Originally posted by ra
The Ki-61 is a better BnZ fighter than the A6M, other than that it is mediocre all around.
The Tony takes some getting used to. Probably the most important thing is to recognize that, like most Axis planes, you shouldn't shoot unless you're under 250 yards, and really not unless your a lot closer than that. The Tony has a fairly narrow maneuvering speed range, generally anywhere in the 200s. Faster, and you start to compress; slower, and it doesn't turn well.
Once you learn fire discipline and how to keep it in the speed range, though, this plane is a killer. Zeke, Hellcat and FM2 can probably turn just a bit better, Spitfire as well, but otherwise no one is going to out-turn you, and you can go up while those planes are busy turning. It's easy to keep within your speed range with just a little practice, because the plane has very good energy qualities. Unlike other Japanese planes, this one is quick enough that you can generally keep the other guy from getting away (unless he's just a plain old boom-&-zoomer).
We fly the Tony quite a lot in CT. Took me awhile to figure it out, but now it really is my favorite Japanese plane, and it can more than hold its own with any of the Allied planes, other than the Spit and, perhaps, the FM2.
- oldman
