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The Type 69-IIa and a Decal to Commemorate PLA Day!



Army Day is celebrated in China every year on August 1st. This date is both the day the PLA was created and the iconic symbol of the Chinese military — the flag and the coat of arms bear the “August 1st” symbol. The People’s Liberation Army has made many modernizations of its weapons and equipment, and now stands as one of the most powerful armed forces in the world.

[h3]The Type 69-IIa is temporarily available for Golden Eagles![/h3]
The Type 69-IIa is temporarily available for 8,380 Golden Eagles.



When: From today until August 5th (09:00 GMT).
Where: China > Army > Premium vehicles.


About this tank
  • The Type 69-IIa is an export modification of the Chinese Type 69 main battle tank that was widely used by the Iraqi army. It is equipped with a night vision device and a laser rangefinder, and its 100 mm Type 69-II rifled cannon has a two-plane stabilizer, an ESS and smoke grenades, and a wide variety of ammunition to choose from. Flank your enemies and send them back into the hangar with your amazing AP shells!



[h3]Earn the “Ground Forces Flag of the PLA” decal![/h3]
Get this decal for PLA Day!

“Ground Forces Flag of the PLA” decal

When: Until August 5th (09:00 GMT).

Task: Play 3 battles using Chinese ground vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Ground Forces Flag of the PLA” decal.


Additional details:
  • You must use a minimum of rank III.
  • Your activity must not be below 70%.
  • You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, and [Assault] mode.
  • Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → PLA Day.
  • You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customization menu.

Get the Iranian F-14A IRIAF in the ‘Persian Tomcat’ event



In the heat of August, it's time to cool off in air battles - and get a unique F-14A IRIAF fighter, a camouflage for it, two decals and a player icon depicting Jalil Zandi - the most successful Tomcat pilot in the world!

[h3]When: From August 8th (11:00 GMT) until August 26th (11:00 GMT), earn points in air battles, unlock stages and get prizes![/h3]


[h2]F-14A IRIAF - an event US Rank VIII Jet Fighter! [/h2]

In the mid-1970s, the United States began delivering its modern F-14A Tomcat fighters to their ally, the Shah of Iran. In service with them, the F-14A significantly expanded its list of weapons: in addition to the familiar AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-54 Phoenix, it added the Soviet R-27R1 and missiles of Iran’s own design: the Fakour-90 and Sedjil with active and semi-active radar guidance respectively, as well as the unique Yasser rockets with its 750 pound warhead!


“Emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force” decal

“Emblem of the Imperial Iranian Air Force” decal

"Jalil Zandi" Player Avatar



[h3]"Experimental” camouflage[/h3]


Also among the event prizes is a trophy, where you can obtain one of the following:
  • 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
  • SL and RP Boosters
  • Random wagers and orders
  • Universal backups (1 - 3 of)
  • Random camouflage for purchased vehicles of any type
  • 1 day of premium account


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

[h3]Please note: Please note: Once the stage is unlocked, you will need to claim your reward manually. To do this, click on your profile, select the Persian Tomcat category, and click Claim Prize.[/h3]


You can earn mission points in air battles of rank III and higher in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator modes. The number of mission points for completing a task depends on the game mode and the maximum rank of the vehicle used in battle. The multiplier for earning points is specified in the task description.

You can also earn points while using event vehicles of ranks I-II as well. Such vehicles have the name of the event in which they were received on their card.

[h3]The stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT: August 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd and 24th.[/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 prize decals
  • For 3 Stages: silver chest ‘Travel Suitcase’
  • For 4 Stages: one of the prize decals
  • For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward
  • For 6 Stages: the player icon "Jalil Zandi"
  • For 7 Stages: silver chest ‘Travel Suitcase’
  • For 8 Stages: non-tradable coupon for the F-14A IRIAF
  • For 9 Stages: unique camouflage and four random modifications for the F-14A IRIAF


[h2]Discounts on purchasing stages using Golden Eagles[/h2]
Unfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles. If you’re very close to completing a stage, its price will be significantly reduced!

So, if you have earned 85% of the points needed to complete the mission, the stage purchase price will be halved, and if you are already near the finish line and have reached 95% progress, the price will be reduced fivefold! For example, if you have earned 39,000 mission points, the stage unlock price will be 499 Golden Eagles, and if you have 43,000 points, you will only need to spend 199 GE. Keep this in mind if you can’t complete the stage in time!

[h2]Coupon redemption and the Gaijin Marketplace[/h2]
When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the vehicle, if you use it you will immediately receive it on your account. If you do not want to use the vehicle, but plan to sell the coupon on the Gaijin Marketplace, you need the "Coupon Upgrade" item.

The "Coupon Upgrade" item is earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event from August 8th (11:00 GMT) to August 26th (11:00 GMT) for 750,000 mission points.


After receiving the "Coupon Upgrade", you can convert the non-tradable equipment coupon into a tradable one and sell it on the Gaijin Marketplace. The tradable coupon will be available for sale 6 days after it was created.

The "Coupon Upgrade" item is valid until 11:00 GMT on August 29th. Until then, you can use it for its intended purpose or exchange it for War Bonds, otherwise it will disappear from your inventory.

To make a coupon tradable, select the "F-14A IRIAF" coupon in your inventory and click the "Modify" button.


You can track the progress of completing stages and receive the "Coupon Upgrade" by clicking on "Nickname → Achievements → Persian Tomcat". If you did not manage to complete the stage on time, you can still purchase the missing stages for Golden Eagles in the achievements window until August 29th and receive the corresponding prizes.

Pages of History (August): The First in Paris



In this month’s Pages of History, you’ll be at the center of events that took place in different theaters of war. Paris and Normandy, The fields of Russia and the British skies: take part in battles with the vehicles corresponding to these historic battles and receive prizes. 

[h3]
From August 1st until August 31st, you’ll be offered 8 tasks consecutively. Completing each will reward you with a trophy, and completing all of them will earn you a unique player icon.
[/h3]


[h3]Raymond Dronne[/h3]
Raymond Dronne joined the ranks of the Free French Forces in 1940, and in 1944 he was captain under General Leclerc. In 1944, when the Allied forces were already moving towards Paris, their road was difficult because of enemy resistance and bad weather. Leclerc ordered Dronne to go to Paris and inform the Resistance that large reinforcements would arrive in 24 hours. This made Dronne become the first French officer to enter Paris during the liberation of the city.

You can immediately purchase this profile icon for Golden Eagles until September 3rd, 11:30 GMT without completing tasks. To find it, go to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.

[h2]Trophy reward for each task[/h2]

Completing each individual task will give you a trophy with one of the following rewards:
  • 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles;
  • 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles;
  • 3-5 universal backups;
  • Premium account for 1 day;
  • A random camouflage for ground vehicles (out of the selection of camouflages currently obtainable in game for completing tasks, or purchasing with Golden Eagles).


[h2]Other terms[/h2]
  • Tasks are available from 11:00 GMT until 11:30 GMT on the final day of each task.
  • Tasks can be completed in random battles except for “Assault” mode.


You can read a detailed description of which task is for which day and your overall progress by going to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.

[h2]August 1st — August 4th [/h2]
[h3]Battle of the Bridges[/h3]
At the start of the Iraqi invasion on August 2nd 1990, Kuwait’s armed forces were taken by surprise. The hastily assembled Kuwaitis met the advancing enemy forces near two highway bridges near the city of AI Jahra. Kuwait had Chieftain tanks, M901 ITV ATGM carriers and M109A2 tanks, while Iraq had T-72s, BMP-1s BMP-2s and artillery. Due to their numerical superiority, Iraq destroyed or captured all Kuwaiti equipment, but delayed the battle long enough for a significant number of Kuwaitis to leave the combat zone.

[h2]August 5th — August 8th[/h2]
[h3]Spas-Demenskaya Operation[/h3]
From August 7th to August 20th 1943, near Spas-Demenskaya in the Smolensk region, the Red Army carried out an offensive operation. The German forces knew about it, but could still not withstand the onslaught and, having suffered significant losses, retreated to the west.

[h2]August 9th — August 12th [/h2]
[h3]Tartu Offensive[/h3]
On August 10th 1944, Soviet troops went on the offensive in the Baltic states, breaking through enemy defenses with adjacent attacks from two flanks. On August 16th, a daring landing across Lake Peipus landed behind German lines, and on August 25th, the city of Tartu came under control of the Soviets.

[h2]August 12th — August 16th [/h2]
[h3]Falaise Pocket[/h3]
On August 12th 1944, the Allies began encircling Wehrmacht groups in the pocket near Falaise in Normandy. The Wehrmacht at this time tried to launch a counteroffensive as part of Operation Lüttich, but it was doomed due to the lack of personnel. By August 21st, the pocket was completely surrounded, and a significant part of the German soldiers trapped in it were killed or captured.

[h2]August 17th — August 20th [/h2]
[h3]The Hardest Day[/h3]
On August 18th 1940, one of the largest air battles in history took place, it became the most important one in the Battle of Britain. The Luftwaffe tried to attack British airfields, but the RAF repulsed it in the air. Both sides suffered significant losses, but Germany was unable to achieve victory. Germany continued their attempts to defeat Britain in the air until the autumn.

[h2]August 21st — August 24th[/h2]
[h3]Kozelsk Offensive[/h3]
On August 22nd 1942, Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive near Kozelsk in the Kaluga region. Advancing 6-8 km deep into German-controlled territory cost them almost 35,000 people, while the Wehrmacht’s losses were an order of magnitude smaller.

[h2]August 24th — August 27th [/h2]
[h3]Liberation of Paris[/h3]
On August 24th 1944, Allied troops entered Paris from two sides — and within a day, they achieved almost complete control over the city. General Dietrich von Choltitz received an order from Hitler to destroy all historical and religious buildings in the city, but refused to carry it out. Paris was saved.

[h2]August 28th — August 31st[/h2]
[h3]Yelninskaya operation[/h3]
At the beginning of the German invasion of the USSR, a bulge formed at the front near Yelnya in the Smolensk region, where the 10th Tank Division of the Wehrmacht stopped. The USSR made several attempts to level the front line, and this operation, which began on August 30th 1941, was successful. This was one of the first times that Soviet troops broke through the Wehrmacht’s solid defenses and forced them to abandon a significant part of the territory.

Screenshot Competition – Action Shot!



Welcome to the 130th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!


All of you shared a fantastic collection of screenshots with us last week! Every battle has the quiet before the storm…. Capture the storm in a screenshot! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 130th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen130. You have time until the 2nd of August 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]
    Take a screenshot of an exciting moment in battle!
    You must add the #WTscreen130 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 129th edition – Chilling Out![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3294166279
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3294189511
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3293512431

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3293341927
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3294157874
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3293638548

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

A little more news on Research bonuses for new nations



Hey everyone! Today we’d like to share some more details regarding Research bonuses for new nations.

Let’s get right to it! We plan to release this feature before the next major update. Additionally, we’re planning to start internal testing by our team on the main server next week. Afterwards, you’ll be able to test the feature too and if all works well we’ll be good to go - once the live test starts we’ll let everyone know.

Regarding visuals, earlier on we shared some very basic concepts, but here’s what the feature will look like (part of it at least) once it's implemented into the game.



Some further details and clarifications about the mechanic:
  • As we mentioned earlier, the bonus will be available after unlocking the top vehicle of a tech tree.
  • The bonus will be active for 3 battles per day for each nation where the player doesn’t have the top vehicle of the same type unlocked (aircraft, bluewater ships and coastal vessels, ground vehicles, helicopters).
  • The bonus will be calculated from the base earned RP in the same way as the Skill bonus is.
  • The bonus works in any Random battles game mode, and will be applied if a vehicle of this kind was used in it. For example the bonus for aircraft will also be added to the base reward acquired on aviation not only in Air battles, but in Ground or Naval battles as well.


Of course though this doesn’t showcase the whole mechanic, you can check out everything yourself when the public test starts, so stay tuned for the news!

War Thunder Team