Favorite fighters:
La-5 Fast & manuverable it packs a real punch with twin 20mms in the nose. Two hundred rounds per gun is quite generous. Drop tanks are not available so the range is short. In addition, with only a single, main fuel tank it's best used close to a friendly base if you're into landing missions. Could be a little sturdier, but at least it has a radial engine (which is more durable than an in-line engine).
P-47D-11 Fast, sturdy, and surprisingly manuverable. I always take 100% fuel and the DT; I use the DT to climb as high as possible. Stay fast and high if you want to rtb. Take the 8 x 50 cal. option, with the lower option for amount of ammo (267 rounds per gun?).
Because these planes are seen less often than others, many pilots don't know their capabilities and are unpleasantly surprised.
Lately I've been doing a lot of hi-alt buff intercept missions in the Bf-109G-10 with the 30mm cannon. I use its speed and climbing ability to pull way ahead, then attack from 12 o'clock high, firing from very close range a few well-placed cannon shells.
I fly just about everything sometime, because variety is the spice of life.
Favorite Bomber:
Ki-67 "Hiryu" or "Peggy" At 20K this bomber flies at 334 mph true airspeed. And that's at manifold pressure 45 (about 95% power)!! If you fly fast you will be almost impossible to attack from any position other than your six. The rear guns (twin 12.9 mm = 50 cal.) don't have much ammo, so you must wait for the right moment and fire a short burst, aim again, fire a short burst until you get him. Don't fire unless you've got a good shot. The "right moment" is often when a fighter has pulled above you after zooming up from below and is floating there momentarily. The 20mm in the rear-facing top turret usually does the trick quickly, but aim from the rear gun position if possible: the view is better.
Remember, speed is your best defense, so make very gentle turns. Just fly like grandma was on board.
Because the front gun is a single 12.9 mm, and the top turret is rear-firing only, if anyone ever does attack from in front, the best defense is to manuver violently and don't even worry about firing.
Drawbacks: the Ki-67 is not particularly rugged and its bombload is less than a P-47's. I always take the 8 x 100 kg (220 lb) bomb load and hit two strategic targets with half my load on each. I'm an accurate bombardier, so the damage is considerable.
Favorite ground attack aircraft:
Mossie With a couple of 500 pound bombs in the bombay, rockets on the wings, and the maximum cannon load set to converge at 650 yards, a single Mossie can destroy an entire field town by itself. Fast and sturdy, it can take on fighters after dropping ordnance, as long as you don't try going vertical. Stay level and fast.
MRPLUTO VMF-323 ~Death Rattlers~ MAG-33
