D4Y1 Suisei (Judy)

[Karnak]

Krusty,

That list was only of aircraft that wouldn't entirely suck in the MA.  I listed under that criteria as the all to frequent call is "But that would be useless in the MA" to any suggestion that isn't a 1944 or 1945 aircraft.  If I had been listing just any Japanese aircraft the list would have been much, much longer.

I disagree with the mentality of "it was made, it fits into a sim" because you're taking the feel of WW2 away from the game. All of a sudden it's Luft '46 in IL2 all over again.

So what are your criteria?  Using the B7A1 as an example, you say it has no place, I think it is low priority to be added due to low numbers but is a viable entry.

[Krusty]

That list was only of aircraft that wouldn't entirely suck in the MA.

Oh, sorry.

As for viable late war planes, I think the P1Y has good performance and good numbers, despite lack of use historically. It would blow the Ki67 away I think. 20mm in the nose, 20mm dorsal, claims it can outrun allied planes on the deck, super long range, etc.

The Jack is also a contender for late war. Not that it's uber, but it had firepower, climb, and top speed, capable enough to hunt bombers. Always a plus in this game!

[humble]

I disagree with the mentality of "it was made, it fits into a sim" because you're taking the feel of WW2 away from the game. All of a sudden it's Luft '46 in IL2 all over again.

Yes and no, if we're dealing with a historical re-enactment certainly. However if we're dealing with a combat flight sim whose plane set is defined as planes that were production variants (as opposed to prototypes etc) then we have an entirely different animal. Currently we seem to have a "saw combat" criteria which I think is a bit unfortunate since it removes planes that were very much available like the Meteor or who's production was derailed do to natural disaster (Grace) or act of war (Do-335) or politics (F-7F). What exactly is the "feel of WW2". Is it a spit IX in the early war arena or P-51 in the mid war or a 262 in the late war? WW2 wasn't "a game" it was a bloodbath. This however is a game and it allows whatever leeway the designer wants.

No question that combat theater will address the "feel" of the actual war and provide a more immersive   environment for those who want it. IMO the MA is just a place to play with the toys that were available at the time. Personally I'd love the Grace, just like my A-20 I'd be out hunting scalps not carrying the mail with it. But I'd love to see the Do-335, meteor and F7F as well. In fact if we look just at the D0-335 we have one of the most intriguing stories of the war.

The plane was actually available in 1942 (Suprisingly its a 1939 design that Goring canceled development of in 1940). It then was awarded a production contract in mid 1942 which was then canceled before a later protype was ordered. It 1st flew in 10/43 and was ordered into rush production in May 1944.

So here we have a fighter that might very well have entirely blunted the US daylight bombing campaign that was delayed and altered while inferior planes like the 109 & 190 continued to be upgraded and produced. Had the D0-335 been produced in early 1943 in large numbers the entire course of the air war might have altered...so yes I'd love to see it as the single biggest "what might have been" question of the WW2 air war.

[Krusty]

There is a mental connection to the past when playing this game. There is a "feel" for the time it is framed within.

You would no sooner feel like flying in WW2 if you saw a Dr.I off your wing than you would seeing a Do-335 off your wing.

There is a historical context for this game, and I think limiting it to planes that actually participated is a good way of maintaining that.

Any "outside" aircraft causes a mental disconnect and you feel like you're in the random arcade game than a WW2 flight sim.

[633DH98]

Perhaps a MTW^* arena? 






* Missed The War

[humble]

But they didnt miss the war, thats the point. There are plenty of planes like the F8F that did in fact "miss the war". 616 squadron was operational and flying Meteors in July 1944. The improved mark III's enter operational service in Dec of 1944. 616 Squadron was moved to continent in Jan of 45 and flew combat operations till the end of the war. They accounted for 46 enemy planes destroyed on the ground but engaged in no air to air combat...

[LLogann]

Judy............... Yes Please.

[RMrider]

Another easy kill