War Thunder News

Thanks for sharing all of your screenshots with us last week, they looked great! This week has a simple theme, capture an explosion! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 159th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen159. You have time until the 21st 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 include an explosion!
You must add the #WTscreen159 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 158th edition – Another Day at the Beach![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3423607294
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3423346937
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3423486085

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3423273526
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3425257297
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3423687474

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

The BO 105 multi-role helicopter, designed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, made history as the first light twin-engine helicopter and the first helicopter capable of aerobatic maneuvers. Its blades were reinforced with fiberglass and its advanced rotor design proved so reliable that in the six million operating hours accumulated on all BO 105 units produced, the rotor has never failed. Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the BO 105’s first flight which occurred on February 16th 1967.


You can get this helicopter at a 30% discount for 5,992 Golden Eagles!

When: From today until February 17th (10:00 GMT).
Where: Germany > Helicopter > Premium vehicles.

About this helicopter

• The BO 105 CB-2 is an upgraded variant of the BO 105, primarily designed to combat tanks. It features improved optics and American BGM-71 TOW missiles. Due to its compactness and high maneuverability, the BO 105 CB-2 is able to make maximum use of the terrain to deliver surprise attacks, and its flares will help counter enemy missiles.
  

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th! Spread the love in War Thunder with a themed decal, decorations and the MK-IX “Valentine” tank that temporarily returns for the occasion.


Get yourself this love-themed decal by completing the following task.

“Neon Valentine” decal

When: From today until February 17th (07:00 GMT).
Task: Play 3 battles using any nation at rank III or above to receive the “Neon Valentine” decal!

Additional details:

• Your activity must not be below 70%.
  
• You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, [Assault] mode and Helicopter PVE battles.
  
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Valentine’s Day.
  
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customisation menu.
  

[h2]Valentine’s Trophy with Decorations![/h2]

When: From today until February 17th (07:00).

A trophy with themed decorations is available to purchase in the in-game Item Shop for 499 Golden Eagles! This trophy includes the “Anchor of Love” ship decoration, plus the “Teddy Bear with a Heart” and “Compound Bow” decorations for ground vehicles. When opening it, you’ll receive a decoration that you don’t yet have.



[h2]The MK-IX “Valentine” is temporarily available for Golden Eagles![/h2]
For 1,000 Golden Eagles, you can get this rare tank this Valentine’s Day.

When: From today until February 17th (07:00).
Where: USSR > Army > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About this tank[/h3]

• The British MK-IX “Valentine” tanks were supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. One of the supply routes was via Iran, which is why many Valentines fought against the Wehrmacht on the North Caucasus Front. This tank can withstand hits well, quickly reloads its powerful 57 mm gun and can penetrate most enemy armor with its APCBC shell.
  

[h2]Battle Ratings[/h2]

• The planned Battle Rating changes have come into effect.
  

[h2]Aircraft[/h2]

• Missions on the “Moscow” location have been re-enabled in Air Realistic Battles.
  
• A-5C — has been moved to Rank VII.
  
• F-111C — GBU-15(V)1/B has been added, additional wing pylons for AIM-9L have been added.
  
• F-16A OCU — helmet mounted display has been added.
  
• Me 262 A-1/U4 — gun dispersion has been reduced.
  
• F-4C — the AIM-9B and AIM-9E modifications have been moved to tiers I and II in modification research.
  
• F-14A Early — the AIM-9D modification has been removed (Research Points and Golden Eagles will be compensated). AIM-9D missiles can now be used without researching any modifications. The AIM-9G and AIM-9H modifications have been moved to tiers I and II in modification research respectively.
  
• F-5A(G) — the modification positions in the tree have been changed. The Flares/Chaff modification has been moved to tier I in modification research.
  

[h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2]

• Improved Chaparral, Antelope, Type 81 (C) — the NVD modification has been moved from tier IV to tier II in modification research.
  
• Improved Chaparral (Israel) — the MIM-72G modification has been moved from tier IV to tier III in modification research.
  

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.

When Emperor Meiji regained real power, he decided to introduce a national holiday to honor the emperors. The occasion was the accession to the throne of Jimmu, the legendary first ruler of Japan. In 1872, this day was celebrated on the first day of the Lunar year, which then fell on January 29th, but the following year Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, and February 11th was chosen as the date. In 1966, the date was again decided to be a holiday, but instead was given the different and less imperial name of National Foundation Day.

To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store!

From today until February 18th (11:00 GMT).

These packs are available at a 50% discount!

• Type 16 (FPS) Pack
  
• Type 90B "Fuji" Pack
  
• IJN Yamashiro Pack
  
• T-2 Early Pack (only during this sale!)
  

The IJN Kiyoshimo is temporarily available for 4880 Golden Eagles and the A6M5 Ko and J2M4 Kai are temporarily available for 3850 Golden Eagles each!

When: From today until February 18th (11:00 GMT).
Where: Japan > Bluewater fleet / Aviation > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About these vehicles[/h3]

• IJN Kiyoshimo (rank III) is one of the last destroyers built by Japan during World War II. This destroyer features three main turrets with 127 mm guns for fire at enemy ships. Additionally it is agile and has an excellent amount of anti-aircraft weaponry, capable of protecting allies from attacks by enemy aircraft. It also features destructive 16 x 610 mm torpedoes!
  

• The A6M5 Ko (rank IV) is based on the A6M5 with more ammunition, raising the amount from 200 to 250 shells. This is an ideal aircraft for turn fighting against enemies, or bombing enemy tanks with 250 kg or two 60 kg bombs if needed!
  

• J2M4 Kai (rank IV) is a variant of the Mitsubishi J2M4 Raiden with a more powerful engine, characterized by increased speed and rate of climb. As for guns, the J2M4 features four 20 mm cannons with a combined total of 680 rounds, more than enough for taking out several enemies.
  

Get yourself this cool decal by completing the below task.

“Symbols of Japan” decal

When: From today until February 18th (11:00 GMT).
Task: Play 3 battles using Japanese vehicles at rank III or above to receive the “Symbols of Japan” decal!

Additional details:

• Your activity must not be below 70%.
  
• You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, [Assault] mode and Helicopter PVE battles.
  
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Founding Day of the State in Japan.
  
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.
  

[h2]We’ve also prepared something interesting for you on our social media channels. Be sure to pay them a visit! [/h2]



After activating the key, you’ll find the following tasks in the Achievements > Holidays > National Foundation Day in Japan section. From today until February 18th (11:00 GMT):

• Earn a total of 20,000 mission points while playing with Japanese vehicles at rank III or higher in Ground Battles to get the Omaneko dakimakura (normal edition) decoration.
  
• Earn a total of 40,000 mission points while playing with Japanese vehicles at rank III or higher in Ground Battles to get the Omaneko dakimakura (limited edition) decoration.