The following changes have been made to Japanese aircraft data:

Japanese Navy Aircraft

The maneuver rating on most of the aircraft have been adjusted. What I [Lemurs] had noticed was a lack of consistency between land based and carrier based aircraft. So, the maneuver ratings of the A5, A6m2, 3, and 5 were lowered. They also seem to match better with their allied counterparts.

New devices have been added to represent nose machine guns, which are about 25% more accurate in-game.

The range of the A6m2 has been lowered slightly to more accurately represent its range. This is a controversial decision. Joe and I feel it is more accurate because we have to work with the average situation, not the extremes.

The range on the A6m3 has been increased, as I felt it was too low. The A6m5 is now essentially the 'b' model as it was the model I felt best represented the average of the A6m5 line.

The N1K flotplane has been added since it was the sucessor to the A6m2N Rufe.

The N1K-J has been split into two aircraft: the N1K1 and the N1K2. This allowed a better showing of this excellent aircraft. The N1K1 will show up in 1943 now, but it has a weaker armament, not that good maneuverability, and less durability. The N1K2 arrives in 1944 and is an excellent fighter. The speed for both N1Ks is higher from my research. Rene Francillon seems to have made some mistakes and too many historians have just coppied his numbers rather than check them. The speeds I found for the N1K2-j in US archives from the theater interrogation documents shows 363 knots not 363 MPH. This goes along with Japanese pilots post war books saying that the N1K2-j was just short of 400mph.

The D7A grace dive bomber has been added, as the Grace was used to replace both the Jills and Judys on Japanese carriers. This allows the Judys to be replaced.

The A6m5c has been changed into the A6m7 as it was more of a seperate mark and was more of a ground attack machine. The A6M5c was barely used.

The B5N is now the -2 model as this was the only version being used by this point. Slightly longer range and a second defensive MG.

The ranges on all Nell and Betty models have been lowered to a more accurate number.

The G5N Liz heavy bomber is now available to be built by Japan. This plane was ready for production before the war started and was built in small numbers. It was decided not to mass produce it as it was not a great bomber and because it took too many engines from Japan's weak engine industry. This plane will NOT produce for free. This does not make Japan stronger. To build it will cost engines that could be used in fighters. Remember, four engines per Liz!

The Pete, Dave, Jake and Alf have been rerated:

• The Pete has better range and maneuver ratings.
• The Dave and Alf have lower range and maneuver ratings.
• The Jake has longer range and a bit more durability.

The Pete was a new aircraft and was used with some sucess as a fighter in WW2. The Dave and Alf were geriatric aircraft quickly phased out.

Japanese Army Aircraft

The Ki83 twin engine high speed fighter was added to the production system late in the war. There were several aircraft that could have been added, the Ki87, etc. The Ki83 was chosen because it was ready to go with essentially no teething problems. It was tested in the US after the war and found to be superb.

The Ki61 has been split into a model 1 and 2, for the same reasons as for the N1K (see above). The model 1 is now available to start production in late 1942. This model is less well armed and has a lower maximum altitude. The Model 2 is heavily armed, tough, and has a bit better maximum altitude. The maneuver rating on the Ki61 has been raised by 2 points as it was the best mid war Japanese fighter. If Kawasaki had the same clout Nakajima or Mitsubishi had there would have been far more of these built.

The maneuver rating of the Ki27 and Ki43-1 has been lowered. For whatever reason Matrix made the Ki43-2 with a lower maneuver rating than the Ki43-1, so the Ki43-2 has been given an extra maneuver point. I [Lemurs] found no evidence to say the Ki43-2 was in any way worse than its predecesor.

The Ki45 line has beenI completely redone. The Ki45a is now just a fighter in late 1942. About the beginning of 1943 the Japanese gain the Ki45b fighter bomber with better weapons. In 1944 the Japanese gain the Ki45c night fighter. The Ki45a has a very small bomb load now to match its historical ability.

The Ki84-1 is now slightly more maneuverable than before and with a higher speed. I did a great deal of research on this and I feel it is correct. 408mph may be on the low side, but that is fine since it is late war and production standards are assumed to drop.

The Ki102 Randy has been split into two aircraft, a night fighter and a heavy fighter.

The Ki48 has two versions. The first starts the war and has very weak defence, pitifull armament, and a feeble bomb load. The second model is available in 4/42 is armoured, has a slightly better bomb load and slightly better armament.

The arrival date of many aircraft have been brought to the correct dates. The Ki67 is one example.

The 'MC' army transport plane has been removed as it was the same aircraft as the Ki57.

The Ki36 was changed to a dive bomber to more accurately show its abilities. Mind you, it is not a good dive bomber, but beggers can't be choosers.

Aircraft Engines

Nissan = Advanced Mitsubishi

Toyoda = Advanced Nakajima

If you go to the information screen, then the Japanese aircraft data list, you can peruse the Japanese aircraft and see which use which engine.

The advanced engines are a way to make it dificult for Japan to stock up on engines at the beginning of the game:

• The Adv Mitsubishi is available in 12/42.
• The Adv Nakajima is available in 9/43.

The Japanese player will need to convert engine factories at that time or earlier to the advanced types, otherwise their later war aircraft cannot be built.

The B7A Grace, for example, does not need the Toyoda engine, it needs the advanced Nakajima engine. The screen where it still says 'Toyoda', which I believe is the production overview screen, still lists the old names. So, if you see a reference for Nissan or Toyoda, remember that they are actually the two advanced types.

General Comments

The maximum altitude of virtually every Japanese aircraft has been lowered. Hopefully this will give the allies some advantage at high altitudes.