early gnat swatting. I have been flying some fights that take place early in the war. such as escorting torpedo bombers and dive bombers (Navy) and escorting some B-17s (army).
Well i have figured out some things, don't know if others would agree or not but here we go.
first let me say this in no way matches what the real life was.....i know that.....but based on alot of the acurate flight models we have and based on the experience i gained from flying this sim for a few years here we go.
Technically I don't think the US was out classed. I think her fighters were just as good as any in the air over the pacific.
The Grumman F3F biplane fighter was a rugged machine that can turn with anything the Japs fielded during the early stages of the war. About five squadrons of thiese machines were being used on the west coast until early 1943 fro patrol and training missions. The bird is probably the best rolling plane i have flown on the sim. Its roll rate is fantastic. It turns even with the Ki-43 and it out turns the Zeke. Where it lacks is speed and gunnery. To slow and the .30s it carries well you know that is a pop gun in areal combat.
The Boeing P-26 pretty much the same comments made about the F3F, good dog fighter but slow and under gunned for the 41-43 time frame. But as they did in the PI they can put up a decent fight.
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was reaching the end of its useful life, but in the hands of a proper and experienced pilot it could fight the A6M2 zero on almost even terms. Now the Ki-43 gives it more of a challenge, but it can still hold its own as long as the pilot realizes its limitations and uses those to his advantage. Its rugged airframe was a plus as well. Guns were a better suit for the time frame. This airplane when it went up at Midway it was out numbered four to one. They put up a good fight. The fact is they shot down more Japanese planes in return for their own loss. In the hands of the RAAF same story highly out numbered but they shot down more then they lost. This planes bad reputation was gained under bad circumstances. They were out numbered and flown by inexperienced pilots, not a combination for success. In proper hands this plane could be deadly look at how well the Finish used the design. It should also be noted VMF-221 put up Wildcats at midway as well as the Buffaloes and they too suffered heavy losses.
The Curtiss P-36 Hawk\Mohawk. Only thing to say is that i prefer this bird over the P-40. It can turn with the best of them. Its speed can be a problem, but well that's to say for any of the early US types, because of the protections put on the plane. Tad bit under gunned but that can be dealt with. I like this plane a lot. I enjoy flying it. It turns as good as the Ki-43 and it is easy to fight in.
Lockheed P-38 Lighting was a damn fine long range fighter its superchargers in the F model and later models overcome the Allison engine problem. being a twin engine fighter it doesn't turn as well as the gnat fighters but it can blow the hell out of them.
The Bell P-39 Airacobra, could have been the best dog fighter in the world if it wasn't limited to 10-15 thousand because of the Allison engine.
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. another wonderful bird. though the allison engine limits its effectiveness to around 10 to 15 thousand. I love fighting this bird to. the extra weight does limit its ability to turn with the Oscar.
Finally we come to the Grumman F4F Wildcat. it handles in pretty much the same fashion as the P-36. It can turn well and fight well. and so on. Using combat tactics like the scissors and the Thatch Weave this plane can dominate the battle field. I enjoy flying this bird as well.
Ater 1943 the US was no longer out numbered and more modern fighters just simply out classed the Japanese but in the days of holding the line. the US did have the tech, that had some limitation, but it was enough to do the job. I don't think the US was out classed. What do you think of my assessments. Thanks for reading
Cowboy
