The Zero vs the Hellcat

In aerial duels the American F4F Wildcat found itself completely outmatched by the Zero. The Zero was nimble, fast, and well-armed, the Wildcat was sluggish and maneuvered like a tin can. The poor performance of the Wildcat meant that U.S. Navy pilots had to leverage their aircraft’s better survivability against the Zero’s maneuverability.

In 1943, the game changed when the American F6F Hellcat entered the war.

The Hellcat outclassed the Zero as soon as it rolled off the production line. Faster, better armed, and with superior armor, the Hellcat dominated the Zero on paper and proved its worth in the skies of the Pacific Theater. The tables were flipped.

However, the Zero had one advantage left: It’s pilots. With years of combat experience, from the Pacific Theater to China and Burma, Zero pilots were grizzled veterans fully able to exploit their aircraft’s capabilities against the formidable new American fighter. Hellcat pilots would soon find out that, in spite of their aircraft’s superiority, Japan’s aces could still put up a tough fight.

shot 2017.02.20 13.12.13

Pilot these aircraft and many others in War Thunder, the Massive-Multiplayer Online game that brings World War II vehicle combat to life. In War Thunder, each aircraft holds its unique historical characteristics, so you’ll feel like a real WWII pilot.

But it doesn’t take a real pilot to play War Thunder. Numerous game modes give beginners and experienced gamers the opportunity to dogfight at their own level.

Will you choose the formidable Hellcat, the plane that won the Pacific air war, or the maneuverable Zero, Japan’s plane of aces?

Exploit your aircraft’s unique characteristics to your best advantage, use real dogfighting tactics to get the jump on your foes, and immerse yourself in history as you fly the most iconic fighter planes of World War II in War Thunder

Sign up now to fight the air battles that changed the course of history in War Thunder, the most realistic free-to-play combat MMO.

 

** This article was sponsored by Gaijin Entertainment**