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[ACE OF THE MONTH] Lt JG Tetsuzo Iwamoto………………………………………………………. 2 #A6M2 Mod 21, Petty Officer First Class Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Carrier Air Group, Pearl Harbor Attack, 7th December 1941. Camouflage created by max_86z

[AIR FORCES] Israeli ………………………………………………………………………………. 6 'P-51D-5 of the , 1956' skin by _TerremotO_

[EVENT] Landing in Normandy……………………………………………………………………………. 10 D-Day wallpaper

[VEHICLE PROFILE] TBF-1c / Avenger Mk 1………………………………………………………….. 12 A TBF-1C of the VC-8. Camouflage with custom damage textures created by Hueynam1234

[VEHICLE PROFILE] M46 Patton…………………………………………………………………………… 16 M46 Patton 64th Bat. [Han River 1951] camouflage created by Tiger_VI

[EVENT] Battles over ………………………………………………………………………………… 19 Malta Siege wallpaper

[NATIONAL FORCES] 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion……………………………………. 21 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion * 1945+, camouflage created by Tiger_VI

[AIR FORCES] Mexican Expeditionary Air Forces…………………………………………………. 24 P-47 wallpaper in Mexican Air Forces camouflage; Republic P-47D-28 from Escuadrón 201, camouflage created by RiderR2

[VEHICLE PROFILE] Hawker Sea Fury……………………………………………………….. 27 Sea Fury wallpaper; Historical skin of Peter "Hoagy" Carmichael's Hawker Sea Fury, the legendary one that shot down a MiG-15 over Korea. Camouflage created by printf8via

[HISTORICAL] Guns of the Air, the RCMs and HMGs………………………………… 31

[VEHICLE PROFILE] PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r)…………………………………………………. 35 KV-1B wallpaper

[NATIONAL FORCES] The Irish Air Corps……………………………………………………………… 39 No.1 Fighter Squadron, Air Corps at Baldonnel, Ireland, by CmdNomad

[EVENT] Blue on Blue…………………………………………………………………………………………. 42 US light wallpaper

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#A6M2 Mod 21, Petty Officer First Class Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Carrier Air Group, Pearl Harbor Attack, 7th December 1941. Camouflage created by max_86z

[ACE OF THE MONTH] Lt JG Tetsuzo Iwamoto 1. June 2015 – Author: Mark Barber, War Thunder Historical Consultant

Tetsuzo Iwamoto was born in June insubordinate, rebellious and 1916 in the Karafuto Prefecture of sometimes outright rude nature. , the third of his parents’ three sons and one daughter. His father was The young Iwamoto graduated from a policeman by trade and became a high school in 1934 but had already high ranking official after the family decided that a farmer’s life was not move to Sapporo. After his father for him. Whilst ostensibly travelling retired the family moved to the away from home to take his college smaller city of Masuda, where entrance exams, Iwamoto joined the Tetsuzo attended the city’s Imperial Japanese Navy as an enlisted Agricultural and Forestry High School rating, a move which deeply whilst his parents changed vocation disappointed his parents who were to farming. Whilst he was a gifted counting on his help with the family student both academically and farm. After about a year and a half’s physically, his popularity with his service Iwamoto was working as a teachers was poor due to his mechanic onboard the carrier Ryujo; inspired by the lifestyle of the 2 embarked aviators, he set his sights Japanese A5M fighters engaged the on joining the elite fraternity of naval hostile aircraft and Iwamoto shot fighter pilots. After passing his down an incredible four enemy entrance exams Iwamoto commenced aircraft with a fifth probable. On April flying training and graduated in 29th Iwamoto repeated the incredible December 1936. feat of shooting down four aircraft in a day and, by the time he was ordered back to Japan in September, he had 14 kills from 82 sorties and was the top Japanese naval ace of the war.

After a tour as an instructor, Petty Officer First Class Iwamoto returned to the front line onboard the carrier Zuikaku, now flying the legendary A6M ‘Zero’ fighter. Iwamoto was airborne for the day of infamy – the attack on Pearl Harbor – but flew air cover over the carrier group itself rather than escorting the actual raid. Iwamoto was heavily involved in the air war in the Pacific from the outset, regularly leading flights of A6Ms against their American, British and

Tetsuzo Iwamoto Australian counterparts. Iwamoto flew in the violent air engagements of Six months of advanced flying training the Battle of the Coral Sea in May followed, including embarked 1942, during which Zuikaku’s air operations. However, Iwamoto would group suffered significant losses. This not see combat until February 1938. necessitated a return to Japan for Now part of the 12th Air Group, resupply and to train replacement First Class Iwamoto was sent aircrew which resulted in Iwamoto to where hostilities had been and his comrades missing the Battle raging between China and Japan since of Midway. July 1937. In his first combat mission, his flight was attacked by a large The devastating losses of Midway formation of Chinese I-15 and I-16 resulted in Iwamoto being pressed fighters over Nanchang. Breaking back into service as a pilot instructor away from the they had in an effort to join the small team in been charged to protect, the Japan who frantically tried to train new aircrew to stem the advancing 3 allies. After a year of instructional to the growing sentiment of anti- duties, Chief Petty Officer Iwamoto militarism he now faced, Iwamoto returned to the front line and joined developed drinking problems and the 253rd Air Group, flying A6Ms from plunged into depression. When the Rabaul in November 1943. Involved in Allied Occupation Forces finally daily air combat, the experienced departed Japan in 1952, Iwamoto fighter leader led his cadre of briefly found employment in a increasingly junior and less spinning mill but even this was not to experienced pilots against the might last – the next year he began to suffer of the US Navy and USAAF. Whilst from abdominal pains and after operating from Rabaul, Iwamoto filed several operations he grew claims for a staggering 142 enemy increasingly weak. In May 1955, aged aircraft shot down. only 38, Tetsuzo Iwamoto died of septicemia from the last of his After withdrawing from Rabaul, operations. Several sources claim his Iwamoto returned to Japan in June final words were to his wife: “when I 1944 for a brief respite from the front get well, I want to fly again.” line, before fighting in the skies over Formosa and the Philippines during Iwamoto’s final number of kills autumn and the winter. In November remains open to debate. A 1944 Iwamoto’s skill and leadership combination of the Japanese practice were further recognised when he was of crediting victories to a squadron commissioned as an officer in the rather than an individual, lost records ranks of the Japanese Navy, holding and discrepancies between the the rank of Ensign. Iwamoto’s last confirmation process in Japan and operational sorties were flown with allied nations mean that the final tally the 203rd Air Group, defending will never be known: most sources Kyushu and Okinawa in the furthest officially credit Iwamoto with 80 kills; Southwest reaches of Japan against his war diary claims 202 individual the long ranged B-29 attacks and the victories, 26 shared and 22 might of the US Navy’s carrier borne unconfirmed. His wartime service air power. The last few months of resulted in the award of the Order of Iwamoto’s war were spent training the Golden Kite, 5th Class. An kamikaze pilots at Iwakuni airfield on outspoken, opinionated and brash Honshu island. man on the ground, Iwamoto was conversely a tactically minded and Iwamoto was promoted to Sub- cool headed aviator who favoured hit on his enforced retirement and run tactics over dogfighting. from the Japanese Navy following his There is a very good chance that he nation’s surrender, Unable to find was, and forever will be, the greatest work in a post war Japan, in part due Japanese fighter ace of all time. 4

With an upcoming update, we will add Cherryblossom Killmarkings used by Tetsuzo Iwamoto made by Jej 'CharlieFoxtrot' Ortiz

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'P-51D-5 of the Israeli Air Force, 1956' skin by _TerremotO_ | download here

[AIR FORCES] Israeli Air Force 3. June 2015 - Author: Jan "RayPall" Kozák

The direct predecessor of the Israeli five days after neighboring Arab Air Force ( , English countries responded by quick abbreviation IAF) was called Sherut offensive, starting so-called War of Avir, which was name for an air wing Independence. of Israeli Haganah underground armed forces. This air corps initially The first aircraft acquired were Avia S- possessed only a small number of 199 fighters - Czechoslovakian various militarised civil aircraft, but conversion of Messerschmitt Bf 109 Israeli agents soon negotiated aircraft G-6, equipped with Junkers Jumo deliveries from Czechoslovakia, as the 211F inline engine instead of the Czechs already supplied with standard Daimler-Benz DB 605. infantry weapons and ammunition at Despite S-199’s poor handling the time. characteristics, the first Israeli fighter squadron was formed, and following Dismantled fighters were then ferried the official founding of the Israeli Air to Israel by air, with the first deliveries force on the 28th May 1948, four S- arriving on 20th May 1948 - six days 199s, nicknamed Sakeen (“Knife” in after Israel declared statehood, and Hebrew), were deployed for the first 6 time on the 29th May, conducting Spitfire. Until the end of hostilities, ground attack sorties against Egyptian new types of aircraft were purchased forces near Ashdod. from various sources, including Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers, de Havilland Mosquito fighter bombers, and North American P-51 Mustang fighters.

After the end of the War of Independence, foreign volunteer pilots, representing the core of IAF flying personnel during the war, were dismissed, and the IAF started to rely on Israeli pilots only. Tactical doctrines were developed including the importance of aerial reconnaissance, new squadrons were formed from acquired foreign planes. During the early 1950s, the IAF also entered the jet era by acquiring Gloster Meteor jet fighters in 1953. In

An Isreali Air Force Pilot, 1949 1956, the IAF then participated in Operation Kadesh - the codename of Along with more S-199s, the the Israeli strike to reclaim the Suez Czechoslovakians eventually provided Canal, supported by and Great Israel with Britain. LF.Mk.IXe fighters, delivering them during 1948 with many of them reaching their destination after the cessation of hostilities. The first IAF aerial victory was achieved on the 3rd June, when Modi Alon, piloting an Avia S-199, managed to shoot down two Douglas DC-3 transport planes used as makeshift bombers by the , which were bombing Tel Aviv. Former Israeli Air Force Spitfire Mk.IXe

On the 8th of June, the first aerial During the operation, IAF Mustangs also occurred, with Gideon conducted a daring low-level raid, Lichtaman shooting down an Egyptian 7 cutting telephone lines in the Sinai domestically built IAI Sa’ar fighter- with their wings and propellers, while bombers (licensed version of Dassault transport planes assisted by carrying Super Mystére). paratroopers and the rest of IAF provided air support and defended ground units against Egyptian aircraft. The brightest moment of the IAF then came on the 5th of June 1967, when Israeli fighters were able to cripple Jordanian, Egyptian and Syrian air forces with a single decisive strike, achieving total air superiority over all three countries as part of Operation Prime Minister Ben Gurion awarding IAF Focus. During the following Six-Day Pilots War, Israeli pilots claimed over 450 enemy aircraft destroyed, with The biggest challenge for IAF came absolute most of them destroyed on with surprise joint strike of , the ground. After this conflict, and Jordan in 1973, starting Yom McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom Kippur War. This time, the IAF fighters (nicknamed Kurnass - suffered serious losses at the hands of “Sledgehammer”) were sold to Israel well-prepared Egyptian and Syrian by the US, beginning the American surface-to-air missile (SAM) positions military support of Israel which has and anti-aircraft artillery been continuing until the present day. emplacements. The IAF was able to effectively contribute in the conflict The next conflict was a War of and to cause severe losses on Attrition between 1967 and 1970 Egyptian and Syrian air forces, but the against Egypt, characterized by price was high - over 100 IAF aircraft artillery ambushes, commando raids were shot down, most of them by and extensive air activity. The IAF, SAM and anti-aircraft fire. This painful equipped with Phantoms and experience influenced IAF tactical fighters, again doctrines after the conflict with prevailed against Egyptian Air Force attention focused on minimizing the possessing Soviet-made fighters such SAM threat. as MiG-21, losing approximately 26 aircraft while claiming up to 114 In the 1970s and during the early Egyptian planes shot down. After the 1980s, the IAF not only effectively , IAF was then further replaced its losses from the Yom modernized, acquiring more Kippur War, but also managed to Phantoms and Mirages, significantly expand. Aside from supplemented by A-4 Skyhawks and 8

Skyhawks and Phantoms, F-15 Eagle Deir ez-Zor, and from 2011, IAF and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters were started to operate the Iron Dome acquired, supplemented by anti-rocket defence system. domestically built IAI Nesher and IAI Kfir fighters, the latter being a From the ragtag collection of derivative of the French Dassault militarised civilian planes in 1948 up Mirage 5. In 1981, IAF conducted an to one of the most modern air forces successfull airstrike on Osiraq nuclear of today in 2015, the Israeli Air Force facility located in , while in 1982, has undergone a fast development the IAF participated in the First hallmarked by numerous clashes with Lebanon War, destroying Syrian SAM numerically superior enemy. Thanks sites in Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and to the skill of pilots and brilliant claiming over 80 Syrian planes shot strategy decisions, the IAF overcame down with no recorded loss in air-to- every challenge with pride and air combat on Israeli side. honour, and can be rightfully proud of its rich and interesting history. From the 1990s to present day, the main attention of the IAF has been There are many aircraft in the game focused on the Gaza Strip, with IAF that have been connected with the activity culminating after a unilateral Israeli air force throughout its history, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. try them out yourself in honour of In 2007, the IAF destroyed a these skilled airmen. suspected Syrian nuclear facility in

In one of the following Updates, we will include the 'Israeli Air Force Roundel' decal to War Thunder by Colin 'Fenris' Muir 9

Wallpaper 1280x1024 | 1920x1080

[EVENT] Landing in Normandy 4. June 2015 - Author: The War Thunder Team

Towards the end of 1943, through to first line were covered with strategic the beginning of 1944, the German machinegun positioning and anti-tank forces began fortifying the French armaments, while platoon and coast, creating efficient protection, company size strong points, ranging from the Mediterranean Sea stretching approximately 1.5 to 2 to La-Manche. The Main focus was kilometres, covered the second line. concentrated on fortifying the Pas-de- Calais coast, where the Allies were expected to make their main offensive strike.

Defensive positions maintained a 2 stage defence setup, populated with mines, Czech hedgehogs, and various traps. The defensive sectors of the 10

Despite this, and having gathered initial assault, and over 7,000 ships. In detailed intelligence on planned addition to this, 11,000 aircraft were German defensive strategies, British deployed. and American troops were able to strike where they were least By the 11th of June, the Allies had expected. secured the Cotentin Peninsula beyond Cherbourg, but progress When the landings finally began, only continued slowly as the Germans put 14 of the 58 German divisions that up fierce resistance. The end of the were situated in France were able to Normandy campaign came with the face the Allies (85 divisions in total destruction of the German 7th Army were deployed in France and , in the Falaise pocket in August. while around 240 were still concentrated on the Eastern front). The allied invasion had a strong While there was stiff resistance in psychological effect for both the other coastal areas, Omaha was the besieged Nazi army and Soviet forces, only location where the success of the who had fought their way from the Allied mission was in serious doubt. East. Great inspiration, and the ideals As the invasion of Normandy was the of the unity of free nations, largest amphibious assault ever encouraged every soldier and officer launched, the manpower and of the Allied forces. It was now clear machinery involved were massive, to them: the victory in the Second involving five army divisions in the World War was at hand. .

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A TBF-1C of the VC-8. Camouflage with custom damage textures created by Hueynam1234 | Download here!

[VEHICLE PROFILE] TBF-1c / Avenger Mk 1 9. June 2015 - Author: Joe “Pony51” Kudrna

It may be a portly single engine until the much later (mid 1944) -3 torpedo , but do not version introducing wing hardpoints underestimate its combat potential for rockets and more bombs. The only and its 2.7 BR rating is just right. It is difference is the UK version is some an excellent warplane where it can 40 km/h slower. wreck havoc on the ground and participate with fellow fighters. While not much, the rear .50 caliber (12.7mm) upper turret has excellent coverage and .30 caliber lower (7.62mm) protects the lower rear.

The in game American TBF-1C and its UK FAA counterpart Avenger Mk. 1 (TBF-1B per Grumman designation) TBF-1C in X-Ray view has two wing mounted .50 (12.7mm) machine guns which replaced the In the game it is a solid ship and single .03 (7.62mm) nose gun in prior although only carry 4 bombs they are versions. This is an excellent choice as 500 pounders (225 KG) thus good on later variants were mainly involved the majority of targets, not to with radio and improvements mention the single “fish” (torpedo) if 12 you want to hunt carriers. has a very low stall speed allowing Complimenting the bombs are a pair tight turns (middling roll) to force of .50 “M2’s” for strafing goodness or enemy aircraft to easily miss and other aircraft should you choose. The overshoot. Avengers 2.7 BR puts it in bracket of weaker aircraft and fortunately for When faced with a TBF avoid giving you the Avenger is robust and can the top gunner an easy target, like take licks and the 2 rear gunners will any bomber. Slashing attacks are best, dish out some hurt so fly it to the or in a pinch come in below an face gunners advantage. A dogfighter by only the less effective bottom gunner. no means it is not a sitting duck, well, Diving attacks work great too aiming a “turkey”, either. A gaggle of them at the pilot, but be cautious of a slow could easily take down a better mover close to ground or you become fighter. Don’t forget its amazing slow a lawn dart. speed ability, being a carrier aircraft it

Premium Avenger Mk.1 available in British Tech Tree for 1000 GE

In the late 1930’s the US Navy need a automobile company, thus “M”). replacement for its rapidly Right off the bat it was a remarkably obsolescent Torpedo Bomber balanced machine, stable flight, “Devastator” (TBD). Leroy Grumman spacious interior, and advanced proposed design was accepted from technologies in Grumman's other several entries, but it was a big, heavy aircraft. Its clever unique rear folding aircraft for the time. Designated the wing was applied to Grumman’s older TBF (as F is after D) it was ordered in F4F fighter which until the -4 variant April 1940 with first flight was 7 were fixed and the later F6F Hellcat August 1941 (the TBM is a TBF was designed with the same produced by General *M*otors mechanism from the start. 13

Its real legacy was what it could do US President George H. W. Bush was and did. It was built large to carry the youngest ever pilot of one and bulky equipment, but in doing so it award winning actor Paul Newman had space to carry larger special was a top gunner in anther! Post war equipment built later other carrier it continued in military use in many aircraft could not carry, leading the nations in a variety of rolls but also way in developing new radio, radar, found many civilian missions with weapons, and an early Anti- New Zealand using them to pioneer Submarine Warfare (ASW) devices. It crop dusting techniques while in also found itself in service with many many became fire bombers armed forces with UK’s and a reason so many are airworthy being an early user (their name today. Its most unusual wartime “Tarpon” was soon abandoned to credit must be shooting down a USN’s “Avenger”). passing German V-1 flying bomb! Its most famous incident was the Among its long list of mysterious disappearance of “Flight accomplishments is sinking the 19”’s 5 avenger in the “Bermuda transport sub I-52 and light carrier Triangle”. Ryujo and Hiyo, final attack on Hiei and participated in the This one is a beautiful turkey! Musashi and Yamato attacks. Future

In one of the following Updates, we will include the Emblem "Plonky", No. 30 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, created by Jej 'CharlieFoxtrot' Ortiz 14

TBF-1C with wings folded. Note the offset position of turret gun clears the vertical tail. Picture from authors collection

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M46 Patton 64th Tank Bat. [Han River 1951] camouflage created by Tiger_VI | Download here!

[VEHICLE PROFILE] M46 Patton 11, June 2015 - Author: The War Thunder Team

In War Thunder, the M46 Patton is a USA Era V Medium Tank. It has a Battle Rating of 7.0 for all game modes. The Main armament of the Patton is the 90mm M3A1 cannon. There are several types of ammunition that are available to the M46, The default shell available to M46 Patton in X-Ray view this vehicle is the M318A1 Piercing Shell, which does 206mm of The Thickest armour is at the front, penetration at a 100m flat surface. with the hull and frontal turret The M82 APCBC unlockable shell is maintaining 101mm of armour. The also available, which does 169mm of sides of the Patton maintain a penetration at a 100m flat surface. 2 thickness of 76mm, The rear hull different APCR shells, the M304 and maintains 51mm, and the rear of the the M332, can also be unlocked and turret, 76mm. The speed at which you used, doing 302mm and 314 mm of can reload by default is 11.8 seconds penetration respectively at 100m. per round. The Patton’s engine boasts There is also the M71 HE shell, which 810 Horsepower at 2800 RPM, with a does 19mm of penetration at all top speed of 29 mph (47 km/h). The distances. M46 is also available as a premium, 16

The “M46 Patton (73 Tank Battalion)”. ammo types and armour, but comes As a tier IV for the Americans, it by default with an insignia of a tiger, maintains the same Armament, situated at the front of the tank.

Premium M46 "Tiger" from 73 Tank Battalion available in game for 6090 GE

The M46 Patton can see its M26’s design. Improvements did not development arising as a replacement stop with the transmission however, to other vehicles in the U.S. armed and the amount of modifications that forces that had been used during were added seemingly mounted. As a World War II. At the time, it was result, in November, the highly mainly the , and the M26 improved tank received its new Pershing, that equipped the armed designation: The M46. In comparison forces. Although the M26 was to its predecessor, the M46 had considered to have performed well at several benefits, including the time, showing favourable results modifications to the transmission, when compared to earlier U.S. tanks improvements to the power plant (the M4 Sherman Included), its which lead to a higher power to mobility was not considered up to par weight ratio, and a new main gun with its intended use, sharing the with modifications to the barrel. In same arguably unreliable total, 1,168 M26 Pershings were transmission that was found on the rebuilt into the M46 Patton, spread M4A3. across two different variants.

In order to alleviate some of the The M46 served in combat setbacks that were considered throughout the , and were prevalent with the M26, work began considered superior to the North in January, 1948, on improving the Korean T-34-85’s. The M46 served 17 alongside other American tanks, including the M26 and Sherman, however as more Pattons were made available to the U.S. fighting forces in Korea, they were able to replace the now inferior M26 completely, with its full withdrawal by 1951.

USMC M-46 Patton Medium Tank in Korea, 8th July 1952

In one of the following Updates, we will include the Emblem of US Marine Corps, created by Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov 18

Wallpaper 1280x1024 | 1920x1080

[EVENT] Battles over Malta 12. June 2015 - Author: The War Thunder Team

The British already had possession of Hurricanes as well. Regarding a suitable 20mm aviation cannon Spitfires, a wing modification was around the early 1940's - the Hispano- needed for this cannon armament. Suiza HS.404, a French weapon which Thus, the “B” wing type was had been purchased and constructed, in contrast to the manufactured under the designation original “A” wing suited for machine ‘Hispano Mk.I’. This early version was gun armaments. This new wing loaded from 60-round drum allowed the installation of two magazines, and were installed on Hispano Mk.I cannons and four .303 Westland Whirlwinds and Bristol machine guns, albeit the cannons had Beaufighter night fighters, which gave to be installed on their sides, as the them enough firepower to destroy usual position of the drum magazine German bombers relatively quickly. being atop the weapon would not fit The decision was then made to mount into a Spitfire’s wing. this weapon on Spitfires and

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Italian forces, confirming 45 Italian aircraft shot down as of the end of 1940, with the help of aircraft ferry operations replacing their losses. This was a crucial part for the entire operation, as the remote location of the island strained the supply of spare parts, and many Hurricanes had to be grounded due to maintenance issues.

From January 1941, the situation One of the most well known worsened for the British as they deployments of cannon-armed encountered the Luftwaffe. Spitfires was at the Siege of Malta. Experienced German fighter pilots Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, soon achieved air superiority over the and held by British forces, Malta had island, and German bombers attacked immeasurable strategic value. Allied shipping routes in order to Because of this “unsinkable aircraft literally starve the island’s defenders. carrier”, as the island was often However, despite the Allies suffering referred to, the RAF were able to heavy losses in terms of ships and successfully disrupt Axis shipping lines aircraft, the British continued to fight. and agitate the flow of supplies to It proved difficult though, as North Africa, thus weakening the Axis Hurricanes were outperformed by the forces situated there. Because of this, more modern Bf 109 German fighter it was planned that Malta would aircraft. become subject to devastating air raids in order to destroy as much of the British forces as possible. The air raid campaign began on the 11th June 1940. RAF forces in the area consisted mainly of and fighters, with Gladiators being steadily replaced by Hurricanes onwards from 1940. The British forces were able to hold their own against the numerically superior

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Jagdtiger 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion [Germany 1945] camouflage created by Tiger_VI | Download here

[NATIONAL FORCES] 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion 17. June 2015 - Author: Sean "Gingahninja" Connell

The 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger The Jagdtiger was designed on a Battalion (Schwere Panzerjäger- lengthened Tiger II chassis in a Abteilung 653) was a Tank casemate style and approximately Battalion comprised of 3 Companies 150 were originally ordered, however outfitted with Ferdinand (Elefant) only about 80 were completed and tanks and the new Jagdtiger (Hunting delivered to units. The 12,8cm main Tiger), armed with the powerful gun was designed and manufactured 12,8cm main gun. by the Krupp family in late 1944. The weapon fired a 28kg or 62lb shell with a muzzle velocity of approximately 950 m/s at a rate of 3 rounds per minute. The gun could use a variety of charges due to the design of having two-piece ammunition where the round and the cartridge were separate from each other. This allowed for a variety of roles the Jagdtiger could fulfill. If the crew opted to use a light or medium charge 21 then the gun was typically used in the under command from role of an artillery piece, while the the 17th Army until the Battle of heavy cartridge, was used in anti-tank Berlin in May 1945. roles where it fired a PzGr. 43 APCBC- HE round. The PzGr. 43 was capable In October of 1944 a new 3rd of penetrating 200mm of armor at a Company was outfitted with the new distance of 1000 meters and 148mm Jagdtiger which met up with 1st of armor at a distance of 2000 meters. Company on the Western Front and saw combat against the US and UK. The Jagdtiger weighed approximately 1st Company saw combat in the 72 tons and the vehicle was severely Ardennes Forest during the Battle of underpowered due to the designers the Bulge while the newly formed 3rd using the same engine that powered Company took part in Operation the /II and the Panther. The Nordwind under the command of the engine, a Maybach HL230 P30, was 17th SS Panzergrendier Division. capable of producing 690hp and was constructed of cast iron which allowed for the use of larger cylinders at the cost of added weight of the vehicle. The Jagdtiger could reach speeds of approximately 34kmh or 21mph on road surfaces.

All three companies of the 653rd saw combat throughout the war including Operation Nordwind was the last major battles such as the Battle of major offensive by the German army Kursk and Dnieper where 1st on the Western Front where the goal Company, consisting of Ferdinands, was to break through the lines of the saw action and suffered heavy losses US 7th Army and French 1st Army, in during the battle. In February 1944 the towns of Alsace and Lorraine, 1st Company received 11 new located in the northeastern corner of Ferdinands and took part in the Battle France. The operation as a whole was of Anzio in Italy. unsuccessful where heavy casualties were suffered by the German Army. The 2nd and 3rd company suffered heavy losses in August of 1943 where Famous Tiger tank ace Otto Carius only 12 vehicles were left operational commanded a Jagdtiger with the after heavy conflict on the Eastern 512th Heavy Antitank Battalion Front. The 12 vehicles remaining were (Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 512) consolidated into 2nd Company at the beginning of 1945, where where it remained in conflict with the Carius’ company took part in the 22 defense of the Rhine River which were much greater compared to the subsequently surrendered to the US allies. Army on the 15th of April 1945. Carius wrote in his memoir “Tigers in the mud” that he believed the Jagdtiger’s were not used to their fullest potential. A great deal of Carius’ personal feeling was due to the poor engine and transmission as well as how frequent the main gun needed to be recalibrated after travelling even short distances off-road.

Despite all of the problems that the Jagdtiger encountered, Allied troops still feared the tank due to the inability of Allied tanks to penetrate In one of the future updates we will the front armor as well as how the introduce the "Emblem of Sturmgeschütz Abteilung made by Branislav 'InkaL' engagement distances in the Jagdtiger Mirkov

In the near future, you will be able to experience these, and other vehicles on an entirely new location, 'Stalingrad'.

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P-47 in Mexican Air Forces camouflage | 1280x1024 / 1920x1080

[AIR FORCES] Mexican Expeditionary Air Force 19. June 2015 - Author: Sean "Gingahninja" Connell

The history of the twin engine bomber Farman F.50. goes all the way back to April 1913 From 1923-1929 Mexico became during the Mexican Revolution when deeply involved in a violent territorial the Secretary of War and Navy, war which included military support. ordered two pilots of the Army’s During this time, many battles were Auxiliary Aerial Militia to bomb decided by the use of air support. targets in Mexico City . In February of 1915 the Mexican leader of the Army, From 1944 to 1945 the Mexican founded the Military Aviation Arm, Expeditionary Air Force (MEAF) was which would become what is now training in the US alongside allied known as the Mexican Air Force. forces through the Lend-Lease agreement. The 201st Escuadron is In the 1920’s, under the advisement the most renowned MEAF for its of US Ralph O’Neill, the actions in the Pacific against the Mexican Air Force would revamp its Japanese. The 201st was outfitted outdated inventory of aircraft by mainly with the P-47D “Jug”, which purchasing multiple British Avro 504K was well suited for a ground attack and 504J model aircraft as well as the role that the MEAF would be primarily 24 used for. The 201st flew 59 combat there and had only five losses; three missions in the Southwest Pacific were during combat operations and theatre over the Philippines, Luzon two during training flights. These and Formosa in which it was very losses had unfortunately played a big successful in its ground attack role. part in why the squadron was not used in support roles over Okinawa. The P-47 which many would consider an iconic aircraft used during WWII, was not without its limitations which would affect the performance of the 201st. Because the squadron was used primarily as a CAS unit, the mission was always considered critical, mainly due to the fuel consumption. During a mission to Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt from bomb enemy positions in Formosa, Escuadrón 201 over the Philippines during the summer of 1945 two 201st P-47’s had to emergency land at alternate landing fields due to Over Luzon the 201st flew 31 combat fuel shortage. The average flight time missions from June 4th ‘45 to July 4th for a P-47 conducting a fighter sweep ’45, in which the majority was pre- in the Pacific was approximately 20 planned (CAS) minutes. When outfitted with bombs missions. However, multiple missions that flight time was cut down were initiated due to air or ground considerably. alert for immediate action. Despite reports of hostile aircraft in the area, After WWII the Mexican Air Force the squadron did not see any combat continued to acquire newer, more against the Japanese aircraft. During modern aircraft and to the 201st’s time over Formosa, it was outfit itself with. Currently the most given the “OK” to go on active fighter modern aircraft of the Mexican Air sweeps from July 6th-9th when Force is the F-5 Freedom Fighter as multiple enemy aircraft were spotted well as the Pilatus PC-9. The Mexican in the area. Unfortunately no contact Air Force also has a wide variety of was made with enemy aircraft. This helicopters including UH-60 was the only time during the war for Blackhawks, Mi-8 and Mi-17’s. The the 201st that it was used in a fighter Mexican Air Force has not had to sweep. operate during war time since WWII, however they continue their efforts The 201st had 35 active pilots in the with other Mexican Government Southwest Pacific during it’s time Agencies in combatting the Mexican Drug Trade. 25

Republic P-47D-28 from Escuadrón 201, camouflage created by RiderR2 | Download here

In one of the following Updates, we will include the "Mexican Air Force Roundel" to War Thunder, by Colin 'Fenris' Muir

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[VEHICLE PROFILE] Hawker Sea Fury 22. June 2015 - Author: Scott “Smin1080p” Maynard

Representing the pinnacle of British undercarriage for easier carrier piston engined fighters at the end of recovery by comparison to its Seafire the branch, the Hawker predecessors. Pilots who are familiar Sea Fury is one of the finest propellor with the series driven aircraft in game due to its within the British tree will be able to excellent all round performance and quickly master the Sea Fury. Indeed it characteristics. Thanks to its historical inherits the excellent Bristol reputation and impressive design, the Centaurus as well as the Sea Fury is a favourite among the sleek wing shape sporting a hard virtual pilots of War Thunder. hitting cannon arrangement from the Hawker Tempest II. Situated at the end of Era IV, the aircraft sports a powerful engine, high The Sea Fury has 4 x 20mm Hispano speeds, good rate of climb, surprising Mk V cannons with a total 580 agility as well as a wide track maximum ammunition capacity.

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flexible in a variety of situations and fulfil its role as a fighter-bomber.

Much like its other Hawker brethren, the Sea Fury is very dependant on energy, but also still quite maneuverable. Most aircraft that it cannot beat in a turn fighting situation, it can simply out-dive and This extremely generous cannon load vice versa. This will of course require is further complemented by invested knowledge and understanding of your research into the “Offensive 20mm opponent and constant situational belts” that offers the “Air Targets” awareness to review the situation and configuration. This is a highly efficient act accordingly. Due to its high and effective choice for air-to-air performance as one of the final engagements and ensures the production propellor driven aircraft, maximum potential out of your the Sea Fury will often face the very ammunition supply in . As best in piston engined aircraft as well well as this, the Sea Fury also has a as the early generation of . range of external stores available However its combined all round after unlocking the appropriate characteristics, particularly when modifications 250lb or 500lb bombs further enhanced with researched as well as RP-3 rockets which can be upgrades, will be more than sufficient mounted on hard points under the to engage almost any opposition the wing, allowing the aircraft to remain aircraft will come into contact with.

Historical skin of Peter "Hoagy" Carmichael's Hawker Sea Fury, the legendary Sea Fury that shot down a MiG-15 over Korea. Camouflage created by printf8via | Download here! 28

interest in possible new piston engined aircraft that would couple great performance with all the important factors required on a naval aircraft such as a strong system, good combat endurance and excellent rate of climb. The Sea Fury would use the proven Bristol Centaurus engine from its A Sea Fury from No.804 Squadron gets airborne off the deck of HMS Glory predecessor the Tempest II and retain much of the same clean shape with The Sea Fury was Hawker’s very last several improvements. With the naval production piston engine aircraft and version also came a the end of the family that began with mechanism and carrier arresting the original . Progressing equipment for recovery. A large five- through the Hurricane, Typhoon and bladed propellor would make the Tempest, the Sea Fury was the most of the over 2000 horsepower culmination of development and provided by the Centaurus radial research as well as wartime engine. Thus with clear inspiration experience in combat that would from its Hawker Lineage, the Sea Fury result in one of the world's greatest was borne into naval service too late propellor driven fighters. The aircraft to see any service during the Second was originally put to the RAF as the World War. Hawker “Fury”, a lightweight and more powerful version of the When the Sea Fury made its combat Tempest II at a time when the dawn debut in the Korean War, jet aircraft of the jet age was already in full swing were already in operation. Operated and the piston engine was nearing its in escort and fighter bomber roles final swansong for frontline fighters. from aircraft Carriers such as HMS As a result the Air Force turned down Ocean and HMS Theseus, Sea Fury’s the Fury due to their already relieved the already exhausted sufficient Tempest II’s and ever Seafires and were adorned with growing arsenal of jet aircraft such as similar Black and White “Invasion the Meteor and Vampire. Stripes” to those used in D-Day after a friendly fire incident with a US B-29 Whilst jet aircraft were already and Royal Navy Seafire. The pinnacle established with the RAF, the Fleet Air of the Sea Furys Fleet Arm’s career Arm was ever aware of the difficulty would come on the 9th August 1952, in operating a brand new and highly when Peter Carmichael flying Sea Fury problematic technology from aircraft WJ232 shot down a Mikoyan- carriers. As such it showed great 29

Gurevich MiG-15 jet aircraft after his exhibits with many still in flying flight was attacked. condition.

At a time when many piston aircraft were quickly swept aside, the Hawker Sea Fury would prove itself time and time again, serving not just with Britain, but with several other nations, such as Canada, Iraq, , and Morocco. Still a crowd favorite at many airshows, the Sea Fury now finds its place as a Air Racing aircraft and as museum The snow covered deck of HMS Theseus with Sea Fury’s and Firefly’s present

The Moroccan Airforce (Decal below) was equipped with the Sea Fury, jump in to the cockpit and try it out for yourselves! Created by Colin 'Fenris' Muir

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[HISTORICAL] Guns of the Air, the RCMs and HMGs 23. June 2015 - Author: Joe “Pony51” Kudrna

A combat aircraft’s armament is just develop, and machine-guns were an as important in determining its obvious choice over pistols and rifles. fighting ability as the pilot and aircraft Most early airborne machine-guns itself. The right combination of where either based on the Maxim weapons under the right (machine) Gun, Danish Madsen, or circumstances is a determining factor the new Lewis machine-gun, however which can elevate even the most neither were optimal; a similar reality average of aircraft into a deadly for the first aircraft pressed into warplane. To explore this, it must be combat. asked: how did armaments evolve?

The first air armaments were Rifle Caliber Machine-guns (RCM), with sizes varying roughly from 6mm to 9mm, and the Heavy Machine-Gun (HMG, reference to diameter not weight) ranging 10mm to 15mm (including the .50 inch caliber).

When the First World War broke out in mid 1914, the concept of aerial As the war progressed, increased combat was seen more as a fiction aircraft load capacity and better than reality so there was limited performing machine guns resulted in thought into the design of specific air the production of the iconic twin armaments. Still, some did foresee machine-gun bi-plane fighter. Of the possibility battles in the air would 31 course other armaments did exist but it was almost entirely RCM armaments and simple solid shot rounds, often called “Ball” (holdover term from musket ball) that found their way onto aircraft. During the war, John Moses Browning introduced the highly reliable M1917 machine- gun to the US Army that later lead to the development of the improved

M1919 M1 .30-06 Springfield Conversely, aviation technology (7.62x63) specialized aircraft version. accelerated as material science and This was later re-chambered as the British .303 (7.62x56mmR) and found cheaper production offered an abundance of stronger materials with its way on virtually all British improved structural designs, which in warplanes post WWI and well into turn allowed aircraft builders to WW2. replace vulnerable wood and fabric

with largely superior metal structures. On the European front in 1918, US Higher speeds and larger payloads General Pershing witnessed early where possible, and ambitious goals armoured defenses, armoured in civilian aircraft were often met to vehicles, and even the world's first much fanfare, at times producing armoured aircraft: the Junkers J.I. better results than expected. This Following this, he demanded something that would be capable of “golden age” of aviation, as it is called, was a tremendous combatting them. Working almost technological revolution. simultaneously on the M1919,

Browning created what would Curiously, as aircraft performance eventually be the M1921 M2 .50 inch rapidly improved year after year, BMG (B for Browning,12.7x99mm), aircraft armaments generally effectively a scaled up M1919 and .30-06 cartridge; however, he would remained the same: just 2 RCM machine-guns, and some with 4. not stop its design there. Browning There were, however, other and company continued to tinker with configurations that were proposed the design, improving it further into arguably the best HMG in the world. and used - including HMG’s and the first fighter mounted cannons in the It was not until years later that other mid 1930’s - RCM’s, however, companies and nations would devote remained the norm. Reliance on RCM the amount of time and effort to reached a crescendo in November further produce and improve their 1934 when RAF Squadron Leader own armament variants. 32

Ralph Sorley specified all future RAF persisted in many aircraft, being used fighters should be armed with no less well past their combat effectiveness. than eight RCM’s, arguing that This was a most notable feature in engagement times in combat would Luftwaffe aircraft. be fleeting at best, and more rounds in the air were needed. What he, and Across the Atlantic, the USAAF made most others, failed to realize was that use of the Browning lightened aircraft more modern use of materials made version of its M1921 .50 inch aircraft resistant to RCM armaments. 12.7x99mm HMG. The long, but steady development, resulted in the During the , many AN/M2 variant and its inclusion in Luftwaffe bombers were able to some in the late 30’s. return to French shores. Although With the experiences in , it did they would be riddled with bullet not take long to ramp up production marks and holes, and keeping in mind and make it standard in the US air that many would never fly again, it force’s warplanes, happening much seemed to the RAF that they were sooner than other factions, which shooting paper wads. Equipping were just finishing their HMG designs. Hurricane Mk. IIB fighters with 12 It was also later that the RAF adopted RCM’s did not seem to improve the the AN/M2 instead of the Vickers situation. The Luftwaffe also HMG. Also based on it was the slightly discovered the same reality, and inferior Italian Breda-SAFAT and determined that even 20mm cannon heavily modified unique Japanese Ho- rounds had difficulty against larger 103/104. The semi-original Russian aircraft. However efforts to create Berezin was on par, but somewhat better RCM configurations continued, better, than the AN/M2. Arguably, the Germany combined two MG-81J champion proved to be the German armaments together into the MG-131, which was astoundingly 56% intimidating MG-81Z, and the lighter and smaller whilst maintaining Russians developed certainly the firepower close to that of the ultimate machine-gun ever produced: Browning AN/M2. This proved a key the Ultra-ShKAS (Ultra-????) which advantage for fighter aircraft, but was capable of firing an astounding eventually, it was only used in small 3000 rounds per minute (but was still amounts by the Luftwaffe mostly soon abandoned for cannon). Despite latter Bf-109 and FW-190 models. RCM’s minimal impact, it was seen that cannons also had many While many sides had to deal with shortcomings, and even the 13mm various combat mission profiles and sized HMG’s could not easily fit into targets, the Americans found the space allocated initially designed themselves in a very advantageous for RCM. As a result, RCM armaments situation, where the vast majority of 33 enemy aircraft they faced were more significantly simpler, including training vulnerable fighter; the Browning and maintenance (coupled with its M1921 AN/M2 HMG was an ideal near identical M1919 .303), making it weapon in fighter engagements. It standard in nearly every US aircraft . also proved devastating against land At the time, it was the perfect and sea units due to its fire rate, weapon for the US military and velocity, mass, and penetrating USAAF in particular, making it a qualities, aided with multiple legend of the time, and a major installations. It also made the logistics weapon in many countries to this day.

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[VEHICLE PROFILE] PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) 24 June 2015 - Author: Jan "RayPall“ Kozák

In War Thunder, the PzKpfw KV-1B Frontal armour is 75 mm thick both 756(r) is a rank 3 German premium on the lower glacis (26 degrees of heavy tank with a Battle Rating of 5.3. slope), and on the upper glacis (30 degrees of slope), with 40 mm plate As a premium, it comes with all sloped under 72 degrees covering the modifications (including ammunition) area between them. The un-sloped already researched. Its weight is 47.5 side armour is 75 mm thick, while tonnes, and maximum speed is 37 lower rear armour thickness is 70 mm kph, which the tank can reach in 15 under slope of 14 degrees (60 mm for seconds when riding on flat surface. upper rear armour plate). An The turret’s rotation speed is 12 additional 25 mm's of applique degrees per second, while the reload armour is then fitted on both the time is 6.2 seconds with a fully trained lower and upper frontal glacis, giving loader. it 100 mm of armour protection. Three other 25 mm armour strips

35 then protect the turret ring. The MG 34 7.92 mm , turret armour is 105 mm thick all provided with 4350 rounds, while the around, with the gun mantlet having ammunition load for the main gun is 50 mm of armour protection. The 80 rounds. commander’s cupola has a thickness of 50 mm all around, and the armour is 30 mm thick on the top of the hull, and 40 mm on the turret’s top.

Regarding firepower, the tank is armed with the 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 gun. With basic Pzgr.39 APCBC rounds, and at range of 10 meters, X-ray view of the PzKpfw KV-1B 755(r) this gun is able to penetrate up to 136 mm of armour against when flat, 123 This tank is sometimes dubbed “Baby mm against armour sloped under 30 Tiger” and despite the fact it’s degrees, and 51 mm against armour basically a Soviet tank, the nickname sloped under 60 degrees. At a range is quite fitting. The frontal hull armour of 1000 meters, the penetration is actually even better than that of the decreases to 109 mm (flat armour), Tiger (same thickness combined with 98 mm (30 degrees slope) and 41 mm 30 degrees slope), and when properly (60 degrees slope) respectively, while angled, it can be very resilient to at the maximum range of 2000 enemy fire. Additionally, the rear- meters, the penetration is 86 mm (flat mounted transmission means you plate), 77 mm (30 degrees slope) and don’t need to worry about your tank 32 mm (60 degrees slope). being immobilized by penetrations Alternatively, you can use the Pzgr.40 from the front. In turn, the APCR shell, giving you enhanced performance of KwK 40 gun is fully penetration at medium and short adequate on its given BR even with ranges (up to 177 mm), but with basic ammunition, as it can still worse penetration capabilities when reliably penetrate most of its faced by sloped armour and when opposition, and when aimed at weak firing at distant targets. The third spots, it can destroy virtually any available ammunition type is then the enemy tank encountered. However as Hl.Gr.38B HEAT round, able to with the Tiger, you shouldn't fall penetrate 80 mm (flat plate), 69 mm under the impression that you’re (30 degrees slope) and 39 mm (60 invincible! Flank shots will be degrees slope) respectively at all extremely dangerous for you because ranges in exchange for lower muzzle of large fuel tanks occupying the velocity. As a secondary armament, space behind the side armour, which this tank is equipped with a coaxial are prone to being detonated or set 36 on fire. The gun mantlet is only 50 cm and short-barrelled 7.5 cm guns, mm thick, and despite this being a while the KV-1 could dispatch any small target, even lighter guns can German tank at distance with ease. penetrate you this way, disabling your However, the tide has turned with the turret crew and threatening with use of the PzKpfw IV Ausf.F2 medium detonation of ammunition stowage in tank and the StuG III Ausf.F assault the turret. That being said, it is gun, both being armed with the new recommended to reduce your 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43 gun. This weapon ammunition load in order to remove was able to penetrate the frontal excess shells from your turret and armour ofa KV-1 at combat ranges, decrease the chance of an ending the Soviet superiority. The ammunition explosion. When facing Soviets responded with several new this tank, it is also recommended to variants of the KV-1 in an attempt to shoot the driver’s vision slit, as strengthen their armour protection applique armour is missing there. (models 1941 and 1942), or to improve mobility in exchange for With great armour, good firepower lighter armour (KV-1S). Even despite for its BR, and good mobility for a these attempts, KV-1’s started to be heavy tank, the PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) obsolete, and were gradually phased is definitely worth the GE’s spent, and out of service in favour of brand new will offer you very enjoyable heavy IS-series heavy tanks which had a tank, allowing you to earn extreme better armament and armour amounts of Silver Lions and Research protection. Points due to it being a premium vehicle. During fierce armoured clashes on the Eastern Front, the Germans were able to capture a number of KV-1’s, most of them being abandoned by their crews due mechanical failure or combat damage. The Germans eventually repaired these tanks, painted them with their own camouflage, and used them against the Soviets under the designation PzKpfw KV-1A 753(r) (for captured When the German army encountered model 1941 tanks) or PzKpfw KV-1B Soviet KV-1 heavy tanks in 1941 755(r) (model 1942). These tanks during the opening stages Operation were mostly used with their original Barbarossa, it was a shocking armament, but the decision was experience. These Soviet behemoths made to further modify captured KV-1 were impervious to German 3.7 cm, 5 tanks by installing German 37 armaments and other modifications. the PzKpfw IV tank with wo-part The resulting vehicle was designated hatch, a ventilator on top of the turret PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r), and was based taken from the captured T-34 mod. on the KV-1 model 1942 with a cast 1942 medium tanks, and additional turret and 25 mm applique armour. utility baskets on the rear deck. The Soviet 76.2 mm F-34 gun was removed, and the German 7.5 cm Only one PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) was KwK 40 L/43 gun was fitted along with produced. It was attached to the the new mantlet design taken from 204th Panzer Regiment, a part of the the PzKpfw IV Ausf.G medium tank - 22nd Panzer Division, and was this change significantly enhanced the operational in 1943 during Battle of tank’s firepower. Other changes Kursk. Its fate is unknown. included a commander’s cupola from

In one of the following Updates, we will include the "Emblem of the 22nd Panzer Division" to War Thunder, created by Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov

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No.1 Fighter Squadron, Irish Army Air Corps at Baldonnel, Ireland. Camouflage created by CmdNomad | Download here

[NATIONAL FORCES] The Irish Air Corps 25. June 2015 – Author: Mark Barber, War Thunder Historical Consultant

The origins of military aviation in from Baldonnel, but the airfield’s Ireland are nothing if not unique. Commanding Officer – Comdt James With the British government entering Fitzmaurice – joined the German crew into talks with the Provisional on their 37 hour flight to Greenly Government of Southern Ireland in Island. The interwar period saw 1922, revolutionary leader Michael further developments for the Irish Air Collins required an aircraft to Corps when, following on from the extricate from London should the successful adoption of a pilot talks take a turn for the worse. With Scheme, a similar Boy Apprentice the purchase of a single Martinsyde Scheme was introduced for ground Type A , Irish military aviation crews in 1936. was born. By June of 1922 the Irish Air Service HQ at Baldonnel had grown to 13 aircraft and 14 pilots. In 1924 the Irish were officially established.

In 1928 the first successful transatlantic flight from East to West firmly put Irish aviation on the world stage. Not only did the flight launch 39

The same year also saw the their Gladiators, were used to establishment of Ireland’s national intercept and shoot down dozens of airline, Aer Lingus, which initially barrage balloons which had broke shared Baldonnel with the Irish Air free of their moorings in Britain and Corps. drifted across to Ireland.

With war breaking out in Europe, Ireland was in a position of being able to remain neutral, although a state of emergency was declared by the Irish Government. The Irish Air Corps was tasked with patrolling the nation’s airspace and coastlines, wary of the fact that British and German aircraft Defence Force image of Air Corps de were engaged in combat only a few Havilland Vampire T-11 Trainers dozen miles away. The Irish Air Corps’ most modern aircraft at the time was After the war, with embargos the Gloster Gladiator, of which only discontinued and less of a four were supplied by Britain. Other requirement for military aircraft aircraft included the de Havilland across the world, the Irish Air Corps Dragon, , was in a better position to import and . more modern types. Hurricanes were replaced by Supermarine Seafires As combat continued between British which had been denavalised to save and German forces, 163 foreign weight and in 1956 a de Havilland aircraft made forced landings in Vampire trainer became Ireland’s first Ireland; not only did this lead to the military jet. After the punishing winter very interesting scenario of British of 1962/63, rotary wing aviation and German aircrew being interned followed with the allocation of very close to each other – sometimes Alouette III helicopters for Search and in adjacent buildings – but also gave Rescue. the ground crews of the Irish Air Corps the opportunity to make these After a period of expansion in the aircraft safe for disposal and, in some 1970s, today’s Irish Air Corps’ main cases airworthy again and added to capability lies with its rotary wing the Air Corps’ books. In this way the fleet, transport aircraft and maritime Irish Air Corps began operating its first patrol assets. Hawker Hurricanes which, alongside

In one of the following Updates, we will include the IAC roundel & emblem of the No. 1 Fighter Squadron IAC to War Thunder. Decals made by Colin 'Fenris' Muir >>> 40

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[EVENT] Blue on Blue 26. June 2015 - Author: Adam “BONKERS” Lisiewicz

In 1917, the American Expeditionary machines, along with the Mark VII Forces led by General John Pershing heavy tank, were to form the arrived in France to take part in the backbone of the US Tank Force. fight against Germany on the Western Front of . It was then that the Americans first saw the brand new Renault FT-17 light tanks. This vehicle, which was considered revolutionary for its time, was found to be perfect for the new US Tank Force about to be created. In 1918, thanks to the purchasing of the Model of the FT-17 relevant license, the Americans began the serial manufacture of their own In 1920 however, all that changed. FT-17, known as the M1917. These With the passing of the National 42

Defense Act, the idea of producing a blisteringly fast (with a top speed of heavy tank was abandoned. Instead, 72 km/h on a beaten track), it was the designs were to be one of two only armed with three machine guns possible configurations – a 5-ton light (1 .50 cal. and two .30 cal.) and it's tank and a 15-ton medium tank. This maximum armour thickness clocked in decision paved the way for a slew of at only 16 mm. The Army at first was projects, prototypes and pilot models interested with the T1 Combat Cars produced by US manufacturers, albeit designed by Walter Christie, but later the progress was slow because of very decided not to pursue with the tight budget restrictions. Also, project. Christie's projects were, conflicting views of how to use tanks however, picked up by the Soviet – while many officers believed that Union, which then proceeded with tanks should be limited to infantry the production of the BT series of support roles, General Douglas tanks. In the USA, the Army chose the MacArthur, the Chief of Staff of the T2 Light Tank prototype to be pushed US Army, supported the notion of into mass production. Standardised as tanks being used by the cavalry in the M2, it would then become the staging fast offensives. Because the main tank of the pre-World War II era. Cavalry could not use “tanks” a new definition for an armored vehicle was Still, the new vehicles were, at best, born – the “Combat Car”. outfitted with .50 caliber machine guns, which relegated them to infantry support duties. The experiences of the Spanish Civil War resonated throughout the US General Staff, as reports proved that vehicles should be armed with a cannon in order to achieve any success in combat against enemy armour. This prompted the design of the M3 Light Armoured Car М1 Tank. Meanwhile, the US Army quickly began modernising their M2 “Combat Cars” in today's terms can Light Tanks to the M2A4 standard. be roughly described as tankettes – This version featured a 37 mm gun as fast, lightly armored, and armed with the main armament, replacing the .50 fairly low-caliber weaponry. In the cal M2 machine gun, as well as 1930s, two projects were developed improved armour protection. simultaneously for the cavalry and the Meanwhile, the T7 prototype, which army – the Cavalry was supposed to was to become the M3 Light Tank, be supplied with the T5 pilot, later was beginning to take shape. The known as the M1 Combat Car. While tests confirmed the vehicle's 43 readiness for combat, and it was Based on combat reports from North pressed into serial production in Africa, the Ordnance Department 1941. quickly issued a specification for a new light tank. It would be armed with a 75 mm gun and be equipped with as many parts from the M5 Light Tank as possible to ease maintenance. In 1943, the T24 prototype was presented, and after further testing, it was adopted into the US Army as the Light Tank M24. Production started in 1944, and because of that, many Armoured Divisions were not able to

М3A1 at Guadalcanal replace their M3 and M5 light tanks before the end of the war. The M24 The new M3 Light Tank, dubbed as was later used in Korea, however it the “Stuart” or “Honey” by the British, quickly proved to be inadequate to debuted in combat in November 1941 the T-34-85 medium tank used by in North Africa. There, however, it North Korea. The M24 also took saw suffered heavy losses and was not battle in Indochina, where it was used liked by the British, mainly due to its by the French during the Dien Bien lackluster armament. The Stuarts and Phu siege. M2A4 tanks also took part in the Pacific Campaign, fighting in the Philippines and Guadalcanal – there, however, tank vs. tank combat was a rare sight, due to unfavourable terrain. The M3 proved itself on Guadalcanal, vastly multiplying the firepower used against the Japanese by the USMC. The criticisms levelled at the M3 were noted, and soon an upgraded version of the tank – the М24 Chaffee M5 – surfaced. The appearance of the M5 still did not solve the firepower Even before the Korean War, the US debacle – the tank still featured a 37 were already working on replacing it mm gun, which relegated its use to with a more modern design. The T37 recon and infantry support roles. Light Tank prototype paved the way However, a new light tank was soon for the M41 Walker Bulldog Light to be on it's way. Tank. The new machine was armed 44 with a high-velocity 76 mm cannon, have a fighting chance against Soviet and was capable of firing a variety of heavy and main battle tanks. After shells, including Armour Piercing extensive testing and constant design Discarding Sabot. The Walker Bulldog changes, the new tank was pressed was too late to see widespread use into service in 1967, under the during the Korean War, but it did, designation M551 “Sheridan”. It then however, take part in the Vietnam took part in the , War, where it was used by the Army although there the crews never fired of South Vietnam as a replacement of an ATGM at the enemy because of the . The Bulldog was not the infantry support character of the without its faults. It was very mission. The Sheridans fighting in uneconomical and only a small Vietnam suffered many losses from number of aircraft could successfully antitank mines, which easily airlift it. The US Army later tried to punctured the aluminum hull of the design new tanks to replace the M41 Sheridan. After Vietnam, the Sheridan – mainly the T71 and the T92 – but was used by the US Army in those designs never progressed Operation Just Cause, as well as in the beyond prototype stage. Gulf War. The last Sheridans were removed from the inventory in 1996. The appearance of the T-54 medium Currently, the M2 Bradley IFV and the tank quickly brought forward the M1128 Stryker MGS fulfill the roles question of up-gunning the M41. In normally assigned to light tanks in the 1950, the T49 prototype emerged, US Army. armed with a 90 mm gun in place of the 76 mm cannon used on the M41. However, a slew of new designs prompted the Ordnance Department to cancel the plans of up-gunning the M41. Instead, a new light tank was to be developed. After nearly a decade, a brand new design by Cadillac captured the eyes of the US Brass. Dubbed the XM551, the new tank was to be armed not with a conventional, T49 high velocity cannon, but a 152 mm short barreled gun-launcher, capable of firing the MGM-51 Shillelagh ATGM. This way, the new tank would

With an upcoming Update, we will add the "Wolfpack" emblem of the 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division to War Thunder, created by Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov >>> 45

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