If you were a betting man/woman where would your $ be?

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by 715
I don't think there could be such a thing as a bomber hanger queen (within reason).  

Boston MkIII comes to mind.  Ju-87's seen very rarely.  Don't see much of the B5N2 or D3A1.

I put the B-25 in their category in the LW Arena.  Less ord, slower speed, half the climb rate of a B-26 in the game now.  Not a stellar performer for LW use.

If the B-25 wins, and they make the B or C/D model, then it may see EW and MW use..... not that there are many pilots EW or ME to use them.  

A few events here and there.  Lot's of calls for CV launch B-25 in boards.

[Widewing]

There's no doubt in my mind that He 111 will sit largely idle in the MWA and LWA. It's slower than the Ju 88 and simply less versatile.

I would expect to see the Me 410 get used a lot initially, but it will tail off after a while. I expect it to be less capable of defending itself than the 110G-2, and thus over time will see no more use than the 110G-2 sees now. Like the 110G, it will find itself used more for jabo work than anything else. Fighters will probably devour it.

I'm fairly sure that the B-25 would get used, but only if they offer a solid nosed J model with 12 forward firing .50s (or maybe the H model). The B-25C would be the next Boston Mk.III, seldom used in the LWAs. The J model would be used much like the A-20G, but it will not be able to mix it up with fighters as effectively as the A-20 can.

Of the various bombers initially offered up for vote, the A-26 is one that will get lots of use in the LWAs, primarily because that's the only arena it can fly in. I see it being used like the A-20G, and aside from being a bit faster, I don't think it will be any more effective unless it can carry 1,000 lb bombs.

Likewise, the Yak-3 will get plenty of LWA use for the same reason as the A-26. I do not think it will be quite as capable as some think and I'm sure the Spitfire Mk.VIII will prove the better fighter. The Yak is geared more for low altitude work, but its only advantage over the SpitVIII is in max speed down low. It will not be able to turn with the Spits and has no edge in the vertical against the SpitVIII and SpitXVI. Its short legs and inability to carry bombs will limit its usefulness.

We finally get to the P-39. I suspect that two versions would appear, probably the P-39D and the P-39Q. The D model would be available in all arenas with the P-39Q being in the MWA and LWAs. Performance of the Q model was good enough that it will be a serious factor in the mid war arenas and could hold its own against the late war fighters. The D model will be effective in the EWA, but not up to the Spit5 or 109F-4.

If I could choose, I would probably select the P-39. It served in every theater (even in the ETO briefly) and was used by many air forces. My second choice would the the B-25, but only if it were to appear with two versions.

My regards,

Widewing

[Masherbrum]

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT LATE WAR ARENA "HANGER QUEENS"?

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by Masherbrum
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT LATE WAR ARENA "HANGER QUEENS"?

oww....your hurtin' my eyes.

LW "Hangar Queens" --- well, at least very rarely seen would include:
Boston MkIII
Ju-87's
B5N2
D3A1
P-40B
P-47D-11 maybe?
Hurri MkI
Spit MkI
Bf 109E4 ?
Ta 152H getting there?
C202
A6M2

Those are the one's I'm suprised to see in the air LW anyways.

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by Widewing
Of the various bombers initially offered up for vote, the A-26 is one that will get lots of use in the LWAs, primarily because that's the only arena it can fly in. I see it being used like the A-20G, and aside from being a bit faster, I don't think it will be any more effective unless it can carry 1,000 lb bombs.

 

Yes, A-26 could carry 4 X 1,000# ,  8 X 500# ,  8 X 250# , 12 X 100# , or 2 torpedoes (with bomb doors open - never actually done outside of testing)  in internal bomb bays.

A-26 could carry 2 X 230 gallon drop tanks , 14 x 5-inch rockets ,  8 X 5-inch rockets and 2 X 230 gallon drop tanks ,  4 × 500 lb ,  4 × 250 lb ,  2 x 500 lb and 8 x 5-inch rockets , or  2 x 250 lb and 8 x 5-inch rockets on the wings.

It was meant to replace the A-20's, the B-26's and the B-25's when deployed, so was able to do any mission they could be tasked out for.

A-26 use in the game is very dependent on models offered, perk cost, ord load options, and whether or not drone use enabled.  Conceivably, since it comes down to just the nose configurations, HTC could offer both the solid nose B version and glass nosed C version, with some extra effort -- beyond the nose, they were identical planes.

*  A-26 gives a second perk ride for buff drivers.  
*  A-26 in formation, say the "C" version, with norden bombsight, is a good penetration bomber... better than the B-26 and Ki-67, and the "C" still has 8 forward firing .50's for strafing.
*  The gun heavy "B" version flying solo can nearly handle as well as second tier fighters in LW.  Still not a match against multiple Ponies, LaLas, Splixteens, and Nikis, but one-on-one may be able to hold it's own.  Especially if you have a gunner onboard.  Won't be quiet the Heavy Fighter is was in AW though.  There are reports of pilots hitting 7 to 8 G's in A-26's --- not bad for a buff.

In service, many pilots handled the Invader as if it was a fighter. With performance similar to many fighters, the aircraft was not as strongly built but many pilots remember seven to eight G maneuvers while attacking the enemy. Even today, close inspection of the wing and care in handling the aircraft during maneuvering are undertaken to avoid overstress on the wing.

Link

*  "B" version would defiantly be a fun ride for de-acking, town killing, and anti-GV work.