How would this affect frame rates? I have no idea, but if it isn't by much, I definately wish to see it
If changing it that way in near future versions is a bit far off, as an alternative, I think the first step should be to change the shape of the hit sprites. That wad of white cotton ball, how long did we have it?? I'm pretty sure it was there with us since AHBeta... getting a bit old I'd say.
I remember that advertisement film for Fighter Ace3 that lingered here until recently. What I was impressed was how the hit sprites were portrayed there. It's kind of hard to explain with words, but in AH, hit sprite graphics seem to be displayed ... um... in a 'generic manner'. I.e. When a wing area is hit, that certain part of the plane graphic is sort of 'smothered' by the sprites, 'generic' in size and shape. In the case of Fighter Ace3, the hit sprites are area specific... if a certain area on the wing is hit, it will display the sparks on that particular area where the bullet hit, not have the whole 'wingtip' or 'middle of the wing' smothered by a hit sprite...
Example: Look at the scene 05:58 - 06:01 I think the best possible graphics would be if the bits/chunks and explosions effects like IL-2 are mixed with hit sprite effects of Fighter Aces3, but I'd settle for the hit sprites if having both is a bit too heavy for current levels of AH
