Performance of Japanese aircraft inflated (or deflated)?

[Twitch]

The Zero was the finest and most dangerous A/C in the Pacific until late 1942.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by Twitch

The Zero was the finest and most dangerous A/C in the Pacific until late 1942.

Try August 1942 - that's when pilots of the 39th FS started pounding the Zero and Oscar with their P-39, by that time the earlier 2 to 1 JAAF/ IJN kill ration over the AAF went form almost 2 to 1 to 1.5 to 1 in favor of the AAF. The USN had similar results.....

By November 1942 the P-38 entered the scene, the Zero's fate was sealed....

The Zero 21 was a formidable aircraft but was quickly eclipsed, still not an aircraft to combat outside established tactics....

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Im with Les on this actually. As FBJ said by Aug 1942 the USN and USAAF new how to combat the zero and was soon over.