(Puts on combat sim pilot hat)
Planes in game....really annoy me at the moment. I'll go through what's bugging me:
1. You have the air superiority BF-109's in game carrying the R6 Rustastze - which is 2x MG151 20mm cannons in conformal packs under the wings. Only problem is the guns reduced top speed, reduced roll rate, and reduced climb rate - which would make 109 more ineffective in a dogfight. Especially the climbrate which was the signature advantage of the 109. The R6 would be fitted when doing bomber intercept missions, not air superiority. So, Eugen has selected a loadout that actually should make the plane less effective.
2. The R6 modification to the 190 - which is the WGr21 rocket - was designed for air to air combat, not for ground attack. It was supposed to be used against massed formations of B-17's and B-24's. The german fighters would fire them outside defensive gun range of the bomber formation - a very large overall target - hoping that the explosions would break up the bomber formation and allow more effective gun attacks. Direct hits were rare because the projectile was a low velocity rocket, and therefore hard to aim. The lower the velocity rocket, the more wind and bad aim can affect the round. This is also why the model shown is wrong, because the rocket tubes were angled upwards at 15 degrees because the rocket would otherwise miss low. While it was sometimes used against ground targets, it would not be very effective unless fired in a steep dive or at very close range. Historically this use was uncommon, but Eugen has it as a standard ground attack option. I should also mention it made the planes carrying them vulnerable to interception.
3. Performance information in game is whack. Most fighter planes in game behave better the higher they go, with the notable exception of the FW-190 and the spitfire IX (assuming it is the merlin 66 engined LF one, which is probably true). The 109 and the american fighters would be considerably slower than their top speeds at the altitudes shown in game. Most attack aircraft however would be configured to operate at this altitude. Depending on the plane, if it was equipped with the GM1 system (this is a nitrous system by the way) it might be able to engage it and escape interception. I'll summarize something though: no bomber other than the Ju-88s would be able to outrun a fighter, and I'd bet money on the Ju-88 being able to run away as being circumstantial.
4. Ease of destroying a target. When a firing position has been reached, in order to destroy an enemy plane, all it takes is a single good burst and they're done. The sight of any fighter struggling to shoot down a storch or piper cub is hilarious. If engaged the only defense such a plane would be it's much tighter turning radius in the horizontal - which is why anyone would make a vertical attack. Then again, they go so slow and so low it's not impossible to lose them in background clutter. Spotting targets IRL is not easy or automatic.
5. Completely agree about the area bomb indication stated by OP with regards to level bombers. What you should see is a line of bombs exploding. However, it should be noted that the Ju-88 had dive brakes and could, and would, make dive bombing attacks for precision attacks.
6. Spotting camouflaged guns, hidden infantry, etc from the air is very hard. This is why they were commonly vectored to an area by ground controllers or by rockets fired (smoke rockets) from observation planes. Moving tanks or armored vehicles in the open is not super easy but doable. The human eye is drawn to motion and there's nothing to hide you.
And one thing that doesn't, and one that does:
7. A single AA gun is not much of a threat, unless you're low and slow - or surprised by it. Multiple ones firing from different directions? Different story. Either time to GTFO or just realize you're probably going to get hit some. Also, FYI, at the altitudes shown in game, large caliber, slow firing weapons - like the german 88 - are not effective. They are used for higher flying targets that light AAA can't reach. Still makes a good AT gun through.
