As I say, I think either way is good and won't have a huge impact. I don't think choosing the J7W over the Ki-83 a good decision nor vice versa; they are just different. Both are good planes (very good), but they are different. I've good success with both, so seriously no worries.ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Lots of opinions. I love it! [:D] Keeps me thinking.
What I've decided (long ago) to work on for late war are 4 fighters, 2 for each service.
Shinden: purely defensive. Reason being it's IJN. My thoughts all along were to use the IJAAF as much as possible to preserve the IJNAF pilots for the carriers. I don't expect to have any effective carriers late war, so those surviving really good pilots will land based. Right now no R&D factories. [:(]
Sam: I screwed up as we all know. I have 11x30 factories repaired as follows: 9, 8, 7, 6, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 1. I'll probably add 1 or 2 more in a few months. We'll see how that turns out. Right now I have no estimate as to when I'll get them.
Frank r: I get these in February 44. This is one of the few things I did right. Hopefully, they'll prove their worth. the "a" model is putting some serious hurting on the Allies. I'm hoping for some good things here.
Ki-201 Karyu: I started these early (possibly at the start of the war, can't remember). I currently have 6x30 factories repaired as follows: 20, 15, 15, 11, 8, 3. The problem is the NE Turbojet. I won't get them until February 45 so I can't accelerate using engines until then.
The main reason I didn't go with the Ki-83 was the cost. In retrospect, that may have been a bad decision. Unfortunately, it's too late to make any more changes.
So, I'll have the Frank r soon (yay!), the Shinden maybe a few months early (shrug), hopefully the Sam in early 45 and the Ki-201 in late 45.
I have the George 2 now, which is pretty good and will get the George 5 in May 44. That'll have to do for the IJN. [8|]
Now in your next game, you may wish to think about choosing one and starting the RnD earlier. Getting the Ki-83 early '45 can be REALLY interesting and fun. I much prefer the Ki-83 armament, those Ho-5 20mm CL … they are nasty.
Another variant is to go strong for the J7W instead of A7M … meaning you acknowledge that the KB is fishing reef by the time you can get the A7M and instead focus on getting the premier LB interceptor for the IJN early. I generally like to go for the George or Jack with this strategy as well; ie an LB based IJN.
Anyway, you're fine in this game. [8D]