The reason i keep harping, nash is you obviously don't understand me. The reason is there are distinct groups of planes in aces high where planes within that planeset can compete *reasonably* well with each other (and who wins within that planeset comes down most likely to pilot skill)
So whats my issue? The other planes in its era (p51d, 109g10, f4u-1c) can compete with it (all mid 1944 designs, contemporary to the N1k2). But the russians, the 190 pilots, or the spit drivers dont have their mid 44 planes (La7, spit XIV, and FW190 D9) all have cries about their planes strengths/weaknesses. Clearly in my mind, planes can be grouped into categories
Early war
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202,190f4,spit V
Mid war
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la5,yak9,109g2, 109g6, p47, p38, 190, 205, f4u-1a (not in here yet, wish it was), hellcatp51-B
Late war
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p51-D, 109g10, 190 d9, N1k2, f4u-1c, f4u-4, p47 M,N, La7, Yak 3, Me-262, Tempest
I guess, with me the reason I don't like the late war planes as much as the earlier ones is that by 1944 the war had been decided. Many more brave men died, and alot of fighting still happened, but by early 1944 (after which all of those late war planes were introduced) the outcome of the war was decided. They weren't the planes that won or lost the war, they just finished the last act. the planes in the early and middle middle category are the ones that did that decided the war.
When you hear about the epic battles of WW2, its Kursk, Midway, the Battle of britain, Torch, etcera. Thats what decided the war. As bloody as Okinowa, Battle of teh Ardennes, the Marianas, etcera was, they weren't the battles you read stories about where it was uncertin who the victor would be till the dice was rolled.
