat, a Norwegian eagle and an American... whatever that beast is. You also have the opportunity to earn decals from previous sets: from imposing Japanese scorpion to South African boxing insect. As always, all nations and all vehicle types are represented here!

[h3]

Earn new decals for all nations in battles or purchase them for Golden Eagles until November 22nd!

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You can find these decals in the “Weeks latest” section in the customization tab, after which they will be available to their owners in the thematic sections of vehicle customization.

Some of the decals were created by Colin 'Fenris' Muir, Jej 'CharlieFoxtrot' Ortiz, Ricardo "BlueBeta" Lo Verso and Branislav 'InkaL' Mirkov.

• Tasks can be completed in vehicles of rank II-VII.
  
• The requirements for the decals may be checked in the “Weeks latest” section in vehicle customization or in the Achievements → Decals → Weeks latest.
  
• Tasks can be completed in random battles and events, except “Enduring Confrontation” and “Assault” missions.
  
• Decals received earlier have been temporarily moved to the section “Weeks latest” and will be moved later to the thematic sections.
  

Previous decals have been moved to their respective sections:

• "Crossed Sabers" emblem, 1st/9th Cavalry Regiment → USA.
  
• Emblem of the Fast Missile Boat Flotilla → Germany (navy).
  
• Emblem of 4th Guards Tank Brigade of 2nd Guards Tank Corps → USSR (tanks).
  
• Emblem of 20th Armoured Brigade Group → Britain (tanks).
  
• "Cobra" emblem of the 1/32 Tactical Fighter Training Group → Japan.
  
• "Griffin" emblem of the 91st Squadron of the 10th Group → Italy.
  
• Emblem of the 10th Armoured Division 63rd Territorial Military Division → France (tanks).
  
• Emblem of the Wendes Artillery Regiment → Sweden (tanks).
  
• Emblem "Looking Glass Cat" of 40th Squadron, SAAF → Neutral countries.
  
• "Rampant Dragon” emblem of the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing → China.
  

Meet the main aircraft prize in the upcoming new Battle Pass season! A really huge payload and a very special piece of munitions onboard!

[h2]A-1H Skyraider, attack aircraft, USA, rank IV. Premium.[/h2]

Features:

• Huge and varied payload
  
• Flares
  
• Quick energy loss in maneuvers
  
• Vulnerable to fighters and SPAAG
  
• ‘Toilet’ bomb
  

In the new season of the War Thunder Battle Pass, the “Smell of Victory”, which we dedicate to flamethrowers and napalm, it was impossible to skip the A-1H Skyraider, one of the most famous napalm aircraft ever. Skyraiders enjoy well-deserved respect from US pilots and tankers. These are classic piston-engined attack aircraft of the American school, real workhorses of rank IV. Their worn old wings are capable of carrying an impressive payload, and four 20-mm cannons are able to rescue other pilots from enemy fighters or light anti-aircraft guns on the ground.



The A-1H Skyraider will be the new member of the attacker family, and the most advanced one. The main difference from the AD-2 and AD-4 is the significantly greater weight of the suspended weapons. Among the most interesting options are 30x250lb bombs, up to three 2,000lb bombs, and a much larger number of FFAR unguided rockets. In addition to the greatly increased payload, this attack aircraft carries new types of weapons for the series - incendiary bombs and 7.62mm minigun pods, as well as flares to protect against guided missiles.

Fans of aviation know well the remarkable photo of the A-1H Skyraider aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier, on which, among the usual range of weapons, a porcelain toilet is mounted on the wing pylon - a mark of 6 million pounds of bombs dropped in Vietnam. War Thunder pilots who will take part in the new season of the Battle Pass will have the opportunity to send a porcelain round to ground targets. Yes, you can take one toilet bomb into battle! With a direct hit, the lavatory equipment can knock out a misfortuned crew member in an open compartment of an enemy vehicle. Although the toilet can’t hurt the material of an armored vehicle, it will definitely hurt the feelings of self-assured tank commander!



The new A-1H Skyraider and dozens of other prizes are waiting for you in the new season of War Thunder Battle Pass! The Devblog about the third prize and the full list of terms for the new season come very soon! Stay tuned!

The TCM-20 is an Israeli SPAAG, developed on the basis of the M3 halftrack chassis commonly used by the IDF throughout the Cold War era. Coming to War Thunder as part of the next major update “Fire and Ice”, tankers may look forward to the arrival of the TCM-20 SPAAG to the starting rank of the Israeli ground forces tree!

Briefly: A late 1960s Israeli SPAAG based on the American M3 halftrack and outfitted with a twin 20 mm anti-aircraft turret.

[h2]TCM-20, SPAAG, Israel, rank IV.[/h2]

Features:

• Punchy 20mm cannons
  
• High rate of fire
  
• Good mobility
  
• Light protection
  
• Exposed fighting compartment
  

In War Thunder, the TCM-20 SPAAG will be a highly anticipated new addition arriving to the Israeli ground forces tree as part of the next major update “Fire and Ice”. Giving Israeli tankers access to a rather potent SPAA unit immediately at the nation’s starting rank will significantly broaden the capabilities of the initial Israeli vehicle roster and allow tankers to effectively shield themselves from air attack.

Being based on the well-known and widely used chassis of the M3 halftrack means that the TCM-20 SPAA will feel familiar to many seasoned War Thunder tankers, regardless whether they’re transitioning over from another nation or have already climbed through ranks of the Israeli tree. Highly regarded for its compact profile and great off road capabilities, the TCM-20 can achieve a top speed of 67 km/h and conquer even rougher terrain types thanks to its halftrack design.



However, the most notable difference that TCM-20 brings with it compared to existing M3s in War Thunder certainly lies in its armament. While the chassis is no stranger to all sorts of weapons being fitted to it, ranging from .50 cal machine guns to 75 mm anti-tank cannons and even guided missiles, the TCM-20 brings with it a novel twin 20mm cannon setup based on the familiar M45 turret American tankers recall from the M16 MGMC. As a result, the TCM-20 is able to effectively engage both advanced piston-engine aircraft as well early jet fighters thanks to both its responsive turret controls as well as punchy 20 mm cannons coupled with a high rate of fire. Furthermore, loading armor-piercing ammunition also makes the TCM-20 quite dangerous for hostile SPAAGs as well as other lightly armored vehicles. One thing is for sure - there’s no messing about with this one.

Furthermore, unlike the standard M3 chassis, the TCM-20 features improved protection. Although this still won’t make the TCM-20 impervious to enemy fire, it does improve its chances to withstand high caliber machine gun fire and shrapnel. On the other hand, the vehicle still has an exposed fighting compartment, making it vulnerable to strafing aircraft for example. So better keep those eyes scanning the skies for threats, commander!



The TCM-20 is making its way to the starting rank of the Israeli ground forces tree in War Thunder with the arrival of the upcoming update “Fire and Ice”. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue revealing what other exciting new features and additions await you in the next major update. Until then, happy hunting tankers!