Jimmy Thach and Jimmy Flately

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Jim Oxley

These two men arguably did more to advance a solid, practical combat doctrine than any other single pilot in the USN in the early stages of the war. They literally taught the VS squadrons how to fight and win using what was generally considered to be a second rate aircraft ie the F4F-4; by concentrating on sound tactics, teamwork, the durability of the Grumman and the high standard of gunnery.

Hello Jim,

I would like to make a suggestion, without rejecting your argument. The Wildcat may have been seen as "second rate" by some, but objectively it was not very far behind the Zero technologically and in some respects distinctly superior. The F4F's engine was significantly more powerful, for example. It is worth mentioning that both aircraft were behind their European contemporaries. The Zero's armament was similar to that of the Bf 109E and shared the 109's problems. The Zero scored its most famous successes against early-war aircraft, such as the Hurricane and the Buffalo, so the Wildcat pilots were in a better position than some of the Zero's other opponents.

Regards,

Paul