War Thunder News & Announcements
The second prototype of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the YP-38, made its first flight on September 17th, 1940. The P-38 entered service in mid-1941 and was widely used during the Second World War in the Pacific and Asia. The P-38 was the only American combat aircraft to be mass-produced throughout the entire war. The YP-38 is temporarily available for Golden Eagles!The YP-38 (rank II) is temporarily available to purchase for 1,150 Golden Eagles. When: From September 16th (11:00 GMT) until September 19th (11:00 GMT).Where: USA > Aviation > Premium vehicles. About this aircraft
- The YP-38 maintains speed at altitude quite well, allowing it to effectively operate as an interceptor. The pilot is protected by armor plates on all sides, enhancing survivability. The YP-38 is equipped with a powerful 37 mm cannon, supported by two 12.7 mm and two 7.62 mm machine guns.
The F-5TH Super Tigris is an extensively modernized variant of the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II developed and operated by the Royal Thai Air Force in the late 2010s.F-5TH Super Tigris: A Jet Fighter for Japan at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
- Modern radar
- Access to advanced weapons
- Afterburner
- Helmet-mounted display
September 15th 1940 went down in history as the Battle of Britain Day. Throughout this conflict, the Royal Air Force fought the German Luftwaffe and repelled attacks, helping to prevent a full-scale invasion by the Wehrmacht. 85 years have now passed since this great triumph, where British pilots, along with vital support from pilots of other allied nations, helped defend the skies of Great Britain. This was their finest hour and today we celebrate and remember them! Two variants of the Spitfire and a Hurricane are temporarily available for Golden Eagles!
Douglas Bader’s “Spitfire P9443” camouflage for the Spitfire Mk IaMore about the pilot and camouflageAbout the pilot, Douglas BaderDouglas Bader joined the RAF in 1928, quickly establishing himself as a clearly gifted pilot with a penchant for acrobatics. During one of these daring maneuvers however he crashed, resulting in serious injury, the damage was so severe both legs had to be amputated. Unbroken by this, and with a pair of prosthetic legs, Bader taught himself to walk and remarkably, how to fly again. Bader continuously requested to rejoin the RAF, but was declined on medical grounds each time. In 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War, the requirements of the RAF eased and Bader was accepted back into service. Bader proved himself over Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, flying both the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. He initially flew with No. 222 Squadron, before becoming the commander of No. 242 Squadron. He would score 20 victories during his career, with 2 additional shared victories. On August 9th 1941, Bader was forced to bail from his aircraft over France after a mid-air collision with a German plane, one of his prosthetic legs was trapped in the pedal of his aircraft, forcing him to bail out without it. Despite this he landed relatively safely, but was captured by German soldiers shortly after. In a remarkable act of gallantry and airman solidarity however, German command gave the RAF safe passage into the area to air drop a replacement, an event known as “Operation Leg”. After the war Bader worked for the Shell fuel company, flying their planes and eventually becoming the Managing Director of Shell Aircraft, until his retirement in 1969. He wouldn’t stop there though, in the 1970s he became a key member of the Civil Aviation Authority, focusing on issues of pilot safety. In later life Bader dedicated himself to helping the disabled and those who lost limbs, very much becoming a light in the dark, inspiring hope with visits and letters. A quote from one of Bader’s hospital visits immortalizes this sentiment perfectly: “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense … never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.” About the camouflageBader’s Spitfire Mk.1a was painted in the early “Temperate Land Scheme”, one of the most recognizable RAF patterns, composed of disruptive dark green and dark brown. A noteworthy feature of this early scheme is the two-tone black and white underside. This pattern was used on many early RAF aircraft in order to help spotters and anti-air gunners quickly identify friendly planes. When the theater of war shifted to Europe the priority changed from identification to concealment, and the underside of the majority of day aircraft was changed to a pale unicolor coating to help blend into the sky. The yellow square on the wing is a gas detection patch, these would fade to a darker color in the presence of harmful chemical agents.
- Plagis’ Spitfire LF Mk.IXc (rank IV) and Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe (rank IV) are temporarily available for 6,090 Golden Eagles each
- The Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M (rank II) is temporarily available for 850 Golden Eagles
- RAF Ace John Plagis flew the Spitfire LF Mk.IXc, a model which specialized in lower altitude engagements, performing best below 6 km. In this space, this Spitfire is close to unmatchable in maneuvering combat. Its armament consists of 20 mm Hispano cannons and machine guns.
- Commanding Officer James Prendergast of No. 414 Squadron, RCAF, piloted this FR Mk.XIVe Spitfire over Normandy in preparation for D-Day. This fighter-reconnaissance version has a beefed up engine, powerful weaponry, and can mount a 500 lb bomb to engage ground targets too.
- The Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M was a late, improved version of the Mk.I with a metal wing covering. This version is presented in the unique camouflage of the FAA (Fleet Air Arm) training aircraft. Hurricanes formed the backbone of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. This Hurricane is equipped with a wealth of 7.7 mm machine guns with a large ammo count, and has excellent maneuverability!
- During the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire Fund was created to raise money for the production of military equipment. For a donation, people and organizations could pick an inscription for an aircraft. Crowdfunding was extremely successful, as the fund provided for the creation of 1,500 fighter planes. By the end of the fundraising, almost every major city in the country had left its name on a Spitfire. The Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I (P7923) is one such aircraft, created with the help of the British public. This Spitfire features a good rate of climb, exceptional maneuverability, and is armed with eight Browning machine guns!
- John Plagis’ Spitfire LF Mk. IX Pack
- Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe Pack
- Typhoon Pack
- You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
- Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Battle of Britain Day.
- You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.
Douglas Bader’s “Spitfire P9443” camouflage for the Spitfire Mk IaMore about the pilot and camouflageAbout the pilot, Douglas BaderDouglas Bader joined the RAF in 1928, quickly establishing himself as a clearly gifted pilot with a penchant for acrobatics. During one of these daring maneuvers however he crashed, resulting in serious injury, the damage was so severe both legs had to be amputated. Unbroken by this, and with a pair of prosthetic legs, Bader taught himself to walk and remarkably, how to fly again. Bader continuously requested to rejoin the RAF, but was declined on medical grounds each time. In 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War, the requirements of the RAF eased and Bader was accepted back into service. Bader proved himself over Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, flying both the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. He initially flew with No. 222 Squadron, before becoming the commander of No. 242 Squadron. He would score 20 victories during his career, with 2 additional shared victories. On August 9th 1941, Bader was forced to bail from his aircraft over France after a mid-air collision with a German plane, one of his prosthetic legs was trapped in the pedal of his aircraft, forcing him to bail out without it. Despite this he landed relatively safely, but was captured by German soldiers shortly after. In a remarkable act of gallantry and airman solidarity however, German command gave the RAF safe passage into the area to air drop a replacement, an event known as “Operation Leg”. After the war Bader worked for the Shell fuel company, flying their planes and eventually becoming the Managing Director of Shell Aircraft, until his retirement in 1969. He wouldn’t stop there though, in the 1970s he became a key member of the Civil Aviation Authority, focusing on issues of pilot safety. In later life Bader dedicated himself to helping the disabled and those who lost limbs, very much becoming a light in the dark, inspiring hope with visits and letters. A quote from one of Bader’s hospital visits immortalizes this sentiment perfectly: “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense … never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.” About the camouflageBader’s Spitfire Mk.1a was painted in the early “Temperate Land Scheme”, one of the most recognizable RAF patterns, composed of disruptive dark green and dark brown. A noteworthy feature of this early scheme is the two-tone black and white underside. This pattern was used on many early RAF aircraft in order to help spotters and anti-air gunners quickly identify friendly planes. When the theater of war shifted to Europe the priority changed from identification to concealment, and the underside of the majority of day aircraft was changed to a pale unicolor coating to help blend into the sky. The yellow square on the wing is a gas detection patch, these would fade to a darker color in the presence of harmful chemical agents.
Welcome to the 189th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!
Thank you for another week of wonderful submissions! This week, we’re focusing on battles that feature water in some way. Rivers, lakes, harbors, rainy battles, or the open ocean — if there’s water in the scene, it counts. Share your best screenshots where combat and water come together! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!
Let’s begin the 189th edition of our competition!
Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen189. You have time until the 19th of September 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.
How to Participate!
Terms:
- Your screenshot must include a body of water or rain, and a player vehicle.
- You must add the #WTscreen189 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.
And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 188th edition – Ruins of Valor!
Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563115931
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3564908209
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563053768
Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563751428
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563622377
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3562953904
Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!
The SAMP/T is a mobile air defense system developed jointly by France and Italy to provide medium to long-range protection against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, based on the Aster-30 missile developed at the turn of the century.SAMP/T: A SAM System (SPAA) for Italy & France at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
- Long-range Aster missiles!
- Modern ARABEL radar system
- Multi-vehicle set up
- Large unit size
Get yourself some Soviet discounted packs and a cool Golden HEAT decoration to display on your tanks.30% Discount on Soviet tanks in the Gaijin Store!All Soviet tank packs in the Gaijin store (except for the “In May 45” Pack) are available at a 30% discount! When: From September 12th (11:00 GMT) until September 15th (11:00 GMT). To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store. Get the “Golden HEAT” decoration!When: From September 12th (11:00 GMT) until September 15th (11:00 GMT).Task: Earn 10,000 mission points with USSR ground vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Golden HEAT” decoration.Please note: After finishing the task, you’ll need to collect the reward manually.“Golden HEAT” decoration Additional details:
- You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
- Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Tanker’s Day.
- You can find the decoration in the “Other” tab.
Nikolay Ilyich Kamov was born on September 14th 1902. In 1940, he became the head of his own design bureau, where he designed the Ka-8, Ka-10, Ka-15, Ka-18, Ka-25 and Ka-26 helicopters. After Kamov’s death in 1973, the bureau continued to use his name and produced further Ka series aircraft, including the Ka-50. The Ka-50 has a 30% discount!The Ka-50 attack helicopter, designed by Kamov’s company, can be purchased with a 30% discount in the Gaijin Store! When: From September 12th (09:00 GMT) until September 15th (09:00 GMT).Where: USSR > Helicopters > Premium vehicles. To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store. About this helicopter
- The Ka-50, nicknamed the “Black Shark” is a highly effective helicopter. It features the potent 9K121 Vikhr air-to-ground missile that can be used effectively against both ground targets and aircraft. Once you’ve fired them all you can then rely on the 30 mm 2A42 cannon, capable of significant vertical traverse, located on the right side of the helicopter. Thanks to the coaxial-rotor design, the Ka-50 offers high speed and maneuverability.
Semyon Alekseevich Lavochkin was born on September 11th 1900. In 1939-40, together with V.P. Gorbunov and M.I. Gudkov, they developed the LaGG-3 fighter, which was widely used at the beginning of the Second World War. This aircraft led to the creation of its successors: the La-5, one of the most widely produced fighter aircraft during the war, and its further development, the La-7. The La-11 and Dolgushin’s La-7 are temporarily available for Golden Eagles!Dolgushin’s La-7 and the La-11 (rank IV) are temporarily available for purchase for 3850 and 4880 Golden Eagles respectively. When: From September 11th (11:00 GMT) until September 15th (11:00 GMT).Where: USSR > Aviation > Premium vehicles.About these aircraft
- S.F Dolgushin was a Soviet ace with 28 aerial victories to his name. This number is emblazoned on the side of the La-7 that Dolgushin flew in the final days of the Second World War. At low altitudes, the La-7 retains excellent speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, and is armed with two 20 mm ShVAK cannons with 340 rounds of ammunition.
- The La-11 was one of the last Soviet piston fighters, a development of the La-9 with an increased fuel capacity. It’s a fairly heavy aircraft, equipped with three 23 mm NS-23 cannons that can easily deal with fighters and bombers.
The Tusk Force major update is not complete without interface refinements! Today, we’d like to tell you about improvements made to aircraft radars, helping you to interact with them in a more visual and convenient way, regardless of whether you are already familiar with them or are just learning. Let’s start!How it will workBefore the changes we’re talking about today, players had to use and remember a large number of key binds to use radars. To simplify this, part of the radar control logic will be accessible from the HUD, similar to how it was done for ground-based anti-aircraft vehicles when we added the Radar Control Screen.The radar on the screen for aircraft in the Tusk Force major update will be interactive, making it possible to click it using the mouse cursor (when activating the “Show mouse cursor” button). You’ll be able to select targets on the radar by simply clicking on them, double-click to immediately capture the desired target, change the mode and range of the radar by clicking on the inscriptions, and when holding the mouse button down, move the radar’s scan area and/or acquisition cursor (with “Cyclic target switching” turned off).In addition to this, separate buttons can be displayed around the radar screen, which can be used to activate many radar functions (changing mode, scale, etc) with the click of your mouse.To enable these buttons around the radar, click “Switch the radar control type” in the action bar. Once enabled, and by default, the assigned keybinds will be displayed above the buttons that appear. When clicking the button on the action bar again it will hide the keybinds above the buttons, and then clicking it again will hide the buttons altogether.There’s also two more actions in the action bar: “Lock Radar/IRST on target” and “Select Radar/IRST target to lock” (which only works when the “Cyclic target switching of aircraft radar” option is enabled in the settings).These improvements are intended to allow newcomers to quickly master the complexity of how radars work, and for experienced players to use the radar to its maximum ability — and even free up a few keybinds.That’s it for today, we have some more dev blogs still to come, so make sure to be on the look out for those!
Today we’re checking out the USS Charles F. Adams destroyer that has something unique up its sleeve: RIM-24 Tartar anti-aircraft missiles!USS Charles F. Adams: A Destroyer for the USA at Rank IVAt a glance:
- RIM-24 Tartar missiles
- 127 mm main battery guns
- Average speed
Meet the 203 mm M55 self-propelled howitzer, coming to the game for the USA, Germany, China, Italy and France!M55: A Tank Destroyer for the USA, Germany, China, Italy and France at Rank IIIAt a glance:
- 203 mm guns with a powerful HE shell
- Alright speed
- Thin armor
- Low ammunition amount
Meet the Douglas B-66B Destroyer, a light bomber developed for the U.S. Air Force in the early 1950s as part of America’s shift toward jet-powered tactical aircraft at the beginning of the Cold War.B-66B Destroyer: A Jet Bomber for the USA at Rank VIAt a glance:
- Subsonic top speed
- Exhaustive suspended ordnance
- 20 mm turret
Today, we’ll be looking at a slew of Nordic Mosquitoes joining the Swedish aviation tree in the next major update. Bringing speed, firepower and twin engine support from the ever reliable “Mossie”! Mosquito F Mk II, FB Mk VI and FB Mk VI ASH: Three new Fighter and Strike Aircraft for Sweden at Rank IIIMosquito NF Mk II and Mosquito TR Mk 33: Two new Strike Aircraft for Great Britain at Rank IIIAt a glance:
Please note that these vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before they are added to the game.
- Powerful 20 mm Hispano cannons
- Reliable flight performance
- Solid ground attack options
- AN/APS-4 ASH radar! (Mk FB VI ASH)
Please note that these vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before they are added to the game.
Hey everyone! We’re back with some more monthly historical inscriptions and markings for you. This time the rotation was tweaked a bit to include Rosie the Rocketer. We usually don’t add new decals for one nation back to back as we want each nation and branch to get a turn regularly, but it was a good time to include it alongside the Pages of History event. So, we hope the rocketers and indeed Rosies among you enjoy adding it to your collection! And of course, we hope you like the rest of the markings this time around as well, have a look!
"Rosie the Rocketer"The personal motif of Charles Carpenter, U.S. Army. Major Charles Carpenter was a history teacher and later a reconnaissance pilot during the Second World War, flying the Piper L-4 Grasshopper. Somewhat dissatisfied with his unarmed plane and the limited impact he was having, Charles sought approval to strap several bazooka launchers to the struts of his plane to give it some firepower. Despite his fragile aircraft and the limited range of the rockets, Charles was credited with destroying six German armored vehicles, two of which were Tiger I models, a feat that quickly made him a legend. He named his aircraft “Rosie the Rocketer”, a play on the symbolic character of Rosie the Riveter, who represented the women who made up a large part of America’s factory workforce during the Second World War. The somewhat crudely designed rocket and accompanying inscription were painted on the right side of his aircraft, just under the cockpit.
"Have Another" Marking, No. 419 Squadron“Have Another” marking, No. 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Although sources conflict over which specific aircraft bore this marking, it is unmistakably the work of Bennett Ley Kenyon, a British tail gunner and artist who served with No. 419, whose work would help to inspire the film “The Great Escape”. After being shot down and captured, he created documentation for the escape preparations on scraps of parcel paper, and these scraps helped to visually inspire the events of the film many years later. While specific details are scarce, the marking was likely inspired by an Australian crew member, creating a fitting example of Commonwealth representation: an Australian-themed emblem, designed by a Brit, on a Canadian squadron's aircraft. It depicts a cartoon kangaroo standing on a bomb, while a joey in its pouch scans for targets with binoculars. The marking was painted below the cockpit on the right side of one of the squadron's Halifax bombers.
“Nice II” Inscription, France254 Squadron Emblem, IsraelNaval Association Emblem, JapanEarn 15000 score using French Ground VehiclesDefeat 20 players using missiles while flying Israeli AircraftScore 20000 Damage while using Japanese Vessels
"Nice II" Inscription“Nice II” inscription, 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers (2nd Cuirassier Regiment), French Army. While in English the name may present a different meaning at first, this marking refers to the French coastal city of Nice (pronounced 'niece' in English). Naming vehicles after cities was a common French practice during and after the Second World War, with names often chosen based on the crew's origins, the unit's formation location, or its area of deployment. The numeral “II” indicates that there was an original “Nice" tank, that was either lost in battle or decommissioned. “Nice II” was a post-war M4A1 Sherman (registration number 802594) used by the French Army in the 1950s, with the inscription painted on the hull side, below the turret.
254 Squadron EmblemThe emblem of 254 “Midland” Squadron, IAF. Formed in 1980, the squadron initially flew the Kfir C.1 and later operated the C.2 variant and the Mirage IIICJ, flying combat patrols during the 1982 Lebanon War. The squadron disbanded shortly after in 1984, as its arsenal of Kfir C.2 aircraft were set to be transferred to the U.S. Navy. There they became part of the "Aggressor" program with unit VF-43, and were redesignated as the F-21A Lion. The marking depicts a stylized bird against the coastline, with a red outline possibly representing the view from an aircraft window. The marking was not universally applied, but was generally positioned high on the tail of the squadron’s aircraft.
Naval Association EmblemThe emblem of the Japanese Naval Association (海軍協会). While not directly under the remit of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the association was created in 1917 to build public support for naval activities. Initially, its focus was on promoting naval expansion, particularly the construction of large warships that required considerable national backing. During the Second World War, its focus shifted to naval recruitment and providing support for service members and their families. This quintessential naval marking was most widely used as a badge.
“Central Air Defense School” Emblem, China(Created by forum moderator Redmisty)Battaglione “Lupo”, Decima Flottiglia MAS Emblem, ItalyDestroy 20 Aircraft using Chinese Ground VehiclesPlay 20 battles while using Italian Ground Vehicles with a minimum of 60% Battle Activity
"Central Air Defense School" EmblemThe emblem of the Central Air Defense School (中央防空学校), Chinese Army. Initiated by the Chinese Aviation Administration in 1933, the school was formally established in January 1934 at the Jianqiao air base in Hangzhou and would later be relocated and renamed several times. Its curriculum was based on training materials translated from various countries, including Germany and Great Britain, which provided students with several useful perspectives. The school also used a wide variety of foreign anti-aircraft equipment, purchasing guns from nations such as Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union. While the school was light on vehicles, it did have at least one Vickers Artillery Tractor, where the emblem of the school was painted on the lower plate.
Battaglione "Lupo", Decima Flottiglia MAS EmblemAn emblem of Battaglione "Lupo", Decima Flottiglia, Motoscafi Armati Siluranti (“Wolf” Battalion, 10th MAS Flotilla), RSI. While not an armored group by any means, the Lupo battalion acquired several L6/40 light tanks during 1944, though details of their operational history are nebulous and conflicting. Three of the tanks were recovered in poor condition from Ciriè, north of Turin. It is likely that at least one was completely stripped for spare parts in order to put one L6/40 into combat service. One L6/40 was deployed by the battalion south of Turin in Venaria, and another was seen later in Alba (though without the 20 mm cannon), it is unclear whether these were the same or separate vehicles, though superficial analysis of the camouflage suggests they may have been the same machine. Their last, or perhaps only working tank was finally abandoned at a rail depot in Milan in late 1944. The wolf marking, adapted from the battalion's badge, was painted on the front sides of the turret.
1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (F 10) “Spökdivisionen” Emblem, SwedenSchw. PzJgAbt. 559 Emblem, GermanyPersonal Marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAP, USSRFinish in position 1-3 three times while using Swedish aircraftDefeat 40 Players using German Tank DestroyersDefeat 50 Players using Soviet Aircraft 1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (F 10) "Spökdivisionen" EmblemAn emblem of 1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (1st Squadron of the Scania Air Wing) F 10, Swedish Air Force. The emblem's origins date to 1942, when the squadron operated Gladiator and J20 fighters. Because its missions were often flown early in the morning or late at night, local residents could hear the aircraft but rarely see them, earning the unit its unofficial nickname, the “Ghost Squadron” (its official callsign remained Johan Röd). The emblem was used sporadically until the squadron's disbandment in 2002, appearing on the tails of its J35 Draken and J37 Viggen aircraft. Its most famous usage was on Viggen Number 57, which was painted bright red, with the ghost prominently displayed on the tail and replacing the national roundels. A secret tiny ghost could be seen on the forward-left wheel hub. Reportedly, when the aircraft visited F 21 Luleå someone placed a hockey sticker on the wheel, which was then covered by a ghost when the aircraft returned to F 10. Schw. PzJgAbt. 559 EmblemThe emblem of the Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 559 (559th Heavy Tank Destroyer Battalion), Wehrmacht. Formed on August 26th, 1939, the battalion was initially equipped with only 3.7cm Pak guns and would be rearmed and renamed several times to reflect its changing arsenal. It received its “heavy” designation on April 10th 1944, shortly before the battalion received its first Jagdpanthers, though it also continued to operate the StuG III and later the Panzer IV/70. The unit remained active until the end of the Second World War, participating in the Battle of Geel and the Ardennes Offensive. The marking depicts a somewhat modern-looking rendition of the Jagdpanther, and was seen in the final stages of the war on the front-right mud guard of the battalion's Jagdpanthers. Personal Marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAPA personal marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAP (9th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment), Soviet Air Force. Graduating as a pilot in 1940, Amet-khan had a distinguished career as both a fighter and test pilot. His record of 30 solo and 19 shared aerial victories earned him the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He would end the war flying the La-7, but during 1943 he flew the P-39 Airacobra extensively over Kuban, where this marking is said to originate. Although no photographic evidence of the snake marking appears to exist, eyewitness accounts of his plane during this time do report a yellow zig-zag patterned snake on his aircraft. The choice of a snake is at least thematically fitting, as a link to the Airacobra. Accounts reliably suggest that the snake was positioned along the left side of the fuselage on his P-39, with the head of the snake in front of the cockpit and the tail at the end of the engine exhaust
Monthly markings can be found in a special tab at the bottom of the customization menu, (Monthly Decals) after a month, they’ll be moved to their corresponding category.You can check the exact terms and track the progress of completing tasks for these decals by going to your Player Profile > Decals > Monthly Decals. From here, click the “Track progress” button on each decal to track from the hangar.
All of the emblems will come with a detailed description. This will generally consist of the history of the marking, its design, which vehicles used it, and where it was often placed on vehicles historically if applicable (some emblems are taken from badges, which weren’t always applied). This way you can more easily recreate the original positioning if you’d like.We hope you like the selection for September! While we’re all eagerly awaiting the Tusk Force major update, we hope you have fun adding these decals to your collection in the meantime. Enjoy, keep leaving your suggestions, and we’ll see you in a month!
The following decals will be available from September 8th (11:00 GMT) until October 8th (09:00 GMT).All tasks can be completed using vehicles that are rank III or higher.“Rosie the Rocketer” Marking, USA“Have Another” Marking, No. 419 Squadron, CanadaDestroy 30 ground or water targets using rockets while using US aircraft Defeat 20 players using bombs while using British Aircraft
"Rosie the Rocketer"The personal motif of Charles Carpenter, U.S. Army. Major Charles Carpenter was a history teacher and later a reconnaissance pilot during the Second World War, flying the Piper L-4 Grasshopper. Somewhat dissatisfied with his unarmed plane and the limited impact he was having, Charles sought approval to strap several bazooka launchers to the struts of his plane to give it some firepower. Despite his fragile aircraft and the limited range of the rockets, Charles was credited with destroying six German armored vehicles, two of which were Tiger I models, a feat that quickly made him a legend. He named his aircraft “Rosie the Rocketer”, a play on the symbolic character of Rosie the Riveter, who represented the women who made up a large part of America’s factory workforce during the Second World War. The somewhat crudely designed rocket and accompanying inscription were painted on the right side of his aircraft, just under the cockpit.
"Have Another" Marking, No. 419 Squadron“Have Another” marking, No. 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Although sources conflict over which specific aircraft bore this marking, it is unmistakably the work of Bennett Ley Kenyon, a British tail gunner and artist who served with No. 419, whose work would help to inspire the film “The Great Escape”. After being shot down and captured, he created documentation for the escape preparations on scraps of parcel paper, and these scraps helped to visually inspire the events of the film many years later. While specific details are scarce, the marking was likely inspired by an Australian crew member, creating a fitting example of Commonwealth representation: an Australian-themed emblem, designed by a Brit, on a Canadian squadron's aircraft. It depicts a cartoon kangaroo standing on a bomb, while a joey in its pouch scans for targets with binoculars. The marking was painted below the cockpit on the right side of one of the squadron's Halifax bombers.
“Nice II” Inscription, France254 Squadron Emblem, IsraelNaval Association Emblem, JapanEarn 15000 score using French Ground VehiclesDefeat 20 players using missiles while flying Israeli AircraftScore 20000 Damage while using Japanese Vessels
"Nice II" Inscription“Nice II” inscription, 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers (2nd Cuirassier Regiment), French Army. While in English the name may present a different meaning at first, this marking refers to the French coastal city of Nice (pronounced 'niece' in English). Naming vehicles after cities was a common French practice during and after the Second World War, with names often chosen based on the crew's origins, the unit's formation location, or its area of deployment. The numeral “II” indicates that there was an original “Nice" tank, that was either lost in battle or decommissioned. “Nice II” was a post-war M4A1 Sherman (registration number 802594) used by the French Army in the 1950s, with the inscription painted on the hull side, below the turret.
254 Squadron EmblemThe emblem of 254 “Midland” Squadron, IAF. Formed in 1980, the squadron initially flew the Kfir C.1 and later operated the C.2 variant and the Mirage IIICJ, flying combat patrols during the 1982 Lebanon War. The squadron disbanded shortly after in 1984, as its arsenal of Kfir C.2 aircraft were set to be transferred to the U.S. Navy. There they became part of the "Aggressor" program with unit VF-43, and were redesignated as the F-21A Lion. The marking depicts a stylized bird against the coastline, with a red outline possibly representing the view from an aircraft window. The marking was not universally applied, but was generally positioned high on the tail of the squadron’s aircraft.
Naval Association EmblemThe emblem of the Japanese Naval Association (海軍協会). While not directly under the remit of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the association was created in 1917 to build public support for naval activities. Initially, its focus was on promoting naval expansion, particularly the construction of large warships that required considerable national backing. During the Second World War, its focus shifted to naval recruitment and providing support for service members and their families. This quintessential naval marking was most widely used as a badge.
“Central Air Defense School” Emblem, China(Created by forum moderator Redmisty)Battaglione “Lupo”, Decima Flottiglia MAS Emblem, ItalyDestroy 20 Aircraft using Chinese Ground VehiclesPlay 20 battles while using Italian Ground Vehicles with a minimum of 60% Battle Activity
"Central Air Defense School" EmblemThe emblem of the Central Air Defense School (中央防空学校), Chinese Army. Initiated by the Chinese Aviation Administration in 1933, the school was formally established in January 1934 at the Jianqiao air base in Hangzhou and would later be relocated and renamed several times. Its curriculum was based on training materials translated from various countries, including Germany and Great Britain, which provided students with several useful perspectives. The school also used a wide variety of foreign anti-aircraft equipment, purchasing guns from nations such as Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union. While the school was light on vehicles, it did have at least one Vickers Artillery Tractor, where the emblem of the school was painted on the lower plate.
Battaglione "Lupo", Decima Flottiglia MAS EmblemAn emblem of Battaglione "Lupo", Decima Flottiglia, Motoscafi Armati Siluranti (“Wolf” Battalion, 10th MAS Flotilla), RSI. While not an armored group by any means, the Lupo battalion acquired several L6/40 light tanks during 1944, though details of their operational history are nebulous and conflicting. Three of the tanks were recovered in poor condition from Ciriè, north of Turin. It is likely that at least one was completely stripped for spare parts in order to put one L6/40 into combat service. One L6/40 was deployed by the battalion south of Turin in Venaria, and another was seen later in Alba (though without the 20 mm cannon), it is unclear whether these were the same or separate vehicles, though superficial analysis of the camouflage suggests they may have been the same machine. Their last, or perhaps only working tank was finally abandoned at a rail depot in Milan in late 1944. The wolf marking, adapted from the battalion's badge, was painted on the front sides of the turret.
1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (F 10) “Spökdivisionen” Emblem, SwedenSchw. PzJgAbt. 559 Emblem, GermanyPersonal Marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAP, USSRFinish in position 1-3 three times while using Swedish aircraftDefeat 40 Players using German Tank DestroyersDefeat 50 Players using Soviet Aircraft 1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (F 10) "Spökdivisionen" EmblemAn emblem of 1. Skånska Flygflottiljen (1st Squadron of the Scania Air Wing) F 10, Swedish Air Force. The emblem's origins date to 1942, when the squadron operated Gladiator and J20 fighters. Because its missions were often flown early in the morning or late at night, local residents could hear the aircraft but rarely see them, earning the unit its unofficial nickname, the “Ghost Squadron” (its official callsign remained Johan Röd). The emblem was used sporadically until the squadron's disbandment in 2002, appearing on the tails of its J35 Draken and J37 Viggen aircraft. Its most famous usage was on Viggen Number 57, which was painted bright red, with the ghost prominently displayed on the tail and replacing the national roundels. A secret tiny ghost could be seen on the forward-left wheel hub. Reportedly, when the aircraft visited F 21 Luleå someone placed a hockey sticker on the wheel, which was then covered by a ghost when the aircraft returned to F 10. Schw. PzJgAbt. 559 EmblemThe emblem of the Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 559 (559th Heavy Tank Destroyer Battalion), Wehrmacht. Formed on August 26th, 1939, the battalion was initially equipped with only 3.7cm Pak guns and would be rearmed and renamed several times to reflect its changing arsenal. It received its “heavy” designation on April 10th 1944, shortly before the battalion received its first Jagdpanthers, though it also continued to operate the StuG III and later the Panzer IV/70. The unit remained active until the end of the Second World War, participating in the Battle of Geel and the Ardennes Offensive. The marking depicts a somewhat modern-looking rendition of the Jagdpanther, and was seen in the final stages of the war on the front-right mud guard of the battalion's Jagdpanthers. Personal Marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAPA personal marking of Amet-khan Sultan, 9GvIAP (9th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment), Soviet Air Force. Graduating as a pilot in 1940, Amet-khan had a distinguished career as both a fighter and test pilot. His record of 30 solo and 19 shared aerial victories earned him the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He would end the war flying the La-7, but during 1943 he flew the P-39 Airacobra extensively over Kuban, where this marking is said to originate. Although no photographic evidence of the snake marking appears to exist, eyewitness accounts of his plane during this time do report a yellow zig-zag patterned snake on his aircraft. The choice of a snake is at least thematically fitting, as a link to the Airacobra. Accounts reliably suggest that the snake was positioned along the left side of the fuselage on his P-39, with the head of the snake in front of the cockpit and the tail at the end of the engine exhaust
Monthly markings can be found in a special tab at the bottom of the customization menu, (Monthly Decals) after a month, they’ll be moved to their corresponding category.You can check the exact terms and track the progress of completing tasks for these decals by going to your Player Profile > Decals > Monthly Decals. From here, click the “Track progress” button on each decal to track from the hangar.
All of the emblems will come with a detailed description. This will generally consist of the history of the marking, its design, which vehicles used it, and where it was often placed on vehicles historically if applicable (some emblems are taken from badges, which weren’t always applied). This way you can more easily recreate the original positioning if you’d like.We hope you like the selection for September! While we’re all eagerly awaiting the Tusk Force major update, we hope you have fun adding these decals to your collection in the meantime. Enjoy, keep leaving your suggestions, and we’ll see you in a month!
Welcome to the 188th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!
Thanks for your outstanding submissions! For this round, the focus turns to the wreckage left behind in battle. We would like to feature screenshots that include destroyed vehicles, whether they’re smoldering tanks, burning ships, or downed aircraft. How many wreckages can you fit in a single screenshot? The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!
Let’s begin the 188th edition of our competition!
Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen188. You have time until the 12th of September 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.
How to Participate!
Terms:
- Your screenshot must include destroyed or heavily damaged vehicle(s).
- You must add the #WTscreen188 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.
And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 187th edition – Shock & Awe!
Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3559212725
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3559456966
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3559531255
Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3559550396
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3559036808
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3560130632
Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!
Today we’ll be covering the Buk-M3 SAM system, one of the most famous surface-to-air missile systems.Buk-M3: An SPAA (SAM) for the USSR at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
- 12 missiles in two launchers (6 in each)
- Tracking and hitting up to 12 targets simultaneously
- Launch range up to 70 km
- Launchers able to continue combat after the radar vehicle is destroyed
- Good mobility but large in size
The War Thunder Championship Series (WTCS) moves forward!In early July, the Armored Apex 4v4 tournament came to an end. And what a finale it was! Team AVReS stormed through the qualifiers, dominated the play-offs, and finished undefeated with a 3-0 sweep over LEET on Sinai. With this incredible run, AVReS not only claims the Armored Apex 2025 trophy, but also rises to the top of the WTCS leaderboard with 256 points!
Make way for the last Major of the 2025 season before the Grand Finals. The Air Superiority Tournament, sponsored by Thrustmaster!Key DatesDon’t miss the Open Qualifier Stage!Note: Open Qualifiers are open to everyone.At the end of each Open Qualifier, four teams will advance to the Play-Offs. For full details, check out the War Thunder Esports in 2025: The Beginning of a New Era article on Steam.
Again we’ll be partnering with Thrustmaster to offer you prizes worthy of this competition:Thrustmaster, founded in 1991, is a pioneering brand in consumer simulation equipment.Proud of its expertise and core values of “Passion, Quality and Innovation”, Thrustmaster continually strives to enhance realism and immersion in legendary gaming worlds by offering thrilling and truly exceptional experiences. From video game enthusiasts to casual gamers, Thrustmaster accessories for PCs and game consoles bring everyone’s dreams to life.Let’s take a closer look at the prize list for the winners of the WTCS Major IIIFor each Open Qualifier, there’s a total of 86,400 Golden Eagles, plus Research Point & Silver Lion boosters and Premium Account time!Here’s a detailed list of the Major’s prizes:
The Esports team wishes you the best of luck for the qualification phases. May skill be with you!Don't miss out on the Air Superiority Pack!To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.This pack includes:
Make way for the last Major of the 2025 season before the Grand Finals. The Air Superiority Tournament, sponsored by Thrustmaster!Key DatesDon’t miss the Open Qualifier Stage!Note: Open Qualifiers are open to everyone.At the end of each Open Qualifier, four teams will advance to the Play-Offs. For full details, check out the War Thunder Esports in 2025: The Beginning of a New Era article on Steam.
- Open Qualifier I: September 13th-14th at 15:00 GMT
- Open Qualifier II: September 20th-21st at 15:00 GMT
- Play-Offs: September 27th-28th & October 4th-5th at 15:00 GMT
Again we’ll be partnering with Thrustmaster to offer you prizes worthy of this competition:Thrustmaster, founded in 1991, is a pioneering brand in consumer simulation equipment.Proud of its expertise and core values of “Passion, Quality and Innovation”, Thrustmaster continually strives to enhance realism and immersion in legendary gaming worlds by offering thrilling and truly exceptional experiences. From video game enthusiasts to casual gamers, Thrustmaster accessories for PCs and game consoles bring everyone’s dreams to life.Let’s take a closer look at the prize list for the winners of the WTCS Major IIIFor each Open Qualifier, there’s a total of 86,400 Golden Eagles, plus Research Point & Silver Lion boosters and Premium Account time!Here’s a detailed list of the Major’s prizes:
- 1st place HOTAS Warthog (for each player in the team)
- 2nd place T.16000M FCS FLIGHT PACK (for each player in the team)
- 3rd place T.FLIGHT HOTAS 4 (for each player in the team)
- Open Qualifier I Stream: September 13th-14th
- Open Qualifier II Stream: September 20th-21st
- L-39ZA Albatros Pack
- Northrop NF-5A Pack
- F-2A ADTW Pack
- MiG-29 Sniper Pack
- F/A-18C Hornet (Swiss) Pack
The Esports team wishes you the best of luck for the qualification phases. May skill be with you!Don't miss out on the Air Superiority Pack!To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.This pack includes:
- Decal "Flanking Snail";
- Title "Slick flanker";
- 300 Golden Eagles;
Pakistan Defense Day is celebrated on September 6th, commemorating the day where Pakistan defended their border from Indian troops crossing into the country during the 1965 war. Cultural events and large military parades are held on the day. The country celebrates its Air Force on September 7th and its Navy on September 8th. 30% discount on the Pakistan Mi-35M and A-5C!For this day, the Mi-35M attack helicopter (rank VI) and the A-5C strike aircraft (rank VII) can be purchased with a 30% discount for 6,363 and 6,489 Golden Eagles respectively. When: From September 5th (12:00 GMT) until September 8th (12:00 GMT).Where: China > Helicopters / Aviation > Premium vehicles. About these vehicles
- In the 2010s, Pakistan ordered four Mi-35M helicopters with spare parts and weapons from Russia. They are still in service today. The Mi-35M is not the most maneuverable helicopter, but it’s well armed, being able to equip Ataka and Shturm ATGMs, Igla air-to-air missiles, S-8KO and S-13OF rockets, as well as a 23 mm GSh-23L cannon.
- The A-5C is the Pakistan Air Force’s version of the Q-5, which was China’s first mass-produced combat aircraft. It has a good top speed and climb rate along with countermeasures, Matra Magic and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, rockets and a wide range of bombs.
- The Al-Khalid-I is an improved variant of the Chinese-Pakistan AI-Khalid tank. The fire control system has been improved, the ERA blocks on the turret have been repositioned, and the tank received a more powerful engine. It’s a survivable MBT with an accurate and powerful 125 mm gun, which is backed up by a stabilzer, laser rangefinder and thermal imager.
- A-5C Pack
- Al-Khalid-I Pack
- Mi-35M Pack
Today, we’ll be looking at a trio of Commonwealth Hornets joining the British tree, bringing some sting from across the pond and down under!RAAF F/A-18A (Early), RAAF F/A-18A (Late) and pre-order for the CF-188A: A trio of Jet Fighters for Britain at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
This pack includes:
- AIM-7P missiles with Datalink (CF-188A)
- AIM-120Cs ARH missiles (F/A-18 Late RAAF)
- 20 mm M61A1 with a radar gunsight, SAPHEI rounds and 6000 rpm!
- CRV-7 rockets (CF-188A)
- LITENING pod and JDAMs! (F/A-18 Late RAAF)
This pack includes:
- CF-188A (Rank VIII, Great Britain)
- 3000 Golden Eagles
- Premium account for 30 days
- Pre-order bonus: unique title “Mad as a Hornet”
- Pre-order bonus: unique decal “Hornet Sting”
- Pre-order bonus: unique 410 Squadron Cougars 50th Anniversary camouflage, RCAF
Today we’ll be taking a look at the Sky Sabre, a Multi-Vehicle SAM System consisting of one radar vehicle and two launch vehicles with lethal missiles!Sky Sabre: A SAM System (SPAA) for Great Britain at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
- Two launchers with 8 missiles each; either CAMM or CAMM-ER!
- Missile ranges from 25 km to 45 km, both with an Active Radar Homing seeker
- Simultaneous fire and track of 16 missiles