I want to run an interesting game: build an air force for virtual country based on the planes available in AH - but with their real properties:
For example Me-262 had problematic engines - not AH ones. The Me-163 would blown up frequently on the ground and had very long turnaround time.
The constrains:
- Think you would fly this planes as well - so no "cannon fodder"
- Think of fixed budget - if you want all the bombers be B-29 it they would drink your budget in both planes as fuel
- Think of real world reliability
- Think of real world flying and no AH
- Prepare the force for both defense and offense, from the sea attack and from the ground
- No need to create navy, or transportation arms (AH has quite few capable naval planes and only 1 cargo plane)
- Provide the rationale for the selection
As a reference, samples of WW2 prices:
B-29 US$639,188
B-17 US$238,329
Mustang US$50,985
Lanc £45-50,000 ~ $200,000
My own selection:
Me-262 - 35% - air superiority and interception - also it is a dangerous plane and has many maintenance problem, but its clear superiority overcomes other problems and costs. Also jet fuel is more affordable than avgas.
P-51D - 15% - long range escort and close support - most capable fighter with long range and decent bomb load
Ar-234 - 5% - almost uninterceptable recon and pin-point strike
B-29 - 5% - very long range strike for special missions - small numbers due to high cost.
Mosquito XVI - 35% - long range recon, tactical and strategical bomber - much cheaper than B-17 & others, much more survivable due to high speed and yet has decent bomb load - comparable to B-17.
F4U-1C - 15% - close air support that does not require escort. It has radial engine making it much more survivable, it has 4 canons that are great for strafing, good ord load.