Would you want to see NI-1 in War Thunder?
- Definitely
- Nope
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I would like to suggest adding the Odessian NI tank (NI-1 / “Na Ispug” – For Intimidation) as a USSR event vehicle in War Thunder.
Historical Background
The Odessian NI tank was created during the Siege of Odessa in August–October 1941, when Soviet forces defending the city faced a critical shortage of armored vehicles. With regular tank production impossible and reinforcements limited, local authorities and factory workers were ordered to improvise armored vehicles using whatever materials were available.
The base vehicle chosen was the STZ-5 artillery tractor, which was already present in large numbers and had good low-speed torque for moving heavy loads. Steel plates were welded onto the tractor’s chassis, often sourced from shipyards, railway depots, and industrial workshops, resulting in uneven armor quality and thickness. Turrets were hastily constructed, sometimes rotating manually, and armament varied depending on what weapons could be obtained locally.
Production was small-scale and rushed, with estimates generally ranging from 40 to around 70 vehicles built, though exact numbers remain unclear due to incomplete wartime records. Crews were often recruited from militia units and factory workers, many of whom had little prior armored combat experience.
The NI tank earned its nickname “Na Ispug” (“For Intimidation”) because its primary value was not raw combat effectiveness but psychological impact. During early engagements, especially at night, the sudden appearance of armored vehicles accompanied by noise and gunfire reportedly caused confusion among Axis troops, who initially overestimated the strength of Soviet armored forces in the area.
Despite their limitations, NI tanks were actively used in combat, supporting infantry attacks, patrolling urban areas, and reinforcing defensive positions. Their service life was short; many were destroyed, abandoned, or dismantled during the evacuation of Odessa in October 1941. Very few, if any, survived the war.
Today, the NI tank stands as a symbol of desperation, ingenuity, and industrial improvisation, representing the extreme measures taken during the early months of the Eastern Front when time, resources, and equipment were critically scarce.
Armor
The NI tank used crude, improvised armor that varied between vehicles:
• Front: ~10–20 mm
• Sides: ~8–15 mm
• Rear: ~8–10 mm
The armor was uneven and poorly angled, offering protection mainly against small arms and some machine-gun fire, while remaining vulnerable to cannons and anti-tank rifles.
Armament
• 37 mm cannon (on some variants)
• Secondary machine guns on certain versions
The 37 mm gun would give the NI tank usable penetration at very low battle ratings, while its limitations would keep it balanced.
Mobility
• Chassis: STZ-5 artillery tractor
• Top speed: ~19 mph / ~30 km/h
Acceleration was poor, but torque allowed acceptable off-road mobility for a defensive vehicle.
Variants and Configurations
One of the most interesting aspects of the NI tank is that no two vehicles were exactly the same. Due to their improvised nature, multiple configurations existed:
• Vehicles armed with 37 mm cannons
• Versions equipped only with machine guns or lighter weapons
• Different turret shapes, including simple box turrets and open mounts
• Variations in armor layout and thickness
This variety would allow Gaijin to choose a specific historically plausible configuration for balance, while also leaving room for future variants or event rewards.
Here are pictures of different variations of the tank
Why It Should Be Added
• Historically significant: Symbol of Soviet improvisation in 1941
• Highly iconic: One of the most recognizable improvised tanks of WWII
• Unique gameplay: A slow, intimidating vehicle with a real cannon
• Ideal event vehicle: Too unconventional for the standard tech tree
Similar Vehicles Already in War Thunder
War Thunder already includes comparable low-tier vehicles with similar or better armament and armor. Examples include early light tanks and improvised or lightly armored vehicles that mount small-caliber cannons (37 mm or similar) with armor in the 10–20 mm range. Vehicles such as early reserve tanks and tractor-based or lightly armored designs show that the NI tank would not be out of place in terms of firepower or survivability, especially at BR 1.0–1.3. This establishes clear precedent for its inclusion and supports that it would be balanced and fair in gameplay.
Event Timing (Important)
If implemented as an event vehicle, it should be released around early September, ideally around September 1st, to commemorate the first combat appearance of the NI tank in September 1941 during the defense of Odessa.
Battle Rating & Role
• Suggested BR: 1.0 – 1.3
• Role: Early-game assault / support / novelty vehicle
Conclusion
The Odessian NI tank would be a historically grounded, iconic, and unique addition to War Thunder. As a September event vehicle, it would combine historical commemoration with interesting low-BR gameplay.
More media
Sources
NI tank - Wikipedia — General overview, production, speed, and chassis info. 
• Odessa Tank / NI - Tank Encyclopedia — Detailed history, armor thickness (10–20 mm), armament variations, production estimates. 
• https://www.wardrawings.be/WW2/Files/1-Vehicles/Allies/2-USSR/01-LightTanks/NI/NI.htm — Armor thickness (~9.5 mm), speed (~7 km/h), production numbers. 
• NI Tank (Odessa Tank): Photos, History, Specification — Combat use date, production numbers, speed, crew. 
• NI tank — Armor, production range, manufacturing context. 
• https://www.warhistoryonline.com/history/soviet-ni-1-improvised-tank.html — Armor range (10–20 mm), speed estimates, construction details. 
• The most unusual tank in WWII — Armor effectiveness and combat use story. 
Additional Context / Background
• Add the Odessian NI Tank as a USSR Event Vehicle — Example of a War Thunder forum suggestion (not a primary historical source). 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpNpk15-eAs — Video overview comparing NI tank to other improvised AFVs. 
also here are the blueprints for one of the versions of the NI-1
