Okay, FF, I'm not sure if it's the beer, or if one of us is misunderstanding the other slightly, but I'm almost entirely in agreement with you, except for, maybe, regarding the loadouts.
Assuming I'm understanding you, I meant that the lack means HT thinks it's a bad idea. I've flown the F4 with and without, and while I like the firepower for intercepting, you couldn't pay me enough perks to take them into a furball (well, maybe you could). I guess my attitude is "let's not trifle with the details so we can get ToD the **** outta the way". This may not be good, but at least you know.
As an aside, I'm not turned off by the idea of ToD: AoE and Janes WW2 fighters offline campaigns were what got me interested in aviation games; I'm just concerned about an RPG that's supposed to be historically accurate and relevant, while utilizing or revolving around the one aspect of the existing game that is the least historically accurate- bombers.