[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

GBR:
1.Boulton Paul Defiant, AI

Built in limited numbers, unsuccessful as a day fighter, and quickly withdrawn from service. As an AI plane, it would be unchallenging for any player who knows the trick of how to fight it. Fits into the "cool, but unimportant" category, along with planes like the Westland Whirlwind, He-100, or Me-163 (yes, it's in the game, but how often do you fly it?)

BUT, as a night fighter, it was very successful from 1940-41, so would be a useful add-on if IL2 were model the "Night Blitz" attacks by Germany over the UK in late 1940-early 1941.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

2.Blackburn Skua/Rock, AI

Actually two planes. Both built in limited numbers early in the war and unsuccessful. Got their butts kicked over Norway and Dunkirk and soon withdrawn from service. Only useful as add-ons if IL2 were to ever expand to cover Invasion of Norway or Invasion of France scenarios.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

3.Walrus Mk1, Flyable

+1. The quintessential RAF air-sea rescue plane. Very useful for MTO and Western Front ops, particularly if IL2 were to continue its focus on anti-shipping/maritime ops in the MTO. Also used by the RAAF, although mostly for coastal patrols well away from active war zones. Arguably, the PBN Nomad could substitute, but the "shagbat" was used earlier and in greater numbers by the RAF.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

4.De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth, Flyable

Fun to have, but unimportant when rounding out the order of battle for existing maps and combatants. This is because it was never intentionally used in a combat role and was seldom a target because the UK quickly reestablished air superiority over its home territory after the Battle of Britain. The R-5 civilian variant fills the bill for a basic trainer aircraft, so not really necessary in that role either. Many other popular Western Allied training and liaison aircraft also fit into the "cool, but never got near the combat zone" category. E.g., T-6/SNJ Texan/Harvard series, Lockheed Electra, Beech Model 18.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

5.Handley Page HP.52 Hampden, AI

Possibly. Its role can currently be filled by the Blenheim or the Beaufort. But, were IL2 to branch into Western Front 1941-42 night bombing ops, it would be a natural, agile, opponent for the early Bf-110 night fighters.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

1.Blohm Voss 138, AI

+1. Germany needs a long-range flying boat, and the BV-138 was used on all fronts. Alternately, the He-115 could substitute, but it was built in smaller numbers (But, the He-115 was used by Finland, which is a point in that plane's favor.)

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

2.Henschel He 112, Flyable

The Heinkel He-112 was use in limited numbers by Romania in the first few years of war on the Eastern Front, with moderate success. It's role is sort of filled by the IAR 80/81 series. The He-112 would be "nice to have" to give the Romanians another fighter option, but otherwise isn't that important.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

3.Dornier Do 24, Flyable

This would be a good substitute for the BV-138 or He-115. It was built in about the same numbers as the BV-138, but had a longer service life. A point in its favor is that it was used in limited numbers by the KNIL, and later the Australians, making it a useful addition to early to mid-war Southwest Pacific scenarios.

Originally Posted by redarrows2006

4.Arado Ar 196, Flyable

+1. This plane was commonly used for short-range coastal patrols by Germany and Finland, and was also used for special ops insertion/extraction missions by the Finns. It would be a useful addition if IL2 continues its move into Eastern Front maritime ops.