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