02.01.2009, 22:17
Both versions of the P-51D in the game are Mid-44 and later planes (it was first delivered to units in the ETO in March 1944. The -20 version with the K-14 gunsight came in later in 1944..). Later production blocks (-25 and -30) differed in details only, with no noticeable change in performance. The only thing missing from late Mustangs are zero-length rocket rails as seen on late -25 and -30 block planes.
The P-51H never saw combat, not even in Korea. The first prototype flew in Feb 1945 and while some units in the Pacific received them before the end of the war, they did not see action. There were 555 produced, so it would still be nice to see for some "what -if" scenarios.
Having said all that, I would rather see another variant of the P-47 (or any other plane, like the F4U-4) that had more than a dozen or so examples produced and actually saw combat. For better or worse, a lot of people seem infatuated with late-war fantasy Luftwaffe variants that barely got off the drawing board than other, more significant planes.
The P-51H never saw combat, not even in Korea. The first prototype flew in Feb 1945 and while some units in the Pacific received them before the end of the war, they did not see action. There were 555 produced, so it would still be nice to see for some "what -if" scenarios.
Having said all that, I would rather see another variant of the P-47 (or any other plane, like the F4U-4) that had more than a dozen or so examples produced and actually saw combat. For better or worse, a lot of people seem infatuated with late-war fantasy Luftwaffe variants that barely got off the drawing board than other, more significant planes.