It seems like after all the posts that beat down the P51 laying claim it was a runner's plane there is a new surge in 109s and 190s. They seem to be everywhere and in large, high packs as well as the usual vulture role. There was a long thread on 109, 190 pouching not long ago but it seems worse in the last couple of weeks.
I have had to leave the P47 and P38 ranks and go to a P51 for survival. Yes i do use the speed to escape and gain E back before I return but a guy has to do what a guy has to do to stay in the game. I know their are squadrons of 109s and 190s but with the other independents the numbers seem higher.
I would suggest a more complicated control of the different planes and their models. If the number of the different planes by year as an example are available then use that to limit the planes available. It might be even adjusted by map. Since the late war arena is so dominant, then subdivide the maps into early, late war and end of war. As an example say the number of P51Ds was 20% of the total planes for a given year and I come in the MA and want a P51D or a late model 109. When I choose it I get a message saying choose another model or plane since the maximum planes number has been exceeded but check back latter. Albeit late model squadrons in this example might be a problem if all members could not get that model.
The numbers control system has big holes in it for sure but the competitive nature of the simulation will push more and more people to get the better planes to stay in the game. I know those dedicated to like the P38 will never change and some are good enough to beat off any challenge but for the average Joe or Betty, a better end of the war plane may be answer that more and more people choose.
As a new guy, this opinion has limited expertise to back it up so I will not be offended at all if y'all say I am wrong in my observations and solutions.
Don't take this wrong...or as the usual beatdown of an idea however: The big problem with limiting plane types in the MA, especially in regard to popular types is that you limit the availability of plane types. Sounds circular but the issue is that people play the game in order to fly a certain type of plane many times. If you take that away and especially so with popular planes (190, 51, 109, Spitfire, F4U etc.) then you take away one of the big draws to the game. This applies to a specific varient of a particular plane as much as the general type of plane.
There have always been and will always be certain plane types that are popular. Spitfires, 190s and 51's for example are always popular and flown a great deal. On the other hand some planes seem to go in cycles of popularity. When I last played (2006) Ki-84's were seen much but I loved it. When I came back all the sudden I see Ki-84s much more frequently. The 109's can sort of be put into this catagory or at least certain varients can be in this catagory. I suspect there are any number of reasons but the result is they will be popular for a certain while then something else will take it's place and the numbers will drop to the core numbers.
We already have a mechanism for limiting plane available based on historical timesets within the war. These arenas don't see anywhere near the numbers as the LWMA. I think it's an all or nothing deal brought about by limited planesets. So the plane set is limited so that players can't get what they want to fly. The player goes elsewhere....which results in a population drop that just feeds on itself until the arena is mostly empty, most of the time. So even if you were inclined to try the mid-war arena it doesn't appear at first glance to have any fights so you go the LWMA.
The point is that limiting planesets in this manner (historical availability based on timeline) doesn't seem to work real well. Most players seem to want to have a choice of all planes available in Aces High (as do I). Limiting it in terms of numbers (i.e. 20 Mustangs avail. total) would result in at least some folks constantly rearming while flying incredibly timid. Even worse what's to keep them from logging on and just sitting somewhere out of the way while they are afk for an hour, thus denying others the usage for no good reason. Perking certain planes is as close as you're gonna get.
Zaphod
