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gospodin · 02-15-2008, 06:48 PM

One very good reason the Japanese fielded some excellent fighter aces was the fact they had a far superior aircraft to work with: the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. This aircraft ruled the Pacific skies until the introduction of the Hellcat, the Lightning, Mustang and F4U. The Japanese underwent a serious training program for their pilots, and they had been at war with China since 1937. American pilots didn't have the training, we were new to war on this scale, and too many rookies were accepted as pilots who should never have gotten into a cockpit. It wasn't until 1943 that we got our act together and started producing our own aces.

02-15-2008, 06:48 PM	#18
gospodin Diecast Blasphemer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ceti Alpha V Age: 52 Posts: 2,952	Re: Ace Pilots One very good reason the Japanese fielded some excellent fighter aces was the fact they had a far superior aircraft to work with: the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. This aircraft ruled the Pacific skies until the introduction of the Hellcat, the Lightning, Mustang and F4U. The Japanese underwent a serious training program for their pilots, and they had been at war with China since 1937. American pilots didn't have the training, we were new to war on this scale, and too many rookies were accepted as pilots who should never have gotten into a cockpit. It wasn't until 1943 that we got our act together and started producing our own aces. __________________ Steve "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."