When developing a historical match-up, the second thing the designer should be concerned with is "balance". The primary goal is to reenact the historical encounter, and for each side to be given the hand-cap or advantage it had for the real deal. I believe the goal of each side, per scoring, is to achieve better results that what actually happened in the real deal. Otherwise, we're simply meeting in the middle, punching it out like a playground fight, and letting the points fall where they may.
If the Axis was stomped on during the summer of 1944 over Normandy with a kill to death ratio of 1 to 9, then it goal should be to minimize losses and to maximize damage to the Allies and hope for a 1 to 4 kill to death ratio.
The FSO is an evolving concept, give the designers a perpetual chance to keep improving.
I can agree with this. However, if the Axis get spanked by the Allies and most have no fun, such as the Final Battle in a couple frames, what is the point, since the point of scenarios/FSOs are yes, to recreate a battle, but to have fun as well?
I just think that the logic behind the substitution of the Spit 9 with the Spit 16 is flawed and needs to be matched with an Axis ride.
The G6's can possibly match the Spit VIII's, in the hands of a good pilot.
The allies have many planes his hispanos:
Typh, Spits, Mossie, 38.
The P51 and Jug are the only with out, and those have great diving ability, speed, and 6-8 50's to make up for the lack of cannons.
The axis have, with 20mms:
A5s, A8s (+30s), F8s, G14s (+30s), G6s, 234s (Yes I will add that in).
Now in a turn fight, you can count the A8s, F8s, and 234s out.
That leaves the A5s, G14s, and G6s.
The A5s have good cannons, but lack a bit in maneuverability (a bit, I've seen some guys fight that bird well)
The G14s and G6s are a bit better, but lack firepower if you do not take the gondolas.
Now, the Spit IX that we have is faster than the A5s, G14s, and Spit 16s at 26K.
In Turn Radius, the Spit IX is very close to the Spit XVI at flaps and no flaps.
It also is close in acceleration. It is also close in Lethality and Maximum Speed @ low alt.
So with very little losses in performance that won't be noticeably different in the field, why does it need to be replaced?
Now to the K4 and G14.
If the K4 is added, it would give us a viable option to fight the P51s at high altitude, as they compete well speed wise at any altitude.
Now, the P51 is still theoretically a better plane than the K4, since it is easier to handle and has a better gun selection. That said, why would giving the Axis a better fighting chance at bringing the score closer be a bad thing? A 2 weeker has a much better chance at hitting a plane with 1880 50 cals than he does at hitting a plane with 65 30mm rounds.
Now I am not whining or complaining, or trying to give the Axis a distinct advantage over the Allies and simply adding the K4 as a high alt bird does nothing of the sort. But it would certainly help us 'rewrite history' if it is at all possible.
In conclusion, it would be much appreciated if the K4 would be let in as a sub for the G10 that we do not have, that would have made a nice impact in this FSO.