Currently, we have a number of planes from the WW2 era in DCS, which allow us to simulate battles from late 1944 and 1945. But in history, those battles fought between the Allies and the Axis are not that breathtaking. Because at that time, the Axis were basically a bunch of "dead tigers" by that time. That's why I propose a DCS 1942. The battles in 1942 were the most intense and decisive for the entire course of the war. Unlike the battles in 1940 and 1941, the Allies were getting overwhelmed; in early 1942, although the situation was dire for the Allies, they started to stand their ground and started to fight back with properly organised and planned resistance. That's why I believe DCS would gain more popularity with more planes from 1942. So I will mainly focus on the planes and battles from earlier 1942, or as early as possible.
Here are my suggestions. Please see the table below. The planes in Red are for the FF module, while the black ones... if they can be made into FF modules, Bravo! If not, it is still good to have them as a 1942 asset pack.
OK, let's get it started.
MiG-3 ShVAK x2
Firstly, the MiG-3 variant with 2 ShVAK 20mm cannons and leading edge slats.
It is the maiden design of the famous MiG bureau, the fastest high-altitude interceptor of 1941 with a top speed of 640km/h. Although designed as a high-altitude interceptor, its sea-level maneuverability is almost as good as that of a BF-109E. You can also carry rockets and bombs for ground attack missions. The fighter is used by both the Soviet Union and Romania.
IL-2-37
I think there is no need for the introduction here. IL-2 is the one plane that was made in the highest number ever. A total of 38163 were made. It has a lot of armour that earns them the name "flying tanks". The IL-2-37 is armed with 2x 37mm cannons used as a can opener for inconvenient cans with no bypass ring attached, like tigers and king tigers. Now, I know that this variant didn't exactly come out in 1942, but in 1943. However, the only difference between a standard IL-2 at the time and the IL-2-37 variant is the cannon, so I don't see why we can't get two variants for the price of one. The plane was used by a large number of nations, including the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Yugoslavia.
Pe-2
A well-designed multi-role tactical bomber. For those who liked the Mosquito, they will love this. This plane can be used as a dive bomber, level bomber, attacker, recon plane, heavy fighter, and bomber killer. And you have enough defensive gunners onboard to have some of those old-fashioned bomber fun. It is used by the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Yugoslavia.
Seafire
The carrier version of the Spitfire. It participated in a lot of famous battles in North Africa and during the invasion of Italy.
Since we already have the Spitfire, making this plane would be easier since I heard that they basically share the same cockpit.
The users of this plane include the UK, Canada, France and Ireland.
Sea Hurricane Mk IIC
The carrier version of the Hurricane Mk IIC with 4 x 20mm cannons for ground attack missions.
Combine this with the Seafire; we can simulate the UK's carrier operations in 1942.
I don't know about this particular variant, but the Hurricane family had many users, including Australia, Belguim, Canada, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, British Raj, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Soviet Union, Turkey, UK, Yugoslavia.
F4F Wildcat
The workhorse of the US Navy at the time. It fought in both the Pacific and Atlantic. It defended the US from complete annihilation when the Axis was at its peak. I absolutely loved this plane as its flight felt so smooth like a glider.
Its users include the US, Belgium, France, Greece, Canada and the UK.
P-40
One of the most iconic fighters from the US. Virtually every Allied nation used it at some point during the war. Either P-40C or P-40E will be a great addition to DCS.
SBD
The iconic carrier dive bomber and attacker. The very same piloted by Richard Halsey Best.
Oh, don't tell me you don't know who Richard was.
SBD's users include the US, the UK, Chile, France, Mexico, Morocco, and New Zealand.
TBF
The iconic carrier torpedo bomber of WW2. It can also be used as a bomber and an attacker by equipping it with bombs and rockets.
With F4F, SBD and TBF, we can simulate a full carrier battle experience of the US in WW2. On top of that, it has two gunners, which is double the fun for those who love to play as a gunner.
The users of this plane include the US, the UK, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Cuba, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, France, Canada, and Brazil.
BF-109F4
I am not going to waste my time writing anything here because I am sure you guys know more about it than I do.
Ju-87D Stuka
The infamous dive bomber of the Nazi Germany. It was used by Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria, as well as the UK.
M.C. 202
The best fighter Italy had at the time. Over 1000 of them were made. It was used by both Italy and Germany.
I still remember back in another flight sim, I once tried to shoot down one of those in my La-5. I kept hitting it with my ShVAKs for 5 seconds straight, but somehow it was still flying and maneuvering. Either that flight sim had wrongly portrayed it, or this plane had some serious armour.
Ki-43
I am suggesting this instead of the A6M because I suspect that ED already has a plan to make a 1944 version of the A6M.
Also, there are significantly more nations that used this plane than the A6M. Furthermore, it is as capable as the A6M variant at the time.
Its users include Japan, China, France, Indonesia, and North Korea.
