Well just got a clear with Lightning, not as good of a score but a clear. I used 3-way shot the whole way and while it's not as powerful when the Mosquito uses it, the homing more than makes up for it. There should have been a secret plane that had the super shell power of the Sinden and the Homing power of the Lightning.
The bomb is pretty nifty too and the charge shot that was discussed earlier comes into play, if you press bomb and hold it clears the screen of bullets. You hold the button down till it charges the whole way, I'm usually shooting so as soon as it's filled the bomb will go off when you press the shot button. Later bosses really need a bomb to the face, (which they usually give you a free one for each boss anyway), and that also helps getting you better clear boss times.
Overall I think this is a great shmup that is overshadowed by other 19-- games and really should have been the final game in the series instead of 1944, bleh.
Which plane have you liked better so far?
Honestly my favorite is the Sinden, the shell powered up is insanely strong and piercing. The speed is really nice too as the Mosquito is really slow and it requires that you setup all your homing shots you need to pop off.
