2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,200 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

The Storch has landed

The Storch will be the first scout plane in Aces High

Aces High is about to introduce the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch in the next version update.  The Storch represents a new class of aircraft in the game – the observer plane, a.k.a liaison or spotter aircraft.

Well regarded for its amazing STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capability and great all around visibility, it was a real workhorse but was most famous for its use in the raid at Gran Sasso that rescued Mussolini.
 
In game it will be available from vehicle bases and ports in addition to airfields.  The next version will have a reduction in vehicle icon ranges from aircraft but the Storch will benefit from a longer vehicle icon range capability making it valuable for battlefield recon and support.

It will also be able to deploy smoke grenades as markers and can land but not drop vehicle supplies.  On top of that it’s also just a lot of fun to fly.
 
Cactuskooler did a nice job on this skin with a paint scheme from Aufklarung Gruppe 32.  It carries a stork emblem on the cowling. 

It was nicknamed the Storch, German for stork, because of the long gangly landing gear that resembled a stork’s legs. Check the screenshots at http://www.hitechcreations.com/News/Announcements/fi-156-storch-screenshots.html

New Aces High Version Released: 2.26 Patch 1 just out

A new version of Aces High is now available for download.  You can update via the in-game autoupdater.  Read the 2.26 Patch 1 information page for more for details on manually updating and changes in the new version.

Version 2.25 Patch 0 Changes

Added the P-40F and P-40N. Thanks to cactuscooler for the skins. Completely revised P-40 flight modeling from the ground up. Changed the P-40B designation to a P-40C.

Added the Panzer IV F and updated the Panzer IV H. Thanks to Greebo for these skins. Added the M-18 Hellcat. Changed the muzzle flash on tank guns to emit smoke.

New Panzer IV Ausf F/1 and 2 and updated IV Ausf H

The short barreled Panzer IV Ausf F2

We have updated the Panzer IV Ausf H for the next version of Aces High.  We will also be introducing a new earlier Panzer IV variant, the Ausf F.  The new variant can be outfitted as an F1 with the short barreled 75mm KwK37 L/24 or as an F2 with the more powerful KwK40 L/43.

Greebo made both of these skins.  The Ausf F skin is a tank from the 14th Panzer Division operating in Southern Russia in 1942.  The Ausf H paint scheme is from the 2nd Panzer Division based in France in the Spring of 1944.

The down-under bird: P-40N Warhawk just landed!

The P-40N

We’re completing out the P-40 Warhawk lineup in Aces High with the P-40N. This will give us a good coverage of the P-40 variants and make the Special Events guys and skinners especially happy, not to mention the Aussies and Kiwis.

The P-40N was the last production version of the P-40. It was also the most produced variant in the family with over 5200 built.  

Cactuskooler again made this very cool skin. The paint scheme of this aircraft is “Lucky”, flown by Lt. Richard West of the 35th Fighter Squadron of the 8th Fighter Group.

This a low-flying Hellcat… Introducing the M-18 Hellcat!

The M-18 Hellcat

Introducing the M-18 Hellcat, the first tank destroyer in Aces High coming soon.  The M-18 Hellcat was the fastest tracked AFV of WW2 with a top speed in excess of 50 mph.

In addition to its high speed it has respectable firepower from its 76mm M1A1 – the same main gun used on the M4A3(76). 

The downside is that it is extremely vulnerable to enemy fire with its open top turret and thin armor. The smart player will avoid slugging it out with tanks and instead use speed and cover to outflank and ambush its opponents.

The P-40F Warhawk is coming!

The new Merlin P-40F Warhawk

We’re not done with the P-40′s yet!  We’re still adding to and revising the P-40 line-up in Aces High.  Introducing the Merlin powered P-40F. 

The Merlin engine provides better performance at altitude than the other Allison powered P-40s. Cactuskooler made this great looking skin.  The paint scheme of this aircraft is “Sweet Bets” flown by Lt. Charles “Jazz” Jaslow of the 87th Fighter Squadron of the 79th Fighter Group.

The return of the King…

The most perfect killing machine to move on tracks...

Introducing the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf B, a.k.a. Tiger II, King Tiger, Königstiger, Tiger B, Panzer VI Ausf B, Royal Tiger, the Lord Humongous, warrior of the wasteland, the ayatollah of rock-n-rolla!  Ok, maybe not the last few but anything with that many names has got to be pretty bad- the Leroy Brown kind of bad.  And so it is.  It combines thick sloped armor with the most powerful main gun in the game to date, the 88mm KwK 43 L/71.  If it was marketed to civilians, it would have been called the 88mm Ultra Magnum.

While it may be the apex predator in tank to tank battles, don’t leave your air superiority at home and remember “front toward enemy” doesn’t just apply to claymore mines. 

Salute to Greebo again for his wonderful work on the skin.  This paint scheme is from SS Panzer Abteilungen 103 based in Budapest Hungary 1945.  Coming soon to an arena near you.

New Tiger on the prowl…

Though but not invincible. The new Tiger will keep claiming his rights on the field.

Get ready for a new Tiger tank in the online tank battles of Aces High.  The Panzer VI Ausf E / Tiger I has been updated for the next version!  Thanks to Greebo for making this gorgeous skin. 

This paint scheme is from SS Panzer Abteilungen 102 based in Normandy June/July 1944.  As you saw in Saving Private Ryan, beware of guys with .45′s shooting at you and bombs, but mostly bombs.

The Warhawk is on the warpath!

The newly upgraded P40-E will take off with the next version release.

The P-40E has undergone a shape update for the next version.  This is Cactuskooler’s inaugural skin as a member of the Skinner Team and he did a great job on this skin.  The paint scheme of this aircraft is “Bob’s Robin” flown by Lt. Bob Vaught of the 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group.