Ki-43 opinions?

[Brooke]

I was happy to see the Ki-43 added for historical reasons, but I figured that it would not be a very effective plane in the Main Arena because of armament.

I flew it several times tonight, and it seems like a surprisingly nice plane to me.  Very nimble in turn and roll, good climb, and seems to handle much better at speed than a Zero.  Importantly, the armament, while of course underpowered compared 2 20 mm cannon or to 6 50's, seems good enough for turn-and-burn fights.

[palef]

All the above, plus the bomb load makes it an effective attack platform.

[Zacherof]

It makes a rather effective anti armour platfom.

[Brooke]

It makes a rather effective anti armour platfom.

Which loadout do you prefer, the 110 mm AP center mount, or the twin 2000 lb anti-armor cluster munitions?

[HighTone]

I'm loving it.

The flaps on it are awesome. It seems a tad bit tougher than the Zekes to me. I also like the WEP on it (quick burn, quick charge).

Very light on the stick, has bomb options and a very good range.

I am still able to get 3-4 kills in it with some ammo to spare.

Thanks HTC 

[mechanic]

Excellent fun plane. Had some great fights with shamus and baldeale in ki43s the other night in the ma.

I would say the guns are, if anything, too potent. Check this kill out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYhmnScWy_w&feature=youtu.be

[Zacherof]

Which loadout do you prefer, the 110 mm AP center mount, or the twin 2000 lb anti-armor cluster munitions?

maw I have a code where I use the British cookie bomb I use it as a low alt dive bomber.

[Zacherof]

Excellent fun plane. Had some great fights with shamus and baldeale in ki43s the other night in the ma.

I would say the guns are, if anything, too potent. Check this kill out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYhmnScWy_w&feature=youtu.be

Taters! Has to be. Great shot btw>

[Saxman]

It seems a tad bit tougher than the Zekes to me.

Which is odd considering the Ki-43 was noted to be even MORE lightly-armored and built than the Zero.

[Karnak]

Which is odd considering the Ki-43 was noted to be even MORE lightly-armored and built than the Zero.

Not less armored, just lighter built.  The Ki-43-II actually added a little bit of armor, something the A6M3 is completely devoid of.

The A6M was built tougher though.  I imagine it had to be simply by virtue of being a carrier based fighter.

[palef]

Which loadout do you prefer, the 110 mm AP center mount, or the twin 2000 lb anti-armor cluster munitions?

Heehee. I got a twofer last night, of a Panther and a Panzer IV. Those guys stopped clustering together near that spawn point pretty quickly. Then you get to have turney fun with all the late war birds who chase you down to the deck when you make your controlled descent (things fall off) to engage your ground targets, but I have to say that I'm impressed at how hard Shawk fights his F4U vs. a Ki and how well people are adapting to not engaging in a TnB duel with a Ki43.

[Gixer]

Absolutely loving it. Providing most fun (consistent) fights I've had in months if not years. So many challenges but once you latch on to something within 200 it's a laugh a minute as they try shake you off and that's what it's all about imho and keeps me interested in the game.

Before the Yak T provided the same kind of laughs with it's big cannon and trying to time perfect single shots. Now it's the feeling of being able to turn inside a fly, down something else with just two mg under 200 and knowing that the other guy is thinking "oh sh*t" once you are in close enough.   

Never thought I'd be interested in the Ki, big surprise. Be interesting to see who still flying them on regular basis after the two week novelty has died down.



<S>...-Gixer

[Ruah]

the zero (M32 and b) is still superior for me - 2x20mm is really important to make those reversals count (because they will 90% of the time dive and quickly outrun you) and the more gentle sakai torque. 

[Mitsu]

I love using it in anti-tank sortie!

[RotBaron]

I'm loving it.

The flaps on it are awesome. It seems a tad bit tougher than the Zekes to me. I also like the WEP on it (quick burn, quick charge).

Very light on the stick, has bomb options and a very good range.

I am still able to get 3-4 kills in it with some ammo to spare.

Thanks HTC 

So two gv kills and one plane???