The P-47 was in theater, but if I include it (much as I would love to.....I am a confirmed JUGLOVER and unashamed to admit it) then the USAAF has TWO fighters that have the ability to hit and run, disengage at will (IF the pilots are smart and get some alt under them.......low and slow both the P-38 and P-47 should be dead meat for the Zeroes and Ki-61). The Pacific was the theater in which the P-38 really shined, and I don't want to detract from that by adding the P-47 at this time.
At the start of this setup, USAAF pilots are going to be hard pressed to get their perk built up, as the A6M2 and A6M5 are both more maneuverable, and the A6M5 is as fast as the P-40E.
Things will become a bit easier as the week goes by and they build up perks and have the ability to fly the Lightning.
It is not all about "SACRED GAMEPLAY BALANCE" as you put it. I take this position on the CT Staff very seriously, and try to find a way to put all the planes for BOTH sides into my setups that I can within the target time period.
Problem is, if either side has an aircraft that is clearly superior to it's opponents, more and more players gravitate to that side and soon we are looking at ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and I have even seen 4:1 ratios at times. That is not much fun for the outnumbered side, I think you will admit, and it usually ends up with a gripefest here and in the arena, and lower attendance to boot.
There are a several variations to the planeset in this particular time period, and over time, I intend to use most or all of them at one time or another.
One thing to remember whenever we run a Pac setup:
The Japanese never fielded a fighter that had the speed of the P-38, F4U, P-47, or P-51. Ever. Closest thing that comes to mind is the Ki-84, and it still falls short by about 25mph of the slowest of that group. What the Japanese gave up in speed they gained in turning ability and low speed maneuverability.