P-400 for air-to-air?

[Buckrock]

ORIGINAL: Leandros
The Japanese bombers flew in over Manila at approx.. 23.000 feet. The P-40’s never reached them, the P-36 would have been there in 10 minutes. If they had been allowed to take off.

As in the game, the P-36A should have been competitive with the A6M2 at lower altitudes but outclassed above medium altitude (above 15000ft in AE). In the Philippines, the IJNAF bombers were normally accompanied by Zeros when they made their high altitude raids. Although the P-36A could've climbed quickly toward the raid altitude, it would have likely then had to tangle with the A6M2 under conditions where the Japanese fighter had a clear edge in most of the factors that determine combat success.

When I have used them in AE, I normally put any P-36A's on CAP below 10000ft in the hope they will not climb too high when they attempt intercept so that any Japanese fighters will have to come down low to fight. Unfortunately the P-36A's have seen little combat in my games to date so I can't say how worthwhile this tactic really is.

*Edit - I just noticed this is a danged Zombie thread. Forget what I mentioned as I'm sure your game experience over the last 2+ years would have taught you how best to use the P-36A. Or modify it to your heart's content.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Buckrock

ORIGINAL: Leandros
The Japanese bombers flew in over Manila at approx.. 23.000 feet. The P-40’s never reached them, the P-36 would have been there in 10 minutes. If they had been allowed to take off.

As in the game, the P-36A should have been competitive with the A6M2 at lower altitudes but outclassed above medium altitude (above 15000ft in AE). In the Philippines, the IJNAF bombers were normally accompanied by Zeros when they made their high altitude raids. Although the P-36A could've climbed quickly toward the raid altitude, it would have likely then had to tangle with the A6M2 under conditions where the Japanese fighter had a clear edge in most of the factors that determine combat success.

When I have used them in AE, I normally put any P-36A's on CAP below 10000ft in the hope they will not climb too high when they attempt intercept so that any Japanese fighters will have to come down low to fight. Unfortunately the P-36A's have seen little combat in my games to date so I can't say how worthwhile this tactic really is.

*Edit - I just noticed this is a danged Zombie thread. Forget what I mentioned as I'm sure your game experience over the last 2+ years would have taught you how best to use the P-36A. Or modify it to your heart's content.

My P-36s become trainers in the USA or become Chinese junk fighters!