S3 Series

Most pilots are quite unused to the F4F4 and it does not at all behave anything like the F4F3. Here's my summary of the Solomon islands match-up

F4F4 Wildcat vs A6M3 Zero comparison

Speed:
A6M3 outspeeds our flying barrel by 40mph at all altitudes.

Turn-rate at deck:
A6M3 outturns our plane in consistent flat turns. 13.9 s/lap vs 17.1 s/lap. The F4F4 turns similiar to a spit5, but is less agile.

Agility:
A6M3 is simply quite more agile than the F4F4.

Diving:
F4F4 as it doesn't even compress above 480+ mph while the zero rips it's wings off at 420 mph. Be aware however you need another "ace in your sleeve" as outdiving an A6M3 is only a short term solution. The Zero will soon catch you again at the deck with its superior speed.

Weapons:
F4F4 by a small margin while the Zero still has cannon ammo. When that ammo is gone though the Zero guns are next to useless, 1/4th the hitting power of a spit1.

Vision:
A6M3 easily. great 360 degree look-around. We need to rely on wingpair tactics and fly with horisontal separation to cover our wingman's six.

Balls:
F4F4 pilots are rumoured to have quite a handful more balls than their enemies.

Good hunting gentlemen!
/Robert
4th FG - 336th

Nice analysis Robert. Just like in 1942 the key to survival for the outclassed wildcat drivers is good tactics. Fly together as squad. Use slashing attacks when possible. Don't turn fight a zeke one vs one unless you have no choice. You got about two 360 turns then he owns you. Dive away when in trouble if you can. In a mele a group of F4Fs can do well because of the toughness of the little barrel and the 6x50s. Should be fun.

And yes, for sure two things Joe Foss, Marion Carl, John Smith, and the rest of the Pilots of the Cactus AF had were a lot of guts and huge .......