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  • Captured Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 Zero Fighter
    Captured Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 Zero Fighter
  • Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat
    Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat
  • Flying Tigers P40B
    Flying Tigers P40B

In the first year of the Pacific War US Navy fighter pilots had to develop ways of defeating the Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 Zero. These tactics had to be developed in the crucible of combat. Allied pilots were taught to maintain a speed of above 280 knots whenever they confronted a Zero.[1] Due to its large control surfaces and high stick forces, the Zero's superlative low speed agility deteriorated rapidly at high speed. Its large ailerons adversely affected the Zero's rate of roll.[2] Conversely, when an F4F pilot wanted to engage a Zero he used hit and run tactics.[3] His best course of action was to dive on the Japanese fighter from above, make one pass, then dive away. In most cases a short burst from a F4F's 50 cal Browning machine guns would demolish the unarmored Zero.[4]The A6M2 Model 21's lack of self-sealing fuel tanks and pilot armour made it especially vulnerable to enemy fire. Like most Japanese aircraft of its generation, the Zero burned readily.[5] When attacking a Zero, it was vitally important for a Wildcat pilot to avoid getting into a low speed turning contest with the agile Japanese fighter.[6] Due to its low wing loading of 22 pounds per square foot, at low speeds the Zero was far superior to the Wildcat in a maneuvering contest.[7] The Zero's superlative turning ability, higher rate of climb, and superior acceleration gave it a decided advantage in a dogfight over the heavier Grumman fighter.[8] In order to stay alive in the same skies as the Zero, F4F pilots had to adopt tactics like the leader, wingman combination that emphasized teamwork.[9]To defeat the Zero, Wildcat pilots had use the rugged construction, superior armament, and higher diving ability of the F4F to force the Zero to fight in a way that negated its strengths.[10]

In many ways the tactics employed by the US Navy during the first year of the Pacific War had been pioneered by Gen.Claire Lee Chenault. Chenault's group of American volunteers (Flying Tigers) flew in defence of Burma and Nationalist China.[11] They were initially equipped with Curtiss P40C Tomahawk single seat fighters.[12] In order to combat lighter more maneuverable JAAF fighters, Chenault's pilots adopted tactics which emphasized the strengths of the P40. Like the US Wildcat pilots in the South Pacific, they flew in a basic element of pairs. In order to minimize the Japanese advantage in agility, AVG pilots used the superior diving speed of their mounts to break up Japanese formations.[13] As in the case of F4F pilots fighting over the Pacific, a short burst from a P40B's two 50 and four 30cal Browning machine guns could easily destroy a Japanese fighter.[14] The AVG's fire power advantage was further cemented by the partial re-equipment of the AVG with the Curtiss P40E Kittyhawk which was armed with six 50cal Browning M2 machine guns.[15]

During the first year of the Pacific War Japanese fighters could not compete with the superior firepower of American fighters. To illustrate this point, one only has to look at the Zero's paucity of offensive firepower.The A6M2 Model 21 Zero was armed with 2x20mm wing mounted Type 99 Model 1 Mark 3 cannons that had a low rate of fire of 520 rounds per minute.[16] The early Type 99 cannons also had a low muzzle velocity of 600 meters per second.[17] The A6M2 Model 21 only carried a limited ammunition load of 60 rounds per gun.[18] Its 2x7.7mm Type 97[19] machine guns that were mounted in the upper fuselage decking, apart from sighting purposes, were virtually useless in combat against the heavily armoured Grumman design. The heavy firepower of the F4F gave it a decided tactical advantage in combat as long as the Wildcat pilot avoided the temptation to dogfight with the Zero.[20]

  1. ^ Wolf, William (2014). The 5th Fighter Command in World War II Volume 3: 5th FC vs Japan: Aces, Units, Aircraft and Tactics. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. p. 1106. ISBN 978-0-7643-4738-2.
  2. ^ Wolf, William (2014). The 5th Fighter Command in World War II Volume 3: 5th FC vs Japan: Aces, Units, Aircraft and Tactics. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. p. 1106. ISBN 978-0-7643-4738-2.
  3. ^ Smith, Peter C. (2014). Mitsubishi Zero: Japan's Legendary Fighter. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Books. pp. xi. ISBN 978-1-78159-319-6.
  4. ^ Boyne, Walter J. (1994). Clash of Wings: World War II in the Air. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 98. ISBN 0-671-79370-5.
  5. ^ Smith, Peter C. (2014). Mitsubishi Zero: Japan's Legendary Fighter. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Books. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-78159-319-6.
  6. ^ Brown, Eric M. (1988). Duels in the Sky: World War II Naval Aircraft in Combat. United States of America: Airlife Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 1-85310-046-3.
  7. ^ Francillon, Rene J. (1995). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 377. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
  8. ^ Brown, Eric M. (1988). Duels in the Sky: World War II Naval Aircraft in Combat. United States of America: Airlife Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 1-85310-046-3.
  9. ^ Boyne, Walter J. (1988). Clash of Wings: World War II in the Air. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 221. ISBN 0-671-79370-5.
  10. ^ Brown, Eric M. (1988). Duels in the Sky: World War II Naval Aircraft in Combat. United States of America: Airlife Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 1-85310-046-3.
  11. ^ Holmes, Tony, Editor (2011). Dogfight: The Greatest Air Duels of World War II. New York: Osprey Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-84908-482-6. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Ford, Daniel (1991). Smithsonian History of Aviation Series: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 50. ISBN 1-56098-011-7.
  13. ^ Ford, Daniel (1991). Smithsonian History of Aviation Series: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 78. ISBN 1-56098-011-7.
  14. ^ Ford, Daniel (1991). Smithsonian History of Aviation Series: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 51. ISBN 1-56098-011-7.
  15. ^ Ford, Daniel (1991). Smithsonian History of Aviation Series: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 283. ISBN 1-56098-011-7.
  16. ^ Juszczak, Artur (2015). Mitsubishi A6M Zero: Second Revised Edition. Petersfield, Hampshire: Mushroom Publications. p. 54. ISBN 978-83-63678-29-6.
  17. ^ Juszczak, Artur (2015). Mitsubishi A6M Zero: Second Revised Edition. Petersfield, Hampshire: Mushroom Publications. p. 54. ISBN 978-83-63678-29-6.
  18. ^ Francillon, Rene J. (1995). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 367. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
  19. ^ Francillon, Rene J. (1995). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 376. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
  20. ^ Brown, Eric M. (1988). Duels in the Sky: World War II Naval Aircraft in Combat. United States of America: Airlife Publising. pp. 98, 99. ISBN 1-85310-046-3.
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