HT, all due respect sir, I have a question.
First a bit of data:
These are the top speeds and max rate of climbs of the EW planeset. I took these off the AH charts and didn't use a micrometer. I just made an honest try at identifying the data there. I gave things the benefit of the doubt and usually rounded up a bit if it were a close call. Speeds/Rates are at 10k, which is usually a bit high for EW fights. WEP numbers are used for planes that have WEP.
- Aircraft Top Speed Climb Rate
- B5N2 220 1400
- C-47 220 1000
- Ju-87-D-3 230 1200
- D3A1 240 2200
- SBD-5 250 1400
- TBM-3 255 900
- Lancaster III 265 700
- Ju-88-A-4 275 1200
- F4F-4 305 2200
- Hurri Mk I 305 2500
- A6M2 310 2500
- Hurri Mk IIC 315 2600
- P-40B 320 2300
- Bf-110C-4b 325 2700
- Boston III 330 1900
- Bf-109E-4 335 3100
- P-40E 335 2100
- Spit I 335 2700
- Spit V 345 3200
- C-202 350 3600
- P-38G 360 2800
- Bf-109F-4 365 3900
- Spit IX 365 3700
- Fw-190A-5 370 2900
Looking at the last six aircraft, these planes can do between 345 and 370 which is very fast compared to the rest of the planeset here. Not coincidentally their climbrates from 2900 up to 3900 fpm are all very good for the planeset.
Now let's add the "first combat" dates:
- Spit V 4/41 345 3200
- C-202 11/41 350 3600
- P-38G 11/42 360 2800
- Bf-109F-4 6/41 365 3900
- Spit IX 7/42 365 3700
- Fw-190A-5 2/43 370 2900
Clearly the Spit V, C-202, Bf-109F-4 are early war. They are all 1941 aircraft.
While the C-202 has impressive speed and climb that is significantly mitigated by its well below average gun package.
The Bf-109F-4 similarly shows good speed and climb but its gun package mitigates much of that as well.
These two, despite high top speed and excellent climb do not dominate the fight because of the gun packages.
The Spit V is also clearly early war has good speed, good climb and pretty good guns. It doesn't totally dominate either but the gun package makes it extremely popular and extremely common to find in the fights. As a result, because of it's overall very good performance and guns, I would perk this aircraft to promote diversity in the arena.
The P-38G with an 11/42 introduction has great speed but a pretty much average climb with a good gun package. It doesn't dominate the arena but a well-flown P-38 using E tactics is pretty safe in the EW arena. IMO, this aircraft fits well in the MW arena but is a bit out of place in the EW due to the high top speed and good guns. Still, it would be a close call EW/MW.
The Spit IX with a 7/42 introduction is closer in time to the EW aircraft but it really is a MW aircraft considering performance and guns. It has excellent speed, amazing climb and guns. I think it clearly should be in the MW arena with other similar aircraft.
The Fw-190A-5 has a clear MW introduction date of 2/43. It is the fastest plane in EW but it's climb rate is only good, not amazing. It's gun package, with the 4x20mm is significantly better than most of the EW planeset. Even with 2X20mm it has slightly above average guns. This plane, even more than the P-38G, can be untouchable using E tactics against EW aircraft. I think it should clearly be in the MW arena.
Lastly, the Hurricane IIC; clearly an EW aircraft by introduction date, and average in speed and climb, it's gun package is awesome. Unfortunately, this makes it the La-7 of the EW arena. I would perk this aircraft highly to promote diversity and ACM tactics.
Now, the above data and opinions lead to the following question:
Would you consider moving the P-38G, Spit IX and Fw-1190A-5 out of the EW and into the MW?
Futher, would you consider perking the Spit V lightly and the Hurri IIC rather heavily to promote diversity in the EW arena?
I think these moves would make the EW a better arena, more in tune with the spirit of EW air combat.
Thank you for you consideration and time.
