Ok, let's do some thinking...
What kills tanks?
-heavy hannons
-bombs
-rockets
We already have planes with bombs and rockets but still most tank kills are done by strafing with cannons. (Un)fortunately 20 mm (and even more so low velocity 30 mm's) are quite ineffective against tanks as they should be.
Thus we need bigger cannonsWhat kind of plane is ideal for tank killing?
-must be durable against ground fire
-must have some defensive firepower agaisnt fighters
-decent low alt speed to get out of area if needed
What are the candidates?
Il-2 - very durable but offers nothing new in armament department, bombs and rockets with couple 20 or 23 mm cannons, no more punch than in ordinary fighter. But with NS 37 it has quite a punch against tanks. Has some defensive firepower and is sufficiently fast. Over 36 000 built.
Hs 129 - Again very durable plane, maybe even more than Il-2 because of twin engine configuration. In basic configuration has 2 X LMG, 2 X 20 mm's and 1 X high velocity 30 mm cannons. Had variant with 75 mm Pak 40, essentially the same gun as in PzKw IVH we have now! This is a one shot wonder, single round will kill almost any tank. Rate of fire was 40 RPM. Quite fast but has no defensive firepower. About 900 built.
Ju 87G - This is paper plane compared to first two planes. On the other hand, armament is propably best for tank bustin, 2 X high velocity 37 mm cannons. Not too fast and defensive firepower is quite limited. Total of all Ju 87 variants produced 5700.
My choice? As much as I like Lufwaffe planes I would think that Il-2 could be best choice:
-Never seen before in online sim
-Huge number of planes produced during war
-Good armour should make it quite survivable if it has some air cover.
-With 37 mm cannon it has a good change against tanks.
-possible a very fun ride for two players, pilots and a gunner.
-Complemets nicely VVS planeset, allowing very interesting scenarios.
One could argue that P-39 had 37 mm cannon too, why not introduce it? It has the gun and it has the speed...
I'm not sure if 37 mm gun in P-39 ever fired AP rounds which are absolutely essential for tank killing. plus it had unarmoured watercooled engine that is suspectible to ground fire.
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jochen Jagdflieger JG 2 'Richthofen'
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Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen' WarbirdsThanks for the Fw 190A-5 HTC!Ladysmith wants you forthwith to come to her relief
Burn your briefs you leave for France tonight
Carefully cut the straps of the booby-traps and set the captives free
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