Nice thread.
I've also read about the field conversions of many of the 75mm equipped B-25's to mount additional .50's instead. I've also read that firing the earlier B-25's with field refitted 75mm's created a lot of stress on the B-25's airframe. Rivet holes began to oval out, and some airframes were retired with as few as 20 rounds fired by the 75mm.
I came across most of it while researching the A-26B-Block 5's that were field tested, which were also equipped with the 75mm. Experience with the B-25's and A-26 field testing seem to go a long way to reverse the Army Air Force's desire for a "flying cannon", and both the solid nose B-25's and A-26's instead were retrofitted, or fitted from the factory, with banks of .50's firing API rounds instead, which seemed to be far more effective than the single 75mm and a couple .50's proved to be, especially in anti-shipping and strafing ground targets.
But, I can't think of a single plane in AHII that is represented as a field refit, so I expect the B-25 to be presented pretty much as Pyro was once quoted as saying: ""I'd like to see the C, H, and J in that order. Whether all of those can make the next version will depend on how fast it goes to make the shapes."
* The C/D model would see many skins and SEA use, and maybe be seen in the MW arena. Not certain about time frame for EW use --- I believe the B would easily rate EW, not so sure about the C/D.
* The H would probably prove less than effective. I don't expect a 75mm mounted in a B-25H to be all useful in the LW Arena. With about 20 rounds, you'd only be able to take down about 10 town buildings or so (or similar) with the 75mm, plus 3,200 pound bomb load. It's speed and performance will make it an easy target in the air if enemy planes or Osties around, and it's slow reload times will hamper it in an Anti-GV role. 1 shot, maybe 2 at best, per pass will be a tough shot to make from a medium bomber.
The 75mm was historically and primarily used in anti-shipping vs Sampans, IIRC, so it does not have much of a role in a LW map. If you try to deack a field or drop a town with one, the plane's relatively slow speed and larger size will have it chewed up by other close ack.
* The J, if made, with the many forward .50's (8 to 14) may prove the most popular in LW. The J could carry up to (I think) 8 rockets underwing or some gunpods underwing, but I think the bomb load drops to 2,000 pounds to make up for wing ord and extra .50's (sources vary).
The original thread also hit on one other point. Wayout's Uncle enjoyed fighter escort and air superiority much of the time; a situation that will not come all that often in the LW arena. The plane saw very wide use in all theaters of WWII, and was well known for getting it's crew home with battle damage, but I don't see that translating well into the game (outside of SEA). I expect a few SEA events will be added or changed to use the B-25, and many skinners will produce B-25 models, but I don't see the plane doing particularly well in the LW arena. I don't see it getting much use in EW or MW either, simply due to the typical bomb load compared to other available planes in EW and MW for milkrunning.
