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Update 2.43.0.86



[h2]Aircraft[/h2]
  • A bug that caused the sight in the cockpit to display incorrectly and move when the player’s camera moved in aircraft with gyro sights that were turned off has been fixed. (Report).
  • A bug where a line from the missile launch zone was sometimes displayed in another battle on another aircraft has been fixed. (Report).
  • A bug where collisions with friendly AI aircraft would in most cases not result in damage to the player’s aircraft has been fixed.
  • A bug where opening the bomb bay and then selecting bombs on the external hardpoint would cause the bomb bay to close and then not be possible to open until the bombs in the bomb bay were selected or until the external hardpoint selector was disabled has been fixed. (Report).
  • A bug where helicopter blades could deflect bombs without taking damage has been fixed.
  • A bug where bombs could fly through helicopters without causing damage has been fixed.
  • A bug where the voice announcer announced the incorrect launch direction and instead reported the direction of the previously fired missile has been fixed.

[h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2]
  • A bug where the crew would voice a notification about a missed shot due to the discarding sabot flying past the target even though the armor-piercing part of the APFSDS shell hit the target has been fixed.
  • A bug where it was possible to attach the tow cable to an enemy vehicle that was still alive after they had respawned for the second time has been fixed.

[h2]Naval Vessels[/h2]
  • Arkhangelsk — a bug where the last two gun indicators did not show the reload time has been fixed.

[h2]Locations[/h2]
  • Water display near the shores has been improved, making the boundary between calm and turbulent currents less noticeable.
  • Green Mountains Gulf, Palau Islands — these Coastal only missions have been removed from the rotation in all game modes. This has been done due to the large distance between the spawn points and taking 4 minutes on average to make it to the first capture point. We plan to change and reintroduce them in the future.

[h2]Other[/h2]
  • A bug where Market camouflages might have not been displayed to other players even if the “Show content in the battle” setting was selected as “Any” in the settings has been fixed. (Report).
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 Auction!



The auction is a new way to distribute player-created content. In addition to trophies, we’ll now select a few more pieces of work from those not included in them and release them to the auction in limited edition.

How does the auction work?

Trading is carried out using a special currency called Gaijin Coin, the same currency already used on the Gaijin Marketplace.

“Lots” with a minimum bid are put up for auction, which will open for bids at a set time and date. Bidding lasts for a certain amount of time so that everyone who wants to can make their bids.

There is a starting price for each item, so to make a bid you’ll need at least that amount of GJN on your account. The amount you bid is frozen until the end of the bidding or until you make a new bid. Be careful, as you cannot cancel the bid. If you win, you receive the item and the amount is debited from your account, otherwise the amount you bid is returned to your account.

If you’re outbid, (or in the case of multi-item auctions, if your bid is no longer high enough to win the item), you’ll receive a notification about this. At the end of the auction, you’ll also receive a notification of the auction result.

An auction may contain several identical items in the form of many lots — one item per lot. If this happens, they’ll be received by the players who made the highest bids, and the number of winners will be equal to the number of auction lots. For example, if there are 1,000 participants in an auction for 100 lots, the item will be received by 100 players who had the highest bids at the end of the auction.

If players with the same bid compete for the remaining item, then the first bidder will have the advantage since they bid first. One player can only buy one lot from an auction.

In the auction interface, you’ll see the values ​​of the current leading bids.

Auction Rules
  • After the auction ends, items that are not declared as coupons will be automatically activated on your account. Camouflage coupons will be added to your inventory.
  • Players who purchased camouflage coupons will not be able to sell them on the Market immediately, but after at least 180 days.
  • Items that are put up for auction cannot appear there again for a year.


Testing the Auction
To test out the new auction system, we’re offering the first lots dedicated to the Lunar New Year:



Lot #1 “Spring Festival” avatar frame
Quantity: 100 pieces
Starting price: 0.50 GJN
Bid Increment: 0.50 GJN



Lot #2: Coupon for the VT4A1 “Year of the Snake” camouflage
Quantity: 100 pieces
Starting price: 1 GJN
Bid Increment: 1 GJN

Possible to sell on the Market from August 11th 2025.



Lot #3: Coupon for the J-10A “Year of the Snake” camouflage
Quantity: 100 pieces
Starting price: 1 GJN
Bid Increment: 1 GJN

Possible to sell on the Market from August 11th 2025.

Click here to go to the Auction

Bids on these lots will be accepted until February 10th (15:30 GMT).

Players who purchase at least one of these lots will also receive the “Inverted Jenny” decal. This is a 1918 U.S. postage stamp, where the Curtiss JN-4 airplane was mistakenly depicted upside down. This stamp has become especially rare and valuable among philatelists.


Inverted Jenny” decal

Announcing the Removal of the R2Y2 from Research



Today, we’d like to give you a heads up regarding the removal of the R2Y2 V1, V2 and V3 for research so that you can get them before they’re gone.

In War Thunder, we want to include vehicles that were complete and built; either in full, in the prototype phase or in the experimental phase. Much like the removed German ground vehicles in 2019, the three R2Y2 aircraft are unhistorical “paper” vehicles that were never built in any capacity, added in 2014 to fill a gap due to the severe lack of possible aircraft available for Japan at the time.

Detailed history and context of the R2Y2
[expand]
The Yokosuka R2Y was an unarmed Japanese reconnaissance aircraft prototype that flew in the very late months of the Second World War in May 1945. This version (R2Y1 Keiun) was a piston engined version of the aircraft that featured twin coupled engines. Naturally the war stopped before its development could be taken any further and of the 3 prototypes, just one was completed. However, plans were made for a jet engined version of this aircraft, featuring twin Ne-330 engines in an attacker configuration. It is this version (R2Y2) that we decided to introduce in 2014 to the game, as it most closely matched the existing or planned jet bombers / attackers for other nations at the time. For example, the Canberra, B-57, Ar 234 and IL-28.
As the R2Y1 was destroyed and its development was not taken further, the R2Y2 was very much a mystery. There were only estimations of its performance, based on a combination of known R2Y1 details and the performance of the Ne-330 engines. Its overall design was very much speculative in terms of the “V2” and “V3” configurations and it’s questionable if they were even part of the original design plans to begin with. Back in 2014, we worked with what resources there were on the aircraft and brought it to some form of reality, being virtual reality, in War Thunder.
[/expand]

Our stance on the R2Y2 series is that they would be removed when functional replacements became available. Fast-forward to 2025, the Japanese aircraft tree now features many new aircraft, including Thai aircraft that fill enough spots and cover various Battle Ratings so that this can happen. We know that many players will want to obtain these vehicles before they are removed from being able to be researched, so there are just under 3 months to research them before they’re gone.

On April 30th 2025, the following three will be removed from research from the Japanese aircraft tree:

  • R2Y2 Kai V1
  • R2Y2 Kai V2
  • R2Y2 Kai V3
Key information:
  • These vehicles will no longer be available for research after the above removal date and will become collectable vehicles to everyone that currently owns them. They will not be hidden from anyone who already owns them.
  • If you’ve put at least 1 RP into one of these vehicles (through RP earned or converting RP), you’ll be able to fully finish the research even after the removal date. Remember, there are three in the game — if you want to keep all three, you’ll need to put research into each individually. Since they are in a group, this would require researching V1 and V2 fully to be able to put research into V3.
  • We currently have no plans to ever return the R2Y2’s to the game to be researched or obtained after the removal.

Screenshot Competition – Your Favorite!



Welcome to the 157th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!


Your screenshots from last week looked great, thanks for sharing! This week is simple - Take a picture of whichever vehicle is your favorite! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 157th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen157. You have time until the 7th of February 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.

[h3]Terms:[/h3]
    Your screenshot must feature a player vehicle.
    You must add the #WTscreen157 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
    Artists may only win by popular vote once per four screenshot competitions.
  • 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 156th edition – Helping Hands![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414573737
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414638622
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414660915

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414520930
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3416001386
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414983328

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

Get the F-5A(G) in the Freedom Fighter Event!



In this next aviation event, we’re celebrating the Norwegian Air Force. Take part in air battles to get unique decals as well as this special version of the F-5A fighter, nicknamed the “Freedom Fighter”, designed for export to Norway!

[h3]From February 6th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards![/h3]


[h2]F-5A(G) — An Event Vehicle Jet Fighter for Sweden at Rank VII[/h2]
The F-5A(G) is a Royal Norwegian Air Force multi-role fighter jet. This modification is equipped with a new sighting system, all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and the Penguin guided anti-ship missile with a thermal imaging homing head, which will prove itself in battles against tanks. The F-5A(G) is the first Norwegian aircraft in War Thunder and also has a unique “tiger” camouflage!



“Emblem of the Royal Norwegian Air Force” decal

“Emblem of the 332nd squadron” decal

“Emblem of the 336th squadron” decal



Special camouflage

Among the rewards in the event is also this chest, where, when opened, brings the chance to receive one of the following items:
  • 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
  • Silver Lion and Research Point boosters
  • Random Wagers and Orders
  • Universal Backups (1 - 3)
  • A random camouflage for a vehicle you own
  • 1 day of Premium Account


[h2]How to get all rewards[/h2]
Each stage is unlocked for 45,000 mission points and brings a new reward.

Please note: Once the stage is unlocked, you will need to claim your reward manually. To do this, click on your profile, select the Freedom Fighter category, and click Claim Prize.


You’re able to earn mission points in Air Battles at Rank III or above in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator Battles. The number of mission points to complete a stage depends on the game mode and the maximum Rank of the vehicle that you use in battle. There’s a multiplier for earning mission points, which is shown in the task description in-game.

You can also earn mission points by using event vehicles that are Rank I and II. Event vehicles that can be used have the name of the event that they were obtainable in on their stat card.

[h3]Stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT: February 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd.[/h3]


[h2]Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages[/h2]
  • For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward
  • For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  • For 3 Stages: a silver chest “Snake Box”
  • For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  • For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward
  • For 6 Stages: “Emblem of the 336th squadron” decal
  • For 7 Stages: a silver chest “Snake Box”
  • For 8 Stages: a non-tradable coupon for the F-5A(G)
  • For 9 Stages: unique camouflage and four random modifications for the F-5A(G)


[h3]Discounts on purchasing stages using Golden Eagles[/h3]
Unfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles, but if you’re significantly close to completing a stage, its price will now be significantly reduced.

Let’s say you have earned 85% of the required mission points to complete a stage, then the price of purchasing this stage will be halved. If you’re near the finish line for a stage and are at 95% progress, then the price will be reduced by five times. For example, if you’ve scored 39,000 mission points, then the price for unlocking this stage will be 499 Golden Eagles. If you’ve scored 43,000 mission points, then you’ll only need to pay 199 Golden Eagles. Remember to keep this in mind if you cannot complete a stage on time!

[h3]The Upgrade for coupon [/h3]
When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the F-5A(G) where using it will immediately activate the vehicle onto your account. If you don’t want the vehicle and would like to sell the coupon on the Market, you’ll need the “Upgrade for coupon” item.

The “Upgrade for coupon” item can be earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event from February 6th (11:00 GMT ) until February 24th (11:00 GMT) for 750,000 mission points.


After receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” item, you can convert a non-tradable coupon for the vehicle into a tradable one and sell it on the Market. The tradable coupon can be sold after 5 days from the moment it’s created.

The “Upgrade for coupon” item is valid until February 27th (11:00 GMT). Until this time, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory.


To make a tradable coupon, select the “Coupon F-5A(G) (Sweden)” in your inventory and click the “Modify” button.


You can track the progress of completing stages and receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Freedom Fighter. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, until February 27th from the Achievements window, you can purchase each stage with Golden Eagles which will give you the corresponding rewards.