Very nice introduction indeed. 
I must vote thumbs down to your idea of removing range from the icons, they've always been like that...
However, I agree, with your desire for some further refinement to the recent icon change, particularly in regards to spotter AC against GVs and especially manned flak 88s. I think this needs some thought/reconsideration given by HTCs.
The old standard was 1.0-6.0k was a vague guestimate within 2-300 meters or a vehicle/plane's distance. 0-1000 meters it was more precise, down to a couple meters. There was no need/sense for any icons in any position to be displayed at a further distance, and there was especialy nothing accurate of reaching a target that far away either.
Now, with flak 88s, and their ability to go ~10k out in icon range, with accuracy to within a couple hundred meters, any vagueness you get from increased distance or any fog of war is nullified. I think a third-tier or zone for icon ranges may be needed or would be great. Say for targets in the air 12-4k it's displayed within a 0.5-1k accuracy, 4k-1k is the current "far" mechanics/settings, and 1000-0 is the same. Similarly, it can scale for GVs and spotter AC.
Thoughts?
You know, I toyed with the idea a bit more on the way home, and I came up with this-
a/c vs a/c- I would still hold fast to the NO range data whatsoever. It introduces an entirely new challenge, and like you've said- they've always been that way. People have grown comfortable, even dependent, on them. Time to shake things up
The Spotter a/c would have normal (i.e. as they are as of the date of this post) icons with regards to ground vehicles. Their loiter time and slow speed, coupled with the specific training of the spotter pilot would aid in that, and make it more plausible.
The anti-air elements of the game I would say this:
88's- accurate range to within 100meters. 88's were historically ranged by radar, and their crews very well trained. 100meters is more than enough give to foul an 88 shot timer.
ack on the field - accurate to within 350-500 meters- after 1 pass. Provided the a/c stays within 10k meters of the base, the range of it gets more accurate down to within 5 meters, over a period of, say a minute or two.
This would reflect how staying over a field for any extended period of time during the war was generally considered a 1 way ticket. **Edit**- furthermore, I would investigate the idea of "tightening up" the auto-ack in much the same manner.
Back to you, sir!
