N1K2-J & Ki-84 VS F4U-4

GregP said:

Leaving out the Ki-100, surely a good one. too. I think the Ki-100, Ki-84,and J2M were among the best three for Japan, but it's the poster's thread. Don't forget the USA had the Corsair, the P-51D/K. and the Hellcat (best kill record on the Pacific) plus the FM-2 (surely a good one from the kill ratio!) The F8F got there but didn't make combat and the F7F was JUST getting there when it ended, so it also didn't make combat during the war, but WAS flying at the time. I'd say anything that got into the F7F's armament stream was dead (4 x 50-cal plus 4 x 20 mm), but it never got fired in anger in WWII, so it doesn't make the team.

Collectively, the question was answered in the war and we won. Individually, I'd say the pilot would make the difference. All were strong individually. No real losers, here.

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GregP said:

In fact, if a Japanese expert, such as Saburo Sakai, were flying an A6M-5 at the war's end, he might have made a very bad day for anyone he encountered, even several at a time.
You know, its funny you should make that very statement Gregg. Several years ago I read a
short story about Saburo on the very ending days of the war. Japan had surrendered and the
armistice would be officially signed very soon. All of Saburo's unit was aware of this, however
a bomber(s) were seen headed their way and they were given the order to intercept. Saburo's
unit was (officially) flying the N1K2-J at this time but had a few A6M5s on hand. Soburo, at the
time of scrambling for their steeds, decided to jump into one of the old Zero's. He felt that the
Zero was there at the beginning of the war and it had been faithful throughout the conflict. It
was only fitting that it should be there at the end.

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