[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/27ec2525d4d40a7e0e0c71a9f0de419b208961d5.gif[/img] Today we’re very happy to introduce the long awaited T77E1 SPAAG for the American ground forces tree! This addition will be finding its way into a lot of lineups when it arrives as part of the next major update. [h2][b]T77E1:[/b] An SPAA for the USA at Rank II[/h2] At a glance: [list] [*] Six .50 cals! [*] Fast turret traverse and high elevation angles, can fire 85 degrees upwards. [*] Gunner and Commander are exposed, but both can fire the guns. [*] Limited anti-tank ability, but great at defeating unarmored vehicles. [/list] [b]Vehicle History[/b] [expand type=details] Development started in July of 1943, when a new SPAAG based on the M24 Chaffee was requested, a modern design at the time which proved to be a malleable platform for additional development opportunities. A mockup was created in December, and two prototypes were ordered in April of 1944 after some design tweaks. The first prototype was designated as the T77 and arrived at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in July 1945. The second prototype was delivered a little later and featured several differences, enough to warrant a new designation: T77E1. Despite displaying impressive ability for its intended purpose, the conclusion of the war and the introduction of jet aircraft deemed the design ineffective for large-scale future use. While the army pursued additional testing into the early 1950s, nothing came of this development, and the prototypes were likely scrapped shortly after. [/expand] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/5494aa35c00a4a9c9de3ffeb76645d723eb514e2.jpg[/img] [h2]Meet the T77E1![/h2] This six-shooter prototype will be arriving at the early ranks of the American ground forces tree in the next major update. The USA has been missing some SPAA diversity in the earlier ranks, so we’re very happy that the T77E1 is ready to join the game, and thanks to its more forgiving attributes, it’ll make a fine partner for several strong lineups well beyond its Battle Rating. We also have something to talk about regarding the Skink and Ram II! So, saddle up, and let’s take a closer look. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/713136f9e49ad3e597fde6577079308d32979c07.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/4c555aca4d5d8242ffd99b298201493a91991e97.jpg[/img] The T77E1 ups the firepower drastically from the M16, featuring six M2 .50 cals in the turret complete with 900 rounds of ammunition each, allowing for long bursts of sustained fire. The platform is also impressively equipped for combating low-flying aircraft on the spur of the moment — it can point upwards almost vertically at 85 degrees, in addition to having a fast traverse speed of 65 degrees per second with a top crew!  Since the internal workings take up a fair bit of room, the gunner and commander are positioned slightly outside of the turret. Their plexiglass housing offers no tangible protection against incoming fire, but as the T77E1 features tandem controls, both crew members can fire the guns, so if the gunner is knocked out the commander can keep firing! While the hull remains functionally identical to the regular M24 Chaffee, the turret protection is reduced. The overall thickness is 12.7 mm, or half an inch — the same thickness as the M18 — enough to withstand small arms fire but not much else. Thanks to the Chaffee hull, the T77E1 maintains the same impressive mobility, allowing it to traverse the map and reposition quickly to remain less predictable. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/491e780ff50ebf560560fe0c2acc45bb511e7eb2.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/1dcb0fdef902c0dbdd2c77d4b95634d6785091df.jpg[/img] The T77E1 will remain a fairly comfortable SPAA to use, its sustained fast traverse speed will make tracking enemy aircraft nice and easy. The six guns will also accommodate for some degree of inaccuracy thanks to their wide spread of fire, meaning enemy aircraft should think twice before a standoff with this one! [h2]Skink and M4A5 (Ram II)[/h2] [b]USA gets:[/b] Skink [b]Great Britain gets:[/b] Ram II But that’s not all. In addition to the T77E1, we’ll be adding the much-loved Skink to the American tree in the next major update too! As part of this Canadian exchange, the Ram II will also be added to the British tree as a premium, with this one receiving a unique Canadian skin. [h3][b]Both vehicles will not be removed from their current trees.[/b][/h3] [b]Developer note:[/b] We’d like to note that the addition of the Skink to the American tree is not in place of any other unique vehicle — we have more SPAA planned for the tree and the Skink is just a bonus on top. The Skink will add more gameplay options and diversify lineups for the USA, and the Ram II has been requested for Great Britain for a while now, so this is a great opportunity for them to receive it. That’s all from us today, the T77E1 will be arriving with the Skink to the American ground forces tree in the next major update to help keep the skies clear, with Great Britain also receiving the premium Ram II. We’ll see you again for more news on new vehicles and features in the near future, enjoy your matches and see you again soon! [i]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/i]