If you want to do some surgical strat, VH, ords, etc., what are the best planes? What does it take to destroy the target? I know high bombers work, but thinking more an ASAP kind of situation.
But in case someone does consider taking a set of bombers for porking purposes (which has some significant advantages over 'faster' fighters at times), allow me to direct your attention to an overlooked gem:
The G4M.
No, I'm serious.
Operationally, the G4M is a very fast bomber. Not so much in top speed, but it has the ability to dart to 20k, be over a frontline base and pork the ords before anybody thinks about stopping you. With 50% fuel, it takes less than 15 minutes to reach 20k, and starting 2 full sectors away from your target will be sufficient for climbout, getting to top speed and to calibrate.
Yes, it's a very fragile plane under any kind of fire, but with a well planned approach you can at least avoid coming under fire too early.
4x250kg (550 lbs) means ords+dar on a small base (+1 bomb left for fun or score), all 4 ammo bunkers on a medium base or up to two hangars.
In the past years, I used the G4M a lot for porking purposes, coming in between 16 and 22k. A mission usually lasts between 25 and 40 minutes from tower to tower (unless shot down
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If you have (or want to) fight your way in, I'd recommend the B-26. You don't need much altitude in that, in most cases 11-14k is doing ok. When coming under attack, you have more chances in that one than in a Tu-2 to kill the attacker and continue your mission, as the Tu's armament is limited both in angles and in ammo supply.