Default install from Steam works as is.

However, default graphics is very poor without changing in-game settings. The game is designed for 4:3 aspect ratio and distortion degrades UI and game screen in wide-screen (16:9) or ultra-wide (21:9) monitors leading to awkward covered menu items and part of HUD hidden from view in-game.

In-game graphics can be partially improved with changing video setting but as the main menu runs off the executable start.exe and the missions run off a different executable, bin/rel/shell.exe, the menu screens are still messed up.

Moving on to install Japanese Community Mod is strongly recommended for a more enjoyable experience and more game missions.

1. goto the JCM web site[wikiwiki.jp] - Google Translated[translate.google.com]
   
2. download item #1 and #2 from the site (illustrated on the screenshot shown below)
   
3. extract item #1 and move resulting folder into MODS folder of SF game directory
   
4. use JSGME program in games directory and inactivate the two default mods - Compass_mod.v02 and Unofficial_patch_SF_v0.1_eng
   
5. use JSGME to activate JCM - you may add numbers to the folder to help remember which to activate first like I did below
   
   
6. use the downloaded 4g_patch.exe (item #2) to patch start.exe and bin\rel\shell.exe as suggested by the JCM site (correct me if anyone knows if this is redundant with the Steam version)
   
7. the game should now be compatible with 16:9 wide screen both in game play and in the menus
   
8. other items at the JCM site are optional

• Select a 16:9 format even if you have a 21:9 monitor as the STA2.2+JCM mod only support up to 16:9 aspect ratio
  
• Uncheck Use Desktop Resolution - if you have an ultrawide (21:9) monitor. Having this on stretches and distorts the 16:9 aspect ratio to fit the 21:9 screen and mess with Center over player tank in map

The version that comes with the Steam install is version 1.5.0.60.
The newest version is 2.6.0 (Google for it).
There are new features, including temporarily inactivating game files, used in one of the mods below.

Requires a newer version of JSGME.

1. in the MODS folder, create a series of nested subfolders like this: 902_skip_intro_movie\data\k42\loc_rus\videos
   
2. inside the last folder, the videos folder, create a blank file with name : intro.ogg-remove (make sure there is no extra hidden extension as Windows Explorer hides extensions by default)
   
3. Use JSGME to activate this mod. Should be OK in any order.

This is handy as a backup that you can go back to just by reactivating the mod with JSGME. This will flush any new changes and revert back to the settings in the backup. Great when you are experimenting with config tweaks.

1. in the MODS folder, create a series of nested subfolders like this: 991-jcm_personal_settings\data\k42\loc_rus\config
   
2. once you have SF working the way you like, copy of the config.engcfg from the Steel Fury Kharkov 1942\data\k42\loc_rus\config directory into the last folder (config) in the sequence of directories you created above
   
3. actiivate the mod with JSGME as the very last mod.

1. Incorporate Steel Tank Add-on 2.2 (no extra installation)
   
2. Integrated wide-screen compatibility (no extra mod but still lacking ultrawide 21:9 screen support as of 2021)
   
3. More campaigns and missions
   
4. Graphics enhancements, playable vehicles, skins, equipment and infantry
   
5. Additional batch files in game directory to facilitate mission editing and swapping default tank for missions, expanding game play
   

1. The most centralized source at this time, 2022, is at the JCM site[wikiwiki.jp]. There is no English forum there. Use site via Google Translate[translate.google.com] to dive into the different areas on the left nav-bar and explore. You can find lots of info not covered in the sparse game manual.
   
2. Another source is the Iron Task Mod[2021-itmtank.forumgamers.net] forum where old hands can answer your questions. I have found very knowledgeable and helpful people there,

Thanks to all the people who put in tons of work to make STA and JCM available. STA2.2+JCM expanded playable units from 3 in stock game to 191 and many extra missions. Quite a few who contributed to STA live in Ukraine. At this time of upheaval, join me to pray for their safety.