In War Thunder update 1.59, we’re adding several tanks armed with ATGMs at once. On top of that, we’re continuing to work on tanks with unguided rockets. Today’s hero is the British Cromwell RP3, armed with aircraft rockets!



The success of multiple rocket launchers and experiments with installing unguided rocket launchers on tanks could not fail to catch the interest of British tank designers. In 1946, British engineers performed an experiment with aircraft rockets on a Cromwell tank, installing four immobile rocket rails on a welded frame. With the help of some clumsy fixtures, standard aviation rockets were mounted on these rails. They were designed to destroy submarines and ships, but in practice were widely used during assaults on ground targets. And so the Cromwell RP3 was born, an experimental rocket-equipped tank, which, unfortunately, was outdated as soon as it was created.

For more info, images, and even video of this vehicle, be sure to check out the full Development Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

In War Thunder update 1.59, we’re adding several tanks armed with ATGMs at once. On top of that, we’re continuing to work on tanks with unguided rockets. Today’s hero is the British Cromwell RP3, armed with aircraft rockets!



The success of multiple rocket launchers and experiments with installing unguided rocket launchers on tanks could not fail to catch the interest of British tank designers. In 1946, British engineers performed an experiment with aircraft rockets on a Cromwell tank, installing four immobile rocket rails on a welded frame. With the help of some clumsy fixtures, standard aviation rockets were mounted on these rails. They were designed to destroy submarines and ships, but in practice were widely used during assaults on ground targets. And so the Cromwell RP3 was born, an experimental rocket-equipped tank, which, unfortunately, was outdated as soon as it was created.

For more info, images, and even video of this vehicle, be sure to check out the full Development Blog article on the Official War Thunder Forums!

We would like to introduce a brand-new German SPG that will reach us with Update 1.59: the Raketenjagdpanzer-2!

Read the full article and leave your comments on our website!

We would like to introduce a brand-new German SPG that will reach us with Update 1.59: the Raketenjagdpanzer-2!

Read the full article and leave your comments on our website!

Download Wallpaper: 1280x1024 | 1920x1080 | 2560x1440 |

The USSR light tank tech tree currently ends with the post-war PT-76. This vehicle occupies a position in rank 4, but rank 5 is still empty. We present the ASU-85, which will rightfully complete the tree and become a top tank at rank 5. What is the ASU-85?

The ASU, or aviadesantnaya samokhodnaya ustanovka (air-landing self-propelled gun), armed with an 85mm cannon, was developed in the post-war Soviet Union as a vehicle for Soviet airborne landing troops. It was intended to be air-dropped and reinforce infantry in offense or defense with its powerful artillery fire directly on the battlefield. This SPG was the logical successor to the ASU-57, and from 1959, it replaced its predecessor in the forces.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=689858476
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=689858490
The ASU-85 is based on the PT-76 amphibious tank already familiar to our players. To reduce its dimensions and increase its compactness, the ASU-85 received no rotating turret. Its powerful cannon was installed directly in the hull. Outwardly, this makes the ASU similar to other classic self-propelled guns, reduces its profile, allows its crew to work in more comfortable conditions and speeds up the cannon reload time. Obviously, the SPG had to be made as light as possible for airborne transportation and landing. Because of this, it was decided in the design phase not to give it thick armour. As a result, its armour is quite light (45 mm maximum at the front), although it is placed at a high angle on the frontal hull.



In the game, the ASU-85 takes the role of a light and mobile support SPG: Although the 85mm cannon has an ammo complement of just 39 rounds, it can fire with improved post-war ammunition. The vehicle’s small dimensions and low profile are its main advantages in laying an ambush. Quickly capturing an enemy point and lying in wait, or simply ambushing the target in one direction and then change position quickly – this is the style that perfectly suits all owners of this SPG. The important thing is to always take the first shot and don’t get shot in return. If you learn to fire accurately and quickly, and then don’t hang around, you’ll get along just fine with the ASU-85.

Download Wallpaper: 1280x1024 | 1920x1080 | 2560x1440 |

The USSR light tank tech tree currently ends with the post-war PT-76. This vehicle occupies a position in rank 4, but rank 5 is still empty. We present the ASU-85, which will rightfully complete the tree and become a top tank at rank 5. What is the ASU-85?

The ASU, or aviadesantnaya samokhodnaya ustanovka (air-landing self-propelled gun), armed with an 85mm cannon, was developed in the post-war Soviet Union as a vehicle for Soviet airborne landing troops. It was intended to be air-dropped and reinforce infantry in offense or defense with its powerful artillery fire directly on the battlefield. This SPG was the logical successor to the ASU-57, and from 1959, it replaced its predecessor in the forces.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=689858476
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=689858490
The ASU-85 is based on the PT-76 amphibious tank already familiar to our players. To reduce its dimensions and increase its compactness, the ASU-85 received no rotating turret. Its powerful cannon was installed directly in the hull. Outwardly, this makes the ASU similar to other classic self-propelled guns, reduces its profile, allows its crew to work in more comfortable conditions and speeds up the cannon reload time. Obviously, the SPG had to be made as light as possible for airborne transportation and landing. Because of this, it was decided in the design phase not to give it thick armour. As a result, its armour is quite light (45 mm maximum at the front), although it is placed at a high angle on the frontal hull.



In the game, the ASU-85 takes the role of a light and mobile support SPG: Although the 85mm cannon has an ammo complement of just 39 rounds, it can fire with improved post-war ammunition. The vehicle’s small dimensions and low profile are its main advantages in laying an ambush. Quickly capturing an enemy point and lying in wait, or simply ambushing the target in one direction and then change position quickly – this is the style that perfectly suits all owners of this SPG. The important thing is to always take the first shot and don’t get shot in return. If you learn to fire accurately and quickly, and then don’t hang around, you’ll get along just fine with the ASU-85.

Our previous update “Battle March” introduced the P-61 "Black Widow" heavy fighter in the American tree. An aircraft with very powerful armament and a deadly defense turret that protects the whole upper hemisphere that has become very popular in War Thunder. Unfortunately we could not introduce cockpit for the Black Widow with the “Battle March” update, however in update 1.59 we will add a fully operational cockpit for this beautiful vehicle!
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670209
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670277
The earliest Messerschmitt available in War Thunder, the Bf 109B-1, will also receive a completely authentic cockpit. We are sure that those who appreciate historical accuracy will love it.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670352
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670429
Please note, attached screenshots have a status of “work in progress”, the textures and quality of the final variant will be presented in update 1.59.

• ASU-57: Air Delivery
  
• PzKpfw III Ausf. B

Our previous update “Battle March” introduced the P-61 "Black Widow" heavy fighter in the American tree. An aircraft with very powerful armament and a deadly defense turret that protects the whole upper hemisphere that has become very popular in War Thunder. Unfortunately we could not introduce cockpit for the Black Widow with the “Battle March” update, however in update 1.59 we will add a fully operational cockpit for this beautiful vehicle!
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670209
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670277
The earliest Messerschmitt available in War Thunder, the Bf 109B-1, will also receive a completely authentic cockpit. We are sure that those who appreciate historical accuracy will love it.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670352
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=687670429
Please note, attached screenshots have a status of “work in progress”, the textures and quality of the final variant will be presented in update 1.59.

• ASU-57: Air Delivery
  
• PzKpfw III Ausf. B

Back in the 1920’s Germany had started to develop new tanks for a possible future war. Officially they were prohibited from putting such vehicles into service, however the Panzerkampfwagen I (Pz.Kpfw I) was put into mass production in 1934 - it was the first modern German tank with machine gun armament and bulletproof armour.

Though the development of such a vehicle was successful, German military command understood that the country needed heavier machines. That is how first Pz.Kpfw II and then Pz.Kpfw III were created.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561568
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561622
The Pz.Kpfw III design had requirements of a 37mm gun mounted in a rotating turret, a 250-300 h.p. Engine and a maximum speed of at least 40 km/h. The order for the first 25 vehicles for military testing was placed in december of 1935, the tanks were supposed to be put into service in Spring 1936.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561658
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561680
The PzKpfw III Ausf. A was a modification based on the prototype and did not meet all the requirements - the vehicle’s speed did not exceed 35 km/h, mostly because of a poorly engineered chassis - the lower track wheels (5 on each side) had a large diameter and individual suspension. The next modification - Ausf. B- had smaller track wheels that were grouped in bogies. These vehicles were put into service at the end of 1937.



The PzKpfw III Ausf. B will soon be be introduced as a reserve tank in the German tank tree. It will be the first modification in the PzKpfw III branch and will “smooth” the BR difference for early German tanks - making it easier for new players.

The tank has lighter armour and less weight than PzKpfw III Ausf. E but has the same armament.

Meet the new vehicle in Update 1.59 and see you soon!

Back in the 1920’s Germany had started to develop new tanks for a possible future war. Officially they were prohibited from putting such vehicles into service, however the Panzerkampfwagen I (Pz.Kpfw I) was put into mass production in 1934 - it was the first modern German tank with machine gun armament and bulletproof armour.

Though the development of such a vehicle was successful, German military command understood that the country needed heavier machines. That is how first Pz.Kpfw II and then Pz.Kpfw III were created.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561568
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561622
The Pz.Kpfw III design had requirements of a 37mm gun mounted in a rotating turret, a 250-300 h.p. Engine and a maximum speed of at least 40 km/h. The order for the first 25 vehicles for military testing was placed in december of 1935, the tanks were supposed to be put into service in Spring 1936.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561658
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686561680
The PzKpfw III Ausf. A was a modification based on the prototype and did not meet all the requirements - the vehicle’s speed did not exceed 35 km/h, mostly because of a poorly engineered chassis - the lower track wheels (5 on each side) had a large diameter and individual suspension. The next modification - Ausf. B- had smaller track wheels that were grouped in bogies. These vehicles were put into service at the end of 1937.



The PzKpfw III Ausf. B will soon be be introduced as a reserve tank in the German tank tree. It will be the first modification in the PzKpfw III branch and will “smooth” the BR difference for early German tanks - making it easier for new players.

The tank has lighter armour and less weight than PzKpfw III Ausf. E but has the same armament.

Meet the new vehicle in Update 1.59 and see you soon!