War Thunder Community Magazine Issue 5 PDF

Battlefield 4 Review
Issue 50 December 2013
1 GameOn Magazine
Introduction to
War Thunder
Within the heart of War Thunder is
maps of impressive scale
a multiplayer online combat game
ranging from the city outskirts
for aircraft and armored vehicles.
of Stalingrad to the vast oceans

surrounding Pearl Harbor.
Developed by Gaijin
Entertainment, this game is
With hundreds of accurately-
available across a variety of
rendered vehicles available
platforms: from Windows to
and more being added with
Macintosh OS X to Linux, as
every update, players are spoilt
well as on the Playstation 4
for choice when it comes to
console, with casual game
cutting-edge planes to take
modes in arcade battles
to the skies, or menacing
to realistic and simulator
tanks to tear up the earth.
battles for the enthusiasts.

Relive the action in huge
The game spans the era from the
aerial dogfights and armored
Spanish Civil War to the Korean
spearhead clashes with friends,
War, with a huge emphasis
learn about the rich historical
on the Second World War.
significance behind the wars
Players cross swords in historical
through War Thunder.
2 // War Thunder Community Magazine
The GameOn Magazine
letter from
the general
Welcome to the fifth edition of
buff or a fiction lover, with This
the War Thunder Community
Month in WWII by David King, the
Magazine! With the Weapons
continuation of a PoWs journey
of Victory update dropping
by Ted, or interesting facts related
at the end of last month, we
to WWII - we got you covered.
are certainly excited to bring

On the Reviews side, Daniel
you new content about it!
covers our first jet feature ever

Weve brought you feature
- the MiG-9, probably the first
articles on the Fleet Air Arm
jet for many of you as well.
this month from John Moore,

showcasing the new planes
Are you interested in writing
added to the British tech tree as
historical articles, war machines,
well as bringing you on a walk
or War Thunder gameplay? We
through time with the FAA from
are still actively looking out for
its humble beginnings in WWI.
more writers, photographers and

artists to come on board the team!
As with past issues, this month

we cast our eyes on the US planes
Do you also happen to know
for War Thunder 101 and Guns
someone who has a story from
of the USA, giving you an insight
WWII? They dont have to have
to flying them as a nation.
be in the war, we are interested

in their story if they are willing
The usual diverse selection of
to share it. Please contact us
monthly WWII articles awaits
warthunder@gameonmag.com
you - whether you are a history
War Thunder Community Magazine
- The Editor
The GameOn Magazine // 3
CONTENTS
Contents Page
Weapons of Victory Update
Find, Fix and Strike
14
Funny Corner
21
Wonderful And
Fabulously Unique
22
MiG-9 Review
28
World War 2 Facts #5
32
This Month in WWII:
34
May 1940
34
Stars and Stripes
36
Guns of the USA
50
Historical Fiction - Life as a POW 62

Gun, Projectile and
Armor Terms
68
Tank Projectile Types
76
Wordsearch 84
Comic 85
Contributors
Editor-in-Chief
Editor
KEEP IN TOUCH!
Kris West
Production Mgr
Writer
Steve Greenfield
Writer
David HJFarnsworth King
Writer Ted Extreme_360 Theisinger
Chock Wee Boon

John Zoso Moore
Photos
Alex Fodder09 Beard
Photos
Martin Marty Gutierrez
Writer Daniel Heinkel280 Hoffman
The GameOn Magazine
ARTICLE
WEAPONS OF VICTORY UPDATE

UPDATE 1.70.1945 WAIT WHAT? NOT 1.49!?!
Sequentially, this is Update 1.49, but Gaijin has decided to move the patch numbers forward by quite a
bit (and quite a mouthful) in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the V-E day in 1945, hence the
70.1945. Were not too sure if the new numbering will stay or get reverted back to the old sequence.
With Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) being celebrated
The developers at Gaijin Entertainment have dedicated
on May 7-8 as peace finally returned to Europe
this patch to the 70th anniversary celebrations,
after the tumultuous half-decade till 1945, the 70th
with a new series of premium vehicles used by
anniversary certainly carries a big significance in the
Soviets, British and American tanker heroes
hearts of many, and definitely so for War Thunder.
and flying aces in their final push for victory.
The GameOn Magazine
PREMIUM VEHICLES
Canadian Armored Battalion (M5A1 Stuart) and

other new additions, giving players more options
This new approach to premium vehicles is a big

improvement for premium offerings in the game,
and definitely a nice trend to watch, offering players
for premium vehicles to drive out in War Thunder.
FLEET AIR ARM
who wish to pay for that extra push in progress

something thats not drastically different from the
The next significant item is the Fleet Air Arm, with
regular in-game vehicles, while at the same time
the British plane tree receiving lots of love with
having educational value by introducing the brave
the injection of a full naval plane tree from Tiers I
acts of these soldiers to the younger generation
through to V. Some are modified from their land-
through an interactive platform in gaming.
based counterparts, like the Sea Hurricanes and

Seafires, while others, like the Fairey Firefly and
Names like Sergei Dolgushin (La-7), Ioannis
Supermarine Attacker are entirely new planes which
Plagis (Spitfire Mk. IXc), and James Prendergast
should offer the British players more variety. We
(Spitfire Mk. FR XIVe) are remembered in this
have a British FAA plane roundup in this issue as well
series, alongside with the tanker heroes of 805th
as a historical article on their progress from their
Tank Destroyer Battalion (M18 Hellcat) and the 5th
origins through the years, so do take a look at these!
ARTICLE
US TANK DESTROYERS
Steel Generals in 1.45 not too long ago added
the US tank tree, albeit with the tank destroyer
lineup not implemented yet. The Weapons of
Victory update sees this come into fruition from
the developers, with the American tank tree now
featuring comparable vehicle numbers to the Soviet
and German tank trees with 5 regular tank destroyer
additions (and an oddly placed new M2A2 light tank
as reserve vehicle at the start of the TD tree).
With the US tank destroyers in-game, they should
provide a very big contrast to the tank doctrines
adopted by the Soviets and Germans. The US tank
destroyers are mostly built around speed, with armor
a secondary concern as most of these vehicles are
The GameOn Magazine
open-top but with fully-rotating turrets equipped
for them than for the Allied nations, although
with a powerful gun. This is reflected by the direction
they havent been forgotten entirely.
taken by the US armor doctrine back then, to swarm

the Wehrmacht with mass-produced Shermans
Germany gets a long-overdue armed jet bomber
and calling on the tank destroyer hunter teams to
in the Arado 234C-3, with two MG151 20mm
engage whatever the Shermans couldnt kill.
cannons in the nose and two extra engines, as

an upgrade to the first unarmed Arado 234 in-
Of course, we do get the oddball thats different
game. The Bf 109 series get an early Bf 109B-1
from everyone else now and then. The T95 Super
variant that fought in the Spanish Civil War, with
Heavy Tank (dubbed the Doom Turtle) a slow
Ground Forces getting the StuH 42G assault gun.
and heavily armored tank destroyer with a nasty

gun, crawling along at a leisure 12km/h and
Japan gets the J2M2 Raiden interceptor, an earlier
dethroning the Maus as the slowest tank along its
variant of the J2M3 Raiden already in-game with a
way. The premium line also gets the T28, which
lighter weapons load. For their bomber tree, they
is essentially a T95 with the outer set of tracks
get the Ki-21-1a at Tier I, a light and fast bomber
removed, making it lightly armored at the sides).
that should serve early Japanese lineups well.
NEW VEHICLES
On top of the tank destroyer tree, US gets the AD-2

Skyraider bomb truck, an attacker at Tier IV with
Germany and Japan might feel left out this time
the capacity to carry 4000 lbs of bombs and 12
round, as the content update is less massive
rockets; the P-51 early Hispano-armed variant
ARTICLE
(most of which went into British service, but some
The map roster gets three new exotic locations:
were retained by the USAAF); and the Sherman

Calliope premium tank, a rocket artillery version
Hrtgen Forest, the scene of a drawn-out
carrying 60 rockets (in addition to its 75 mm main
Battle of the Hrtgen Forest between the
gun) capable of unleashing hell on enemy tanks
US and German forces in 1944, features an
but at a hefty premium currency cost (9740 GE)!
interesting combination of urban and open
NEW LOCATIONS &

MAP UPDATES
environments for tanks to do combat in.

Berlin features the location of Nazi Germanys
last stand, including famous locales such
as the Reichstag and the Brandenburg
Many of the existing tank maps, from Poland
Gate surrounded by gutted buildings and
to Mozdok to Karelia have been tweaked, with
an eerie sense of doom and gloom, and
obstacles and locations reworked to provide

a better sense of balance for both sides.
Normandy features the heavily fortified

Atlantic Seawall overlooking the beaches
The GameOn Magazine
strewn with hedgehogs and obstacles, the
parts on fire. The effect of aircraft materials have
landing site for D-Day in 1944 in a bid to
been modelled in as well, which means planes
retake Europe by the Western Allies.
made of flammable materials like percale fabric
DAMAGE MODEL REVAMP
are more vulnerable to incendiary rounds, while

differing materials mean that different aircraft have
different structural strength in absorbing shots.
The damage model (DM) revamp has been

significant in this update, with aircraft finally able
The new X-ray model that was introduced
to make emergency landings thanks to the new
earlier on for tanks has also been implemented
DM improvements, allowing for individual sections
for planes, allowing the players to see which
and bits of aircraft to take damage. This has other
parts of their plane is damaged/destroyed.
implications as well, with larger planes more
For Ground Forces, the DM of tank rounds have been
likely to survive ramming with smaller planes.
further refined with more accurate physics, with

kinetic rounds being greatly reduced in efficiency
The effect of aircraft rounds have been improved
when hitting armor at an angle; different types of
as well, with armour-piercing rounds penetrating
rounds (APHE, APCR, APCBC etc) having differing
deep into components and incendiary rounds setting
effectiveness in penetrating angled armor as well.
ARTICLE
awarded random amounts of Silver Lions after the
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
game, have also been revamped. Battle trophies

now include other items such as discounts on
Cockpits have also been added to more planes, such

as the Il-28 and the Canberra, along with both variants
of the Hs 129 attacker, complete with the engine
cowling gauges being modelled to extensive detail.
Elsewhere, there have been changes to the
flight models, guns and loadouts for planes,
modelling of the guns and armor for ground
forces which are too many to list.
Battle trophies, the one where you were previously
The GameOn Magazine
other planes, talismans, backup vehicles, as well
vehicles and 3 new maps. Thats not to say that
as modification parts to vehicles used in combat.
under the hood, things have remained stagnant
Theres the usual decal and skin additions as well,
far from it. Tweaks to the game economy with the
along with several highly detailed and beautiful
new Battle Trophy implementation will definitely
skin modifications being inducted into the Revenue
make players very happy. The new DM updates
Sharing Program, which recognizes accomplished
have been fairly significant, on top of other
modders for their effort into making these skins.
gameplay fixes, in ensuring a better gameplay
CLOSING
This is definitely the most substantial of recent
updates in terms of content, with over 40 new
experience; that bunch of new content will surely

keep lots of players busy in the coming months.
Until the next update, ciao!
By Chock Wee Boon
ARTICLE
FIND, FIX AND STRIKE

A BRIEF FAA HISTORY
A brief history of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy from its formation, through
its peak during the Second World War, to the present day.
THE EARLY YEARS
The Royal Navy were at the forefront of aircraft carrier

development during and after the First World War
Parallel development of Army and Navy aviation in
as the now familiar flat top evolved from earlier
the United Kingdom resulted in overlaps between the
seaplane carriers, commissioning HMS Argus in
Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service
1918 (the first ship with a flat full-length flight deck),
(RNAS), duplication of effort, and competition for
and HMS Hermes in 1924 (one of the first purpose-
aircraft and engines. German bombing of England,
designed aircraft carriers). Though the Navy operated
particularly the Gotha raids of 1917, brought criticism
the carriers, the Air Force were responsible for the
of the government over ineffective air defences
aircraft that flew from them, a particular point of
and calls for reprisal, leading to two reports from
friction in ongoing inter-service rivalry. In 1924 of
General Jan Smuts on air defence and the strategic
the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was created
employment of airpower. Smuts recommended the
to cover naval aviation. Only 30% of carrier aircrew
formation of an independent air force, the Cabinet
would be RAF officers, the remaining 70% being
accepted the recommendation, and on April 1st 1918
naval officers, though Navy pilots held a dual rank
the RFC and RNAS amalgamated to form the Royal
in both the RAF and RN, as only the RAF could fly.
Air Force, taking control of all military aviation.
The GameOn Magazine
PART OF THE NAVY AGAIN
for Co-ordination of Defence, was created in

1936, and the first incumbent, Sir Thomas Inskip,
recommended that the Admiralty should have full
Naval aviation was a low priority for the Air Force.
operational and administrative control of the FAA.
Skirmishes between the Admiralty and Air Ministry
The recommendation was accepted in July 1937, but
for control of the FAA increased in intensity as
took until May 1939 to implement; technically the
the prospect of war loomed, and rearmament
Fleet Air Arm became the Air Branch of the Royal
became a priority. A new cabinet post, Minister
Navy, but the name Fleet Air Arm remained in

informal usage, and was officially re-adopted in 1953.
The political wrangling left the Fleet Air Arm in a
parlous state at the start of the Second World War, with
a shortage of personnel and modern aircraft. The Navy
were operating six active carriers, with 147 Swordfish,
26 Skuas and 12 Sea Gladiators. The Blackburn Skua
was the only monoplane; a typical result of pre-war
compromises, it had to fulfil the contradictory roles of
dive bomber and fighter, inevitably excelling at neither.
ARTICLE
WORLD WAR II - THE
NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN
MALTA AND THE

MEDITERRANEAN
The first major action for the FAA was the Norwegian
Over the summer of 1940 the Battle of Britain
campaign, achieving early success when Skuas
raged, with some FAA pilots flying with RAF fighter
operating from the Orkney Islands sank the German
squadrons. Overseas, the fall of France left the
cruiser Knigsberg, but HMS Glorious was sunk
Mediterranean dominated by Italy and the island
by German battleships as the Allies withdrew.
of Malta vulnerable, defended by the legendary
FAA aircraft continued to attack targets in Norway
Faith, Hope and Charity (actually at least
throughout the war, including raids on the Tirpitz
six Sea Gladiators, originally of 802 Naval Air
in 1944, the last offensive action being a raid on
Squadron (NAS)). November 1940 saw perhaps
Kilbotn anchorage just four days before VE-Day.
the greatest triumph of the FAA, the raid on the
The GameOn Magazine
Italian fleet at Taranto, in which Swordfish from
armoured carriers HMS Illustrious, HMS Formidable
HMS Illustrious sank or damaged three battleships
and HMS Indomitable proved resilient, surviving
and a heavy cruiser for the loss of two aircraft.
heavy bombing attacks, albeit with significant

damage. As the Allies took to the offensive, from
Malta continued to be a focal point for much
1942 to 1944 FAA aircraft were involved in the
action in the Mediterranean, a thorn in the side
landings in North Africa (Torch), Sicily (Husky), Italy
of Axis supply lines to North Africa. The FAA were
(Avalanche) and Southern France (Dragoon).
heavily involved in covering convoys to the island,

carrying supplies and reinforcements, as well
as offensive action. Operation Pedestal in 1942
ATLANTIC AND
ARCTIC CONVOYS
was one of the fiercest battles, a heavily battered

convoy just managing to resupply Malta, laying
In the Atlantic the sinking of the Bismarck in 1941,
the foundations for victory in North Africa.
with the assistance of a Swordfish torpedo attack,
Over the course of the campaign HMS Ark Royal
and the repositioning of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau
and HMS Eagle were torpedoed by U-boats, but the
to Norway in 1942 left U-boats as the main threat,
ARTICLE
assisted by long-range Fw 200 aircraft spotting and
THE PACIFIC THEATRE
attacking convoys. As a stop-gap measure Navy

Fighter Catapult Ships (FCS) and Catapult Armed
Focused on the European theatre, there was little
Merchantmen (CAM) carried Sea Hurricane or
FAA involvement in the Pacific theatre until 1944,
Fulmar fighters, launched to drive away shadowing
when fleet carriers could be made available for
aircraft, pilots then having to try and find their way
operations against Japan. Now equipped with much
to land, or bail out or ditch near friendly ships. From
more capable aircraft including Seafires, Fireflies,
late 1941 small escort carriers, mainly converted
Barracudas and US-built Hellcats, Corsairs and
from merchant ships, came into service carrying
Avengers, carriers of the British Pacific Fleet attacked
Martlets (the FAA name for the Grumman Wildcat),
several oil installations and supported the invasion of
Sea Hurricanes and Swordfish, protecting Atlantic
Okinawa. By the end of war the Navy was operating
and Arctic convoys from air and submarine attack.
11 fleet carriers and over 40 smaller escort carriers,
The GameOn Magazine
with 75 first-line Naval Air Squadrons. FAA Seafires
DAWN OF THE JET AGE
were involved in perhaps the last fighter combat of the

war, a dogfight with Zeros on the morning of VJ-Day.
THE KOREAN WAR
Legendary test pilot Eric Winkle Brown made

the first jet landing on an aircraft carrier in a de
Havilland Vampire in December 1945, though it
took until 1951 for the first jet squadron, flying
Joint operations with the US Navy during and after
Supermarine Attackers, to become operational.
the war stood the FAA in good stead in 1950 when
Three key Royal Navy developments of the early
the Korean War started. The light fleet carrier HMS
1950s improved the efficiency and safety of jet aircraft
Triumph linked up with the US 7th Fleet to form
operation from carriers: the angled flight deck, the
Combined Task Force 77, and FAA Seafires, Sea
mirror landing sight, and the steam catapult.
Furies and Fireflies flew 23,000 sorties during the

conflict, mostly patrols and ground attack, though Sea
The 1950s also saw the increased use of helicopters
Furies downed one MiG-15. HMS Triumph rotated
by the FAA. 705 NAS had become the first all-
with other light fleet carriers HMS Theseus, HMS
helicopter squadron in 1947, flying the Hoverfly, and
Glory and HMS Ocean, and also HMAS Sydney, flying
Dragonflies were used for air-sea rescue in Korea.
aircraft of the recently formed Australian FAA.
Whirlwinds were used to deploy assault troops
ARTICLE
during the Suez Crisis, and the first anti-submarine
against Soviet reconnaissance planes. The 1981
helicopters came into service with 845 NAS.
Defence White Paper threatened even this capability,
CUTBACKS AND NEW THREATS
but the Falklands conflict of 1982 demonstrated

the continuing requirement for naval air power.
Carrier battle groups were deployed to numerous
The Sea Harrier proved its worth, shooting down
minor conflicts around the world through the
20 Argentine aircraft with no air-to-air losses, and
1950s and 1960s. In 1960 the Navy still operated
FAA helicopters flew transport, supply, anti-ship
eight carriers, but most were of Second World
and anti-submarine missions. Sea Harriers were
War vintage, and the increasing size and
deployed again in the Balkans over the 1990s.
weight of jet fighters required large ships.
THE FUTURE
Plans were put in place for CVA-01, a class of large

carrier operating Phantoms and Buccaneers, but the
Planning for new aircraft carriers for the Royal
1966 Defence White Paper scaled down worldwide
Navy began in the late 1990s, contracts finally being
commitments and cancelled the new carrier, the
signed in 2008. The two 65,000 tonne Queen Elizabeth
first step in phasing out fixed-wing naval aviation.
class carriers will be the largest surface warships
The Navy were instead to focus on anti-submarine
ever to serve in the Royal Navy, carrying the F-35
warfare, but managed to retain light aircraft carriers
Joint Strike Fighter, allowing the Fleet Air Arm to
in the guise of the three Invincible-class through
continue its proud heritage into the 21st century.
deck cruisers, anti-submarine platforms carrying

Sea Harrier vertical take-off aircraft to defend
By John Zoso Moore
The GameOn Magazine
FUNNY CORNER
We present a look at the lighter side of things with some military humour doing the rounds on the Internet.
PASSPORTS PLEASE
IMPOSSIBLE! the customs agent said.

ALL foreigners have always had to show
An elderly army veteran arrived in Paris by plane.
a passport to enter the country!
As he was fumbling in his bag for his
The man responded by whispering, Well, when I
passport, a stern French customs agent asked
came ashore on the beach on D-Day in 1944, I couldnt
angrily if he had been to France before. He
find any French customs agents to show it to!
admitted he had indeed been previously.

The lady sarcastically said, Then you should know
to have your passport out and ready, Monsieur.
The gentleman said, I didnt have to show it last time.
ARTICLE
WONDERFUL AND FABULOUSLY UNIQUE

FAA AIRCRAFT IN 1.70 UPDATE
A brief history of the Fleet Air Arm aircraft in Update 1.70, and some first impressions of how they perform in War Thunder
HAWKER NIMROD MK. I AND II
GLOSTER SEA GLADIATOR MK. I
A naval development of the Hawker Fury, the
The Sea Gladiator was, unsurprisingly, a naval
Nimrod served as a fighter with the FAA for most
version of the Gladiator with an arrestor hook and
of the 1930s. Retired from front-line service
catapult points. With more modern types being
shortly before the war, a handful of Nimrods
delayed, the Navy procured a batch of Sea Gladiators
were still in use in 1939, but saw no combat.
to replace older Nimrods and Ospreys just before

the war. They flew in the Norwegian campaign, and
The Nimrods are standard starter aircraft in War
famously (Faith, Hope and Charity) from Malta.
Thunder; the Mk. II used to be a reserve aircraft,

before reserves were slimmed down to three per
The Sea Gladiator, along with the regular Mk. II and
country, and returns to the FAA line in 1.70.
Tucks premium version, pads out an early Tier I
The GameOn Magazine
Arcade line-up for new British players, but apart from
assortment of ex-RAF aircraft. Sea Hurricanes
that is just a stepping stone to the rest of the FAA tree.
were heavily involved in the convoys to resupply
HAWKER SEA
HURRICANE MK. IB
Malta during the Mediterranean campaign, and

also flew from small escort carriers to cover other
convoys such as on the Arctic routes to Russia.
Desperate for modern fighters, a naval version of
The Sea Hurricane Mk. IB has similar performance
the stable and rugged Hurricane was an obvious
to the regular Hurricane Mk. I, giving British Arcade
option for the FAA, but with the Battle of Britain
players a useful addition to an early Tier II line-up.
raging, airframes were not available for conversion

until 1941. The first Sea Hurricane, the Mk. IA or
Hurricat, was launched by catapult from Navy
HAWKER SEA
HURRICANE MK. IC
Fighter Catapult Ships (FCS) or Catapult Armed

Merchantmen (CAM). The Sea Hurricane Mk. IB was
The Mk. IC differed from the Mk. IB in mounting
a more conventional carrier aircraft, with catapult
four 20 mm Hispano cannon instead of eight .303
spools and an arrestor hook, converted from a motley
machine guns, a very useful extra punch, especially
ARTICLE
against bombers. Dickie Cork of 880 Squadron was
was a hastily procured stop-gap solution while
credited with five kills in a single day flying a Sea
its successor, the Griffon-powered Fairey Firefly,
Hurricane Mk. IC during Operation Pedestal in 1942.
was in development. Similar in appearance to

the Fulmar, the Firefly entered service in 1943.
The Mk. IC is a great addition to War Thunder as

the first cannon-equipped Hurricane to appear
An interesting feature of the Firefly was its Youngman
in the game. The extra weight makes it a little
retractable aerofoil flaps, allowing for efficient
sluggish, not best suited to Realistic mode, but the
cruising and easier deck landing. A hefty aircraft, as
firepower makes it an absolute beast in Arcade.
heavy as a Blenheim bomber, the Firefly could not
FAIREY FIREFLY F MK. I
compete as a pure fighter with lighter land-based

equivalents, but its versatility allowed it to fulfil
The often overlooked Fairey Fulmar gave sterling
multiple roles, taking part in strike operations with
service to the FAA in the early years of the war.
the British Pacific Fleet towards the end of the war.
A long-range two-seat fleet fighter, the Fulmar
Much slower than single seat fighters around
The GameOn Magazine
its Battle Rating, the Firefly is surprisingly
a high-performance fighter was acute, the Fulmar
manoeuvrable for a heavy two-seater; take some
and Hurricane increasingly outmatched, and the
time to admire the modelling of the flaps, if youre
Sea Spitfire (soon shortened to Seafire) was finally
not frantically deploying them to avoid incoming
ordered. The Seafire Mk. IB was a hasty adaptation
fire. It can carry a useful range of ordnance, and
from the Spitfire Mk. VB, the Seafire Mk. IIC from
the cannon pack a punch, but with only 60 rounds
the Mk. VC, then the Seafire Mk. III was a more
per gun you need to pick your shots very carefully in
thorough naval conversion with folding wings.
Realistic, or pump up the Reload skill in Arcade.
FAIREY FIREFLY FR MK. V
After the Mk. III, Seafire variants were assigned

numbers along with the Spitfire, so the next was
the Seafire Mk. XV, combining the Griffon VI engine
Successful enough to be further developed in post-war
used on the Spitfire Mk. XII with a navalised airframe.
service, the Firefly FR Mk. V fitted a more powerful
The Mk. XVII was similar, with a teardrop hood.
Griffon engine, with the oil cooler moved from the chin
to the wing roots. Several squadrons of Fireflies took
The Mk. XVII in War Thunder has similar performance
part in the Korean War, mostly with the FR Mk. V, flying
to the early Griffon Spitfires, though optimised for
armed reconnaissance and ground attack missions.
lower altitude work. It currently has the same Battle

Rating across all three modes, perhaps reflecting
In War Thunder, the Mk. V is similar to the Mk. I;
the scarcity of high altitude encounters in Arcade
quicker, but still not close to single-seat rivals,
Mode, though expect a little fluctuation as it beds in.
especially with the commensurate increase in Battle

Rating. The extra cannon ammunition is a great help,
especially in modes without mid-air reloading.
SUPERMARINE
SEAFIRE MK. XVII
The potential of the Spitfire was obvious as it came
into service, and the Admiralty soon expressed
interest in a navalised version, but no production
capacity could be spared. By 1941 the FAAs need for
ARTICLE
SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE MK. 47
HAWKER SEA FURY FB 11
The final Seafire variants, Mk. 46 and 47, were
As the war drew to a close, Hawker were developing
developed from the Spitfire Mk. 22. Along with
a lighter version of the Tempest for both the RAF
the usual naval modifications of an arrestor hook,

folding wings etc., the most striking thing about the
ultimate Seafires was the use of contra-rotating
propellers, negating the powerful torque of late Griffon
engines and making handling on a carrier easier.
It seems the initial Seafire Mk. 47 flight model in War
Thunder may need a little more tuning; at the moment
theres not much of a reason to use the Mk. 47 over
the Mk. 22/24, except perhaps in Simulator mode.
The GameOn Magazine
and Navy as the Fury and Sea Fury. With jet aircraft
SUPERMARINE ATTACKER FB 1
entering service and large stocks of Spitfires and

Tempests, the RAF saw no need for a new type and
The Supermarine Attacker was the FAAs first
cancelled their order, but the Seafire was not an
jet aircraft. Attempts to update the Spitfire
ideal carrier aircraft so the Navy proceeded with
had resulted in the Spiteful and naval Seafang,
the Sea Fury as a replacement. The FAAs last prop
elements of which were adapted for jet propulsion
fighter, the Sea Fury had excellent performance,
as the Attacker. An undistinguished fighter, the
serving into the 1950s before being replaced by jets.
Attacker was only with front-line squadrons

for a few years and saw no combat.
In War Thunder, there is some debate over the Sea

Furys flight model; with slightly worse performance
The Attacker pads out an early jet line-up for British
than the Tempest Mk. II/V, and lower Battle Rating
players, but many will still be waiting on the Hawker
to match, its a strong late Tier IV fighter, but not
Hunter for a really competitive late-game option.
the ultimate prop that some were expecting.
By John Zoso Moore
REVIEW
HISTORY
MIG-9 REVIEW
that the aircraft suffered from poor performance
and ruthless handling but due to government
In early February 1945, Stalin realized that the
persistence, in 1948 the MiG-9 entered service
Soviet Air Force was quickly falling behind its
with the Soviet Air Force and later with the
western counterparts in aircraft development. In
Peoples Liberation Army Air Force in China.
April, a directive was ordered listing requirements

for an aircraft that would become the first Soviet
There was only one main production model; however,
aircraft to be solely powered by a jet engine.
there were multiple prototypes, including one that
Because the Soviet Union at the time had no viable
was equipped with two afterburning versions of the
engine for the aircraft, they reluctantly decided
RD-20 and another prototype which was a major
to use the reverse-engineered German BMW-
redesign of the MiG-9, designated the MiG-9M.
003 jet engine instead, which would be entering

After completing its first test flight, it was found
production soon under the RD-20 designation.
that the MiG-9M prototype corrected all of the

The first prototype was built and tested by the MiG
problems found originally in the MiG-9 and had
OKB after a year of development. Testing showed
greatly increased performance. However, due to
The GameOn Magazine
the impressiveness shown by the MiG-15 prototype
the 37mm gun and are there mostly just to support
the development and production of the MiG-9 was
the main gun considering the velocity of the cannons
stopped after a short run of roughly 600 airframes.
are almost identical. The 37mm cannon can destroy
IN-GAME
enemies with one shot and forty rounds of ammunition

allows for speculative bursts but the high rate of fire
empties the drum quickly if you fire for too long.
For the longest period of time there were only

two jet aircraft lines available for Russian
The MiG-9 has a BR of 7.0 and because of that, it
players. The mediocre Yak-15s lead to the equally
usually gets into games where it is fighting aircraft
mediocre Yak-17; the MiG-9s lead to the superb
that were built in a relatively short time period
MiG-15. After looking at the options available,
of one another, so the performance differences
I, like most players, chose the MiG-9, and after
between various nations is not as large as it
spending about a month unlocking and trying my
would be if the aircraft were fighting Korean Era
first War Thunder jet I was not impressed.
aircraft (which it rarely does). Some of the planes

that MiG-9 pilots should expect to frequently face
The MiG-9 has good performance in some categories
include the F-80C, Meteor Mk. 3, and the Me 262,
and very poor in others. At sea level, the MiG-9 can
all of which have similar performance to the MiG-
achieve a top speed exceeding 800 km/h, making
9 and in most cases will be an equal match.
it more than capable of eventually catching most

early jets excluding planes such as the F-80C. The
diving characteristics of the MiG-9 as of right now are
astonishing but certainly not realistic; in a dive the
MiG-9 can get to speeds exceeding 1,000km/h without
any risk of the wings ripping. While jets in general
are not very capable turn fighters, the MiG-9s turn
time is extremely sluggish, worse than the Me 262.
The MiG-9 is equipped with two 23mm NS-23 auto
cannons mounted in the cheeks of the nose and one
37mm N-37 gun mounted on the centerline. The
23mm cannons are relatively easy to aim along with
REVIEW
PROS AND CONS
flying the MiG-9 will do so by climbing to altitude

and then proceeding to dive on to targets before
++ Unbelievable dive speed
zoom climbing back to altitude. However, the climb
++ Good high speed performance
rate of the MiG-9 is average, if not slightly lacking,
++ Nearly impossible to rip wings
in comparison to other early tier 5 aircraft. The
++ Hard-hitting guns
overall performance of the MiG-9 is certainly average
++ Guns are relatively easy to aim after some practice
at best except for the astonishing dive speed.
++ Two variants; the second is a nice

upgrade from the first
RATINGS
++ Good top speed at sea level

++ Clear cockpit
Firepower: 9/10 (Usually easy to
-- Horrible maneuverability
aim with devastating effects)
-- Overall sluggish acceleration
Speed: 9/10 (Unbelievable dive speed
SUGGESTED STRATEGY
and good top speed at sea level)

Climb Rate: 6/10 (Outclimbed in most situations)
Maneuverability: 4/10 (Sluggish for a jet)
From the aircrafts high speed and sluggish turn

time its reasonable to assume that most players
Overall Rating: 7/10
By Daniel Heinkel280 Hoffman
The GameOn Magazine
FACTS
WORLD WAR 2 FACTS #5

NORWAY - Nortraship, the Norwegian Shipping
and Trade Mission, was the largest shipping
company in the world. Formed in April 1940 after the
German invasion of Norway, it played an important
role in supplying the Allies through the war.
USA - In a bid to prevent coded messages
being passed by radio, the War-Time Code of
Practices for Broadcasters suggested that radio
stations stopped accepting Lost and Found
announcements and music requests by telephone
or telegraph for the duration of the war.
AUSTRALIA - The first Allied shots in both
World War I and II were warning shots fired by
the battery at Fort Nepean near Melbourne.
The GameOn Magazine
USSR - The Soviet Union deployed

Teletanks, unmanned radio-controlled
T-26 tanks, in the Winter War.
UK - Squadron Leader John Gillan became
famous in 1938 when he flew a Hawker Hurricane
from Edinburgh to Northolt at an average speed
of 408 mph. The considerable assistance of
a heavy tailwind to record such a speed gave
him the nickname Downwind Gillan.
AUSTRIA - Eight colossal flak tower complexes
were built across Germany and Austria housing
radar installations and anti-aircraft guns as well as
sheltering people, artwork and museum collections.
Many still survive; since 1957 one of these towers in
Vienna has housed the Haus des Meeres aquarium.
By John Zoso Moore
ARTICLE
THIS MONTH IN WWII:

MAY 1940
the conscription registration age to 27. The previously
passed National Service (Armed Forces) Act of 1939
made all males within the United Kingdom age 18
to 41 eligible to be called into conscription. It would
not reach older citizens for several more years.
On May 10th, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
resigned from office, feeling he had lost the confidence
of the nation to lead effectively. After a meeting
between Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, Winston Churchill,
and David Margesson, King George VI appointed
Winston Churchill as the new Prime Minister.
After the aborted invasion of France and Belgium
that was supposed to occur during January 1940,
Nazi Germany finally attacked the western countries
on the 10th of May. In the operation known as Fall
Gelb, German forces advanced via an unexpected
route, cutting through the Ardennes Forest and then
On May 1st, the 1940 Summer Olympics, known
along the Somme in order to flank Allied forces
at the time as the Games of the XII Olympiad,
already positioned in Belgium. Germany also attacked
are cancelled due to war. The summer games
Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
were originally slated to occur from September
During their May 10th invasion of the Netherlands,
21st until November 6th in Tokyo, Japan.
the Germans suffered the first failed air invasion in
On May 9th, the British Parliament elected to raise
history as the Dutch beat back the fallschirmjger
The GameOn Magazine
anti-air guns and ammunition, and an American

presence near Ireland. Finally, Roosevelt was asked
to keep that Japanese dog quiet in the Pacific,
and was offered the use of Singapore in whatever
capacity the United States may have required.
Allied forces are pushed back to Dunkirk in northern
(paratrooper) forces that dropped over The Hague. The
France on May 25th; Hitler called for his ground
attack failed to capture the city or the airfields. Despite
forces to stop their advance, and instead sent in the
the Dutch military surrendering less than a week later,
Luftwaffe to finish off the Allied units. With support
Queen Wilhelmina escaped to the United Kingdom.
from the Royal Air Force, the Allies managed to

hold on to the port long enough to begin a massive
On May 14th, Prime Minister Churchill wrote to
evacuation effort the next day. Over the next
President Franklin Roosevelt, asking the American
week, nearly 350,000 troops were removed from
leader to, help us with everything short of actually
Dunkirk and relocated to the United Kingdom.
engaging armed forces. Specifically requested in

the letter were several dozen destroyers, aircraft,
By David HJFarnsworth King
ARTICLE
STARS AND STRIPES
WAR THUNDER 101 - US PLANES RESEARCH AND LINEUP

A pacesetter in military air power way since the very beginning, from using aircraft to support its troops and expanding
into air superiority and strategic bombing roles in WWII, the different US air services have certainly come a long way.
Today, in War Thunder 101, we look at how to kickstart your journey through the versatile American planes.
PROS
CONS
Competitive end-game fighter jets
Cannon armaments is not standard for fighters
Strong bomber lineup with a focus on heavy
and only found on a handful of planes
defensive armament (although survivability
Planes in the same tree can have very
is an issue as of this current meta)

Good jet bomber lineup similar to the British
Fighters are usually dual-role, with impressive
secondary loadouts of bombs and rockets
different playstyles and not recommended for

beginners until they know the differences
Relatively weak Tier IV fighter lineup with
the exception of the F8F Bearcats
Strong Tier II-III fighter lineup
The GameOn Magazine
INTRODUCTION
Unlike most nations that splits aircraft lines according
to manufacturers, the US tree splits it according to the
air services it operates under, according to the planes
that served under the US Army Air Force (and the
newly-formed US Air Force after WWII) and the naval
services (US Navy & US Marine Corps aviation), with a
separate fighter and attacker/bomber branch for each.
As with previous suggested lineups, they will be
presented according to a 5-plane format, mostly
with a balanced setup of fighters and bombers. The
As with most early tier games, the key to winning
lineups are optimized according to the Battle Rating
the battles will be through killing the soft ground
and matchmaking system and the information
targets, which means setting your 7.62 mm MG
below is accurate as of May 2015 (1.70.1945.51)
to Stealth belts (as they contain most AP rounds).
BR 1.0
The three Peashooters can carry bombs, which

can be effective against small clusters of vehicles
and these should be dropped at the start of the
Suggested lineup: 3 x P-26 Peashooter
battle to reduce the flight performance penalty.
reserves (3 fighters)
One of the Peashooters, the P-26A-34 M2, has one
Right off the bat, the P-26 Peashooter reserve planes
12.7mm M2 machine gun and a 7.62 mm MG, packing
available to US are slightly different from that of
a slightly heavier punch than the rest of your reserve
other countries; they are basic monoplanes. Turning
planes. For the 12.7 mm M2, the ground targets belt
performance will be inferior compared to the reserve
with the AP rounds can kill ground targets slightly
biplanes in other countries, so dont engage in turnfights
quicker, while the Stealth belt has more AP-I and
with them. Instead, use Boom and Zoom passes on
Incendiary rounds, allowing you to set planes on
them and keep your energy up and retain your speed,
fire relatively easily and these can be absolutely
never allowing it to drop too much as it is your lifeline.
devastating against earlier tier reserve biplanes.
ARTICLE
BR 1.3
yourself to Boom and Zoom tactics on other planes

with the P-36A and F2A-1, as they arent the most
capable turnfighters against the enemiesthey will face.
Suggested Lineup: P-36A Hawk, F2A-1 Buffalo,

3 x P-26 Peashooter reserves (5 fighters)
Recommended Research: P-36A Hawk F2A1 Buffalo OS2U-1 Kingfisher (prerequisite)
Several planes at BR 1.3 are available to you, and Ill

start off with explaining the ones that are not useful.
The OS2U-1 (and OS2U-3) Kingfisher is a novelty float
BR 2.0
plane researched as prerequisite for the planes later

and to open up Tier II, and they are just about inferior
Suggested lineup: P-36C Hawk, P-36A Hawk,
in every way. With only one 7.62 mm forward firing
F2A-1 Buffalo, SBD-3 Dauntless, TBF-1c
machine gun, the same bomb load, much poorer
Avenger (3 fighters, 2 dive bombers)
flight performance due to the bulk of the floats, the

Kingfisher is a downgrade from your Peashooters.
By now, Tier II should have opened up, but this

lineup is more of a transition as your lineup isnt
The P-36A Hawk in Army line should be your next
particularly strong at BR 2.0, so move on to BR 2.3
research target, and flight performance and durability
the moment you get enough planes for that.
wise will be an upgrade to your Peashooters, while

rolling somewhat like a brick. The F2A-1 Buffalo is also
The P-36C Hawk is a slight improvement over the
available in the Navy line, which is somewhat more
P-36A Hawk that you have, with more 7.62 mm
agile than the P-36A. As with the Peashooters, restrict
MGs to ease things a little, but not by much.
The GameOn Magazine
The SBD-3 Dauntless and TBF-1c Avenger are relatively
BR 2.3
effective bombers at BR 2.0, with good bomb loads to

quickly take out soft targets in groups and twin 12.7
Suggested Lineup: P-40E-1 Kittyhawk, F4F-3 Wildcat,
mm M2 MG to clear up the remaining ones. The tail
P-36C Hawk, TBF-1c Avenger, SBD-3 Dauntless
gunners can be quite a handful for early tier fighters
or PBY-5a Catalina (3 fighters, 2 bombers)
who sit on your tail, getting you some easy kills.

With two new planes in the P-40E-1 Kittyhawk
While the PBY-5 and PBY-5a Catalina bombers are
and the F4F-3 Wildcat, you get planes with decent
available, they are not exactly needed yet as most of the
firepower that can compete against other planes
targets do not require a heavy duty bomber to clear; a
near your BR. These planes share similar traits akin
dive bomber with forward firing machine guns might
to the P-36 Hawk vs. F2A Buffalo comparison, with
be more efficient here. On top of that, the Catalina
the P-40E-1 more ideally suited to Boom and Zoom
bombers are relatively slow and not maneuverable at
attacks and the F4F-3 Wildcat slightly more agile.
all, making them highly vulnerable at low altitudes.

These are much more useful for bombing bases
With 4 & 6 12.7 mm M2 MG for the F4F-3 and P-40E
from high altitudes (which will only appear later).
respectively, these planes pack a considerably

heavier punch compared to the previous fighters
Recommended Research: P-36C Hawk
in your lineup. Do set your convergence as the
SBD-3 Dauntless TBF-1c Avenger
increase in number of M2 machine guns mean

that most of them from now on are shifted to the
wings rather than being mounted in the nose.
At BR 2.3, you should see an increase of ground
strike maps among your map rotation, so
feel free to rotate a Catalina into your lineup
to take out minibases and airfields.
Recommended Research: P-40E-1 Kittyhawk
F2A-3 Buffalo (prerequisite) F4F-3 Wildcat
PBY-5 Catalina PBY-5a Catalina
ARTICLE
BR 2.7
The A-20G-25 Havoc is an attacker that should serve

you well into researching your Tier III planes. With 6 x
Suggested Lineup: P-400 or F4F-4 Wildcat,
M2 machine guns from a nose installation, this plane
P-40E-1 Kittyhawk, F4F-3 Wildcat,
sends serious lead downrange, allowing it to defend
A-20G-25 Havoc, TBF-1c Avenger
itself from head-ons (though not advisable) or planes

in front of you. It can destroy ground targets with ease;
At 2.7, you only have one plane to add in Tier II,
with the Ground Targets belt, this monster can even
which is the A-20G, so you can put another BR 3.0
chew up Light Pillboxes and Medium Tanks all day. The
plane for an average BR of 2.7 (with your next two
12 rockets or 4 x 500 lb bombs it can carry, the crew
fighters at BR 2.3). You could add the F2A-3 Buffalo
armor at vital positions and that rearward defensive
(BR 2.7) as well, which means no BR 3.0 planes, but
armament are just icing on the cake. Just be cautious
the P-400 or the F4F-4 Wildcat supplemented by the
around cannon-armed fighters and you should be able
F4F-3 is superior and more effective for research.
to take out plenty of ground targets every match.
The GameOn Magazine
The F4F-4 Wildcat at BR 3.0 is an upgrade to the F4F-3
of 4.5km. Armament usually consists of a high-caliber
with two additional machine guns for a slight sacrifice
cannon firing through the propeller hub, with machine
in performance, especially in climb rate. If I were to
guns supplementing the firepower, making them rather
choose only one BR 3.0 fighter, I would choose the P-400
distinctly different from other planes in the Army tree.
over the second Wildcat, for reasons explained below.

The P-400 is armed with a 20 mm Hispano cannon
The first Airacobra that you get is the P-400 export
in the nose (which is actually rather accurate
version meant for the British. This is another of the
compared to the 37 mm cannons in the other Cobras).
BR 3.0 planes that will be accessible for research
A well-aimed burst from the 20 mm should take
if you followed the recommendations closely.
out most fighters with the HEFI rounds from the

Hispano cannon, with the machine guns configured
The P-39 Airacobra airframes (and the P-63 Kingcobras
for incendiaries to light up tougher opponents.
later) are relatively agile for Army fighters (You still

shouldnt be trying to join turnfights against Spitfires and
Recommended Research: P-400 F4F-
Zeroes), with decent energy retention, good low-altitude
4 Wildcat A-20G-25 Havoc
performance and good climb rates up till an altitude
ARTICLE
BR 3.0
to BR 3.3. Both F4U-1a are the same airframes, with

the USMC version not being able to carry external
Suggested Lineup: P-400, F4F-4 Wildcat. F4F-
ordnance. The F4U-1a is primarily an energy fighter,
3 Wildcat, F4U-1a USMC Corsair, A-20G-25
with pretty decent dive capabilities to execute Boom
Havoc (Tier 2 - 4 fighters, 1 attacker)
and Zoom attacks and well-armed with 6 x M2 MG.
Suggested Lineup: P-47D-25 Thunderbolt,
The P-51 Mustang is a new addition introduced in the
P-47D-28 Thunderbolt, P-400, F4U-1a USMC
1.70.1945 Update at Tier III and BR 3.0, and is essentially
Corsair or P-51 Mustang (new, see notes),
the same early model export Mustang found on the
A-20G-25 Havoc (Tier 3 - 4 fighters, 1 attacker)
British tech tree as a premium at BR 5.0. Armed with

4 x 20 mm Hispano cannons and generally good flight
This is probably the golden era for US planes,
performance for a Boom and Zoom fighter (See the
as they are very effective between BR 3 4
P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51D Mustang descriptions
with very good planes available to them.
for an idea how to play the plane to its strengths),

this plane performs extremely well against the
The F4U-1a USMC (the second one in the F4U-1a
opponents it faces at BR 3.0. There will most likely be
stack) is also at BR 3.0. It is definitely worthwhile to
revisions to its BR in a future balance update to reach
research past the F4U-1a to get to the USMC version,
a compromise with the British premium airframe.
as the F4U-1a can be used when your lineup is pushed
The GameOn Magazine
Getting the P-47 Thunderbolt at Tier III (and bypassing
enemy lines towards your own side, taking out any
the P-38G Lightning) is a good idea as well, as that
climbing fighters who cant evade, or enemy fighters
plane shines at BR 3.0 if used to its strengths. The
heading towards the front lines but did not see you
P-47 is a strictly Boom and Zoom interceptor, being
coming from their six. Once over in friendly airspace,
exceptionally good in dives and hits hard with 8 x M2
climb back to altitude and repeat the process.
MG, especially with the late-war Tracer belt loadout of

pure API-T rounds. The good high altitude performance
The P-47 can be used as a ground attacker in a pinch,
of the Thunderbolt makes it an ideal interceptor against
with the plane being able to carry quite an impressive
bombers climbing to the edge of space. This plane is also
payload of bombs and rockets. One thing to note is to
built like a tank and able to take quite a bit of punishment.
equip the P-47 for the role you are flying, and not strap
on everything just because you can. In an interceptor
Of course, all these come at a disadvantage, with
role, the P-47s bombs and rockets can be its death
maneuverability its biggest problem. Under no
sentence, turning it into a highly vulnerable target.
circumstances should you be making sharp turns with

the P-47 as this will bleed your energy very quickly,
Recommended Research: F6F-3 Hellcat
and speed should be kept high at all times. One of my
F4U-1a Corsair F4U-1a Corsair (USMC)
favourite tactics is to climb at the start for bombers,
P-38G-1 Lightning P-51 Mustang P-47D-25
making a pass at all of them and shooting down as
Thunderbolt P-47D-28 Thunderbolt
many as possible. After that, dive out behind the
ARTICLE
model earlier save for the ability to carry bombs
BR 3.3
now. The F4U-1d Corsair has a more powerful

engine, slightly better flight characteristics and
Suggested Lineup: P-47D-25 Thunderbolt, P-47D-28
bomb load, while being positioned at Tier III and
Thunderbolt, P-38G Lightning, A-20G-25 Havoc, B-25J-1
more effectively placed to unlock Tier IV planes.
Mitchell (2 fighters, 1 heavy fighter, 1 attacker, 1 bomber)

The P-38G Lightning is quite maneuverable for a heavy
BR 3.3 is quite the oddball for the US planes, with
fighter, boasting impressive climb rate at this tier and has
some planes in Tier II being available while the
relatively good fighter armament with 1x AN/M2 20mm
P-47D Thunderbolts sit at Tier III with BR 3.0 and
cannon and 4 x M2 MG all mounted in the nose, which can
being effective throughout BR 3.0-4.0. It all comes
be deadly against planes it manages to get its sights on.
down to a matter of trying out new planes and

The F6F-3 Hellcat is a more powerful version of the
choosing effective ones to unlock the next tiers.
F4F Wildcat, with much better climb and top speeds.

For the Corsair series, the F4U-1a is available, and
It also boasts a relatively good lineup of external
as described earlier, is exactly the same as the USMC
ordnance, with HVAR supplementing a decent bomb

load and the ability to fire Tiny Tim rockets that can
take out heavily armored ground targets easily.
If you do decide to go the way of the P-47D and include
only one BR 3.3 plane, it may be worthwhile to equip
the B-25J-1 Mitchell medium bomber (BR 3.7) as well
to still get an average player BR of 3.3. The Mitchell
bombers are quite effective against ground targets or can
be used as a high altitude bomber against minibases,
while possessing an ability to defend itself with 5 x M2
MG in the nose. The bomber is relatively well armored
with defensive guns placed in very good positions,
especially the tail sting and the top defensive barbette.
Recommended Research: B-25J-1
Mitchell F4U-1d Corsair
The GameOn Magazine
BR 3.7
cannon firing through the nose rather than the 20 mm

Hispano in the P-400. The 37mm cannon comes with
Suggested Lineup: P-47D-25 Thunderbolt,
some quirks. First off, the cannon is wildly inaccurate
P-47D-28 Thunderbolt, P-39Q-5 Airacobra,
and rapidly firing it would see the rounds flying off to
A-20G-25 Havoc, B-25J-1 Mitchell (2 fighters,
the side sometimes, and it is for this reason that the
1 heavy fighter, 1 attacker, 1 bomber)
Bell Cobra series is not everyones cup of tea. However,

if it does connect, the results are almost usually fatal,
At BR 3.7, you get two P-39 Airacobras from
as the default HEFI round is capable of taking out most
Tier II. Researching them might be easier with a
fighters with a single hit, and bombers in just a couple.
lineup with the P-400 in it at BR 3.0, and take note

that the P-47 Thunderbolt suffers from a 10%
Therefore, the trick to firing the cannon is to close in
research penalty with Tier 2 planes, although the
as much as possible to the target before unleashing
increased killing power should make up for it.
a hail of 37 mm rounds, with the machine guns

providing more reliable damage at longer range.
The P-39 Airacobras are slightly different from the
Since the cannon is mounted on the centerline, you
P-400 version in that they are armed with a 37mm
need not worry too much about convergence.
ARTICLE
Differences with the P-39N-0 and the P-39Q-5 are
The P-63 Kingcobra series become available with the
fairly minor in the flight performance department;
P-63A-5, having marginal improvements over the late
the biggest is in the armament, where the ineffective
P-39 models. The P-63A-10 features an expanded
4 x 7.62 mm machine guns are replaced with 2
bomb-carrying capability of 3 x 500 lb, but the biggest
x 12.7mm M2 MG for more killing power.
change is a 37 mm cannon with double the rounds in a

clip in exchange for less rounds in the nose-mounted
M2 MG. The C-5 variant is similar, although oddly
Recommended Research: P-39N-0 P-39Q-5
it is only allowed to mount a single 500 lb bomb.
BR 4.0
The PBJ-1 series is the navalized version of the B-25

Suggested Lineup: P-47D-25 Thunderbolt, P-47D-28
series, being designated as patrol bombers and hence
Thunderbolt, P-63A-10 Kingcobra, PBJ-1H, B-25J-20
the name. They are also commonly called Peanut
Mitchell (3 fighters, 1 attacker, 1 bomber)
Butter Jelly, in reference to its abbreviations sounding

somewhat like its popular sandwich namesake. Two
At BR 4.0, the choices you have are generally
variants are available; the PBJ-1H armed with a 75 mm
upgrades of the previous ones, with only the PBJ
cannon and 8 x M2 forward firing MG, and the PBJ-1J
attacker series being something new, although
armed with 12 x M2 forward firing MG. They carry a
it is mostly based on the Mitchell bomber.
slightly lower bombload compared to the B-25 in the
The GameOn Magazine
other tree, but the additional guns more than make up
Recommended Research: B-25J-20 Mitchell
for that in ground attacks and the occasional crazy head-
P-63A-5 Kingcobra P-63A-10 Kingcobra
on attack. With the ground belts, the M2 machine guns
P-63C-5 Kingcobra PBJ-1H PBJ-1J
with AP ammunition should tear up softer ground targets

more quickly; the 75 mm derp cannon on the PBJ-
BEYOND 4.0
1H can pretty much kill light pillboxes and up to heavy

tanks (from the rear) in just one hit with the AP rounds.
Beyond 4.0 at Tier III-IV, the American heavy

bombers start to become available, reflecting their
The B-25J-20 is a slight upgrade to the J-1 although
late war strategic bombing capabilities. The B-17
the most significant thing is its position on the research
Flying Fortresses (3 variants: E, Late E and G), B-24
tree at Tier III, giving you a good mix of fighters and
Liberator and B-29 Super Fortress. These bombers
bombers to unlock your Tier IV planes effectively.
are characterized by heavy defensive firepower,

while being large and slow. The bomb loads can be
ARTICLE
devastating if they reach the enemy bases, but as of
too, with a good climb rate, being highly maneuverable
current situation, they are relatively easy to shoot down
with good firepower. In particular, the F8F-1b brings
at higher tiers due to potent cannon-armed fighters
this to the extreme with the AN/M3 cannons, making
unless they are being provided with escort fighters.
it a one of the most potent late-game prop fighters.
The instantly-recognizable P-51D Mustangs also
At the end of the Tier IV fighter trees we have two
make their debut. Flight characteristics wise, they
heavy fighters in the F-82E Twin Mustang and the
are replacements for the P-47 somewhat, while being
F7F Tigercat. Both are very heavily armed: The
more maneuverable and faster (although Boom and
Twin Mustang can carry a gunpod, bringing its total
Zoom tactics still work best). They are somewhat less
firepower to 14 M3 MG, giving it a ridiculous burst
durable, with less guns and less bombs, which is a small
mass in excess of 10 kg/s; The Tigercat has 4 x
price to pay for the upgrades in flight performance.
AN/M2 cannons and 4 x M2 MG all mounted near

the centerline, which isnt too shabby either.
The naval tree features the F4U-1c cannon-armed

Corsair, which is a potent plane armed with 4 x AN/
Jets wise, with the B-57 variants and the F-86F
M2 cannons. The Bearcat series are pretty crazy stuff
Sabres as endgame planes, the US has ideal end-
The GameOn Magazine
game contenders for good jet bomber and jet fighters.
That being said, there are still several new designs
The F9F Panthers offer some middle ground in jet
that have yet to make their debut, such as multiple
fighters flight performance (pretty deadly middle
interesting early jet designs, even as the focus is
ground in fact, with the entire line armed with AN/M3
firmly on the more prominent and successful ones
cannons from the Banshee through to the Panthers.
like the F-80 Shooting Stars and F-86 Sabres. The
CLOSING
American attackers and heavy fighters represented

in the tech tree right now is really just the tip of the
iceberg, although this is set to change in the coming
With the US planes lineups relatively fleshed out,
few patches; already the AD-2 Skyraider has been
what remains is individual planes receiving different
added in the most recent 1.70.1945 update.
variants, especially the late-war optimized ones.

The US planes is somewhat different from the other
This is what makes War Thunder so interesting;
countries in that there isnt a main design where a
the seemingly endless possibilities of seeing all
whole series is developed from start till the end of the
these more obscure planes making their way into
war; with their abundant resources during the war
the hands of the fellow War Thunderers.
period, they have multiple designs running concurrently
By Chock Wee Boon
while being optimized from variant to variant.
ARTICLE
GUNS OF THE USA

The third in our series about the development of World War II aircraft guns, this month
looking at the armaments of the United States Air Force and Navy.
US ARMY
NOMENCLATURE
INTRODUCTION
John Moses Browning was an outstanding gunsmith,
Between 1925 and 1962, standardised weapons
particularly in the field of automatic weapons. Though
received an M (Model) designation. Each type of
Browning died before the Second World War, many US
weapon had its own sequence of M numbers, so
aircraft weapons were based upon his designs, most
there was an M2 .50-cal machine gun, M2 .30-cal
notably the .50 calibre machine guns that equipped the
machine gun, M2 carbine, M2 light tank, M2 medium
vast majority of American fighters through the conflict.
tank, M2 ball ammunition, M2 tripod, etc etc.
THE BROWNING AIRCRAFT

MACHINE GUN, CALIBER .30
Weapons in development received a designation

starting with T (for Test or Trial); if standardised,
the weapon received a new M number unrelated
The fledgling US Air Service took delivery of the
to the T number, for example the T25E3 .50
first units of John M. Brownings M1918 .30 calibre
machine gun was standardised as the M3.
(7.62 mm) aircraft machine gun shortly before the
The GameOn Magazine
Armistice of 1918, but problems with early models

meant they were not immediately placed in service. In
the aftermath of World War I, with no pressing need
to immediately remedy the issues, time was taken to
review and revise the design over the next ten years.
Numerous small improvements ultimately resulted
in the Browning Aircraft Machine Gun, Caliber .30,
M2, which was adopted as the standard gun of the US
Army Air Corps in 1929. Typical ammunition loading
by 1941 was a mix of M2 Armour Piercing, M1 Tracer,
and M1 Incendiary, the latter a simplified version
of the British B Mk VI Dixon/De Wilde round.
.30 GUNS IN WAR THUNDER

As with other light machine guns in War Thunder,
.30-cal Brownings dont do much damage to
aircraft, especially past the early biplanes, and can
only destroy soft targets and armoured cars on the
ground. The Stealth belt, with its mix of AP and I, is
about the best choice for ammunition loading, but
in the air, the German J series armoured aircraft
there isnt very much in it. Fortunately, very few US
proving resistant to small arms fire. Concerned
aircraft have .30-cal guns as their only armament.
about the ineffectiveness of rifle calibre machine
MA DEUCE - THE BROWNING

MACHINE GUN, CALIBER
.50, M2, AIRCRAFT
guns against armour, General Pershing of the

American Expeditionary Force requested a heavier
machine gun from the Army Ordnance Department.
The US Air Service were already fielding a small
Towards the end of World War I armoured targets
number of 11 mm guns. Seeking an effective bullet
were becoming more common both on land and
to ignite hydrogen filled observation balloons, the
ARTICLE
French had designed an incendiary loading for their
refining the design, and with additional funding
old Gras cartridge. A number of British Vickers guns
from the Navy developed a weapon system with
were manufactured in America as Balloon Guns,
maximum commonality for both Army and Navy
chambered for the French 11 mm cartridge, and
use in multiple roles. In 1933 the Browning Machine
fitted to American and French aircraft. Investigation
Gun, Caliber .50, M2 was adopted in three main
revealed that an 11 mm cartridge was not powerful
variants: with water cooling for sustained anti-
enough to meet Pershings specification, so work
aircraft fire, with a lightweight barrel for aircraft
started on a new 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) round and
use (either fixed, or in a flexible or turret mount)
gun, essentially a scaled up version of the standard
and with an air cooled Heavy Barrel (HB) for
.30-06 cartridge and Brownings .30 machine gun,
vehicle mounting. The latter version, with minor
resulting in the water-cooled Browning Machine Gun,
modifications, remains in service to this very day.
Caliber .50, M1921, and an air-cooled aircraft gun.

The M2 .50 did not immediately supersede the M2 .30,
With no time pressure and dramatic reductions in
the additional weight being an issue with less powerful
post-war military spending, further development
engines of the time. Many late interwar aircraft used
was gradual. Following John M. Brownings death
a mixed armament, but from 1942 the vast majority
in 1926, Dr. Samuel G. Green was instrumental in
of Army and Navy fighters were armed with a battery
The GameOn Magazine
of four, six or eight M2 .50 guns (also known as the
SPEEDING UP - THE .50 M3
AN-M2 .50 under the joint Army/Navy nomenclature

system introduced during the war). Defensive
One area in which there was felt to be room for
armament for bombers also gradually standardised
improvement was rate of fire, ideally from 750
on the M2 .50 in turrets or flexible mounts, .30-cal
rounds per minute to 1,000 or even more. Some
guns being generally phased out over the war.
improvement could be found in relatively minor

changes, but to achieve the desired target a
Described by the Commanding General of the Army
more fundamental overhaul was necessary.
Air Forces as the most outstanding aircraft gun

of World War II, the merits of the M2 compared
The Frigidaire division of General Motors had already
to other aircraft armament, especially 20 mm
turned over their manufacturing plants from fridges
cannon, is a subject guaranteed to cause a debate,
to aircraft and weapon components; they built a
both sides having fierce adherents. Though the
whole new factory to produce the M2, simplifying
general consensus tends to favour cannon, the
the design for mass production in the process. In
M2 was undeniably effective against most targets
1943 the Ordnance Department engaged them to
faced by US aircraft, and very reliable. With it
produce a new high speed weapon, resulting in
rolling off production lines in massive quantities,
1945 in the M3 (or AN-M3) .50, capable of firing
there was little impetus from the USAAF to
1,200 round per minute. Though similar in general
introduce heavier guns during the war.
appearance to the M2, the changes meant there were
ARTICLE
few directly compatible components. Few M3s were
added a tracer component for visibility. Towards
produced before the end of World War 2, but they
the end of the war, with the Germans fielding jet
continued in service on first generation jet fighters
aircraft using kerosene as a fuel rather than more
in Korea, and in helicopter gun pods in Vietnam.
flammable gasoline, a new round was developed,

the M23 super incendiary, containing more than
.50 BMG AMMUNITION
twice as much incendiary material as the M1.
THE BROWNING .50 IN

WAR THUNDER
Standard early .50 Browning Machine Gun (BMG)

rounds were M2 Armour Piercing, M1 Tracer, and
M1 Incendiary, essentially scaled up versions of the
same .30-06 rounds. Further development allowed
In War Thunder, .50-cal guns are best suited to
the functions to be combined without a major sacrifice
Realistic or Simulator battles, where engagements are
in performance. The M8 Armour Piercing Incendiary
slightly more considered and the larger ammunition
round had similar armour penetration to the M2
capacity is an advantage; in the whirling maelstrom
AP with an added incendiary component, generally
of Arcade dogfights the immediate destructiveness
supplanting the individual AP and I rounds by 1944;
of cannon is more desirable, and mid-air reloading
the M20 Armour Piercing Incendiary Tracer also
makes low ammunition capacity less of an issue

(though machine guns do have a shorter reload time).
A decent burst or two from a battery of .50s should
be enough against most fighters but bombers
can be tougher, especially four-engine heavies;
taking out the pilot is a quick way to bring them
down but needs considerable accuracy or luck,
focusing on one wing and its engine(s) is more
efficient than pumping a lot of bullets into the
fuselage, but dont hang around too long flying
straight and level in the face of defensive fire.
With most US fighters having wing mounted guns its
important to take account of harmonisation, the Gun
targeting distance option on the aircraft selection
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screen that represents the point at which your shots
different ammunition options that include M20
will converge. Typical harmonisation distance in
API-T and M23 incendiary rounds. Unless you have
WWII was around 300 yards (275 m), and a setting
a lot of trouble adjusting your aim its seldom worth
of 300 m works well in War Thunder when you can
using dedicated Tracer belts in War Thunder, as
close to that range before opening fire. If using a
tracer rounds tend to be less damaging than the
short targeting distance with wing mounted guns,
alternatives, but the late .50 Tracer option consisting
avoid long range head-on engagements, especially
entirely of M20 API-T is an exception to the rule.
against opponents with nose-mounted weapons.
Prior to patch 1.47 it was devastating, with a very

high chance of setting aircraft on fire; in 1.47 the
Aircraft with .50-cal guns in War Thunder fall into
effects were toned down somewhat; at the time of
three main groups: early M2, late M2 and M3. For
writing (weapon and damage models always being
early aircraft with the M2, starting with the first
subject to change) patch 1.70 has made it an excellent
reserve P-26 Peashooter and including the P-36,
choice again. The combination of M8 API and M23
P40, F4F and F6F, once you unlock the Offensive
I in the late Stealth belt also works well, without
12mm upgrade the Omni/Universal belt is a good
the light show of the tracer belt, if you prefer not to
choice, with good proportion of M8 AP-I rounds,
alert an opponent that youre shooting at them.
effective against both air and ground targets.
Aircraft equipped with the M3 such as the Air Force

jets after the P-80 have access to the same late
Later aircraft such as the P-47 and P-51 get slightly
ammunition options, but fire a lot faster; you need
ARTICLE
to exercise a little more trigger discipline with M3s,
of the same calibre. Early developments did not
as they do burn through ammunition quickly.
go well; when John M. Browning was engaged to

cast his eye over an unreliable 37 mm gun to see
With most .50-cal ammunition options containing
if improvements could be made, he reputedly said
a good number of AP, AP-I or API-T bullets, they
Where do they put the bait? This thing surely is
also work well for ground attack; light pillboxes
some kind of a rat trap, as it cant possibly be an
and tanks are vulnerable, even medium tanks
automatic gun. Inspired to develop a weapon himself,
can be engaged at close range from the rear,
Browning constructed a number of prototypes, but
giving US fighter-bombers a strong ground attack
further funding was unavailable in the 1920s.
arsenal when combined with bombs or rockets.

Interest was revived in the late 1930s when Benjamin
M4 AND M10 37 MM GUNS
Kelsey and Gordon Saville of the Army Air Corps

issued specifications for new cannon-armed aircraft,
Some large cannons were used in World War I
described as interceptors to circumvent the
aircraft, such as the Spad XII with a manually loaded
restriction that pursuit (fighter) aircraft could carry
37 mm gun firing through the propeller shaft,
no more than 500 lb (227 kg) of armament. The Bell
and after the war the US Ordnance Department
Aircraft Corporations response, the P-39 Airacobra,
expressed an interest in a fully automatic weapon
was built around a derivation of one of Brownings
The GameOn Magazine
37 mm gun designs, standardised as the M4 37
the tracer and adjust accordingly, its usually
mm cannon and manufactured by Oldsmobile.
best to save ammunition for close range.
Compared to .50-cal MGs, the M4 had a low rate of
Against ground targets, the M4/M10 are not as
fire, limited ammunition capacity, and low muzzle
effective as higher velocity German and Russian
velocity, giving shots a noticeably arcing trajectory.
37 mm guns, but a few Armour Piercing shells
Though the sheer size of a 37 mm round offered
can take out light pillboxes and medium tanks.
good destructive potential, the US faced few targets

necessitating such firepower, and there was little
Ammunition choice is fairly straightforward; if
interest in further development and deployment
hunting planes the Default belt of HEFI is ideal, if
of the M4. Relatively minor modifications slightly
mainly interested in ground targets then the Ground
increased the rate of fire and ammunition capacity
Targets belt is all AP, or alternate the two with the
through the use of a disintegrating link belt, resulting
Omni belt for multi-role missions at the cost of
in the M10 cannon fitted to later P-63 Kingcobras.
reduced effectiveness of taking out the targets.
37 MM GUNS IN WAR THUNDER

The US have several P-39 and P-63 variants in War
Thunder with 37 mm cannons, but the previously
outlined characteristics make it a tricky gun to use,
especially against rapidly manoeuvring fighters.
Carefully aimed single shots or short bursts have
a better chance than spray and pray, so it can be
worthwhile to go into the control options where you
can bind machine guns and cannons to different
keys or buttons, allowing for more selective
use of the mixed armament of the P-39/63.
If firing at long range youll need to take account
of the shell drop; unless lobbing shots at someone
flying straight and level, where you can observe
ARTICLE
As in British service, early Hispano cannons proved
unreliable. Testing and investigation of the faults
continued through 1942 and 1943, but with high
demand for the guns from the US Navy and the
RAF, mass production had been started before the
faults could be resolved. Some US aircraft did fly
with Hispano cannon during the war, most notably
the P-38 Lightning; the single cannon it carried in a
rigid mount in the nose with adequate heating was
less susceptible to jamming than wing installations.
The Navy used the AN-M2 on some variants of the
SB2C dive bomber, F6F-5N night fighters and a
small number of F4U Corsairs, but the reliability
issues prevented mass deployment during the war.
After the war most of the issues of the AN-M2
US 20 MM CANNON
were resolved by the improved AN-M3 20 mm

cannon, used by the Navy in post-war aircraft,
In the late 1930s, the US Navy Bureaus of Aeronautics
including early jets such as the F9F Panther.
and Ordnance concluded that the most suitable

armament for naval aircraft would be a gun of 20-
The Korean War provided the push that the Air Force
23 mm. Unable to find a suitable native design, they
needed to upgrade from .50-cal guns, the Browning
assessed what was available elsewhere, and like the
M3s of the F-86 Sabre proving unsatisfactory against
British decided that acquiring manufacturing rights
the MiG-15. As part of an evaluation project, a small
for the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm cannon would
number of F-86F aircraft were fitted with 20 mm T160
be the best option. Negotiations were completed
cannon. The T160 (standardised later as the M39)
in 1940, the first US-made guns were completed
was based on a revolutionary German design, the
in late 1941, and minor changes soon resulted
Mauser MG 213C revolver cannon, that was developed
in a second version that received the designation
too late to see action with the Luftwaffe but inspired
Gun, Automatic, 20 mm, AN-M2 (Aircraft).
many Western post-war guns including the M39 and

British ADEN cannon. The revolving chamber allowed
The GameOn Magazine
for both a high rate of fire and high muzzle velocity,
only destroy soft ground targets and light tanks, so
important attributes in high speed jet combat.
the Ground Targets belt isnt the best choice.
20 MM CANNON IN
WAR THUNDER
The T160 cannon of the F-86F-2 are excellent

weapons; use either the Air Targets or Stealth
belts, depending on whether you like tracer or not.
In War Thunder, US Hispanos are similar to the British

guns (see Issue 3 of this magazine); use short bursts
75 MM CANNON
to avoid jamming, especially before you can research

the New 20mm cannons upgrade. The ammunition
USAAF and RAAF units of the Allied Air Forces in
belts use the three shell types deployed by the US:
the Southwest Pacific Area under General Kenney
High Explosive Incendiary, Armour Piercing Tracer and
specialised in low level attacks, especially against
Practice (a plain steel slug that ought to be labelled
shipping, strafing and skip-bombing rather than
Ball, really). There isnt too much difference between
carrying out more conventional level bombing from
the belts, the Default HEI/HEI/AP-T works well
higher altitude. Major Paul Pappy Gunn made field
so theres no pressing need to upgrade, Universal
modifications to B-25 bombers to reflect this change
just changes the ratio to 50/50. Stealth swaps the
in role, removing the ventral turret in favour of extra
AP-T shell in the Default belt for a Practice shell,
fuel, and mounting additional fixed guns for strafing.
little different in terms of damage; the cannon can
Working with North American Aviation representative
ARTICLE
Jack Fox, details of the modifications were provided
but was not put into production as rocket
to other units in the field, and fed back to the US.
projectiles supplanted large calibre guns as

the weapon of choice for ground attack.
This resulted in new B-25 variants, manufactured
75 MM CANNON IN
WAR THUNDER
from the outset for low-level attack. Trials had

been carried out before the war with a 75 mm
field gun in a B-18 bomber, and the B-25 offered a
platform to deploy the weapon operationally. The
The 75 mm T13E1 gun of the PBJ-1H is highly
B-25G mounted a 75 mm M4 cannon in the nose,
effective against ground targets: with Armour
essentially the same gun used in Sherman tanks;
Piercing ammunition it can destroy light pillboxes
the B-25H (known as the PBJ-1H in Naval service)
and any tank with a single shot. The High Explosive
used a lighter version of the gun modified for
shells are little use against armoured targets,
airborne use, the T13E1 (standardised as the M5).
so the all-AP Armored Targets belt is the best

choice once unlocked. The low rate of fire makes it
The M4 and M5 were manually loaded, limiting the
rather unsuitable for most air-to-air engagements
rate of fire, and it was not an easy task to load 15
with the exception of head-on attacks against
lb (6.8 kg) shells if the aircraft was manoeuvring.
anybody foolish enough to point themselves
A fully automatic gun was developed and tested
directly at a 75 mm gun *and* eight .50-cal MGs.
in the form of the 75 mm M10, mounted in the

nose of the experimental XA-38 attack aircraft,
By John Zoso Moore
The GameOn Magazine
FICTION
HISTORICAL FICTION - LIFE AS A POW

This 2-part fictional story is about life as a British P.O.W. in Germany. Based off historical research and information,
the final part puts the reader in his shoes to experience the end of the war from a prisoner of war perspective.
We finally arrived at Luckenwalde and marched
squadrons. They went to join the officers. John Lovatt
to Stalag 111a, a camp of many prisoners of all
and I remained with the men from Stalag Luft 7.
nationalities. Our camp was on the opposite side of
We assembled in our new camp in a barrack-
the road to that of the R.A.F. officers from Sagan. They
type hut that had a stone floor and no furniture.
came out to their fence to greet us, Gene and Pat, our
We were asked to strip by our Medical Officer for
crew pilot and bombardier, were now within hailing
examination. The most emaciated were designated
distance. It was the first time we had seen them since
to the only hut with a wooden floor that was also
Dulagluft. David Balchin and Clem Pearce had learned
bereft of furniture. I had lost three stones in weight
just before leaving Stalug Luft 7 that their promotions
on the journey. I could see my ribs but I was not
to Pilot Officers had come through. I think there was
classed as being bad enough for the hut with the
automatic promotion for Canadians in operational
wooden floor. This was called the hospital!
The GameOn Magazine
I did however eventually end up in the wooden
about 350 to 400 miles, from Silesia. They were
floored hut, together with John Lovatt and about 10
in really poor shape and had lost around four
others. We occupied an area at the end of the hut
hundred men out of a thousand on their trek.
with a 6 wide, slightly sloping floor. We all occupied

our own bit of floor, with just enough space to lie
The Russian prisoners-of-war, hated by the
down and leave a gap between as a walkway.
Germans, had to survive on the rations they

provided, which was less than a starvation diet. I
We had nothing but our clothing, a blanket
was told that an average of six would die in a week.
and a few personal belongings that
They had to work on their meagre rations, and
we carried with us from Silesia.
were not covered by the Red Cross convention.
I realised how weak I really was when, on going to
Thanks to the Red Cross, and the parcels we received,
the ablutions, where there were five steps to climb,
we had enough to survive. An example of the food
I found that I had to take a rest on the third step in
provided by our German hosts was dehydrated
order regain enough strength to climb the other two.
cabbage leaves, most of which had turned yellow,

boiled in water. It produced a dirty brown liquid.
After a few weeks in the wooden floored hut we
The leaves also finished up the same colour.
were moved into one of the stone floored huts
Often a Russian prisoner would be passing
to make room for R.A.F. prisoners-of-war from
along the main road and would push his mug
Lansdorf. These men had walked all the way,
through the barbed wire in an attempt to beg
FICTION
food from us. He would be lucky only if we had
After two days of trying to obtain an engine, the
some of the dehydrated cabbage leaves.
Germans gave up and we returned to camp.
Ersatz coffee was made from acorns, and tea from
On the 22nd April the Germans had largely deserted
herbs. We found that the herbs made a better
the camp, leaving their machine guns still mounted
cigarette than tea, although it did burn rather quickly.
in the watchtowers. These were collected up

by the prisoners-of-war and the six remaining
On rare occasions we were supplied with soft
guards were captured and imprisoned in the
cheese-like cakes. These you could smell before
punishment block, known to us as the cooler.
they even arrived in the camp. The smell was so

When the German Command learned what had
strong I would have to hold my nose to eat one.
happened they sent a message to say that they would

When the American and Russian advances were
surround the camp and start shooting unless the
getting near Berlin it was decided to move all R.A.F.
arms and the guards were returned immediately.
prisoners-of-war to Moosberg in the south.
The battalion we were being threatened with
We were marched down to Luckenwalde railway
was made up of some of Germanys crack troops

who were held up in a forest west of the Elbe for
eight weeks after V.E.(Victory in Europe) Day.
In the early hours of the 23rd April a single plane
strafed the main road of the camp. This may
have been a warning. There were no injuries.
Later on that day the Russian Army broke into camp
with their tanks and started flattening the fences.
They were asked not to do this in order to prevent the
camp being overrun by prisoners from other lagers.
station where trucks were ready for transportation.

The Germans were unable to obtain the use of
Marshall Zhukov arrived sitting on one of the tanks.
an engine to take us. During our wait some of
He asked everyone to collect all the arms and join
the men managed to loosen floorboards in the
him on the assault on Berlin. A number of Russians
trucks ready for possible escape attempts.
followed the tanks out of camp. Our senior officer, a
The GameOn Magazine
getting us on our way home. A few American

and British prisoners-of-war decided to chance
walking to the River Elbe, despite there still being
pockets of German troops holding out en-route.
After the first men got through the Americans
came with a convoy of trucks to pick us up. It
was now two weeks since we were liberated.
group captain, said that we must not go. I am pretty
We all piled in the trucks overjoyed to know
sure that none of us would have gone anyway.
that at last we were on our way home.
Six Russians were found dead in their huts. It was

the practice of the Russians to conceal the deaths of
Alas, this was not to be. The Russian soldiers
their comrades as long as possible, by carrying them
surrounded the trucks and ordered us off.
onto parade, in order to receive their food ration.
Any attempt to get back on the trucks would
A military funeral was held for these dead men

and they were buried in the camp mass grave.
It was now the Russians responsibility to supply
food to thousands of men throughout the camp. The
rations we were given were even less than we received
from the Germans, but the supply of Red Cross
parcels was better as stocks could now be used up.
As the days went by V.E. Day came and went.
We had little in the way of celebrations,
not having anything to celebrate with.
It was about fifteen miles from Luckenwalde to
the River Elbe and the American lines. We were
all getting impatient with the Russians for not
FICTION
result in us being shot. The Americans had
in the South of England. From there we were
no alternative but to leave without us.
taken on a top priority train, non-stop, to R.A.F.
The Russians said that we had to be properly
Cosford, Shropshire which was a rehabilitation
repatriated with a fair exchange of prisoners. It
centre and hospital for former prisoner-of-war.
took another two weeks before the Russians were

ready to repatriate us. Before leaving we had to fill
Here we were debriefed and medically examined. I was
in lengthy forms giving our personal details. We
found to be suffering from physical debility and stress.
were taken in Russian trucks to the Elbe, where

we walked across the river over a pontoon bridge
A year later I was back to physical fitness, but it
and towards true liberation on the other side.
took many years to get over stress. Recalling the

past can still cause me to feel deeply emotional. It
The Americans took us to Halle via Leipzig where
is only recently that I have felt ready to recount my
there was a large P.O.W. reception centre.
experiences in full, in the hope to help others.
After about forty-eight hours we flew to Brussels by
By Ted Extreme_360 Theisinger
Dakota. The following day we flew on to somewhere
The GameOn Magazine
ARTICLE
GUN, PROJECTILE AND

ARMOR TERMS
TANKS 201 - KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
In todays Tanks 201 Knowledge Article, we will be doing a breakdown of common shell types in War Thunder. However,
as the Damage Model (DM) is a system including the rounds and the armor they are supposed to defeat, we will be
introducing some of the more advanced terms about the gun, projectiles and armor types as a prelude to that.
HORIZONTAL TURRET DRIVE
Destroyer) or electrically/hydraulically powered.
This is the assembly that rotates the turret of the
In War Thunder, damage to the horizontal turret
armored vehicle and usually comprises of a geared
drive in Arcade mode means that the turret stops
ring of the tank linked to a set of geared controls,
rotating temporarily. After a timer, the turret is able
which can be manual (like the US M10 Tank
to rotate again at 2 degrees per second until it is
The GameOn Magazine
repaired. For Realistic and Simulator modes, this
for firing. Found at the end of the gun barrel, this
completely takes out turret rotation, leaving you
is the part which is usually inside the armored
to pivot the entire tank in order to aim the gun.
vehicle where the loader has access to.
VERTICAL GUN DRIVE
MISFIRE
The vertical gun drive controls the
A gun round misfiring is usually taken to mean that
elevation or depression of the gun.
the round is not discharged in the intended way.
In War Thunder, damage to the vertical turret drive in
In War Thunder, when the gun barrel or the gun
Arcade mode means that the gun elevation will be locked
breech is damaged, gun rounds will go off inside
in the position it is originally in when it is damaged, but it
the chamber if the damage is not rectified, causing
is possible to make a minor adjustment of +/- 1 degree.
a misfire; this could lead to a chamber explosion,
GUN BREECH
taking out the gun and the crew. For Arcade mode,
there would not be damage to the crew, but the
shot would not be fired. The probability of misfiring
The gun breech is the part of the weapon where
depends on the rate of fire and the weapon caliber.
the shell is loaded into the chamber and readied
ARTICLE
ROLLED HOMOGENEOUS
ARMOR (RHA)
CAST HOMOGENEOUS ARMOR

(OR SIMPLY CAST ARMOR)
RHA is a type of armored steel that is strengthened
Cast Armor is made by pouring molten metal
by drawing steel into plates in a process
into prefabricated shapes called moulds, then
called hot rolling that creates a uniform grain
heat treated to strengthen it slightly and get
structure, allowing the treated metal plate to
rid of imperfections near the surface.
take stresses (from round impacts) better.

Cast armor is not strengthened as much compared to
The downside of RHA is that it cannot be formed into
the hot rolling process in RHA, and as such is more easily
very complex shapes, which would require the use of
penetrated by a round if both have the same thickness.
cast armor. RHA is found on most parts of the tank

where the shape is simple enough to be tempered,
In War Thunder, the two main types of armor are RHA
or on flat parts like the side chassis or the roof.
and Cast Armor, although there is some High Hardness
The GameOn Magazine
Rolled Armor on some Panzer III late models. Tanks are
SPACED ARMOR
also modelled based on the different armor compositions.

Spaced armor is usually placed a distance away
However, it has not been explicitly stated yet (as
from the inner armor, designed to deflect or
of 1.70.1945) that the difference in strengths of
prematurely shatter AP-based rounds. It can also
different armor would affect the penetration
trigger rounds with fuzes well before they reach
values, and hopefully a future update will bring
more critical parts of the tank, by detonating HE
this bit of historical accuracy in-game.
or HEAT rounds at a safer standoff distance.
FACE HARDENED ARMOR (FHA)

Face hardening is a process to increase the armor
hardness of RHA on the outward facing side using
heat treatment. The process is a tedious one and
requires significantly more man-hours than a piece
of RHA and used only on critical areas that require
more protection, such as the glacis plate and turret.
The purpose of the FHA is to shatter the round
before it can penetrate, and is particularly effective
One popular implementation is on side skirts
against solid-shot Armor Piercing (AP) rounds.
to protect the tracks and the chassis (and

known as Schrzen in German use), which
Later Armor Piercing Capped (APC) rounds and

variants were introduced counter the advantage
are relatively vulnerable to enemy fire.
offered by FHA, which we will talk about later.
OVER-PENETRATION
However, in War Thunder, FHA is not modelled yet
Over-penetration occurs when the round strikes an
though it could be part of the development plans,
area where armor is very thin, causing AP-based shots
in order to be more historically accurate.
to go right through without breaking into shrapnel

for added collateral damage. This also happens with
ARTICLE
APHE-based shots, where the fuze sensitivity is set
harmlessly through the hole and not activate.
to a much higher thickness and does not activate,
Fuse Delay Upon activating the fuse by reaching the
causing the round to punch a hole and fly through
required armor penetration, the fuse delay kicks in
harmlessly without detonating the HE filler.
and starts the countdown to detonate the explosive
One common example in War Thunder is the
charge. This is measured in metres in War Thunder,
gunshield on the ZiS-30, an early-tier Soviet tank
which gives you a guide how far the shell will go into
destroyer. The gunshield is a thin plate of only 5
the vehicle/past the impact point before exploding.
mm thick - too thin to trigger the fuzes in many

rounds or break up solid shots into shrapnels.
FUZE
The fuze is essentially a small device that initiates
ignition when certain conditions are met. In
War Thunder Ground Forces, the current DM
mechanic specifies this in two parameters:
Fuse Sensitivity This is the amount of armor
penetration (in mm) required to activate the fuse;
if the armor is too thin, the round will just fly
The GameOn Magazine
MUZZLE VELOCITY
LINE-OF-SIGHT THICKNESS/
EFFECTIVE THICKNESS
The muzzle velocity refers to the speed of the

round as it leaves the gun muzzle. This is slightly
Line-of-Sight Thickness, or Effective Thickness in
different from the speed of the round at any point
the Armor Preview of War Thunder, is the thickness
during the flight, as the speed will decrease as
of the armor the round has to move through
it travels through air due to air resistance.
when not hitting the armor perpendicularly.
The lower speed of the rounds downrange results
The LOS thickness (Llos) is calculated from
in less penetration at longer ranges; this affects
the normal thickness (Ln) of the armor and
kinetic rounds that rely on the projectiles speed to
the angle the round makes with the normal
defeat enemy armor, such as the AP-based rounds.
(@) using this formula: Llos = Ln / cos@.
Rounds that rely entirely on chemical energy (such

as HE and HEAT) are independent of range.
Sloped armor makes use of this principle by

placing the armor plates at an angle to effectively
Rounds with higher muzzle velocities take a shorter
increase the vehicle protection without increasing
time to reach the target, and thus have lower drop
the thickness and mass of the armor.
compared to a round moving more slowly. In War

Thunder, this makes it easier to aim the gun; the
ANGLE OF ATTACK
vertical notches which are used to compensate

for the drop are much closer together.
The angle of attack (AoA) is the angle the longitudinal

axis of the round makes with the surface.
ARTICLE
Rounds impacting the armor at very low angles
This in turn affects the effective penetration, and a lot
of attack (and at a large angle to normal) have to
of factors are in play here: Ballistics, type, materials,
overcome a higher line-of-sight thickness and have a
velocity and length-to-diameter of the round the
higher chance of ricocheting off the armor surface.
material; thickness and slope of the armor; the
NORMALIZATION (OF
ROUNDS ON IMPACT)
interdependent relationship during the projectilearmor interaction. A lot of information relating to the
normalization and its resulting effect on penetration is
empirical and comes from firing range tests, which is
Normalization refers to the effect of distortion in the
then extrapolated to give a more complete set of data.
angle of attack when the round strikes the surface.
The GameOn Magazine
As an example, certain blunt-nosed rounds, upon

hitting the target, turn into the armor, decreasing the
armor thickness it has to pass through; sharp-nosed
rounds are rotated away from the armor, increasing
the thickness of the armor it has to penetrate. APCR
shells in WWII have the biggest effect, giving large
drops in penetration values at low angles of attack.
In War Thunder, normalization affects the probability
of the ricochet happening, as well as the effective
penetration at different angles of attack (which changes
SPALLING
the thickness of the armor it can penetrate). Rounds

turning into the armor are marked with a positive
Spalling in the anti-tank sense occurs when a
angle value (better penetration), while rounds turning
projectile impact or explosion on the outer armor
away have a negative one (worse penetration).
surface creates a shock wave travelling through
OVERMATCH
the armor, and the resulting compression shock

causes a fracture on the the inward facing armor,
breaking off metal pieces (spall) on the inside.
Overmatch relates to a type of failure mechanism

for armor, which is a function of armor thickness
The resulting spall can be extremely dangerous
(T) and projectile diameter (D), or the T/D ratio.
in the narrow confines of a tank, which can injure

or kill crew members and damage equipment.
At low T/D ratios where the round diameter is much
This effect is deliberately used in a High-Explosive
bigger than the armor thickness (described as
Squash Head (HESH) round filled with plastic
overmatched), the armor could fail in a way where
explosives, designed to flatten against the armor
a solid plug is ejected, allowing the round to punch
plating before exploding and knocking off armor
through more easily, rather than having the round to
pieces on the inside. Other tank rounds can exhibit
push through the armor material. This is currently
varying degrees of spalling as well. In War Thunder
not modelled in War Thunder Ground Forces.
Ground Forces, spalling is not modelled yet either.
By Chock Wee Boon
ARTICLE
TANK PROJECTILE TYPES

TANKS 201 - KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
With the vast array of projectile types available for each tank in Ground Forces, it can get quite intimidating
trying to choose which types of rounds to bring with you when you spawn into the game. In todays Tanks 201
article, we will take you through the common projectile types available and how to use them effectively.
ARMOUR PIERCINGBASED ROUNDS
piercing cap (APC) was introduced to protect the

projectile noses of AP shots from shattering and
allowing the round to penetrate FHA. Such rounds
An Armor-Piercing (AP) is the most basic projectile
are designated Armor Piercing, Capped (APC).
for a tank round, designed to punch through armor

plating using kinetic energy. The AP round is a solid
APC rounds have better normalization values
shot, usually made from hardened steel alloys.
relative to regular AP rounds (such as the M74 vs.

M51 shot on the US 37 mm M5 or M6 cannons), can
Germans made extensive use of FHA on their tanks
penetrate more effective at higher angle to normal,
on their Pz III & IV, and later tanks such as Panthers
but have worse-off penetration (The projectile
and StuGs. FHA was particularly useful in stopping
caps reduce homogeneous armor penetration
the AP rounds as they would shatter on striking
due to energy absorbed during impact).
the hardened outward surface. A protective armor-
The GameOn Magazine
Soviet AP-based rounds and derivatives usually have a
Both of the Ballistic Cap (BC) and Armor Piercing
flat-nosed design, while the protective cap in the APC
Cap (C) designations also apply to other types
round is designed for penetration of FHA and is not
of rounds with similar modifications.
optimized aerodynamically. Ballistic caps (BC), also

commonly called windscreens in Soviet use, are usually
Some of the AP-based rounds do not carry explosives,
fitted to these rounds to counter the poor aerodynamic
and break into shrapnel in an approximate forward
shape of the nose, which helps to reduce air resistance
cone after penetrating, hitting any equipment or crew
acting on the round and increasing penetration at longer
for secondary damage. Due to a lack of collateral
ranges. These rounds are particularly useful on open
damage, the AP-based round is usually not the
maps at longer engagement distances, as the drop
first choice against tanks in general. However,
in penetrating power with range is not that drastic.
some AP rounds for the US and Germany do carry
The ballistic cap is usually made of a softer material and
a HE filler in the round, and damage modelling
crumples upon impact, allowing the actual projectile to
wise is closer to an APHE round below.
strike the armor. Soviet AP rounds with the windscreen

are designated APBC, while US armor-piercing
capped rounds with ballistic caps are called APCBC.
ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES OF
AP-BASED ROUNDS
++ Typically has higher penetration values compared
to composite rounds such as APHE
Limited collateral damage due to a lack of HE filler
USES OF AP ROUNDS
Penetrating tanks with thicker armor
when APHE rounds cannot penetrate
Used to snipe specific crew members
if you know their location exactly
Used to kill vehicle parts if you know their position
Shooting through engine blocks
ARTICLE
ARMOR PIERCING (HIGH
EXPLOSIVE) ROUNDS
they do behave similarly with a fuze governing the

ignition of the high explosives in the round.
Some armor piercing rounds are hollowed out to
APHE rounds can come with the Armor Piercing
varying degrees and filled with high explosives with
Cap (C) and Ballistic Caps (BC) as well.
a fuze attached. Penetration is achieved via kinetic

means like a regular AP warhead. Upon penetration,
part of the round break off to form some shrapnel in
an approximate forward cone. Next, the fuze ignites
ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES OF
APHE ROUNDS
the explosives and breaks the rest of the projectile

up with a fragmentation radius, causing collateral
damage from the explosive filler and shrapnel.
++ Decent middle-ground penetration values, although

not as high as some AP, APCR or APDS rounds
++ Good collateral damage from HE filler
American and German tank rounds of the APHE
Fuze may not trigger against thin armor, allowing
variety are not called as such (with smaller amounts
the round to fly straight through; one way around
of HE), unlike the Soviet APHE rounds, although
this is to fire near the vehicle on the ground or
The GameOn Magazine
terrain feature, allowing the shell to detonate and

kill the lightly-armored vehicle by shrapnel
USES OF APHE ROUNDS

These rounds are generally sound choices against
most tanks and available for most as well; they should
be the default ammunition loaded and ready to fire
Moderate penetration allows it to be used on the sides
or the rear of the vehicle where armor is less thick
Penetration and detonation in crew
compartments usually results in a vehicle kill,
especially turrets and driver compartments,
or taking out multiple crew members
SHRAPNEL ROUNDS
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF
SHRAPNEL ROUNDS
++ High collateral damage from shrapnel
after penetration and detonation
Shrapnel rounds are found only on a few earlier Soviet
Small HE filler blast radius
tanks, such as the T-28, T-34 and KV-1. These rounds
Poor penetration power of projectile
have buckshots filled in the shell; upon penetration, the

fuze ignites a charge which pushes out the buckshot.
USES OF SHRAPNEL ROUNDS
Damage mechanics wise, they are similar to APHE
Generally limited for use against earlier-tier
round, although some key differences exist: there is a

significant increase in the generated shrapnel, both in
the forward cone and the fragmentation radius, and the
tanks that can be penetrated from the sides

Against thin armor of open-top
tank destroyers & SPAA
shrapnel produced provides most of the killing power;
Firing into crowded crew compartments
the penetration for shrapnel rounds is not high, which
such as the drivers seat or the turret
makes them useful only on tanks in the earlier tiers.
usually results in a vehicle kill
ARTICLE
ARMOR PIERCING
COMPOSITE-RIGID
(such as tungsten), wrapped in a lightweight shell

made from lighter metals such as aluminum. The
small penetrator usually has a smaller diameter than
the diameter of the gun barrel or other rounds such
as the AP shot, and is usually called a sub-caliber.
The idea behind the APCR round is to reduce the mass
of the projectile through this method, which will bring
about a higher muzzle velocity when fired from the gun
using the same amount of propellant as a standard
shell. The sharper tip of the high-density penetrator
applies a larger pressure on the impact area than
a full-caliber AP shell, allowing the APCR round to
penetrate more effectively, while leaving behind the
lightweight shell before achieving penetration.
The Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) is a
further evolution of the APCR round taken to the
extreme. For APDS, it has a sub-calibre high density
penetrator as well, but the shell (sabot) wrapped
around the penetrator is designed to fall off after
leaving the muzzle. The travelling projectile is less
affected by air resistance than the APCR projectile
and thus loses less penetration downrange.
Armor Piercing, Composite, Rigid (APCR) is another

type of kinetic round designed to increase penetration
APCR and APDS rounds do not carry HE fillers as the
over the standard AP shot. In American service, the
high-density penetrator is of a very small diameter. The
APCR is also known as the High Velocity Armor Piercing
penetrator breaks into shrapnel after penetration like
(HVAP) round. The APCR has a small penetrator core
the AP round, but with less collateral effect as there is
made from a high-density material to reduce shatter
less material in the penetrator compared to an AP shot.
The GameOn Magazine
ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES OF
APCR/APDS ROUNDS
Same as AP rounds
Penetrating thicker armor from the front
Use against heavy tanks
Sniping crew members, vehicle parts, ammo racks
++ Very high penetration values

++ Higher muzzle velocity; drop in round
is not drastic and easier to aim
Higher chance of ricochet at high angles to normal
or fuel tanks if their exact location is known
HIGH EXPLOSIVE ANTITANK ROUNDS
Low collateral damage due to absence

of HE filler and smaller penetrator
USES OF APCR/APDS ROUNDS
The High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) round is a shaped

charge using high explosives to achieve penetration
utilizing a discovery called the Munroe Effect. The
ARTICLE
penetration effectiveness is independent of the velocity of
as the short-barreled early-model Panzer
the projectile, unlike the previous kinetic rounds earlier.
IV) and has respectable penetration

HEAT rounds from high-calibre weapons (with bigger
The HEAT round has explosives packed behind
explosive charges) and end-game tanks (with better
an inverted cone lined with metal such as
design) can penetrate thick armor effectively
copper. Upon impact, the explosive is ignited,
Sniping crew members, vehicle parts, ammo racks
forming a jet of plasma from the conical lining at
or fuel tanks if their exact location is known
hypersonic speeds to penetrate the armor..
HIGH EXPLOSIVE ROUNDS
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF
HEAT ROUNDS
A High Explosive (HE) round is a shell packed with

high explosives and detonates on impact, with an
explosive radius that will take out crew members if
they are caught in it, and generates some shrapnel.
++ Penetration is unaffected by range (but

difficult to land shots at long range)
++ Unaffected by normalization and effective penetration
Generally, for tank vs. tank combat, HE rounds are

not of much use except in a few situations against
is directly determined by line of sight thickness
light armor. However, large calibre (100+ mm) HE
++ Only ricochets at extremely low angles
shells can be quite devastating against most tanks.
of attack (high angle to normal)

Easily countered by spaced armor as the plasma
stream is formed too early (in some cases though,
the spaced armor allowed the plasma stream to
develop fully and achieve better penetration)
Low velocity of HEAT round makes it
difficult to aim at long ranges
Low collateral damage from plasma stream
USES OF HEAT ROUNDS

Can be fired from low-velocity guns (such
The GameOn Magazine
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
OF HE ROUNDS
USES OF HE ROUNDS
Against open-top tank destroyers & SPAA
Exposed tank turret roofs and chassis top
++ Large collateral damage

++ Penetration is unaffected by range
and line-of-sight thickness
++ Ricochets only at low angles of
attack (high angle to normal)
Mid-tier tanks with 75+ mm calibre HE shells

can knock out external components relatively
easily, such as the gun barrel and tracks
On large calibre guns, such as the KV-2 and the SU152 (both with 152mm calibre cannons), the rounds
Can be detonated easily by spaced armor
can penetrate quite a bit of armor (75mm thickness)
Low penetration effect
with the sheer amount of explosives they pack
Low velocity of HE round makes it

difficult to aim at long ranges
By Chock Wee Boon
WORDSEARCH
WORDSEARCH
Click anywhere on this page to download the wordsearch
The GameOn Magazine
Brothers: The Thoughts of Two Gamers
Have a safe flight!

See you in next issue.
Issue 48 October 2013
86 GameOn Magazine

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Battlefield 4 Review

Issue 50 December 2013

maps of impressive scale

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War, with a huge emphasis

learn about the rich historical

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significance behind the wars

Players cross swords in historical

through War Thunder.

2 // War Thunder Community Magazine

The GameOn Magazine

buff or a fiction lover, with This

the War Thunder Community

Month in WWII by David King, the

Magazine! With the Weapons

continuation of a PoWs journey

of Victory update dropping

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covers our first jet feature ever

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Are you interested in writing

added to the British tech tree as

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more writers, photographers and

As with past issues, this month

Do you also happen to know

for War Thunder 101 and Guns

someone who has a story from