Dear HiTech (and all HTC staff) ((and community))

[JB73]

Dear HiTech (and fellow HTC Staff),

This is just some thoughts on the future of the plane set in Aces High. These are not to be thought of as "must have's" or something like that. I know that any future planes are your (HTC staff) choice alone. I just wanted to make my suggestions and my reasons.

Let me start off by saying that since joining the Aces High community a year ago my eyes have been opened to an era that is so rich and wonderful. I always liked the 40's swing and big band music, and thought being a GI back then would be quite fun. Now I have started to look into the history more directly. I know there are some people in the community who consider themselves "experts" on the history. If they disagree with my thoughts so be it. This fascinating era has taken part of my life, and I don¡'t see that changing anytime soon.

So on to the plane set. I know there are a lot of planes in Aces High right now. I also assume that there will be more in the future. I further understand that there is almost no way that all the planes from WWII will be represented. These below are a few of the planes I think will make a larger impact on the Arenas. These planes below are all Axis aircraft. Part of the reason is my squad (III/Jabostaffel) is an LW squad. I also believe these planes would have a large impact. They will be listed in the order of most important to least important IMHO.


The Junkers Ju 52/3mg3e
I know there is a transport plane in Aces High right now, the Douglas C47A. The reason the Ju 52 comes up is the fact there is no Axis transport. The M3 is also an Allied transport. The Ju 52 is also an armored transport, with the 7.92mm rear gun. This would help protect it because it is so slow. Not only would the Ju 52 find a large following in the Main Arena, but also in the other Arenas where there are actual Axis and Allied sides.

The Dornier Do 217
This would be comparable to the Mitsubishi Ki-67 that we have now, a high-speed medium bomber. I know we just got the Ju 87, a German bomber, but I believe there is room for another Axis bomber. With the B-17, B-26, Lancaster, A-20, TBM, SBD-5, Boston, and Mosquito; there are quite a few of Allied bombers. The introduction of more Axis bombers would be very helpful in the Mission and Combat Theater Arenas (for historical accuracy in the match-ups). Also us LW squads would like more Axis bombers to fly that can defend themselves better than the Ju 88 A that we have now.

The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario
This Italian plane would fit in nicely in the mid-war scenarios. Coming into service around late 1942, it would be a good match IMHO with the Spitfire V and Hurricanes from that era, similar to the 109-F4 and 109-G2. The 3 20mm cannons would pack a punch, and I know I would like to fly it.

The Junkers Ju 290
This plane is the true rival to the B-17. 3000kg+ of ordinance, add to that: 7 20mm MG 151 cannons, and 1 13mm MG 131 as defense; it would make for quite a force to be reckoned with. It would be slower than some of the other bombers, but it would be deadly. I actually almost put this at the top of my list, but I guess I just like the Do 217 more.

The Heinkel He 111
This is another German medium bomber. The same reasons I would like the Do 217 stand here. This was a heavily used bomber in the Battle of Britton. The reason this is below the Do 217 in my list is the bomb load. There is no Axis bomber that carries what the Lancaster and B-17 do. The He 11 is similar to the A-20 in my mind, so it is not as essential as the Do 217.

The Fiat G.55 Centauro
Another Italian fighter, this time from late war. This also has 3 20mm cannon like the Re.2005, and looks similar. Part of the reason I have put these 2 planes in is the armaments. There are some really powerful Allied planes like the Typhoon and La7/La5 that have only cannon rounds. Yes there are German planes with powerful guns too, I just feel there needs to be more of an agile smaller plane like the yak (which I compare these both to).


Well that's it for now. I know JB42 my CO will probably add to this list in a reply. I hope you like my choices, and consider them with great thought.

<<>> and Thank you for your time!

[JB73]

*punt

anyone else's thoughts?

[Pongo]

Ok list.
I think we would eventually get one of the Italian Combat Prototypes
The JU290 would have to be perked. But it would be interesting.
The Ju87 could be a perk goon if you let it drop at German combat heights...400? ft I think.

The others...take am or leave em I guess. Im more interested in the P47M or N the Ki 84 and the B29 or He 177.

[TheManx]

With the B-17, B-26, Lancaster, A-20, TBM, SBD-5, Boston, and Mosquito

Our Mosquito is a fighter variant not a bomber variant. I'd definitelly go for a trade where you get a Do217 while we get a mossie bomber variant.

[Fancy]

Originally posted by TheManx
Our Mosquito is a fighter variant not a bomber variant. I'd definitelly go for a trade where you get a Do217 while we get a mossie bomber variant.

I'll bring up again that many planes like the mossie (the P-38 and the A-20, amongst others) used to lead-plane bomb.  Basically the lead plane was modified whereby the foreward guns were removed and a bubble placed in the nose.  There would be a bombsight and a bombadier there and he would signal all the other planes to drop.  At that point the lead bomber would go home and the others would stick around for general jabo clean-up.  I don't think this would be hard to implement.  Basically model a few lead-bomber variants and allow for the lead bomber to set certain people with, say, a signal command (.signal Fancy) whereby when you released your bombs others were given a message or their bombs were dropped automatically.  I know this is much messier than buff bombing but that's the way it was IRL.  The accuracy really depended on how well the other planes could keep formation.  And really this would help balance things as an uber flotilla of level-bombers/fighters would be a bit much.

[Imp]

The Mossie bomber is badly needed IMO.

I want a cookie Mossie

[llyr69]

Re2005 and Aunte Jude sounds good to me.

Ahem.....There's plently of Luftwobble planes with tater guns.....

Some new Nihongin iron is needed I think. Mitsu has posted a ton of info on the Emily that I think would be a valuable addition to the planeset...Ki84 would be good too.


Just my US $.02:cool:

[knightsbane]

I like the p-47 and the the spits and f4's but why so freaking many of the same freaking plane.  I would much rather see new aricraft than just variations of the ones we got.  I liked the temp when it was first intro.'ed i liked all of the spits because of how easy there were to fly.  I like the 47 because of the payload it could carry.  Now, when i go up in on of the numerous p-47 if feel bored.  I am sorry i don't fllow seeing the same plane over and over.  I'd like to see as many Planes i could see and then start making the different variations of it.  I's like to see more Germain stuff so we can make it more realistic of the War not of just individual whim's.  We are making this game on WW2 and to se everything there needs to be everything, not alot of the samething.  If you disagree i don't care go on and make the game more and more stale by not making anything else but what is there already.

[hazed-]

Do 217 has been argued over and over about. The He 177 is a far better choice for this class of bomber.Do 217 has poor defence in terms of guns and would be a sitting duck in MA. The he177 would have a chance to defend itself at least and carries similar loadouts for bombs and is comparable in all performances like climb , topspeed etc.

Ju52 would be cool but its a case i think of its necessity in AH. we already have a transport so why mak another when theres so many fighters and bombers we dont have.shame but true

as for both those italian fighters they do not perform particularly differently to the 205 which again i suspect means they go down the list because they cannot really add anything new.I can understand wanting them though if you are a fan of italian aircraft.Im also not so sure they saw that much combat either but id have to check.

He-111 again very poor defensive armament but would be good for Battle of Britain scenarios but thats about it.I also would like to see it but there are many other aircraft id rather see introduced before it.We have the ju88 already after all.

did the ju 290 see combat? if it did then its a good choice.