While many planes got introduced early (because they were great rides) you can't blame the developers for not doing Heinkels and Dorniers because they were for krap planes and their weaknesses showed through in the war and were quickly replaced with better models. The Finns especially LOVE the Brewster so it has been a great addition not only for historic appreciation but it makes a decent base defense ride.
The things I would do?:
1) Eliminate cross-country communication. If you really want to do that use a cell phone, Skype, email, or 200.
2) Changing sides time minimum to 24 hours. Just like in Air Warrior, the 24 hour limit forced players to look at the map and think strategically. You actually had to put some thought into why you were changing sides because you were going to be there a full day. This would be for the Late War Arenas ONLY.
3) Lengthen time of ords and troops "down" (having been destroyed) to one hour or more. However, if 10 resupplies of field supplies are made it goes down to one-half hour instead. As it is now, there is little reason to pork when it lasts so little time and that flies in the face of reality/realism. Porking controls the game. Most all sides are not only too lazy to pork they are in most cases too lazy to resupply. Increasing the "down" times would make porking more of a strategic element just like it was in WWII. For the "I hate the hordes" types, the answer would easily be proactive porking of ords & troops....provided the added "down" time made it worth it. Bring REALITY to this aspect because if one side in WWII took out the enemy's ords at a base you can bet your sweet cheeks it wasn't back up in action in an hour or less.
Maps: I would have a yearly (or bi-yearly) contest encouraging new map creation. All the map rules and requirements posted and as many attempts to use actual WWII theatre areas as possible (FSO maps would be awesome if all 3 countries had equal bases). The maps go up for votes on the MOTD (not forums) and the top three map creators get 6 months free gameplay. If other maps from the competition (that didn't win top 3....but) actually get used in-game the creator gets 2 months free play. This is to reward those for their hard work making maps for all of the rest of us. Map making is tedius and takes time and effort. I think that everyone would appreciate fresh maps. The current use "uterus" map gets retired for eternity and so does the Scandinavia map. A Winter map every now and then would be refreshing, especially for Russia/Europe where winter conflict was a reality as would a desert North Africa map.
The game, in and of itself is really a genius and the evolution since the Air Warrior days in terms of graphics, plane set, etc. If this game flipped to 1995 Air Warrior just for a day I think everyone would come to the conclusion of appreciation of just how far air combat sims, AH in perticular, have come.
Oh, and I'd add the "Brumbar" Panzer-Howitzer to the gv set. It could easily bring down a building with one shot but could also take down a hangar with one shot. It was slow, lumbering, and had little self-defense but it was a monster that had a huge howitzer. I'd also add the Lee/Grant tank to all three war arenas. It was a POS but had a heavy gun as well as lighter turret gun.
A raise for Skuzzy so he can buy some top shelf after work booze to wind down from having to put up with weasels on the phone all day and a lifetime supply of Rogaine for all the hair he's pulled out.
