Pilots!
On April 11 from 01:00 PT / 04:00 ET till 05:00 PT / 08:00 ET, the servers will undergo maintenance to deploy the 2.0.11.6 update.
Update size from the previous version: SD part – 235,68 MB, HD part – 34,28 MB (additional to SD)
The April update completes the first stage of the global Spring Campaign — the Blade of Vengeance operation. In a short period of calm before the beginning of the Allied forces' counterattack — the Red Comet operation, players will be able to take part in the secret tests of the first U.S.S.R. heavy fighter in the game — the Tupolev Tu-1. In addition, new personal ratings will be held within three weeks, with an opportunity to get unique pieces of equipment for both the Tu-1 and all aircraft of period II and III.
The update also adds a new type of equipment to the game — Navigational Radio Equipment, which increases visibility and decreases the range at which the aircraft is detected by enemy aircraft. First of all, this equipment will help aircraft without forward-firing weapons (bombers) avoid direct fire contact with enemy interceptors, making their way beyond their visibility.
Secret Trials: Tupolev Tu-1
This update brings an opportunity to take part in the secret tests of the brand-new Tier VII U.S.S.R. heavy fighter — the Tupolev Tu-1. This is a heavily armed high-speed aircraft capable of destroying any target with several accurate volleys from its large-caliber guns. A powerful and clumsy "puncher", this heavy fighter is perfect for those who enjoy battles in air corridors. To add the Tupolev Tu-1 to your Hangar, you need to execute the special Secret Trials operation. You can activate it for free in the Supply Service. You can skip several operations or the whole chain by purchasing certificates in the Premium Shop. Also now, if the time for the operation execution has expired, but not all the missions have been completed, you can resume their execution using Tokens.
In addition, participation in the personal ratings will provide an opportunity to acquire unique Special Projects of the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. — equipment designed specifically for large heavily armed aircraft. This equipment increases the survivability and firepower of an aircraft. It is suitable for all aircraft of the corresponding period and is distinguished by significantly higher characteristics than its standard counterparts. Players who managed to get the Tu-1 in their Hangar will also be able to compete in the rating for getting a unique piece of equipment — the Tu-1 radar, which increases visibility and decreases the range at which the aircraft is detected by enemy and AA guns.
Personal Ratings
Update 2.0.11.6 brings new in-game ratings.
By participating in battles and fulfilling the conditions for getting into the rating for each of the weeks, players will be located in one of five divisions and, on Wednesday, will receive prizes corresponding to their effectiveness — unique equipment, crews, and much more. Each of them will last for six days, from Thursday (16:00 UTC) till Tuesday (20:00 UTC).
- Week 1: Secret Trials: Armor Protection. Rating criteria for this week — critical damage caused to enemy aircraft. The main reward for participation will be some unique equipment — Special project of the U.S.S.R.: Engine Armor Protection. You can get this reward only by participating in the rating. Depending on the occupied division, players will receive equipment of various quality (from Stock to Ultimate), as well as mechanical parts, flight instruments, and gold. There will be two ratings — for Tier V-VII aircraft there will be a period II rating with period II equipment as a reward, and for Tier VIII+ aircraft there will be a similar period III rating. Players can take part in both ratings simultaneously.
- Week 2: Secret Trials: Weapons. Rating criteria — damage caused to aerial and ground targets. The main reward for participation will be some unique equipment — Special project of the U.S.S.R.: Long Gun Barrels. You can get this reward only by participating in the rating. Depending on the occupied division, players will receive equipment of various quality (from Stock to Ultimate), as well as weapon parts, heat-resistant parts, and gold. There will be two ratings — for Tier V-VII aircraft there will be a period II rating with period II equipment as a reward, and for Tier VIII+ aircraft there will be a similar period III rating. Players can take part in both ratings simultaneously.
- Week 3: Secret Trials: Turret. Rating criteria — number of personal points earned. The main reward for participation will be some unique equipment — Special project of the U.S.A: Turret Gunsight. You can get this reward only by participating in the rating. Depending on the occupied division, players will receive equipment of various quality (from Stock to Ultimate), as well as weapon parts, flight instruments, and gold. There will be three ratings — for Tier V-VII aircraft there will be a period II rating with period II equipment as a reward, for Tier VIII+ aircraft there will be a similar period III rating. There will also be a separate rating for players flying the Tu-1. Players in the third rating can receive the Tu-1 Radar and a Tu-1 gunner with 3-5 free skill points as a reward. Players can take part in all ratings simultaneously, the results of the battles with the Tu-1 will be simultaneously counted in the period II rating, since this is a Tier VII aircraft.
New Aircraft
German Bombers
- Tier VII-IX aircraft of the German bombers branch (Ju 288A, Ju 288C, Ju 287) are now available for research and purchase via the Tech Tree.
- Tier X aircraft (EF 131) will be available for research and purchase after the end of the Red Comet event that will be held in May.
New Special Reward Aircraft
- The Tupolev Tu-1 — Tier VII U.S.S.R. heavy fighter.
New Equipment
- Navigational Radio Equipment — enhances aircraft concealment and increases its view range from +5% up to +14.6%, decreases the pilot's resistance to injuries from 3% up to 11.4% depending on the quality and calibration degree. Gives additional bonuses when upgraded: increases concealment, firing accuracy, view range, and resistance to AA guns' damage. Mounted in the Cockpit slot. Available to purchase using credits. Can be mounted only on aircraft of period III.
- Tu-1 Radar — the Navigational Radio Equipment analogue that can be mounted only on the Tupolev Tu-1. You can receive it by taking part in the personal rating of the third week flying the Tu-1.
- Special project of the U.S.S.R.: Engine Armor Protection — an improved version of the common Engine Armor Protection equipment. Can be mounted in the Engine slot of period II and III aircraft. Increases engine resistance to critical damage and boosts top speed. Ultimate quality also increases hit points or reduces the chance of fire. You can get it only as a reward for participating in the personal ratings.
- Special project of the U.S.S.R.: Long Gun Barrels — an improved version of the common Long Gun Barrels equipment. Can be mounted in the forward-firing weapons slot of period II and III aircraft. Increases range of fire and burst length. Ultimate quality also increases the damage inflicted by forward-firing weapons or their fire accuracy. You can get it only as a reward for participating in the personal ratings.
- Special project of the U.S.A.: Turret Gunsight — an improved (lend-lease) version of the common Turret Gunsight equipment. Can be mounted in the Turret slot of period II and III aircraft. Increases the turret's range of fire in manual mode, and the gunner's resistance to injuries. Ultimate quality also increases the turret's damage or the chance to cause critical damage. You can get it only as a reward for participating in the personal ratings.