Reisen A6m

[zed]

I have been trying to defend my forward airbases with zero interceptors. I have noticed that as a bomber interceptor the zero is sadly lacking. Against b-17s, and b26s, and too a lesser extent b-25s the zero just cant bring them down in significant numbers. If they bring down any, I usually lose as many fighters as bombers are destroyed. Also, I may point out this happens with bombers flying with no escort.

[IChristie]

Didn't Sakai say that the plane the Japanese pilots most feared in the early days of the war was the B-17? IIRC, they spent many hours trying to figure out a way to attack it and only the very best pilots were really successful.

[Narlotep]

Having just finished Bergerud's book on South Pacific air ops...

He commented that the Zero was extremely manouverable but only at low to medium altitudes. It was also very vulnerable when hit as it had no armor, was of light construction, and had no self-sealing fuel tanks. So, if the B-17s are flying high, the Zeros may very well get the short end of the stick.

[Yamamoto]

Sakai said that they hated the bombers because they would fly over and bomb their bases every night. He found that the best way to attack them was head-on, from underneath.

Yamamoto