Preview: New Premium Planes in 1.8

The first ever rocket-propelled aircraft in World of Warplanes is not, as many believed, the German “Komet” but the Japanese J8M Shusui. What can we say? This little-known, prototype Fighter is a revelation, bound to bring a completely new playstyle and tactics thanks to its unparalleled flight characteristics that have to be experienced to be believed! Rise from the ground to 3,000m in under 15 seconds. Lose your attackers in a dark cloud of exhaust fumes from your reactor-like super engine! Or, if all of the above still doesn’t satisfy your need for speed, try diving onto your enemies from the clouds with a velocity that nearly breaks the sound barrier! Whatever you do, we can guarantee one thing: it will be fun! This little, but capable, aircraft surely is the star of the three new Tier VIII Premiums and is the most likely to stir up a lot of conversations among new and old pilots alike. Don’t miss out on this Premium flying experience!

The first time you see the Me 109 TL, we’re certain that, just like us, you won’t be quite sure what you’re looking at. On the one hand the aircraft bears a striking resemblance to the Me 262. On the other hand, you won’t be able to deny the many visual details that will continuously remind you of the Bf 109, which this aircraft is also based on. Being a Multirole Fighter, the 109 TL gives you the ability to strap on rockets and bombs at the same time should you choose to do so.  In terms of its overall profile, it ranks as a somewhat limited “Boom & Zoomer” that performs well but does not excel in vertical combat.  However, what it lacks in climb rate, it makes up for with its superior firepower with mighty 20mm and 30mm cannons right from the get-go. If you don’t feel like grinding thousands of XP to unlock the big calibre auto-cannons on the regular Tier VIII equivalents, then this unusual prototype fighter is right for you!

If you’ve flown the La-9, you pretty much know what to expect from the La-11. However, this new Tier VIII Premium is not as easily dismissed as that. The successor of the old-standing, regular Soviet Fighter features a stronger airframe, greater firepower than the stock La-9, as well as slightly higher manoeuvrability and airspeed values. These two latter features especially contribute to improving the La-11’s chances in tight-turning engagements where the La-9 might strike out to other similarly-profiled opponents. The catch with the La-11 is that you have to know who to target when taking this baby for a spin. While it can be very prolific at hunting light Fighters up to its own weight and size, it has trouble penetrating the hulls of stronger-armoured enemies. This makes it only a limited threat for Heavies or bigger Attack Aircraft. Still, if you pick your targets wisely, you can benefit from the extra boost that the La-11 provides, while making sure you contribute to your team’s success at the same time.