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So earlier today I finally got the Ki-88 Specialized. After a little while flying this plane initially, I actually did like it but saw it had some glaring problems. Though the most surprising thing about the Ki-88 is its stupidly high max optimum altitude for a japanese fighter in game (1800 meters), a whopping 300 meters higher than the same tier Ki-61's!
I have been told its like a Japanese copy of the Airabonita and P-39Q, but it does have the shortcomings of Japanese aircraft, it certainly cannot take a hit very well and will get eaten up by some defensive fire.
I struggled with this plane at stock configuration if the plane wound up getting bottom tiered, not that it could not deal good damage or did not have the maneuverability to deal with most things, but that it was still just too slow for how aggressively the armament of the plane almost demands it to be flown.
But i finally did specialize it, popped a polished skin on it, and dang...
combine it with ADE, and the plane's airspeed rating skyrockets. Now it is nearly tied with my Emil on cruise speed, being only 10 Km/h slower.
Speaking of the Emil, it is also strange for a Japanese aircraft that - on paper - the Ki-88's altitude performance stats are a carbon copy of the Bf 109 E's, only in my Ki-88's case, it has a slightly better climb rate (120 vs 117).
And although the 37mm cannon overheats fairly quickly and this plane does not have a gun equipment slot, it does hit HARD, comparable to Yak-7 or P-38J Hard, while lacking the range of the Yak-7's cannon but also being fairly more reliable than the P-38J's.
So to any of you considering acquiring this plane, or have it sitting around in your hangar gathering dust: I say go for it. I am pleased with mine and it is a very welcome addition to the sparse group of overall better than above-average tier six fighters in-game at the moment. (and one heck of a solid alternative to stooping to a spitfire...)
