#coldwar

The IS-6, also known as Object 252, was a Soviet heavy tank developed during the final years of World War II. Designed in 1944, it was a revolutionary step in tank development, introducing advanced sloped armour that influenced the future of heavy tank design. Despite its promising features, mechanical design flaws led to the IS-4M replacing it in production. Only two prototypes of the IS-6 were ever built, both of which were scrapped at the war’s end.

The IS-3 is the third tank in the IS series. It retains the same 122mm cannon, gets a dome-shaped turret, and most famously - the armour has been heavily upgraded. Able to tank hits from most foes, it has gained an infamous reputation for being hard to kill. It also faces many tanks with the similar characteristic of a big gun with a slow reload. However - how do you get in those situations? And how is it played?

The M60A3 TTS (Tank Thermal Sight) is the final evolution of the legendary M60 Patton series. Equipped with advanced optics, improved firepower, and enhanced survivability features, the M60A3 TTS remains a formidable force on the battlefield. While it may lack the speed and cutting-edge technology of modern MBTs, its robust armor and powerful 105mm cannon ensure it can still hold the line against contemporary threats.

The Begleitpanzer 57 is a West German experimental vehicle of the late 1970s. Developed by Thyssen-Henschel in collaboration with Bofors, it was designed to fill a presumed niche in the fighting vehicles market at the time. The Begleit, based on the chassis of the Marder IFV, was classified as an Armored Infantry Fire Support Vehicle, or AIFSV for short. This vehicle has been developed privately with no government contract or similar ever given out for it. Only one prototype of this fighting vehicle was ever finished.

The XM803 stands as a daring experiment in American tank design, conceived from the ambitious MBT-70 program. Initially envisioned as a next-generation main battle tank to replace the aging M60 family, the XM803 was engineered to combine overwhelming firepower with exceptional mobility. Outfitted with a cutting-edge 152 mm XM150E6 gun/launcher, advanced targeting systems, and a two-plane gun stabilizer paired with an autoloader, it promised to redefine battlefield engagement. Yet, in its quest to balance performance and cost, the XM803 sacrificed armor protection and crew survivability making it a high risk, high reward vehicle that rewards skilled, hit-and-run tactics with its incredible mobility and firepower.

The M60A1 (AOS) represents an important evolutionary step in the American main battle tank lineage. Introduced as an improvement over the standard M60, the AOS (Add-On Stabilization) variant features a two-plane gun stabilizer, significantly enhancing its ability to fire accurately on the move. While it retains the powerful 105 mm M68 cannon of its predecessor, it also introduces an improved turret design with better-angled armor compared to the hemispherical turret of the standard M60.  However, its large silhouette and underwhelming mobility make it vulnerable in fast-paced engagements. In the right hands, though, it can be a highly effective frontline vehicle.

The T-10M was the final variant of the T-10 series of tanks and the last Soviet heavy tank, which was adopted in 1961. It was a overhaul of the of the series incorporating some of the most advanced features at the time such as the T2S-29-14 “Udar” fire control system featuring a automatic lead calculator, which made it a very formidable enemy.

For players familiar with playing the M46 with its HEAT-FS and decent mobility, it is no different when playing in the M47 Patton II, as it still retains the APCBC with HE filler and HEAT-FS for long-range engagements, all with a similarly powerful gun to boot. However, this tank differs from the M46 in a couple of things, which we’ll dive into in this article.

The T95E1 represents a bold step forward in American tank design. Developed during the early years of the Cold War, the T95E1 was engineered to tackle the challenges posed by emerging armored threats. With a focus on advanced firepower, this experimental tank was designed to push the boundaries of what was possible in future armored warfare. In-game, the T95E1 has a 90mm smoothbore gun capable of firing APFSDS with excellent ballistics and angled penetration. Though the T95E1 has less impressive mobility and even worse armor, good positioning and capitalizing on the firepower can make the most out of this prototype tank.

The USS Newport News is a Vietnam War-era heavy cruiser that was introduced into War Thunder during the 2022 Winter Fest event in her 1972 refit. In this article, we will cover how the vessel can be obtained, her auto-loading 8-inch guns, impressive long-range anti-air capabilities aided by radars, decent mobility, and troubled survivability. Finally, we will explore the vessel’s usage in battles, as well as a few features that are present on the ship but not implemented in the game. The Newport News was the last all-gun heavy cruiser to serve in any navy, making her an interesting addition to any player’s collection.