Looking into the old crystal ball, I was starting to wonder what fighter variant(s) we would get in the next version. So far we usually get at least one variant per version since it is much easier to do a variant than a new aircraft, and I wondered what potentially out there.
GERMANS:
Fw190- We are just getting the A5, so I wouldn't expect to see a Dora, F, or G, in the very next version
Bf109- Pretty much played out, unless you go back to the E's and before. And yes the G10=K4, so don't even mention it

JAPAN:
N1K2- We could see the midwar version N1K1, but the performance would be so similar most wouldn't notice it
A6M5b- Just getting this aircraft as new, so I wouldn't expect a variant this soon.
RUSSIA:
La5- The
La7 is a definite contender as the next variant
Yak9U- Again just getting it, so no new variant
ITALY:
C.202/205- Like the 109, this series is pretty much played out unless you go back to an early war C.200, very low likelyhood IMO
BRITISH:
Spitfire- Like the 109 series, unless you go very far back to the I, or to the late war XIV (potentially unbalancing IMO), the definitive aircraft are currently in the set. Still, the
XIV is a potential contender
Typhoon- The
Tempest is a potential variant here.
US:
P51D- A
P-51B is another potential contender
P38L- An early model P-38 (F or G) is possible, or even a midwar P-38J. Interest seems low tho, so the potential is low.
F4U1's- Even with the current hatred of the cannon hog, the definitive model of the Corsair has yet to be seen, the
F4U-4 (MG's only no cannons). Again a potential canidate.
So now we have limited it down to the La7, Spit XIV, Tempest, P51B, F4U-4.
Now look at the aircraft that is just coming out in this version or the next. And you already see a new Russian fighter and a new British Bomber (with the Typhoon just the version before), so personally I'm gonna bet on a American fighter.
The P-51B or the F4U-4.
To me the F4U-4 (no cannons to make all the anti cannon hog people happy

and so its not unbalancing) fits the late war planset much better than the P-51B.
But you would probably see me flying any of them, except maybe the Tempest
What do you guys think the next fighter variant will be?
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"
[This message has been edited by Vermillion (edited 05-25-2000).]