As 4 Wide's claim that Jap pilot's overclaimed by a factor of 4, that is an over-generalisation.The fact is, that because 4 most of WW2 kill credits were shared by the unit & not by individuals, it has become very complicated 4 historians 2 divine various IJNAF & IJAAF aces' scores.However, there has been a lot of work done in the last 10 yrs, and a much clearer picture has emerged.Some scores have been significantly diminished, by up to 4 times, whilst others have barely changed.One thing is certain - Sakai's score hasn't been revised down to 21 or 22 kills.Most historians still believe his score stands closer to 60.There r several excellent books which cover WW2 Jap aces & a great one to start with which is easy 2 buy and is a great primer on the subject is Osprey's Aircraft Of The Aces - #22 "Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45" & #13 "Imperial Japanese Army Airforce Aces 1937-45". I'm sure u have probably already heard of them, as most simmers seem to own at least 1 or 2 of the series.
As 4 the N1K2-J's handling, it does seem overly uber, but as I've never flown one, I can't make a definitive comment on the subject (unlike some of the "experts" on this thread).The auto combat-flap system which used a manometer 2 measure speed & AoA was simple, yet an engineering marvel at the time.It does appear that all things being equal (which they never are), an N1K2-J could run rings around any late-war Allied fighter.OTH, whether it could do it 2 the extent that Shiden-Kai's do in AH is highly debatable.Since the George's legion of mechanical probs aren't modelled in AH, that also adds 2 the AH N1K's credit ledger.
My suggestion is this.Why doesn't AH model the N1K1-J? I'm talking about the early model N1K1-J with the outboard Type 99's in pods as well as fuselage mounted 7.92mm light MG's,(the vast majority of N1K1-J's were the"'stock' model) not later models which had the same armament as the N1K2-J.By all accounts, whilst the 2-J Shiden-Kai was superior in vert & horizontal turns in comparison 2 Allied a/c like the F6F & F4U, the 1-J Shiden has been constantly described as being roughly equal 2 the F6F.The 1-J Shiden's outboard podded cannons added considerably 2 drag, making it even slower than the 2-J Shiden-Kai, as well as affecting its maneuvrability.The 1-J still had the auto combat-flaps, but the extra drag experienced by the Shiden as has been mentioned had an eefect on performance and handling.
Having the N1K1-J modelled would allow the N1K2-J 2 be perked.Does that sound like a bad idea? I dunno, I'm just suggesting it. I am a fan of being as realistic as possible in a sim, but we must remeber that this is a GAME, and an expensive one at that (relatively speaking).HTC has 2 try 2 be as realistic as possible whilst balancing game-play issues.
Personally, I'm sick of seeing N1K2-J's and F4U-1C's crowding the arena.They are easily the most flown a/c in AH, probably followed by the Spit.Those of us who'd like 2 fly other a/c are often frustrated by the superiority of these 2 a/c, and many finally succomb and start flying these machines themselves, feeling they have no choice.Sure, there r guys like Nath-BDP and a small number of others who can make a/c like the 190A-8 dance, but the average Joe can't compete on equal terms with Chog & N1K flying players.AH should now be called "Chogs & N1Kis High".
I don't have a huge problem with the F4U's FM, but its quad Hispanos r just way too deadly and afford the user an incredible advantage.I'm not saying that they aren't modelled realistically.I'm asking why such a deadly fighter which was built in such tiny numbers & served with such few units is readily available in AH.I keep being told, "Aw, its HiTech's favourite fighter - it's goin nowhere ;-) ", by those who love the Chog. I don't know if that's true or not. I'm not going 2 accuse HT of anything because I've never read or heard anything by him on the subject.One thing I do know is this: If HT *has* included the Chog because its his personal favourite (that's a big IF) he should remember that it's the paying customers who pay good money 4 the benefit of playing AH.The developers should fight their urge 2 include a/c which unbalance play because of their love of such a/c.
From a balance of play standpoint, there is simply no reason 2 include the Chog as an unperked fighter.The same can probably be said 4 the Shiden-Kai.Otherwise, the only other way to redress the balance would be 2 have an RPS in AH, which many ppl simply do not want.For that 2 happen, more early-mid war a/c would have 2 be modelled, and whether most AH players want 2 fly early war a/c is questionable.Whatever is done, something *has* to be done.What is the use of modelling so many different fighters when only 2 of them appear 2 be flown by about >40% of players (when Japanese players are on during peak Japanese playing hours, it seems as if >50% of AH players at that time are flying N1K's alone!)?
As 4 the Ki-100 being no better than the Ki-61, Wide doesn't know what he's talking about ;-) Even the J2M Raiden which has often been pilloried received glowing praise from an in-theatre US test-pilot who flew a J2M captured on the outskirts of Manila.He described it as (I'm not paraphrasing) basically being delightful to fly and the best Japanese fighter he had flown yet (the inference being he had quite some experience in flying different types).He commented on its high rate of climb.His only complaint was that the ailerons became very heavy above 300 mph.However, as the Raiden was designed as a fast climbing straight-line interceptor, it was thought 2 be less of a problem than it would be in fighters such as the Ki-84.
[This message has been edited by C_R_Caldwell (edited 02-11-2001).]