Originally posted by Masherbrum
I think I want the G.55 to win. So I can embarrass folks by shooting them down in a Spit 1 or a Tony.
Personally, I'm tired of redundant planes. We DO NOT need 3 Yak's, more Ki's, more 109's, more 38's, more 190's, more Bombers. We do NOT need more scenario planes (Brewster, Pe2, He111, Ki4's, J2M). The ONLY Arena specific craft are the G.55, P39, or the B25. The A26 wasn't a factor in WWII to really be included.
I'd rather see the IAR 81c in the MA, but you won't because it is a relatively unknown plane. I'd rather see the PBY Catalina in the MA. I'd rather see the D.520 in the game.
Currently, the Catalina would benefit the most to enhance Arena gameplay. Allow it to rearm at Ports on a map. It is a floatplane and should be allowed to do such a thing. Just double the rearm time for it to happen. It would add another dimension to the gameplay as well. Why this hasn't even been considered is shocking to me.
Shock and awe? For one thing the collision model would probably have to be re-written; ever see anything land on water and survive? For another thing there's not much for a Catalina to do at this point. It was a scout/rescue aircraft; there are better scouts and rescue isn't an option. It has been considered ad-nauseum. Whether or not it has been considered by HTC is open for debate, but having met HTC I'd be surprised if it didn't get considered in at least one meeting.
As for the A-26, the same can be said of many aircraft, some of which we have already. The G.55 pretty much falls into that bucket; nice plane, not enough of them. Same for the C.205, N1K2, F4U-1C, Ta-152, Arado, Me-262/163, etc, etc, etc. Impact on the war is not much of a consideration. Personally I'm GLAD impact on the war is not the only consideration.
...and as for the rest, variants are a marvelous way of filling a plane set without making new planes. There were generally early/mid/late war variations as designs improved. Some air frames were abandoned, others were good enough to be upgraded and kept in service. As far as I know there weren't any NEW airframes produced in quantity after about late '43, early '44. I could be missing one or two, but the majority of the late war monsters we fly were on the drawing board in 1939/1940. The rest were, as you say, not really a factor.
None of this will have any bearing on my vote, of course.
