SUMMARY
Forget everything you've learnt about how the Nintendo Ki-61 flies in the Main Arena. The real Ki-61, built on correct data, is a totally different bird. Please practice the airplanes in the Air Combat New FM arena, because they fly nothing similiar to what we are used to. Fact is that the Allies have a clear upper hand when it comes to fighters. We have nothing as good as the P-38G. This series would quickly turn into a massacre if we try to face the enemy without bringing local superior numbers or surprise. The P-40N is also deadly but luckily should be an equal or sligthly inferior plane compared to our Zeros.
TRIMS
The A6M3 and Ki-61-I's do not have manual rudder/aileron trims. It's not a bug as historically they simply didn't. This means out of auto-trim you need to fight to keep your wings level and rudder centered. This gets easier at lower throttle or higher speeds.
Our rides
Ki-61-Ic (1st line fighter)
I would recommend to use this plane as a hit-n'-run buff-interceptor, or as a tactical ground striker.
The -Ic is the better choice over the -Ib. They have nearly identical performance but the "c" comes with cannons. The Ki-61 historically had a fairly high wingloading (35.5 lb/sq ft) and awful power/weight ratio (0.15 hp/lb). This means it's not as agile as you would expect from a japanese fighter and it climbs poorly. All the Allied fighters will outturn this plane. It's only qualities is decent firepower and the same speed as the P-40N, but the P-38G will catch the Ki-61 at all altitudes. If attacking buff formations we will need to have a good escape plan. The roll-rate is very slow unless you use full rudder, at which you can make very fast snap rolls if you learn to control the motion. It is not an ideal dogfight plane but can at least engage the enemy if we have superior numbers. It has good bombs so can do ground attacks.
Service ceiling: ~30 000 ft
Fuel: 90 min / 146 min (droptanks)
Bombs: 2x550 lb
Guns: 2x .50 cal, 2x 20 mm.
A6M3 Zero (2nd line fighter)
This would be my fighter of choice.
Very good climb until 30k, agile as a paper plane, can perform a loop from 110 mph, can turn with- and just slightly outturn the P-38G, but most importantly the zero has a much better roll-rate. Use this ability aggressively in defensive scissors. The negative side of the A6M3 is it's top-speed, dive-speed and sub-par but still quite decent firepower. This bird should be superior to the P-40N, but we should not engage P-38G's unless we have the numbers or other advantages (or left with no other choice), as the speed difference is significant.
Service ceiling: ~36 000 ft
Fuel: 111 min / 189 min (droptanks)
Bombs: 2x132 lb
Guns: 2x .303 cal, 2x 20 mm.
Ki-43 (2nd line fighter)
Just no, 2x .50 cals aint going to kill anything. Great performance overall but it doesn't make up for it's very weak armanent. Use at own leasuire.
Enemy Planes
P-38G
Great turnrate, no torque, excellent handling, superb climb, fast speed and strong guns. This is the best airplane of this series. The P-38G's disadvantage is it's very slow roll rate. As such the P-38G will struggle in aggressive scissors and is likely to overshoot you sooner or later + has a hard time to shake off an attacker without assistance. Do understand there will most likely be another enemy sneaking up on you though if you take to long behind the bandit. Respect this plane and try to always engage with advantage or avoid it.
Service ceiling: ~38 000 ft
Fuel: 92 min / 184 min (droptanks)
Bombs: 2x1000 lb
Guns: 4x .50 cal, 1x 20 mm.
P-40N
The P-40N-1 has better performance while the P-40N-5 has better guns. This airplane is improved over the P-40E, and is a dangerous foe in close combat. Our Zero should have a slight advantage though, especially in the horizontal and vertical turns. If we engage P-40N's then make it a turn-fight. The enemy will most likely outdive us as a tactic, so if possible get it to the deck first so they can't do this.
Service ceiling: ~33 000 ft
Fuel: 90 min / 147 min (droptanks)
Bombs: N/A
Guns: 4x .50 cal or 6x .50 cal.
Cheers!
/Robert
4th FG
