https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFYW0hix0kU
In the previous update, we rolled out the first fully urban tank map. Continuing the theme of highly complex tank battles in urban conditions, a next update will include a new map: the Crossing of the Rhine. The basis for this map is the famous tank battle at the cathedral in the war-ravaged city of Cologne.

The Crossing of the Rhine map is not a completely accurate recreation of Cologne, but rather a generalized recreation based on battles in German cities in the final stage of the war. Nonetheless, players will see many recognizable places: the magnificent Rhine, the famous Cologne Cathedral and more of the old city's sights.

In the center of the map there stands a monument surrounded by ruins. Each team has the ability to reach that point along three main paths.

Watch video here!

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547818
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547952
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548054
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547951
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548135
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548116

The choice between taking the short route or the long route is complicated by a number of alleys and streets from which enemies could appear at any moment. This means that one should carefully study the map before the battle, to make navigation easier, to take into account possible ambushes and attacks, and to take advantage of good cover. Tankers have a choice of two different strategies: local battles at close ranges and tank duels on long fire-swept streets.

Pilots must help their ground troops capture the city to ensure a crossing over the river and allow for a further advance. Finding ground targets among the city’s districts will not be easy. But on top of that, you have to reach them too. Pilots have a 64 by 64 km area at their disposal.

In short, this new map will be exciting both for tried-and-tested players and for newcomers. Dynamic urban battles are the best way to develop your mastery of the game.


The War Thunder Team
Discuss it here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFYW0hix0kU
In the previous update, we rolled out the first fully urban tank map. Continuing the theme of highly complex tank battles in urban conditions, a next update will include a new map: the Crossing of the Rhine. The basis for this map is the famous tank battle at the cathedral in the war-ravaged city of Cologne.

The Crossing of the Rhine map is not a completely accurate recreation of Cologne, but rather a generalized recreation based on battles in German cities in the final stage of the war. Nonetheless, players will see many recognizable places: the magnificent Rhine, the famous Cologne Cathedral and more of the old city's sights.

In the center of the map there stands a monument surrounded by ruins. Each team has the ability to reach that point along three main paths.

Watch video here!

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547818
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547952
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548054
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494547951
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548135
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=494548116

The choice between taking the short route or the long route is complicated by a number of alleys and streets from which enemies could appear at any moment. This means that one should carefully study the map before the battle, to make navigation easier, to take into account possible ambushes and attacks, and to take advantage of good cover. Tankers have a choice of two different strategies: local battles at close ranges and tank duels on long fire-swept streets.

Pilots must help their ground troops capture the city to ensure a crossing over the river and allow for a further advance. Finding ground targets among the city’s districts will not be easy. But on top of that, you have to reach them too. Pilots have a 64 by 64 km area at their disposal.

In short, this new map will be exciting both for tried-and-tested players and for newcomers. Dynamic urban battles are the best way to develop your mastery of the game.


The War Thunder Team
Discuss it here!

We are pleased to announce, a brand new design for the War Thunder webstore (including other games from our company), which is now called the Gaijin.Net Store
With the launch of the Gaijin.Net Store we have prepared new types of items that can provide Premium accounts only or offer other combinations of Premium accounts and Golden Eagles.

In addition, we present the long-requested option to purchase some of the packs as gifts, more info here.

After purchasing this item you will receive an activation key located in Purchase History in your profile, and then you can gift this code to a friend. For activation, please go here.

30% discount for gift versions and 25% discount for regular version of the following packs: To celebrate this, we are launching a special sale:[/list]

• https://online.gaijinent.com/story.php?title=Weapons-Victory_John-Plagis-Spitfire-Mk_IXc#_ga=1.152290495.76677316.1431414900
  
• Typhoon Advanced Pack
  
• Hunter Starter Pack
  
• Weapons of Victory - T-34-85, 1945
  
• Weapons of Victory - Pavel Golovachev's Yak-9M

We will be happy to hear your suggestions for improving the user experience or adding more payment options in the forum discussion.

If you have any technical difficulties, please contact our support team.

We are pleased to announce, a brand new design for the War Thunder webstore (including other games from our company), which is now called the Gaijin.Net Store
With the launch of the Gaijin.Net Store we have prepared new types of items that can provide Premium accounts only or offer other combinations of Premium accounts and Golden Eagles.

In addition, we present the long-requested option to purchase some of the packs as gifts, more info here.

After purchasing this item you will receive an activation key located in Purchase History in your profile, and then you can gift this code to a friend. For activation, please go here.

30% discount for gift versions and 25% discount for regular version of the following packs: To celebrate this, we are launching a special sale:[/list]

• https://online.gaijinent.com/story.php?title=Weapons-Victory_John-Plagis-Spitfire-Mk_IXc#_ga=1.152290495.76677316.1431414900
  
• Typhoon Advanced Pack
  
• Hunter Starter Pack
  
• Weapons of Victory - T-34-85, 1945
  
• Weapons of Victory - Pavel Golovachev's Yak-9M

We will be happy to hear your suggestions for improving the user experience or adding more payment options in the forum discussion.

If you have any technical difficulties, please contact our support team.

Participate in events related to Korean War: "Black Thursday" - A historical event on Korean Map V Rank - 5 Jets and Ground Forces Tournaments

Pilots, the time has come to prove your skill in controlling the highest class of aircraft available in War Thunder! Join in with this weekend’s “Black Thursday” event to engage in jet warfare over Korea!

Black Thursday is the nickname given by USAF pilots to a a Korean War event which took place in the famous ‘MiG Alley’, in which Soviet MiG-15 jets attacked B-29 Superfortress aircraft during a bombing mission over Korea.

MiG-15s curving in to attack USAF B-29s


MiG Alley, as the region is referred to by United Nations pilots, is a portion of North Korea which was the site of numerous dogfights between UN and North Korean forces. Nations allied with North Korea also took part in the air battles of this region, including airmen from the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The term “MiG” in this region’s nickname is a reference to the Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft which were predominantly used during most of the conflict. This site is known to have been host to the world’s first large scale jet-vs-jet air battles, as MiG-15’s clashed with jets such as the North American F-86 Sabre.

On the 12th of April, 1951, three MiG-15 squadrons, with a total of 30 aircraft, attacked a group of B-29 Superfortress bombers of the USAF, and following the events which took place during this attack, pilots from the USAF began referring to this date as “Black Thursday”. The B-29 aircraft were under the protection of about 100 F-80 Shooting Star’s and F-84 Thunderjet’s. Despite being clearly outnumbered, the pilots of the MiG-15’s were able to fly past their non-swept wing foes, and engage the B-29s. In total, three were shot down, and 7 were damaged, and the Soviet side had been able to accomplish this without any casualties. Following this event, US sorties in the region were halted for a period of about 3 months. Night missions, using small groups of bomber aircraft, continued after this, as daylight attacks on Korea were discontinued.


F-86A-5-NA 48-257 of the 334th FIS / 4th FIW flown by Capt. James Jabara. Camouflage created by Enzofer | Download here!

We will include the 12th FBS 'Foxy Few' and the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussarsin War Thunder: Decals by Jej "CharlieFoxtrot" Ortiz and Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=491848552

Participate in events related to Korean War: "Black Thursday" - A historical event on Korean Map V Rank - 5 Jets and Ground Forces Tournaments

Pilots, the time has come to prove your skill in controlling the highest class of aircraft available in War Thunder! Join in with this weekend’s “Black Thursday” event to engage in jet warfare over Korea!

Black Thursday is the nickname given by USAF pilots to a a Korean War event which took place in the famous ‘MiG Alley’, in which Soviet MiG-15 jets attacked B-29 Superfortress aircraft during a bombing mission over Korea.

MiG-15s curving in to attack USAF B-29s


MiG Alley, as the region is referred to by United Nations pilots, is a portion of North Korea which was the site of numerous dogfights between UN and North Korean forces. Nations allied with North Korea also took part in the air battles of this region, including airmen from the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The term “MiG” in this region’s nickname is a reference to the Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft which were predominantly used during most of the conflict. This site is known to have been host to the world’s first large scale jet-vs-jet air battles, as MiG-15’s clashed with jets such as the North American F-86 Sabre.

On the 12th of April, 1951, three MiG-15 squadrons, with a total of 30 aircraft, attacked a group of B-29 Superfortress bombers of the USAF, and following the events which took place during this attack, pilots from the USAF began referring to this date as “Black Thursday”. The B-29 aircraft were under the protection of about 100 F-80 Shooting Star’s and F-84 Thunderjet’s. Despite being clearly outnumbered, the pilots of the MiG-15’s were able to fly past their non-swept wing foes, and engage the B-29s. In total, three were shot down, and 7 were damaged, and the Soviet side had been able to accomplish this without any casualties. Following this event, US sorties in the region were halted for a period of about 3 months. Night missions, using small groups of bomber aircraft, continued after this, as daylight attacks on Korea were discontinued.


F-86A-5-NA 48-257 of the 334th FIS / 4th FIW flown by Capt. James Jabara. Camouflage created by Enzofer | Download here!

We will include the 12th FBS 'Foxy Few' and the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussarsin War Thunder: Decals by Jej "CharlieFoxtrot" Ortiz and Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=491848552

Participate in Rank V Jets and Ground Forces Tournaments!

We always wanted to make our tournaments available for a maximum amount of players, that’s why we mostly introduced tournaments for ranks two and three. However lately we have received a lot of requests from players who ask to also include top-rank vehicles. So this weekend we will have more speed and power!

We introduce 2v2 Air tournament for jet aircraft and tank tournament for 5 rank tanks. Get ready to play big!

In Air tournaments you will have an opportunity to win Silver Lions in each battle and for every 5 battles you will receive special tournament trophy with a chance to win premium aircraft: German P-47D, American Bf 109F-4 and Soviet medium bomber B-25J-30!
Especially for top-rank battles we prepared new a duel map - Korea with longer distances and higher spawn points, don’t miss it!

As for Tank tournaments - you will see your favourite maps, game mechanics that was used in previous tournaments, high rank line-up and new tank trophy with premium German Pz.BfW.IV and Soviet SMK as main prizes.

Good luck and have a nice weekend!

1. Each new participant begins with a rating of 0 and earns points through victories, depending on the other participants’ ratings.
   
2. The matchmaker for the tournament will balance your opponents and allies based on your current rating.
   
3. If you choose to play in a squad - your squad will be balanced in accordance with the squad-member who has the highest personal tournament rating.
   
4. Tournament battle results do not count for other events and/or specials.

Participate in Rank V Jets and Ground Forces Tournaments!

We always wanted to make our tournaments available for a maximum amount of players, that’s why we mostly introduced tournaments for ranks two and three. However lately we have received a lot of requests from players who ask to also include top-rank vehicles. So this weekend we will have more speed and power!

We introduce 2v2 Air tournament for jet aircraft and tank tournament for 5 rank tanks. Get ready to play big!

In Air tournaments you will have an opportunity to win Silver Lions in each battle and for every 5 battles you will receive special tournament trophy with a chance to win premium aircraft: German P-47D, American Bf 109F-4 and Soviet medium bomber B-25J-30!
Especially for top-rank battles we prepared new a duel map - Korea with longer distances and higher spawn points, don’t miss it!

As for Tank tournaments - you will see your favourite maps, game mechanics that was used in previous tournaments, high rank line-up and new tank trophy with premium German Pz.BfW.IV and Soviet SMK as main prizes.

Good luck and have a nice weekend!

1. Each new participant begins with a rating of 0 and earns points through victories, depending on the other participants’ ratings.
   
2. The matchmaker for the tournament will balance your opponents and allies based on your current rating.
   
3. If you choose to play in a squad - your squad will be balanced in accordance with the squad-member who has the highest personal tournament rating.
   
4. Tournament battle results do not count for other events and/or specials.

Dear friends!

Since the development of War Thunder began, we have strived to diversify all of the in-game content available to our players. We have added new aircraft and new locations, we added new ground vehicles for the USSR and Germany. We introduced a research tree for US ground vehicles. Of course, we didn’t plan to stop there, and so, we would like to proudly present to you a project that the development team has been working on diligently for a long time - British ground vehicles!

Fast and deadly, heavy and protected, beautiful and powerful, here they are! - ground vehicles for a fourth nation in War Thunder. The manufacture of ground vehicles from Great Britain proved to have an unusual approach in combining armour and weaponry. Often, they created unique vehicles, of which no counterpart anywhere else in the world could match.

In the first Devblog about British ground vehicles, we would like to introduce players to three prominent British developments, which were in the armed forces of Great Britain during and after WW2. Just from the examples of these three vehicles that have been shown here, you can already see how different and diverse the British manufacturing techniques of ground vehicles was, techniques which led to superb vehicles that will soon be available for our players in War Thunder. So let’s put away our tea mugs and see what we've got!


http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807119
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807221

The A34 “Comet” was the further development of the “Cromwell”. An incredible vehicle, which was recognized by the British command as the best in its class. At a weight of only 33 tons, its firepower was greater than the firepower of any other Allied medium tank of its time. The only other comparable vehicle within the British Ground Forces, the Sherman Firefly, was greatly inferior to the “Comet” in all characteristics, except the cannon’s penetration.

The “Comet” was upgraded and modified to fit the 17-pounder-antitank cannon, which already proved its effectiveness as a field cannon. Besides that, the armour on the vehicle turret was improved, while the chassis was taken from the “Cromwell”. In game, the vehicle shows its strengths against opponents at rank III and IV, but tankers should not rely on armour protection, as non sloped armour may lead to poor survivability. The proper use of its excellent combination of mobility and cannon performance transform the “Comet” into a dangerous hunter against enemy tanks and self-propelled guns behind enemy lines.


http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807173
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807172

The “Churchill” is a legendary British infantry support tank. Thanks to its successful design and excellent armour protection, which was further enhanced as the vehicle was modernized, the “Churchill” successfully participated in various theaters of World War II, including even parts of the Battle of Kursk and the Korean War. Its extremely low maximum speed on roads and cross country is made up for by very good armour protection. The Mk.III comes equipped with a 6-pounder (57mm) anti-tank cannon, which may sometimes be lacking in penetration to combat some enemy vehicles on medium to far distances. Thus, the driver of the “Churchill” has to adapt his tactics by steadily approaching the enemy and attacking from short distance. At the same the Churchill can provide cover to nearby allied vehicles using its massive hull.


http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807236
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=489807203

This third modification of the British “Centurion” tank was equipped with the QF 20 (83.8mm) pounder cannon, which is a very unique weapon indeed: It was an extremely powerful main cannon based on the infamous German 88mm KwK.43 cannon. It was the first cannon to feature so-called “sabot” rounds, in which the projectile was encased in a detachable holder - the sabot. While it came too late to actively participate in World War II, it proved its effectiveness in other conflicts like the Korean War and Vietnam. In War Thunder, this vehicle will take its rightful place at rank IV, where it will be a worthy opponent for the late modifications of the Panther and T-44.


Discuss it here!