Could be your imagination. The last Pac setup .... and the one before that ... etc .... didn't have a numbers problem. Even in this one, I've seen it as high as 50. Everyone has their preference .... and everyone may want to think theirs matches the majority's. Me? FinRus doesn't really hold my interest but I'll fly it and have fun for a change of pace. The terrain is great. The planeset fits ... etc. But if
I had my "druthers", I'd be flying Corsairs in a Pacific AvA setting. And if FinRus happened to have an off-night or two, I certainly wouldn't see that as an opportunity to claim it was unpopular and not worth the time spent on it.
The Euro settings which features Spit Vs and/or IXs as well as the later 109 and 190 series planes appeals to players for obvious reasons. Same if it features ponies and/or lightnings ... both of which have a large following.
But ...
if PACmaps were as unpopular in the CT as you claim ... do you really think it reflects a general lack of interest in the PTO on the part of the AH population? Don't you think more players would potentially participate in the CT if the PAC setups featured their favorite rides without the use of them being dickered with or hampered either by initial design or modification as the setup progresses? It's not like the George doesn't provide balance against any and all potential Allied Pac planes (except perhaps the F4U-4 ... even then player skill can make all the difference).
Most Allied oriented Pacfans are Navy ride oriented - many of which are F4U fans (I feel pretty confident in making that claim). Most Axis oriented Pacfans would like to have a ride available that can compete. The N1K2J is that ride (even though I whole-heartedly support the addition of the Ki-84 and the Ki-43 to the Japanese fighter set .. as well as the Betty). So it seems to stand to reason that any PAC map in the CT that features the George being as available as any other IJ plane and the F4U-1, 1D and F6F (hell, forget the FM-2) being as available as the other allied fighters for use would draw some decent numbers and maintain them. Unless, during it's run, the setup is constantly dickered with because of catering to the snivelers.
Now Eddie is currently checking what various combinations work best in a mid to late PAC setting. I applaud his efforts.
I'm not saying you have to like PAC setings in the CT. And I'm not saying you'd be the only one that prefers other settings (hell you may well not be the only one that outright detests PAC). But you may want to consider trying to relax and have fun in them anyhow. There's quite a few PACfans who fly the non-pac settings just to support the CT.
It's all good. Just fly and have fun. Don't worry bout it.