Hmmm .... didn't know the Frank was 28 mph faster. The armament for the 1a sounds bout the same. Dunno bout the flight characteristics. The website says it could outclimb and outmaneuver the P-47 and P-51. The website for the 100 claimed it was better than the F6F and equal to the P-51.
I admit that my first instinct was one of aesthetics (even though the La-5's cockpit sits further back and it's cowling is longer). When I see the 84, I see the P-47 as a close approximation in looks. (As did some pilots in the Pacific.) The difference in the armament is greater, though. *ShruG*
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Data
Type:
Single-seat interceptor and fighter-bomber
Span: 36' 11" (11.238 metres)Length: 32' 7" (9.92 metres)Height: 11' 1" (3.385 metres)
Engines:
In all production models - One 1,900 hp Nakajima Homare Ha-45 Model 11 18-cylinder two-row radial
Armament:
(Ki-84-1a)
2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannon in wings, each with 150 rounds
2 x 12.7mm Type 103 machine-guns in upper fuselage, each with 350 rounds
(Ki-84-Ib)
4 x 20mm Ho-5 cannon (2 in wings, 2 in fuselage) each with 150 rounds
(Ki-84-Ic)
2 x 30 mm Ho-105 cannon in wings, 2 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannon in fuselage
(all models)
Two racks under outer wings for bombs or fuel tanks up to 250 kg (550 lbs) each
Performance:
Maximum speed 388 mph (624 km/hour)
Initial climb (typical) 3.600 feet (1,100 metres) per minute
Service ceiling 34,450 (10,500 metres)
Range on internal fuel 1,025 miles (1,650 kilometres)
Range with 98-gallon drop tanks 1,815 miles (2,920 kilometres)
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As far as having a substitution for such a plane that late in the war is concerned, I suppose that depends on the setting and/or alternate reality we wish to portray. Substitutions are a fact of life for a game that isn't currently modeling any new plane models yet gaps still exist. And subbing doesn't take much to try (or to stop trying, for that matter).
But if you feel it's a better substitution for the 84, then hey, there may be room for some temporary subbing there until (hopefully) the 84 is modeled.