Originally posted by Grits
The Ki84 pwns everything in this set, it just needs more ammo.
Grits, I think you're close, but not totally accurate.
I think the Ki84 equalizes the late war US planes. It doesn't pwn them, just gives you an even playing field (in different areas than the US rides).
Whereas the KI has zoom and climb down, US rides clearly have firepower, some can zoom just as good (p38L, and don't get me started on F4u4), some climb fairly good too, but they all have better top speeds than the Ki84, and ALL of them, without fail, can out dive it. Yes, Ki84 can follow a dive and retains E well but it'll slow down while the US ride pulls ahead, almost every time.
So some US rides can match it for manuverability (speed depending) climb and zoom (plane depending). It has in general superior turn and climb and range. US rides have superior firepower, ceilings, alt performance, speed, dive, and survivability.
I think it's even, all things considered.