30.6.2014

- according to Cannoneer (WG tank developer), it’s not yet sure what gun will the Soviet tier 8 light tank LTTB have (57mm, 76mm, 85mm were mentioned), the tank was not balanced yet
- Soviet tier 7 light tank? “unfortunately, I won’t tell anything” (SS: the original idea was to have the LTTB as tier 8 going from some existing tier 7 tank, such as the KV-13, but it’s possible that LTTB will be downtiered to LT7, since historically it doesn’t really fit the LT8 slot (it’s way too weak))
- there is currently no info on swapping WT E-100 for another plan
- as reported earlier, the tier 8 German premium MT will likely be the Panther Ausf.F with 88mm L/71
- Japanese premium tier 8 medium tank? Tanitha: “We appreciate we have a large amount of dedicated Japanese players on the server, but developing tanks (even graphical ones) takes a lot of research and development. Please be patient with us.” (SS: my guess, STA-2B)
- crew specialization change (SS: as in, radioman to driver re-train for example): “Hello, its currently in planning / development, so we are considering the possibility to introduce this feature in our future updates. Its not in the pipeline for the short future though, so might be end of year early next year all going to plans.”
- Maus reconstruction status: “There is currently construction elaboration. This is a large-scale project and we will definitely inform community about updates on the works progress.”

Also, apparently, the “inside info” post is crap according to Storm. Not sure which parts are crap, because I actually know that some are true (the weather was indeed tested for example, it was even confirmed at some point by multiple devs), but it’s possible some of it might not be completely accurate. But then again, you guys already know to take any such leaks with a pinch of salt, right? :)

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Chaffees at Dien Bien Phu – Part II

Part I: http://ftr.wot-news.com/2014/06/29/chaffees-at-dien-bien-phu-part-i/

Battle-of-Dien-Bien-Phu_KZGcwgA

dien_bien_phu_1954

Continuing from the last part.

The French tried to clear the road, connecting the main base with the Isabelle position. The strongest attempt was undertaken on 24.3.1954, during which Posen was hit by an RPG, but the damage done was not major and noone of the crew was wounded. The French also organized other operations – their goal was to destroy the AA positions around Dien Bien Phu in order to relieve the French aircraft. The AA around the base was very active and was causing massive losses to both combat and transport French planes. Largest such operation happened on 28.3.1954 and two batallions of French paratroopers participated in it. Their target was the AA position in one abandoned village by the name of Bang Ong Pet, 2,5 kilometers west from Claudine. The attack was supported by heavy French artillery fire and was successful, the French destroyed 7 high caliber MG’s and two 37mm guns. However, while they were dismantling the guns, the paratroopers were attacked by the Vietnamese soldiers from 888th Batallion of 176th Regiment and were gradually pushed from the village, their losses counted 20 dead and 72 wounded. Their situation was critical, but at that point, the Chaffees from Lt.Préaud’s platoon crossed six kilometers of open terrain and attacked the Vietnamese troops, blunting the spear of the Vietnamese assault and rescuing the beleagured paratroopers.

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Straight Outta Supertest: the Pit returns

Source: wotleaks VK community

Hello everyone,

remember the Pit (a temporary name for an upcoming small map)? There were some preliminary pics as well. Apparently, developers continue in their work on this map. They reworked it to look like this:

OWCvzH3BGFA

It’s a very small map (400×400) specifically for low tiers. They modified it to work as an encounter mode, the base is in the city. Respawns are in upper and lower right corner.

Premium German Tier 8 Medium

Hello everyone,

Tanitha, a producer from ASIA server confirmed that we are going to get a new tier 8 premium medium German tank. It’s going to be…

Panther Ausf.F with 88mm L/71

panF

It’s supposed to come around the end of 2014 or early 2015. It’s a historical project, I wrote about it here some time ago (in case you are interested in details). I was kinda hoping for something exotic such as the autoloader Panther or the one with the gas turbine, but this will have to do.

On more personal note, I very much appreciate the way Tanitha runs things on ASIA server – good, straight answers, no “maybe” bullshit, pretty solid. Good job :)

Wargaming to use NPC’s (bots) in Games

Hello everyone,

I normally don’t post stuff about World of Warplanes, but this is quite interesting. In recent WoWp developer diaries video, WoWp developers mentioned a new mode, where the player will be competing against PVE element – NPC’s, also known as “bots”. What is even more interesting, Wargaming is even considering adding bots instead of regular players in random battles to even the teams (cca 1:20 of the game).

There have been talks about NPC elements in the game even before the World of Warplanes was released. Some of you might remember the time when the physics was introduced into the game – at that point (and also, later on), there were rumours about introducing some “NPC elements” into World of Tanks (in the form of some sort of obstacle courses or perhaps in historical battles – this was before the HB release).

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M41 Walker Bulldog Additional Info

Hello everyone,

as you know, yesterday, Walker Bulldog pictures were leaked. Here’s a bit more info from supertest about it. Keep in mind that this is totally preliminary, some of the 9.3 vehicles aren’t even modelled yet.

Elite gun: 76mm M32 (Late)
Penetration: 175
Gold penetration: 210
Damage: 150
Rate of fire: 17,9
Engine power: 550hp
Maximum speed: 72,4 km/h
Maximum reverse speed: 24 km/h
Power-to-weight: 23,41 hp/t

Terrain passability is allegedly “very good”- but again all these data are preliminary and can still change 100 times!

29.6.2014

An interesting article by Listy about fighting the Adoo rebels in Oman

- apparently, it’s possible that FV4202 will be replaced by something else, while the FV4202 becomes a tier 8 premium tank with its historical 20pdr gun (SS: some sources mention the early Chieftain, others Vickers MBT). Whether FV4202 will be given “for free” as the T34 was ages ago (when it became a premium tank) is not known.

Posted in Q&A