Hurricane Mk IIC vs. A6M2 Zero

[CORSNING]

The proper training and the skill of the pilot can overcome great performance
differences in aircraft vs. aircraft. There is no substitute for that knowledge. We
are talking about aircraft vs. aircraft capabilities here. The title of this thread
suggested nothing different.

That being said;
Untitled Document
FIGHTER COMPARISON STUDY NO. 1. The Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk VS. The
Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 Zero-Sen. Also used for the following information
is TAIC information for the A6M2 model 21 and statements from Saburo Sakai.

Mitsubishi A6M2 model 21:

Altitude / Speed / Climb
Meters / MPH / FPM
S.L.......298/3500
1,000..307/3439
2,000..317/3378
3,000...327/3317
4,000..336/3256
5,000..344/2904
6,000..340/2445
7,000..334/1685
8,000..327/1512
9,000..318/1067
10,000..--/608

Combat Weight; 5,313 lb.
Engine: 940 hp./T.O., 955 hp./14,500 ft.
Turn Time Observed: 14.1 seconds/4,000 m.
Turn Time Calculated: 13.2 seconds/1,000 ft./110 mph.
Roll Rate: 57 deg./sec./160 mph., 53 deg./sec./225 mph., 42 deg./sec./300 mph.
Combat ceiling: 30,000 ft.
Service ceiling: 36,450 ft.

I see nothing in these figures or any text I have read to date that suggests the
Hawker Hurricane IIC had any ascendancy over the A6M2 model 21 other than
pilot and fuel tank protection and possibly a greater maximum diving velocity.
I believe the Zero (once engaged in 1 on 1 combat) was quite capable of staying
with the Hurricane in any maneuver it chose to use to dive away from combat, and
its initial acceleration abilities would have allowed it to get in a lethal burst of fire.

 

[Glider]

Putting it in historic perspective at the time when these two aircraft types were flying in combat IJN still had superior pilot training and I would dare to say better pilots in average which could take 1 on 1 fight. On the other hand just few .303 API rounds could set Zero on fire. Voted for Zero.

The Hurricane IIc served until the end of the war so the comparison of training depends on what period you pick. It was also was armed with 4 x 20mms but the point is well made, one burst would suffice.