Battlestations: Pacific/Japanese Aircraft

For Battlestations: Pacific, a whole host of new IJN aircraft are available for use, and in general agility and manoeuverability of most planes has been downgraded to improve realism.

Ki-43 Oscar
The Oscar has lost some manoeuverability since the last game, however it still remains one of the most agile aicraft featured, just losing out to the Zero in turning capacity. Capable of 198 mph normally, 280 mph with boost engaged and even more in steep dives, the Oscar is also a fast aircraft, making it a formidable opponent for any US aircraft. However, its agility sacrifices durability, and its thin armour means a few good hits and you're going down. Thanks to this, the Oscar works best in large packs, and can easily target enemy aircraft aswell as small, lightly armoured ships such as PT and Higgins boats.

Unlike the Zero, the Oscar features no cannon, instead relying on two machine guns, although these are larger and more powerful than those fitted to the Zero. However, in a dogfight the lack of any heavier weaponry means planes cannot be downed at as quick a rate as with the Zero. The Oscar can also be fitted with two 100kg bombs. These are not practical against anything more heavily armoured than a destroyer, but are often preferable to purpose built dive bombers as the Oscar is equipped with much more potent guns, and is much more agile. The kamikaze Oscar loses the bomb option, but keeps the two 12.7mm machine guns.

Official Description: ''Where the 'Zero' serves the Japanese Navy in the fighter role, the Japanese Army has the 'Oscar'. Known as 'Hayabusa', or 'Peregrine Falcon', to its pilots, it is a modern fighter aircraft which only entered production in 1941. Although slightly slower than the 'Zero', it has longer range, faster cruising speed and a higher ceiling, making it better suited to land-based operation. Its only shortcoming is its offensive armament; consisting of just two machine guns, it is considerably under-gunned when compared to other fighters.''

A6M Zero
The Zero differs from the Oscar in a number of ways, most notably in its armament. Featuring two 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm cannons, the Zero is a much more potent dogfighter, able to take out heavier targets much more quickly. In addition, the Zero is also slightly more agile, vital in a dogfight situation. The Zero also follows suit with most Japanese aircraft in that it sacrifices armour for agility and speed, and this can be capitalised upon by the enemy.

As with the Oscar, the Zero is capable of 198 mph in normal flight, and this rises to roughly 280 mph when boost is engaged. This high speed allows it to reach areas of concern across the map much quicker than many other aircraft, and the Zero, like the Oscar, can be equipped with two 100kg bombs. The Zero is also available in kamikaze form. In this form it cannot be equipped with bombs, however it retains its dual machine guns and cannons.

Official Description: ''Known to the Imperial Japanese Navy as the T'ype 0 Carrier Fighter', this is one of the finest planes currently serving in any air force. Capable of higher speeds than any comparable American plane, and more manoeuverable to boot, it also boasts a hugely powerful armament of two 7.7 mm machine guns and two 20mm cannons which fire explosives shells, giving it the power to shred any enemy in seconds. It has been in service since early 1940, and is known to the codename 'Zeke'.''