"STEEL THUNDER" GUIDE / FAQ / WALKTHROUGH V0.441
Written by Bamse 2003 mN while relaxing at Rancho Zoidberg.
Based on the original Commodore 64 game by Accolade released in 1988.
Played on the CCS64 V2.0 Beta Emulator for the Commodore 64.
Table of content:
1. Introduction
2. About "Steel Thunder"
3. Getting Familiar With "Steel Thunder"
3.1. The Tanks
3.2. The Armament
3.3. The Different Tank Stations *Not Yet Completed*
3.4. The Theatres Of War *Not Yet Completed*
3.5. The Enemy Units *Not Yet Completed*
3.6. The Promotion Ranks *Not Yet Completed*
4. Playing "Steel Thunder"
4.1. Emulator Issues *Not Yet Completed*
4.2. The Keyboard Control
4.3. A Driving Lesson
4.4. A Shooting Lesson
4.5. General Gameplay Hints
5. Mission Guide
5.1. Cuba
5.2. Syria *Not Yet Completed*
5.3. West Germany *Not Yet Completed*
6. Frequently Asked Questions
6.1. Questions and Answers *Not Yet Completed*
6.2. Abbreviations *Not Yet Completed*
7. About This Document
8. History
### 1. Introduction
This Guide / Walkthrough / FAQ is written due to the lack of information on
this special game available on the Internet. If you have something to add or
complain about feel free to mail.
!This version is still full of mistakes & far from being complete or 100%
accurate - so any help will be appreciated!
### 2. About "Steel Thunder"
"Steel Thunder - American Battle Tank Simulator" has been released in 1988 for
the Commodore 64 by Accolade, Inc. and later found it�s re-release for IBM
compatible PCs.
It�s a tank simulation giving you the command over one of four selectable tanks
of the U.S. Army. It has enough depth and variety to teach you the basics of
tank operation and strategy and offers plenty of ways to test and perfect those
skills. Besides, it�s the best and most accurate tank simulation on the
Commodore 64.
### 3. Getting Familiar With "Steel Thunder"
## 3.1. The Tanks
There are four different tanks for you to choose. The choice depends on the
special conditions and objectives of the upcoming mission.
# 3.1.1. M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
"The M1A1 Abrams has armor impervious to almost all anti-tank weapons. It moves
like lightning and hits with its first shot even while going 70 mph
cross-country. The high-tech gunsights see targets under all conditions."
The M1A1 Abrams carries 40 rounds for its potent gun. Its amazing speed and
thick armor help in defeating heavy enemy tanks. Use it if you expect to fight
a lot of T80s.
Weapons: 120mm Main Gun
.50 Caliber Machine Gun
2x .30 Caliber Machine Gun
Armor: Heavy Composite Armor
Speed: 90 Mph
Crew: 4
# 3.1.2. M60A3 Main Battle Tank
"The M60A3 is a mainstay of US reserve armor, with a stabilized 105mm gun and a
superb all-weather gunsight. It has good armor and decent speed."
The M60A3 carries more big rounds than other tanks and is well-armored, but is
not the fastest. Use the M60A3 against light armor and older tanks.
Weapons: 105mm Main Gun
.50 Caliber Machine Gun
.30 Caliber Machine Gun
Armor: 4.8 Heavy Steel Armor
Speed: 50 Mph
Crew: 4
# 3.1.3. M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
"The M3 Bradley is a fast, lightly armored scout/attack vehicle designed to
support the heavier tanks. Its TOW missiles destroy any target."
The M3 Bradley is fast and carries a lot of rounds, but is thinly armored. Use
it to mop up hoards of infantry and light armor, but steer clear of tanks.
Weapons: 25mm Chain Gun
Twin TOW Missile Launcher
.30 Caliber Machine Gun
Armor: Light Spaced Armor
Speed: 60 Mph
Crew: 5
# 3.1.4. M48A5 Patton
The M48A5 Patton has a big gun to dispatch light armor and bunkers, but it
lacks gun stabilization, high speed and night / thermal sight. Try it on some
easy day mission.
Weapons: 105mm Main Gun
.50 Caliber Machine Gun
.30 Caliber Machine Gun
Armor: 4.8" Heavy Steel Armor
Speed: 30 Mph
Crew: 4
## 3.2. The Armament
# 3.2.1. Types Of Ammuniton
You have to distinguish between three types of ammunition: missiles, rounds
(shells) and bullets. The only missiles available in the game are the TOW
missiles of the M3 Bradley. Rounds (shells) are used with the tanks main gun,
bullets are used with the tanks machine gun.
# 3.2.1.1. Missiles
TOW-2 Missiles: Effective Range: 71 - 4000 Yards (All In Sight)
Max. Firing Rate: 3 Rpm
TOW (Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire guided) missiles destroy any
target.
# 3.2.1.2. Main Gun Rounds
25mm AP Chain Gun: Effective Range: 0 - 2500 Yards
Max. Firing Rate: 200 Rpm
AP (Armor Piercing) rounds will puncture lightly armored vehicles.
Can not pierce bunkers or heavy tanks.
25mm HE Chain Gun: Effective Range: 0 - 2500 Yards
Max. Firing Rate: 200 Rpm
HE (High Explosive) rounds are useful against soft targets.
Can not pierce bunkers or heavy tanks.
105mm / 120mm APFSDS: Effective Range: ???
Max Firing Rate: ???
APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot) rounds are useful
to destroy heavy tanks.
105mm / 120mm HEAT: Effective Range: ???
Max Firing Rate: ???
HEAT (High Exposive Anti-Tank) rounds are used to blast everything except
heavy tanks and bunkers.
105mm / 120mm HEP: Effective Range: ???
Max Firing Rate: ???
HEP (High Exposive Plastic) rounds are useful against bunkers.
105mm / 120mm APERS: Effective Range: ???
Max Firing Rate: ???
APERS (Anti-Personnel) rounds mow down infantry.
# 3.2.1.3. Machine Gun Rounds
.50mm Caliber Machine Gun: Effective Range: 0 - 1996 Yards
Max. Firing Rate: 600 Rpm
Useful against soft targets and thin armor.
.30mm Caliber Machine Gun: Effective Range: 0 - 2250 Yards
Max. Firing Rate: 900 Rpm
The coaxial machine guns main purpose is to defeat enemy infantry.
# 3.2.1.4. Other
Smoke Mortars: Defense weapon to throw 3 smoke grenades at once to hide your
tank in fumes.
# 3.2.2. Armament Of The Available Tanks
# 3.2.2.1. Armament Of The M1A1
# 3.2.2.2. Armament Of The M60A3
# 3.2.2.3. Armament Of The M3
# 3.2.2.4. Armament Of The M48A5
# 3.2.3. External Armor
Final preparation before starting the mission is to choose an external armor
appliable to any of the four selectable tanks. The choice should correspond to
the expected main enemy armament of that mission.
Blazer Reactive Armor: Explosive boxes defeat HEAT rounds and missiles.
Extra Tank Treads: Helps against HEP and small AP and HEAT rounds.
Sand Bags: Helps against HEP and small HEAT rounds and missiles.
None: No extra external armor.
## 3.3. The Different Tank Stations
## 3.4. The Theatres Of War
# 3.4.1. Cuba
# 3.4.2. Syria
# 3.4.3. West Germany
## 3.5. The Enemy Units
Infantry: 3 are considered as one target
Mortar:
Bunkers: heavy armored
Headquarters: heavy armored
Scouts:
BTR-70: 12.7mm Cannon
PT-76: 76mm Gun
BMP-2 30mm Gun
T62A: heavy armored
T80: heavy armored
SA-9:
Frog-7:
### 4. Playing "Steel Thunder"
## 4.2. Emulator Issues
## 4.2. The Keyboard Control
Since the original manual provides you with an already complete explanation of
the game-keys this section only deals with the slightly different keys of
emulated versions due to the differences between the old C64 keyboard and
nowadays pc keyboards. Note that the keys correspond to the European keyboard
layout only!
Also keep in mind that certain options are only available in certain tanks
(e.g. the TOW launcher is only implemented in the M3 Bradley).
4 Driving Section
5 Weapon Section A (TOW, Gun, Sight, Filter, Zoom)
6 Weapon Section B (Turret, Smoke, Aux, Gun)
7 Damage Overview
8 Stores & Scores
9 Map
TAB Return To HQ (Mission End / Abort)
^ Energy On / Off
1 Engine On / Off
2 MP On / Off
Left Control Turret Power On / Off
. Sight Normal / Zoom
, Sight Day / TTS
M Filter Clear / SMTRI / Filter
N Fire Control Computer
B EL or Hyd Normal / Manual
V Stabilizer On / Off
C TOW Launcher Up / Down
Y Smoke Mortars Ready / Safe
Backspace ES ??? On / Off
X Aux On / Off
F1 Throw Smoke Mortars
F3 Weapon Select Main / Machine Gun
F5 Laser Ranging or Main / Machine Gun ??? Ss / Lo / Hi
F7 Ammunition Select AP / HE
Right Shift Turret Turning Sensitivity Rough / Medium / Precise
Home Fire Extinguisher
Return "Gunner, Identify"
Space "Gunner, Target" / "Cease Fire"
0 "Driver, Straight"
Insert "Driver, Backwards"
� "Driver, Circle"
� "Driver, Close On Target"
## 4.3. A Driving Lesson
Using the M3 Bradley we first turn on the tanks energy (^), then its engine
(1). After some seconds all lights turn to green and we are ready to move. We
can now accelerate (Joystick Up), slow down until the tank stops or drives
backwards (Joystick Down) and turn left or right (Joystick left / Joystick
Right). Don�t worry, you can not hit any object while driving, even if you dash
midship towards your own headquarter.
## 4.4. A Shooting Lesson
To see what the following keys do we switch from the driving view to weapon
section A (5). We turn on the turrets power (Left Control), then we ready the
smoke mortars (Y) to be prepared. To make aiming easier we turn on the gun
stabilizer (V) and switch the EL ??? to normal (B). If neccessary we change the
sight from normal to thermal (,) or the filter from clear to SMTRI or filtered
(M).
We can also turn on the TOW launcher (C) we are about to use but keep in mind
that your driver refuses to drive with the launcher up. But since we drive by
ourselves we keep it on. In fact, it�s quite useful because than we can, while
full speed driving, switch over to the weapon stations and have the tank
stopped without slowing down manually.
Before shooting at a target we always have it identified by our gunner (Return)
since we never shoot friendly units. He can even identify objects only a pixel
in size, but he tends to identify units as rubble when any destroyed object is
with it in the scope or the sight is not clear of smoke. In that case we adjust
the scope until the desired unit is the only object in sight, even if only one
pixel of it is seen at the verge of the scope.
### 5. The Missions
## 5.1. Cuba
# 5.1.0. 4A71 - Rest And Relaxation
Primary Objective: Relaxe
Enemy Forces Around Target: None
Difficulty Level: None
Promotion: None
Medal: None
Not a mission. By taking it you reject the "real" ones and cancel.
# 5.1.1. 4A72 - Destroy An Enemy Mortar Post
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Mortars
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: Mortars, Infantry, PT-76
Difficulty Level: Very Easy, Practice Mission
Promotion: None
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
Take the recommended M3 and load as much TOW missiles as you can (21 that is)
and head northeast until you pass the friendly US tank platoon. Keep driving
northeast while checking the horizon north to east with the gunsight (zoom is
not neccessary) until the first enemies appear in sight. Have them identified
and than destroyed via TOW while they are still only a few pixels in size.
Drive stop-and-go-like closer to the area to have new enemies come in sight.
After destroying 3 mortars your mission is accomplished, but destroy any
target in that area to have the mission be perfect.
To improve your statistics you can now defeat other targets shown on the map
with your remaining TOW missiles the same way you destroyed the mortars.
Keep an eye on approaching BTR-70s or BMP-2s, they can surely inflict some
damage to your M3.
This mission will give you the oportunity to get familiar with the steering and
systems of "Steel Thunder"�s simulated tanks (see the "4.3. Gameplay Tips"
section for details).
# 5.1.2. 4A73 - Stop An Advancing Enemy Patrol
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Patrol
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: BTR-70, Infantry
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Promotion: Sergeant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
Quickly dash north until you reach the target area. Sneak forward while
permanently checking the northern horizon with the scope. At length you see 3 -
4 BTR-70s which should be destroyed via TOW before they start making trouble.
Defeating 3 BTR-70s will be enough to complete the mission, but make sure to
wipe out the entire patrol, including the 4 - 5 infantries.
Again, you can improve your statistics by destroying other targets around the
area with your remaining ammunition.
# 5.1.3. 4A74 - Eliminate Enemy Scouts
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Scouts
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: Infantry, Scouts, PT-76
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Promotion: Sergeant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
Head pass the U.S. tank platoon east towards the primary target. Shoot 3
scouts as soon as they get in sight to accomplish this mission, but also kill
the enemy infantry. Avoid to get too far south until all units of the primary
target are destroyed.
If you feel like shooting you now can turn south to encountern an enemy BTR-70
and BMP-2 platoon. Waste your remaining TOWs on them. But approach carefully,
don�t get into their weapon-range.
# 5.1.4. 4A75 - Destroy An Enemy Mortar Post
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Mortars
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: Mortars, Infantry, PT-76
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Promotion: Staff Sergeant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
Again, head northeast until you pass the friendly US tank platoon. Keep driving
northeast while checking the horizon until the first enemies appear in the
scope. Destroy them via TOW. After defeating 3 mortars your mission is
accomplished, but destroy any target in that area to have the mission be
perfect.
# 5.1.5. 4A76 - Ambush A Supply Convoy
Primary Objective: Destroy Supply Convoy
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: BTR-70, BMP-2, Truck, SA-9
Difficulty Level: Easy
Promotion: Staff Sergeant
Medal: Yes
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
One can not avoid to meet enemy units before reaching the primary target. Take
the route east right through the friendly U.S. tank platoon, then heading
rather through the enemy scouts than the BTR-70s and BMP-2s north of them along
the way. Crack the scouts with TOW missiles and the surrounding infantry via
chain gun. Always have an eye to the north and south to prevent BTR-70s from
closing in. If they do, use TOW missiles to stop them.
After defeating the scouts and passing the area look out for the convoy you
approach from the southwest. Altogether there are 4 trucks, 2 BMP-2s, 2 BTR-70
and a SA-9 forming this convoy, start defeating the BTR-70s and BMP-2 first!
# 5.1.6. 4A77 - Disable Enemy Communications
Primary Objective: Destroy Communication Posts
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: T62A, BTR-70, BMP-2, Mortars, Infantry,
Communication Post
Difficulty Level: Easy
Promotion: 2nd Lieutenant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
Dash northeast until you reach the friendly U.S. tank platoon, then head east.
On your way to the primary target you get very close to first a BTR-70s and
BMP-2 column in the south, then a group of enemy infantry and mortars in the
north. Stop once in a while and check the south then north for any enemy units.
Wipe them out before they start attacking you. If you�re good at aiming with
the TOW launcher you can defeat them with TOWs, there will be enough left to
destroy your primary target.
Make sure there are no units surviving south and north before you head on to
the communication posts, or they will make lots of trouble and damage with a
pincers attack while you concentrate on destroying the troops around the
communication posts east.
Around the posts there will be at least one T62a and some BMP-2 with infantry -
have them destroyed first. One destroyed communication post will be enough to
complete the mission, but again: leave no units alive.
# 5.1.7. 4A78 - Disrupt An Armored Column
Primary Objective: Destroy Tank Platoon
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: T62A, BTR-70, BMP-2, PT-76, SA-9, Truck
Difficulty Level: Easy
Promotion: 2nd Lieutenant
Medal: Yes
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
This time you should neither take the direct nor the fast way to your primary
target, but the elegant one avoiding as much combat as possible. So head
southeast past the U.S. tank platoon until you reach the lower border of the
map. Then head east right towards the enemy BTR-70s and BMP-2 column. Destroy
all eight units.
Dash on eastwards and follow the road shown in the map "in a bow" towards the
primary target avoiding to get close to any other enemy forces displayed on the
map. West of San Luis, north along your way, you should then encounter a secret
enemy convoy of one BTR-70 and five trucks not shown on the map. Destroy the
BTR-70 with your TOW and the trucks with your chain gun.
Drive on "following" the road northwards until eventually the tank column gets
in sight of your scope. There are five BTR-70 and two T62A which should be
dealt with first. Your mission will be completed by then, but don�t forget
about the remaining PT-76 and SA-9 to have the column wiped out entirely.
## 5.2. Syria
# 5.2.0. 5A71 - Rest And Relaxation
Primary Objective: Relaxe
Enemy Forces Around Target: None
Difficulty Level: None
Promotion: None
Medal: None
Not a mission. By taking it you reject the "real" ones and cancel.
# 5.1.1. 5A72 - Destroy Enemy Headquarters
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Headquarters
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: T80, T62A, BTR-70, BMP-2, PT-76, Frog-7, Bunker,
Headquarter
Difficulty Level: Moderate, Practice Mission
Promotion: None
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
On this mission you have to spare your precious TOW missiles for the T80s,
T62As and bunkers. Have these targets be destroyed as soon as they appear in
sight using the TOW missiles, then switch to your chain gun using AP for the
softer targets. But keep at least 4 TOW missiles left to crack the headquarters
otherwise your mission can not be completed!
So first head east to the enemy platoon consisting of about six BMP-2s and one
or two PT-76s and have it annihilated using the chain gun. Then head northeast
to the enemy bunkers. Destroy the five bunkers using TOW missiles after you got
rid off the surrounding T80 and T62A. Also destroy the BMP-2s and BTR-70 in
that area.
You now should have about 14 TOW missiles left, enough for the remaining enemy
forces. Head quite straight east towards your primary target avoiding the
troops in the north and south. Since you can not be sure of the exact position
of these troops you should occationally check the northern and southern area.
When you reach the headquarters make sure to crack any T80 and T62A before you
waste your remaining TOW missiles on the enemy headquarters - after destroying
two of the three the mission is already accomplished.
# 5.1.2. 5A73 - Destroy An Oil Depot
Primary Objective: Destroy Oil Depot
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: T62A, BMP-2, PT-76, Oil Depot
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Promotion: 1st Lieutenant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: Extra Tank Treads
Take the direct way through the two US platoons east then southeast towards the
oil depot. You won�t be able to avoid meeting enemy forces either north or
south along the way so keep your eyes open. It can be a bit tricky, because one
of the enemy platoons will be behind your own troops making it hard for the
gunner to identify them. Keep in mind that a moving unit is a hostile unit and
don�t shoot friendly units!
The oil depot itself isn�t that much of a problem. Have the patroling T62As,
BMP-2s and PT-76s easily cracked from afar with your TOW missiles, but keep
five missiles for the oil tanks though only three of them must be destroyed to
complete the mission.
# 5.1.3. 5A74 - Blow Up An Ammunition Dump
Primary Objective: Destroy Ammunition Bunkers
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target: T80, T62A, BRT-70, BMP-2, PT-7, Bunker
Difficulty Level: Easy
Promotion: 1st Lieutenant
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: Sand Bags
Move east, leaving the US platoon south of you, until you see the first units
of the enemy BMP-2 column southwest of your primary target. Destroy the six
BMP-2s and two PT-7 from afar via TOW missiles, then move on northeast avoiding
the troops northwest of the ammunition dump.
Around your target there are some hostile tanks, BMP-2s and one or two BTR-70.
Defeat them on sight before you deal with the five bunkers. You should have
enough TOW missiles left for all of them.
# 5.1.4. 5A75 - Ambush An Enemy Supply Convoy
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy Convoy
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target:
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Promotion: Captain
Medal: None
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
---
# 5.1.5. 5A76 - Disable An Enemy SAM Installation
Primary Objective: Destroy Enemy SAM Site
Secondary Objective: None
Enemy Forces Around Target:
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Promotion: Captain
Medal: Yes
Selected Tank: M3 Bradley
Armament: 750 AP Rounds
750 HE Rounds
21 TOW
800 .30mm Caliber Rounds
External Additional Armor: None
---
### 6. Frequently Asked Questions
## 6.1.
## 6.2. Abbreviations
AP: [Weapon] Armor Piercing Rounds
APC: [Unit] Armored Personal Carrier
APERS: [Weapon] Anti-Personnel Rounds
APFSDS: [Weapon] Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot Rounds
AUX: [System]
BTR-70: [Unit]
BMP-2: [Unit]
EL: [System]
ES: [System]
FROG-7: [Unit]
HE: [Weapon] High Explosive Rounds
HEAT: [Weapon] High Exposive Anti-Tank Rounds
HEP: [Weapon] High Exposive Plastic Rounds
HQ: [Unit] Headquarter
MP: [System]
PT-76: [Unit]
SA-9: [Unit]
SAM: [Unit]
SMTRI: [System]
SS: [System]
STA: [System] Stabilizer
T62A: [Unit]
T80: [Unit]
TOW: [Weapon] Tube Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire Guided Missiles
TTS: [System] Tank Thermal Sight
### 7. About This Document ###
Initiated on September the 27th 2003 mN, written & copyright by Bamse.
E-Mail: bamse2000@gmx.de
### 8. History ###
27.09.2003mN Guide created
30.09.2003mN Cuba completed, weapons added, Abbr. added
02.10.2003mN Syria started
-eof-
