Sunday 29 March 2015

The case of the missing aircraft.






Anyone who is currently playing World of Warplanes, starting around tier IV and up, has probably run into this aircraft, the tier VI Bell P-39Q-15 Airacobra, either on their own team or as an opponent.

Released with the 1.4 update, in June, 2014, this Premium aircraft was last seen in November 2013, during the closing days of Open Beta. The plane was removed from all accounts that had it when the game released to 1.0.

Readily available for 3550 Gold through the ingame store, or just under $25 US through the portal Gift Shop, it isn't so much of a rare sight.





Now, here is something you don't see everyday, unless you were around to purchase it, when it was available. The tier V Bell XFL-1 Airabonita was part of a pre-order package that was only on sale until November, 2013. For $100 US, it was the most expensive of the three packages being offered, but it also included 8000 Gold and 12 months of Premium, along with the aircraft itself. Today, it's a very rare sight to see one, ingame.





However, there are two forgotten Bell aircraft, that remains "missing" to this very day. An American version of the same Lend-Lease plane in Soviet markings and one with extra guns mounted under the wings.

Video footage of the first variant in battle was found (timestamp 3:16).........................


and the second version was seen used for promotional purposes (timestamp 0:20)...............


While it is known, among some circles, both aircraft were test flown during Alpha and Beta stages, by select players and through press accounts. Sadly, both of them have been long since removed and have yet to make any kind of return.

Perhaps, someday, both might be found and returned to the game, flown again with awe and enthusiasm.

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