Wargaming.net have updated the World of Warplanes website with a post announcing that “We’re approaching the start of the Open Beta test phase, which will be followed by the official release of the game.”

While in no way pretending to be an accurate simulator, the open beta period will allow pilots after a bit of fun and a break from ‘serious’ flight simulation to pit their skills as part of 15 v 15 battles, working their way through US, USSR, German and Japanese aircraft tech trees. More about the process, and the in-game rewards for beta participation, can be found on the article at the WoWP website. Be prepared for the occasional “hard wipe” though, when you’ll lose all progress and end up back in an underpowered and underarmed tier I biplane!