Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo Etgen
Hi guys
In fairness it should be pointed out that ... the experienced pilots of the 202 Kokutai of the IJNAF were another factor to be considered in regards to what happened over Darwin.
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Hello Leo,
That was a very significant factor, you are right to draw attention to it. The issue is that the A6M3 Model 22 did not have a margin of technical superiority over the Spitfire V. If it had, it is possible to speculate that the RAAF would have suffered considerably greater losses. The Fw 190A-5/U8 flown by 1./S.A.Gr. 128 would be an example of an Axis long-range fighter which was technically superior to the Mark V. Of course, there is the problem that the A-5/U8 did not quite have the range to reach Darwin from Japanese bases, as far as I understand.
The main point that I wanted to underline in this part of the discussion is that the Japanese never possessed substantial technical superiority over the Allies, unlike the Luftwaffe in the early years of the war in Europe.
Regards,
Paul