EU: 8.11 hotfix

Since it’s not on the main portal yet: today, a hotfix was applied on EU server, containing following changes

- returned the FOV to the way it was before 8.10
- fixed the incorrect display of tank damage messages bug
- fixed the incorrect mission counter

Brainstorming Tanks: 103

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away before the Soviet heavy tree split, the KV-4 was going to be a wonder-tank! It was going to go 50 kph! It would have a 130 mm gun! However, as the deadline for the test approached, the tank’s stats decreased to a more reasonable level that we see today. In a recent developer Q&A, SerB mentioned the tank that was the “KV-4″ with a 130 mm gun: the 103. All he said was that it was based on the T-100 chassis and had a B-13 130 mm naval gun (like on the SU-100Y). He didn’t mention anything else. So what is this mysterious tank?

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Flashpoint: Ukraine

Hello everyone,

by now, all of you dear readers are certainly aware of what’s going on in Ukraine. It might actually seem that it doesn’t affect Wargaming, so this issue has no place on FTR, but it actually does – for those, who do not know: Wargaming World of Warplanes studio is situated in Kiev and the developers (I think it was SerB personally) admitted that the situation there does influence Wargaming to some extent.

What is currently going is that Russia is trying to seize control of the entire Crimean peninsula using its military forces. The official reason is the protection of ethnic Russians, who were allegedly persecuted by the new Ukraine government after president Janukovych was ousted from his office and fled to Russia. A lot of people compare the situation to Czechoslovakia in 1938, when Adolf Hitler, using blackmail and cowardice of former Czechoslovak allies, forced Czechoslovakia to secede its border regions at the pretense of “protecting ethnic Germans”. Now, almost 80 years later, we know very well it was a lie and where it led. These methods of armed invasion make Putin look like Hitler probably much more than he would like.

On the other hand, it would be foolish to think Russians would accept the loss of control over such an important strategic location as Crimean peninsula to the new (not exactly pro-Russian) government in Kiev. Furthermore, Crimea is not tied strongly to Ukraine, being a part of Ukraine only since 1954. That leads me to believe that the Russians will occupy Crimea, but they won’t invade further into Ukraine, then there will be talks and in the end, westerners will bow down yet again and accept the status quo.

There is one more aspect though. I talked to Edrard last night – as some of you know, he lives in Kiev. He basically confirmed to me that if Russians continue to invade from Crimea into Ukraine, there will be an all-out war. For the Record is also hosted in Kiev, so if it goes offline suddenly, it’s another DDOS – or Russians. Normally I would add a smiley after the last sentence, but it’s actually not funny.

And what are your thoughts about this entire issue?

Edit: Comments closed. Thank you for your thoughts.

Marder III with 75mm L/70

Hello everyone,

some of you might remember that before the Waffenträger E-100 tree came out, I kinda wrote about various vehicles of that tree and commented on the fact that Marder III (now Marder 38T) could have the 75mm L/70, because this project is mentioned in one Czech book (Obrněná technika by I.Pejčoch). That however was before we knew for sure that Marder 38T would be the mid-gun variant (Ausf.H) and not the rear-gun variant (Ausf.M).

The basic issue with Marder III with the L/70 gun was the weight distribution obviously – the gun was pretty long after all. I was almost sure that the L/70 variant was based on Ausf.H somehow and with the introduction of 38T into the game, the question kinda lost its importance. Still, it’s an interesting project and I managed to find a photo (not sure how I missed it in first place anyway):

75marder

The description says that it’s a project of a tank destroyer, based on the Panzer 38(t) Ausf.A hull with the KwK 42 gun. No more details are known unfortunately at this point, but I am in the process of getting them, I will publish it when I know something more. At least we know a mock-up was made.

Source:
Francev – Československá obrněná vozidla

AMX Chasseur de Chars

Hello everyone,

Giganaut, a well-known community modeller (you might remember his TVP render), posted something interesting on his Deviantart page: a view of AMX Chasseur de Chars vehicle (“tank hunter”).

amx_chasseur_de_chars_plans_by_giganaut-d6m3uwf

This picture is interesting for two reasons. First, obviously, it looks cool. Second is however the fact that Yuri Pasholok caught it as well and stated the project is completely real and might appear in World of Tanks in the future. Interesting!

Ensign’s Q&A #22

Previous Q&A here.

Q: How effective was 152 mm HE against armoured targets? I’m interested in the KV-2 and SU/ISU-152. I’ve heard myths of turrets being blown off Tigers.

A: By the summer of 1941, the Red Army no longer needed the KV-2, so not a lot of them have been built. As a result (and due to the sparse photographic documentation from the Soviet side), not a lot has been written on the performance of its HE shells against enemy armour. However, there are some photos from the Germans.

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1.3.2014

- Sheridan doesn’t fit World of Tanks, because it could fire the Shillelagh missile and “without missiles, this tank would be illogical”
- new “split” Panzer IV’s and StuG (tier 3,4,5) will be available for all modes, not just historical battles
- effects of ammo rack “cook-off” (SS: burning through the hatches from inside) are planned
- problems with LT class now? “Don’t play light tanks”
- it’s not yet sure whether in historical battles, it will be sufficient to have historical modules unlocked, or you will have to buy them as well, both options were discussed
- dynamic characteristics of tanks in garage will not come soon
- for now there is no info on “super-Tortoise” with turret from Bovington archives (SS: in relation to the British turretted TD branch)

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About the German tier 8 premium medium tank

Hello everyone,

so, many of you were no doubt surprised by Storm’s announcement. That’s right, German tier 8 premium medium tank is coming! What can it be? Well, let’s have some speculations, shall we?

Let’s start with what will it NOT be. There are two obvious candidates for German slots, both of foreign origin. First is the M47 Patton II. Basically, it early/mid 50′s, the Bundeswehr (West-German army) was looking for its new battle tank. One of the early ideas was to restart the production of modernized Panther tank, but that idea lost to the purchase of American M47 Patton tanks. These tanks served from mid-50′s until 1965, when they were replaced by the Leopard tank. Their 90mm guns (M36) were then re-used for the construction of the Kanonenjagdpanzer tank destroyer vehicles.

m47

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Jingles’ visit of Bovington

Hello everyone,

now, I normally don’t repost Jingles’ videos (he’s popular as it is :P) – but this is really interesting. Jingles, along with well-known article author David “Listy” Lister and his friend Eddie, made a trip to Bovington Tank Museum to have a look at the museum’s reserve – tanks, that aren’t normally accessible.

There, they ran into another well known player Xlucine from US server, who was actually…

…measuring the Chieftain P6 prototype armor thickness :) Take what you will from it ;)

Otherwise, very, very interesting video, some very interesting prototype shots. And the ending is just brilliant :D