B25C: 2 "Strafer" Variants?

[SmokinLoon]

I was checking out the B25C for some dive bombing runs and a quick look showed no difference between the 2 variants with the 10/.50 cals (8 forward firing, 2 in top turret).  They both have the same gun package, same ord loadout, and both are for diving bombing only (no level bomb sight).

Is there any benefit in one and not the other?

[Soulyss]

I believe the differences are purely cosmetic.

[E25280]

They are functionally the same (AFAIK), but if you look closely, one package has a solid nose and the other a glass nose.  I suppose that may have a small impact on the damage model to hits on the nose.

[SmokinLoon]

I noticed the cosmetic differences in the nose (glass vs no glass).

Other than that.... there are no differences??? 

If that is true, then wow.  Just think of all the other current aircraft that have variants with very minute differences that would otherwise make a decent spread in how they are used.  One has to wonder why they even did that. 

[AWwrgwy]

I noticed the cosmetic differences in the nose (glass vs no glass).

Other than that.... there are no differences??? 

If that is true, then wow.  Just think of all the other current aircraft that have variants with very minute differences that would otherwise make a decent spread in how they are used.  One has to wonder why they even did that. 

It is purely cosmetic regarding the two straffers.  The guns were originally merely put where the bombardier used to sit.  Sometimes the painted over the glass, sometimes the didn't.  Probably to make servicing easier, they eventually replaced the glazed nose with one made up of solid panels.  Otherwise, the two straffers are the same.  Threw the skinners a nice bone.

What other plane can you think of that had different cosmetics with identical performance?  I suppose they could do a non-Malcolm hooded P-51B.  Other than that, I can't think of any.


wrongway

[Guppy35]

I do believe it was for the skinners.  A long time player's dad flew 25C strafers in the PTO and I believe his Dad's bird started out partially painted over nose and then all the way.  I don't know if that's the reason, but I'd like to think HTC and company kept that in mind.