War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
A long-awaited addition to the Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon line has arrived – twin 25 mm cannons on a ZiS-12 truck base.



The Soviet ZiS-12 truck fulfilled a great many functions during the war thanks to its convenient ability to host a wide variety of weapons on its truck bed. The ZiS-12 was a lengthened version of a true frontline workhorse, the ZiS-5, and it was designed specially for a multitude of military tasks. The ZiS-12 served as a mobile platform for searchlights and sound detecting apparatus, machine guns and anti-air cannons. In civilian life, the vehicle was used on construction sites and at sawmills in the restored post-war Soviet Union, and even became the basis for the creation of a city bus. In War Thunder 1.57 Battle March, we present the 94-KM anti-aircraft SPG mounted on the ZiS-12 with twin 25 mm 72-K cannons.



The 72-K cannon is already familiar to anti-aircraft gunners in War Thunder from the rank II SPAAGs, where it is mounted on the GAZ MM truck. The cannon serves well against both air targets and ground targets (which is far more important in many situations). This weapon's chief drawback is its low rate of fire (around 240 shots per minute) and inability to fire in the direction the truck is moving – the cabin gets in the way. The 94-KM uses two 72-K cannons at once, and accordingly, its rate of fire doubles. However, firing at ground targets is more difficult as the driver must again take into account the SPAAG's inability to fire directly ahead.





Read the Full Dev Blog Article here!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
A long-awaited addition to the Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon line has arrived – twin 25 mm cannons on a ZiS-12 truck base.



The Soviet ZiS-12 truck fulfilled a great many functions during the war thanks to its convenient ability to host a wide variety of weapons on its truck bed. The ZiS-12 was a lengthened version of a true frontline workhorse, the ZiS-5, and it was designed specially for a multitude of military tasks. The ZiS-12 served as a mobile platform for searchlights and sound detecting apparatus, machine guns and anti-air cannons. In civilian life, the vehicle was used on construction sites and at sawmills in the restored post-war Soviet Union, and even became the basis for the creation of a city bus. In War Thunder 1.57 Battle March, we present the 94-KM anti-aircraft SPG mounted on the ZiS-12 with twin 25 mm 72-K cannons.



The 72-K cannon is already familiar to anti-aircraft gunners in War Thunder from the rank II SPAAGs, where it is mounted on the GAZ MM truck. The cannon serves well against both air targets and ground targets (which is far more important in many situations). This weapon's chief drawback is its low rate of fire (around 240 shots per minute) and inability to fire in the direction the truck is moving – the cabin gets in the way. The 94-KM uses two 72-K cannons at once, and accordingly, its rate of fire doubles. However, firing at ground targets is more difficult as the driver must again take into account the SPAAG's inability to fire directly ahead.





Read the Full Dev Blog Article here!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
[h1[b]Dear Players![/b][/h1]
Spring finally came into its own, and with it is coming the new major War Thunder Update 1.57 "Battle March". Two new locations for combined battles, plenty of new ground vehicles and aircraft for all nations, the new game mechanic allowing one member of the crew to control a vehicle and further improvements for the game - already very, very soon!

Take a look at some of the highlights in the upcoming Update 1.57 in the Teaser below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBRS2h_Bv2g
But what amongst all this variety deserves special attention? Let's look at the five most interesting vehicles that have received the most votes in our recent poll about "Battle March"!

#1 - Chieftain Mk. 3

The one vehicle that immediately catched everyones attention was undoubtedly the new British top-tier main battle tank Chieftain Mk.3. Spotted early by the watchful eyes of our Community as it was hidden in plain sight in the Teaser trailer, this masterpiece of engineering will surely leave its mark on the battlefields of War Thunder's Rank V. With an APDS round featuring 400mm of penetration, it's surely up to the task. Read more...

#2 - Do 335

This German aircraft certainly has grabbed the attention of many pilots. What’s more, it will appear in the German research tree in three modifications, of which two are researchable and one premium, right from the start! With its two engines in a tandem arrangement, three cannons (at least!) plus additional bomb hangers, it has gained great fame before it could even participate in its first real battle! Read more...

#3 - P-61 "Black Widow"

This upcoming American aircraft has the best potential to become many player's favorite. Expensive to produce and sophisticated in every way, the Black Widow historically did excellent at whatever task it was supposed to do. From all the aircraft we have announced so far for the Update, this deadly American lady was only surpassed by the German Do-335 - and that for a very good reason! Read more...

#4 - Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn

Leading the hype train of open-topped German tank destroyers coming with Update 1.57 undoubtedly is the German Nashorn. Featuring the King Tiger's deadly 88 mm cannon on Rank III, the only real weakness it has is it's weak armour - but to the clever tactician, this will not be an issue. We can't wait to see your epic plays in this dream-come-true for all sniper players! Read more...

#5 - T26E4 Super Pershing

This unique conjunction of the American Pershing and German Panther will surely come in handy for any fan of American ground vehicles. It's great firepower and additional armour protection will enable it to take on King Tigers and the like with reinforced confidence, which is surely one of the reasons why our Community ranked it as the fifth anticipated vehicle - with the other being the surprise of it not being Premium! Read more...

These are only five highlighted vehicles from dozens that will be available very soon in Update 1.57 “Battle March”. To field test them you will also be able to access two brand-new locations: Volokolamsk and Frozen Pass.

Read our Devblogs, stay tuned with the news on our official YouTube channel and be ready to “Battle March”!

Read all Devblogs related to Update 1.57:
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
[h1[b]Dear Players![/b][/h1]
Spring finally came into its own, and with it is coming the new major War Thunder Update 1.57 "Battle March". Two new locations for combined battles, plenty of new ground vehicles and aircraft for all nations, the new game mechanic allowing one member of the crew to control a vehicle and further improvements for the game - already very, very soon!

Take a look at some of the highlights in the upcoming Update 1.57 in the Teaser below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBRS2h_Bv2g
But what amongst all this variety deserves special attention? Let's look at the five most interesting vehicles that have received the most votes in our recent poll about "Battle March"!

#1 - Chieftain Mk. 3

The one vehicle that immediately catched everyones attention was undoubtedly the new British top-tier main battle tank Chieftain Mk.3. Spotted early by the watchful eyes of our Community as it was hidden in plain sight in the Teaser trailer, this masterpiece of engineering will surely leave its mark on the battlefields of War Thunder's Rank V. With an APDS round featuring 400mm of penetration, it's surely up to the task. Read more...

#2 - Do 335

This German aircraft certainly has grabbed the attention of many pilots. What’s more, it will appear in the German research tree in three modifications, of which two are researchable and one premium, right from the start! With its two engines in a tandem arrangement, three cannons (at least!) plus additional bomb hangers, it has gained great fame before it could even participate in its first real battle! Read more...

#3 - P-61 "Black Widow"

This upcoming American aircraft has the best potential to become many player's favorite. Expensive to produce and sophisticated in every way, the Black Widow historically did excellent at whatever task it was supposed to do. From all the aircraft we have announced so far for the Update, this deadly American lady was only surpassed by the German Do-335 - and that for a very good reason! Read more...

#4 - Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn

Leading the hype train of open-topped German tank destroyers coming with Update 1.57 undoubtedly is the German Nashorn. Featuring the King Tiger's deadly 88 mm cannon on Rank III, the only real weakness it has is it's weak armour - but to the clever tactician, this will not be an issue. We can't wait to see your epic plays in this dream-come-true for all sniper players! Read more...

#5 - T26E4 Super Pershing

This unique conjunction of the American Pershing and German Panther will surely come in handy for any fan of American ground vehicles. It's great firepower and additional armour protection will enable it to take on King Tigers and the like with reinforced confidence, which is surely one of the reasons why our Community ranked it as the fifth anticipated vehicle - with the other being the surprise of it not being Premium! Read more...

These are only five highlighted vehicles from dozens that will be available very soon in Update 1.57 “Battle March”. To field test them you will also be able to access two brand-new locations: Volokolamsk and Frozen Pass.

Read our Devblogs, stay tuned with the news on our official YouTube channel and be ready to “Battle March”!

Read all Devblogs related to Update 1.57:
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk


While other European countries and the US were developing tanks to be as mobile as possible under conditions of battle with anti-tank missiles, the British refused to sacrifice armour and firepower for mobility. This is how the Chieftain appeared and became possibly the greatest Western tank of its time.



With the appearance of anti-tank shaped charges and guided missiles, tank designers in Germany chose the path of improving mobility as much as possible in the design of the promising Leopard tank. It was thought that there was no armour that could protect a tank from the latest anti-tank grenade launchers, shells and anti-tank missiles, so it should mostly rely on speed and maneuverability. However, British engineers knew from their experience in Korea that armour and armament still determine both the survivability of the tank and the result of a tank battle. This is why they decided to make a very well-protected tank that would be as fast as its counterparts in other “Western block” countries and would even feature a superior gun. This promising tank design was called the Chieftain and the vehicle came to prove itself in time. Let’s examine the Chieftain model in War Thunder.



We would like to present to you the Chieftain Mk 3 with its L60 diesel engine in the War Thunder 1.57 Battle March update. The external appearance of the Chieftain is very similar to modern tanks. The engineers implemented many truly innovative ideas when they designed this tank. One of these ideas is that the driver-mechanic was semi-recumbent in his working position, which allowed for a significant reduction in the profile of the tank and for the front glacis plate to be sloped at a steeper angle.

See video of this Tank in action here!

Read the full Dev Blog Article here!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk


While other European countries and the US were developing tanks to be as mobile as possible under conditions of battle with anti-tank missiles, the British refused to sacrifice armour and firepower for mobility. This is how the Chieftain appeared and became possibly the greatest Western tank of its time.



With the appearance of anti-tank shaped charges and guided missiles, tank designers in Germany chose the path of improving mobility as much as possible in the design of the promising Leopard tank. It was thought that there was no armour that could protect a tank from the latest anti-tank grenade launchers, shells and anti-tank missiles, so it should mostly rely on speed and maneuverability. However, British engineers knew from their experience in Korea that armour and armament still determine both the survivability of the tank and the result of a tank battle. This is why they decided to make a very well-protected tank that would be as fast as its counterparts in other “Western block” countries and would even feature a superior gun. This promising tank design was called the Chieftain and the vehicle came to prove itself in time. Let’s examine the Chieftain model in War Thunder.



We would like to present to you the Chieftain Mk 3 with its L60 diesel engine in the War Thunder 1.57 Battle March update. The external appearance of the Chieftain is very similar to modern tanks. The engineers implemented many truly innovative ideas when they designed this tank. One of these ideas is that the driver-mechanic was semi-recumbent in his working position, which allowed for a significant reduction in the profile of the tank and for the front glacis plate to be sloped at a steeper angle.

See video of this Tank in action here!

Read the full Dev Blog Article here!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
The Ta-152 fighter was a further development of the Fw.190D ‘Dora’. In War Thunder update 1.57, we will present a new modification of this machine – the medium altitude, five cannon Ta-152C.




By 1944, the German command understood that the abilities of the Fw.190 were no longer up to the task – the speed of Allied fighters already surpassed 700 km/h and the Luftwaffe needed to re-examine the Focke-Wulf design. Alongside the development of jet fighters and the promising Do.335 two-seater, it was decided to upgrade the Fw.190D by installing a new engine and improving the structure of the aircraft. That is how the new Ta.152 fighter was developed. The Ta.152H modification has been in game for a long time already. Players like this machine and it is present in almost every battle at its rank on the German side. In the War Thunder 1.57 update, we present the medium altitude modification of the Ta.152C with a different engine, a smaller wing area compared to the H modification and a more powerful armament



The C modification has significant differences to its high altitude sibling. While the Ta.152H has longer wings used for flying at high altitudes, this modification uses the short and durable Fw.190 wing which has better dynamic characteristics. The Ta.152C is a medium altitude interceptor, which has the task of quickly gaining altitude, catching up with the target and destroying it.



The installation of the new Daimler-Benz DB 603 LA engine required the air intake to be moved to the left side. Our artists have represented the cannon openings on top of the engine cowling. The protrusion on the left side of the cowl flap is a blister for the engine mount. This model of the Ta 152C is completely new and has been created in line with our current in-game model quality requirements.



One of the main advantages of the Ta 152C modification is its improved armament: two 20mm MG.151/20 cannons are located at the wing roots (175 shells per cannon) with another two MG.151/20 at the top of the cowl (150 shells per cannon) as well as the 30mm MK 103 autocannon (85 shells, including the powerful ‘minengeschoss’ incendiary shells) in the cylinder assembly.



The Ta 152C will be a Rank IV fighter in the German research tree. The fighter is located right after the Ta.152H and it is most effective at medium altitudes. Its high speed, combined with an excellent armament makes this aircraft a truly dangerous opponent for both propeller driven aircraft and early jets. Meet the new top piston-driven addition in the War Thunder 1.57 update! See you in the skies!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
The Ta-152 fighter was a further development of the Fw.190D ‘Dora’. In War Thunder update 1.57, we will present a new modification of this machine – the medium altitude, five cannon Ta-152C.




By 1944, the German command understood that the abilities of the Fw.190 were no longer up to the task – the speed of Allied fighters already surpassed 700 km/h and the Luftwaffe needed to re-examine the Focke-Wulf design. Alongside the development of jet fighters and the promising Do.335 two-seater, it was decided to upgrade the Fw.190D by installing a new engine and improving the structure of the aircraft. That is how the new Ta.152 fighter was developed. The Ta.152H modification has been in game for a long time already. Players like this machine and it is present in almost every battle at its rank on the German side. In the War Thunder 1.57 update, we present the medium altitude modification of the Ta.152C with a different engine, a smaller wing area compared to the H modification and a more powerful armament



The C modification has significant differences to its high altitude sibling. While the Ta.152H has longer wings used for flying at high altitudes, this modification uses the short and durable Fw.190 wing which has better dynamic characteristics. The Ta.152C is a medium altitude interceptor, which has the task of quickly gaining altitude, catching up with the target and destroying it.



The installation of the new Daimler-Benz DB 603 LA engine required the air intake to be moved to the left side. Our artists have represented the cannon openings on top of the engine cowling. The protrusion on the left side of the cowl flap is a blister for the engine mount. This model of the Ta 152C is completely new and has been created in line with our current in-game model quality requirements.



One of the main advantages of the Ta 152C modification is its improved armament: two 20mm MG.151/20 cannons are located at the wing roots (175 shells per cannon) with another two MG.151/20 at the top of the cowl (150 shells per cannon) as well as the 30mm MK 103 autocannon (85 shells, including the powerful ‘minengeschoss’ incendiary shells) in the cylinder assembly.



The Ta 152C will be a Rank IV fighter in the German research tree. The fighter is located right after the Ta.152H and it is most effective at medium altitudes. Its high speed, combined with an excellent armament makes this aircraft a truly dangerous opponent for both propeller driven aircraft and early jets. Meet the new top piston-driven addition in the War Thunder 1.57 update! See you in the skies!
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
The ‘Fat Max’ continues the line of open-topped German SPGs. The vehicle was intended to be used against concrete bunkers. ‘Fat Max’ is coming in War Thunder 1.57!



The Pz.Sfl.IVa Dicker Max (“Fat Max”) SPG was developed as an enemy bunker destroyer – a powerful gun on a mobile platform. By 1941, the Germans managed to make two experimental prototypes which were sent to the front lines for testing. The ‘Fat Max’ was never actually used for its primary purpose – the requirements for assault guns changed while the SPG was still in development. Both ‘Fat Max’ prototypes were employed in the role we are used to as anti-tank SPGs. Let’s examine the in-game model of the SPG in more detail.



The ‘Dicker Max’ is based on a modified Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E medium tank chassis, with the turret removed and replaced by an open-topped cabin. The chassis was not changed much – the front splash guards were removed and the shape of the frame was changed in some ways. The SPG’s armour was inherited from the Pz.Kpfw.IV – a rather decent 50mm around most of the front of the vehicle.

However, the task of these SPGs was not a frontal assault, but the provision of support for friendly tank breakthroughs, firing from cover with precise fire at long distances. The interesting gun on the ‘Fat Max’ can help with this – the 105mm K18/L52 weapon. At its core, this is a real field gun which was placed on an open-topped platform!



Read the full Dev Blog article here![/qupte]
War Thunder - TheShaolinMonk
The ‘Fat Max’ continues the line of open-topped German SPGs. The vehicle was intended to be used against concrete bunkers. ‘Fat Max’ is coming in War Thunder 1.57!



The Pz.Sfl.IVa Dicker Max (“Fat Max”) SPG was developed as an enemy bunker destroyer – a powerful gun on a mobile platform. By 1941, the Germans managed to make two experimental prototypes which were sent to the front lines for testing. The ‘Fat Max’ was never actually used for its primary purpose – the requirements for assault guns changed while the SPG was still in development. Both ‘Fat Max’ prototypes were employed in the role we are used to as anti-tank SPGs. Let’s examine the in-game model of the SPG in more detail.



The ‘Dicker Max’ is based on a modified Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E medium tank chassis, with the turret removed and replaced by an open-topped cabin. The chassis was not changed much – the front splash guards were removed and the shape of the frame was changed in some ways. The SPG’s armour was inherited from the Pz.Kpfw.IV – a rather decent 50mm around most of the front of the vehicle.

However, the task of these SPGs was not a frontal assault, but the provision of support for friendly tank breakthroughs, firing from cover with precise fire at long distances. The interesting gun on the ‘Fat Max’ can help with this – the 105mm K18/L52 weapon. At its core, this is a real field gun which was placed on an open-topped platform!



Read the full Dev Blog article here![/qupte]
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