I very much doubt that the CT country would ever out number the others. So the CT country would get crushed. After a day or two of getting crushed I don't care who you are or how into the history you are it would no longer be fun. At which point there would be people leaving the CT country in droves. Again dropping the numbers. The even with the top of the line equipment they would still be crushed.
The number of CT people will depend on how good these changes in AH gameplay will be advertised and supported by HTC. AH is well known for an excellent flight modeling and best mass-multiplayer gameplay among flight simulators. If CT will be for free why not give it a try.
Give CT country more fields that can not be captured by other countries and they will be able to carry out their missions deeper from their territory not being vulched instantly. It's not a shame if mission is not successful - everybody understands that early war planes are quite handicapped comparing to later war birds. But it will be still much better tryout comparing to current two week trial when a person most likely will be shot down ten times in a row will feel himself helpless finding the game is not fun at all. In CT the new person will be immediately assigned to a mission (and probably squad) will get instructions and support from flight leaders and other people. And on the obvious question - why can't I fly P51, I don't want to fly P40b! He will get a fair answer that his is playing CT for free and that's why he can not fly whatever he wants right now, but he have a chance to get a better bird and even a P51 could be possible in the end of the tour for him if he becomes a good team-member. And you know - give a person a hope and he will show an unfainting perseverance trying to get his goal.
Most of the people who play this game play it to have fun. Getting hammered night in and night out isn't fun....ask the knights 
A structured game play system won't work for the long haul. AvA has been working very hard to get rid of its poor reputation and bring about many different types of game play. They have had "Win the war" scenarios, capture the flag type scenarios, just strait up head to head stuff. And still there are very few in there.
That is exactly what I am trying to say. Main Arena is a best fun so far to everybody because people with quite different playing style can play there together. Someone likes furballing, someone likes base taking, someone likes score boosting etc. Cut the part of it, reduce it to AvA and only a few people play there.
That is why I am not suggesting to cut anything from Main Arena, but to add something new (some kind of RPG style) in addition to what is already there. Some more variety, more people and more fun to everybody.
The majority of the people don't want it, nor will they play it.
It is hard to say what majority of the people want... For sure they want B-29
But give a CT people right to vote and they will vote for Ki-43 instead... and I think it will be a healthier choice.
