---== UPDATE FL2074: THE FLYING CIGAR ==---
By: Robert, Grumpy, Bollok & Jabo.
All made possible by: Bcamel (creator of the program used to model the airplanes), and Idunno (who has shared a vast amount of aerodynamical knowledge).
The update is now live and available for download!
--= Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" series =--
The G4M1 and G4M2 have been fully remodeled and they should now be closer to real life performance. See further down for details.
--= Nakajima Ki-43-Ic Hayabusa "Oscar" =--
A new flightmodel has been added to Warbirds, the Ki-43-Ic, which can be flown from the start of RPS1. Previously there was only the mid-war Ki-43-II available. See further down for details.
--= New skins by Iart7 =--
The Fw 190D-9 model has recieved two new beautiful skins, the "Yellow 10" and "Brown 4". These have been created by Iart7.
--= Hitpoints tweak for unprotected fuel tanks =--
Planes that don't have self sealing fuel tanks will now have a hitpoints penalty to the part of the plane that is hosting the unprotected tanks. As an example the P-36C will have less hitpoints for the center fuselage, while a plane like the A6M Zero or G4M Betty will be more vulnerable to damage to their wings. The planes affected are the:
P-36C, Hawk 75, A6M Zeros, Ki-27b Nate, J2M Jacks, B5N2 Kate, D3A Val, TBD-1 Devastator, G4M Betties.
--= Avro Lancasters =--
G-limit fix. Bomb bay door drag and landing gear drag has also been increased. This from comparing with available B-24 and B-17 data. It is now recommended to fly with the bomb bay doors closed until near the target.
--= P-47 series =--
WEP time limit fix, now at 5 minutes. Was found to be incorrectly set.
--= Nakajima L2D3 transport =--
Engine sound corrected.
--= Ju-52 transport =--
Propwash and control sensitivity fix to reduce the tendency of suddenly plunging into the ground or over-pitching.
--= Fw 190 series =--
Small nose sensitivity fix, making the nose slightly less twitchy.
---== THE MITSUBISHI G4M BETTY SERIES FULL REHAUL ==---
The Japanese Mitsubishi G4M was nicknamed "The flying cigar" by it's pilots. This was in reference to the G4M's cylinder shaped fuselage, looking like a giant cigar. The American pilots later nicknamed it "The one time lighter". This was however in reference to far less positive traits. The G4M airframe was quite well built, and taking bullets into the fuselage or non-critical parts of the wings it was just as durable as the American bombers. However the Japanese command set up very high specifications regarding effective altitude and max range for the bomber to be built, and to meet these demands it had to be designed without self sealing fuel tanks in order to save weight and carry more fuel. This design was very successful while the Japanese had air superiority, but against the American planes it quickly became apparent just how vulnerable the unprotected fuel tanks of "The flying cigar" were to machine gun fire, with many Betties easily catching fire, their crew facing a burning fate. Nevertheless the G4M was quite a fast and effective bomber with great range, good controls and had a hard hitting 20 mm cannon mounted in the tail, and later in the dorsal turret, for defense. An enemy fighter pilot underestimating the defensive armament of a Betty can quickly find himself in a ball of fire instead. The G4M Betties fielded strong engines and could quickly get to high altitude. They could also carry a torpedo for ship hunting.
--= The G4M1 =--
The G4M1 first flew in combat in September 1940. It weighed roughly 26500 lb (full fuel, no bombs), and was equipped with two strong MK4A Kasei 11 engines, each able to produce 1548 hp for take off power, and 1380 hp at 13100 ft. This is quite good compared to the American B-17 and B-24, fielding engines capable of only 1200 hp at WEP. The defensive armament consists of 1x 7.7 mm MG's at various stations, which isn't much, but the tail holds a 20 mm cannon, making the Betty a dangerous foe to attack from behind.
--= The G4M2 =--
The G4M2 was an improvement to the G4M1, arriving mid-1943. It had redesigned wings with an external underwing coating to somewhat protect the fuel tanks. The G4M2 was heavier than it's predecessor and weighed around 32300 lb at full fuel, no bombs. It had a fully rotating dorsal turret though with an extra 20 mm cannon for defense, and it's engines were the improved Mk4P Kasei 21 engines. These used a water-methanol injection system and had an impressive power output of 1880 hp at 4400 ft, and 1735 hp at 16800 ft, compensating more than well for the heavier weight of the G4M2.
---== THE NAKAJIMA KI-43-IC HAYABUSA "OSCAR" NEW ADDED FLIGHTMODEL ==---
While the A6M Zero is famous from the naval carrier battles where it was involved, The Ki-43 served with the Japanese Army Air Force in larger numbers than any other fighter, and was used on every front where the JAAF was engaged. Performance wise the Ki-43-Ic is very similar to the A6M2, and it can almost be seen as a land based Zero. A duel between the two would be a close one indeed. Their engines had in effect the same performance, but were produced under different names, the Nakajima Ha-25 for the Ki-43-Ic, and the Sakae 12 for the A6M2. The A6M2 is slightly faster and better armed with cannons, albeit with a short clip. The Ki-43-Ic is only armed with one 7.7 mm and one 12.7 mm machine gun, but has protective rubber coating on the fuel tanks and is not as vulnerable to enemy fire as the Zero. Also the Hayabusa's ailerons don't get as heavy at high speeds as for the A6M Zero. Against most opponents the Ki-43-Ic can confidently engage in a turn fight and come out on top and it is very agile. Like the Zero, the Ki-43 has no pilot armor, so don't stay on the six of a bandit if another bandit is coming up from behind. The best tactic against the Ki-43-Ic is often to boom n zoom.
<S>
/Robert
