Announcing the Churchill Mk.IV Tank, StuG III Ausf.G Mobile Assault Gun and IAR-80/81 Pre-Orders!

[Jason_Williams]

Quote

Attention All Pilots and Tankers!

 

We are proud to announce that we have opened Pre-Orders on two new Collector Tanks and a new Collector Plane for IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles series! 

 

The following are now available for Pre-Order in the IL-2 Official Webstore! All feature a 20% Pre-Order Discount! 

 

- Churchill Mk.IV Heavy Tank

 

- StuG III Ausf.G Mobile Assault Gun

 

- IAR-80/81 Romanian Fighter-Bomber

 

We continue to expand the selection of aircraft and tanks that can be operated on any map in the Great Battles series and create entertaining matchups in both our Single-player and Multiplayer environments. We have chosen these subjects as they further bolster the historical options you have as a player or mission builder for Tank Crew, Battle of Stalingrad and Battle of Kuban. However, as always they can be used on any map against any opponent you wish. These new tanks and the IAR-80/81 also add some very interesting history to the Great Battles series. The Churchill tank was offered through the Lend-Lease program and the IAR, flew for both the Axis and Allied sides during the war! The StuG was on just about every battlefield everywhere.  

 

The tanks are once again being built by our talented partner DigitalForms and the IAR-80/81 is being built by our long time friend and collaborator Ivan Shirshov. We also plan to make a Romanian pilot and language pack for him. 

 

 

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE!

 

Jason

[jollyjack]

top

 

[No_Face]

I'm glad. The stug. I'm going to have to buy an advent calendar for Christmas and another for the Stug.

[Na-zdorovie]

yea ill get them :), love the stug, but why a churchill? ill still get it but

oooo any chance of a template for the stug? i have a wicked historical skin for it 

[JV44HeinzBar]

Haha    Nice surprise for my day off.  Money sent!!

 

HB

[ACG_Jackman]

Brilliant news can't wait for the Stug ?

Edited December 1, 2021 by ACG_Jackman

[BlitzPig_EL]

2 hours ago, Na-zdorovie said:

, but why a churchill? 

 

The Churchill was present during the timeframe, and at the campaign presented in TC, and, it was also used in numbers during the Normandy invasion, and the push across France.  It's a no brainer really.  It also gives the Allies a true heavy tank, something sorely lacking currently.

[Na-zdorovie]

yea a heavy tank, that was favoured by the russians for just that, its firepower was not good though, still the stug will take care of it lol

[BlitzPig_EL]

Well, the Russians never thought any gun was big enough.? 

 

The penetration figures for the QF 6 Pounder were not bad at all, and it will certainly pop a Stug without issue, and give the bigger cats something to consider.

[NoelGallagher]

28 minutes ago, Na-zdorovie said:

yea a heavy tank, that was favoured by the russians for just that, its firepower was not good though, still the stug will take care of it lol

i recommend you to google the 6pdr gun penentration data

it can actually deal with tigers and panthers 

and brits successfully dealt with tigers and panthers with this gun in 1944 (of course they used APDS for that)

when i first saw this gun i was like MEH~~ 57mm

but after reading it's penetration capability i get the new lesson of "don't judge the gun by it's caliber"

Edited December 1, 2021 by NoelGallagher

[RNAS10_Oliver]

Sweet might get me a Churchill. I don’t suppose it’s going to be released with a British crew available also? Just the Russians?

[Na-zdorovie]

haha yea ok, i dont need to google but thanks, the 6 pounder was used in effect to kill tiger 1s and credited on a self propelled vehicle to panthers too,42 were in the porky and Kursk theatre, as said they were loved by there crew for the thick armour, in some theatre they were never penetrated while crewed by German at fire, its lacking point was the gun, very good at close range say 500-600yds, but was replaced later by i believe Sherman guns in the field. its not that it cant kill tanks or whatever, too me i dont care, ill buy whatever, but to me there's better tanks to bring in than that...........and its butt ugly

im pretty sure i have a friend who owns a museum where ones being restored too, but most i think is being made by himself as its beyond

[willb0408]

2 hours ago, NoelGallagher said:

i recommend you to google the 6pdr gun penentration data

it can actually deal with tigers and panthers 

and brits successfully dealt with tigers and panthers with this gun in 1944 (of course they used APDS for that)

when i first saw this gun i was like MEH~~ 57mm

but after reading it's penetration capability i get the new lesson of "don't judge the gun by it's caliber"

 

Similarly the 2pdr that preceeded the 6pdr had high penetration values too, was one of the better AT guns early in the war. The only issue was it only had solid shot meaning that its actual stopping power was quite low and by mid war it was getting a bit long in the tooth hence the 6pdr.

[BlitzPig_EL]

@Na-zdorovie,  I'm curious what Allied tank you would have chosen in place of the Churchill, that still fits in the timeline/theater of TC?  

Edited December 1, 2021 by BlitzPig_EL

[LukeFF]

2 hours ago, Na-zdorovie said:

was replaced later by i believe Sherman guns in the field.

 

Only about 200 or so in Italy. Everywhere else, the 6-pounder was the standard armament, and it did quite well with it. ?

Edited December 1, 2021 by LukeFF

[Na-zdorovie]

oh yea it did, not saying its pretty crap, just my opinion, its deff not in my top ten :), still buy as said though, happy for anything in TC

[[KG]Destaex]

Nice. Shame no career or infantry announced though.

[VilsonFarias]

That's awesome. Another warbird to my hangar

 

The new tanks will be there soon.

 

[NoelGallagher]

11 hours ago, [KG]Destaex said:

Nice. Shame no career or infantry announced though.

yeah i was expecting more of this than new vehicles 

but still it's better than nothing 

atleast it means they are still caring about tank crew

it could've been abandoned

Edited December 2, 2021 by NoelGallagher

[Yogiflight]

I wonder how shooting the machinegun of the StuG will be modelled. There is no playable loader in game.

Additionally, did the Ausf. G still have the scissors periscope for the commander? If so, it would be nice if it was modelled and retrofitted to the Ferdinand as well. Currently the Ferdinand commander is blind if he is not unbuttoned.

[[KG]Destaex]

18 hours ago, NoelGallagher said:

yeah i was expecting more of this than new vehicles 

but still it's better than nothing 

atleast it means they are still caring about tank crew

it could've been abandoned

You are correct. I like that it was obviously popular enough not to be abandoned. On the other hand of course we should not expect them to let their tank customers down after starting this project, as long as their is enough money in it or that it at least turns a profit. Besides these projects are going to start slowly without career mode and improvements over previous tanks games, things that are missing that previous tank games had. A new tank game takes time to mature especially when it is stuck in an aircraft simulation. 

Should we settle for scraps while the aircraft players get all the dev time? I am sure the aircraft players continually get new features. Our money is green just like the aircraft players, besides their is the il2 reputation to think of. il2 has a reputation for being second best to DCS for detailed modelling of systems etc, but shines when it comes to immersion and number of playable vehicles (aircraft and tanks), it's more of a battlefield simulator than a specialised study sim. Well I want the battlefield simulation for tankers. That is il2's reputation.

 

In short I am glad this sim exists and am grateful to be able to play it. Because we have nothing else and it fills a gap in the market. A niche. I love it but feel a bit like I am missing a lot of immersion and realism that actual armies would have shown through combined arms and recovery vehicles etc. The life of a tanker, tweaking his engine in the field etc. It feels much more like I am a tool for the aircraft players to bomb or themselves play in for a change every now and then, rather than a serious tank experience with a lot of interaction between the ground forces and the tanks. I think though that it is the best tank sim I have ever player for ww2. Steel Beasts Pro PE is probably better but it is modern.

P.S. Post scriptum now has better gear change mechanics than the driver position of this sim does ??? 

Edited December 3, 2021 by [KG]Destaex

[NoelGallagher]

11 hours ago, [KG]Destaex said:

should we settle for scraps while the aircraft players get all the dev time? I am sure the aircraft players continually get new features. Our money is green just like the aircraft players, besides their is the il2 reputation to think of. il2 has a reputation for being second best to DCS for detailed modelling of systems etc, but shines when it comes to immersion and number of playable vehicles (aircraft and tanks), it's more of a battlefield simulator than a specialised study sim. Well I want the battlefield simulation for tankers. That is il2's reputation.

i can not agree more 

100% agree about that

[Count_Sessine]

Excellent news. Wonder about engine updates, other improvements...

[BlitzPig_EL]

Destaex, I am mostly a fly boy, but I want the tank side to improve, and become as fleshed out as you do.  Please try to understand that on the flight side as well, we are waiting, sometimes impatiently I might add, for many of the improvements that you want for tanks.  

 

Try to bear in mind that the IL2 team is quite small, and they simply cannot cover every one's desires all at the same time. They have to prioritize their main income generator (planes) to keep the lights on.  This is not an equity issue, or intentionally making second class citizens out of tank players, as you seem to be inferring.  Remember that it has taken what, over a decade for the flight side to get to where it is today.  I suspect, and hope, that a move to a European/North African theatre would make for an explosive expansion of the tank side.  But it will take time, and money, and patience on our part.

[Fercyful]

Glad they are adding the StuG ? but hope the bugs that don't let play the 184 mission pack from TIGRE88 will be fixed too ?

 

[ShampooX]

Jason how about putting up some darker Panzer skins in the Official File for sale?  I've paid for them on War Thunder, if you need money to get them up and running in TC, I'd do it again.

[JV44HeinzBar]

8 minutes ago, JohnRitterKreuz said:

Jason how about putting up some darker Panzer skins in the Official File for sale?  I've paid for them on War Thunder, if you need money to get them up and running in TC, I'd do it again.

S!,

I'll 2nd that idea. Additionally, I would like to see at least 1 more winter skin to choose besides the default "white".

 

1C could create another revenue stream by selling official skin packs.

 

HB

Edited December 6, 2021 by JV44HeinzBar

[No_Face]

7 minutes ago, JohnRitterKreuz said:

Jason how about putting up some darker Panzer skins in the Official File for sale? 

Personally, I won't pay for it. I prefer to say it so that Jason doesn't imagine that everyone is okay with this idea. (But anyway I don't think he's in favor of it)

[LukeFF]

35 minutes ago, JohnRitterKreuz said:

Jason how about putting up some darker Panzer skins in the Official File for sale?  I've paid for them on War Thunder, if you need money to get them up and running in TC, I'd do it again.

 

There is no way in the world I'd pay for skins when there's mountains of them available for free. 

[ShampooX]

Oof you guys are tough!!  The way I look at it - Jason and these guys are trying to run a business and I greatly value the product they deliver (and judging from many of your post-counts, I would guess you all do as well) so I don't mind paying $5 or $10 for an Official skin; especially if it will mean it comes to the game faster.  I also have a decent job which I realize might not be the case for everyone here.  And just to clarify I'm talking about the Official skins onl;y....somebody commenting above about all the free ones may not realize that in TC, only the official skins can be seen by all on the on-line servers.

 

Anyway, maybe if you guys ask mommy and daddy, really nicely, for some more allowance, take on some extra chores, they will hook you up.  That. and Christmas is coming......there's always Santa.

 

ho ho ho

[NoelGallagher]

12 minutes ago, JohnRitterKreuz said:

Oof you guys are tough!!  The way I look at it - Jason and these guys are trying to run a business and I greatly value the product they deliver (and judging from many of your post-counts, I would guess you all do as well) so I don't mind paying $5 or $10 for an Official skin; especially if it will mean it comes to the game faster.  I also have a decent job which I realize might not be the case for everyone here.  And just to clarify I'm talking about the Official skins onl;y....somebody commenting above about all the free ones may not realize that in TC, only the official skins can be seen by all on the on-line servers.

 

Anyway, maybe if you guys ask mommy and daddy, really nicely, for some more allowance, take on some extra chores, they will hook you up.  That. and Christmas is coming......there's always Santa.

 

ho ho ho

shampoo being noughty hahahaha

BTW it's not really a matter of money 

i think you misjudge the point

many would pay and support the dev's wilingly

but selling skin is like ughhhh i have no words for that..

and i didn't knew warthunder guys even sell the skins .....

now i'm glad that i never got in to that game in the first place

Edited December 6, 2021 by NoelGallagher

[LukeFF]

22 minutes ago, JohnRitterKreuz said:

Anyway, maybe if you guys ask mommy and daddy, really nicely, for some more allowance, take on some extra chores, they will hook you up.  That. and Christmas is coming......there's always Santa.

 

ho ho ho

 

Cute, but I'm a grown man with a good job and a family, so I don't need to be talked down to like I'm a child when I express a disagreeing opinion. 

[Drum]

Typical, a tanker slinging mud.  ?  Santa's a pilot though, so he'll be hooking up a little surprise for you bad boy tanker types, instead.  ?+?=?

[GeorgeCostanza]

I have only played this for a few hours (too many other games and too little time?), but I'll probably buy both of these.  I'm more interested in the Churchill than the Stug really.  I think my playtime with it in CMBN and Mius Front gives me a soft spot for it...  Once they release a career mode for TC I'll be more inclined to play.

[[KG]Destaex]

5 hours ago, GeorgeCostanza said:

I have only played this for a few hours (too many other games and too little time?), but I'll probably buy both of these.  I'm more interested in the Churchill than the Stug really.  I think my playtime with it in CMBN and Mius Front gives me a soft spot for it...  Once they release a career mode for TC I'll be more inclined to play.

Is a career mode coming? Has it been announced?

[JG27_Steini]

53 minutes ago, [KG]Destaex said:

Is a career mode coming? Has it been announced?

 

No

[[KG]Destaex]

43 minutes ago, JG27_Steini said:

 

No

I did not think so.

[Drum]

7 minutes ago, Eeafanas said:

Why is a career mode without infantry, trenches, normal ground textures, normal trees, etc.? Do you need it? Let's first wait until the developers finish polishing the terrestrial fauna, and then we'll think about a career, okay?

 

Rock, paper...  Ho No!  ?+=✂️

[No_Face]

8 hours ago, [KG]Destaex said:

Is a career mode coming? Has it been announced?

No, but FC II will have a career mode while FC I does not.
So we can think that a future TC will have a career mode.

 

But if it's going to happen, it won't be for tomorrow.

[JG27_Steini]

7 hours ago, [KG]Destaex said:

I did not think so.

 

I am really sorry. Tank crew is just left behind.