The Zero was the emerging standard fighter for the Japanese at the beginning of their Pacific campaign. It was fairly new (having first flown in 1939) but not so new the U.S. didn’t know about it
- it had seen action in China & elsewhere long before it was used against the Americans. Even so American armed forces severely underestimated the A6M & that mistake caused considerable problems
- it’s primary opponents in the early war, the F4F Wildcat, the P40, & the lamentable P39, were heavily outclassed by the Zero. The wide disparity in plane ability forced a quick adoption of new air to air tactics by the American pilots; the famous " Thatch weave" for instance, which was effective but required two to one engagement odds, close wingman contact, & was fairly risky even so. More commonly Americans took to a simple philosophy echoed by pilot biographies throughout the era; engage with altitude, engage with numbers, & when compromised immediately dive to safety (a singular weakness of the Zero was high speed diving).

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Mitsubishi Zero (A01005) The A6M2b Zero fighter marked the beginning of a new era in naval aviation & was the first shipboard fighter capable of outperforming l&-based aircraft. With its tight turning radius, it was an extremely deadly weapon in a dogfight, & was famous for its ability to outmanoeuvre all the US’s early fighter aircraft. Scale: 1:72 ...

Mitsubishi Zero (A55102) At the outbreak of the Pacific War the Zero, flying from either carriers or land bases, proved to be the best fighter aircraft in the air, in the months following Pearl Harbour the allies struggled to cope with the Zero. Contents Model Kit 4 x Acrylic Paints Glue Brush Scale: 1:72 ...

ML102 106mm Howitzer Motor Carriage 1"82 This American designed Motor Carriageanswered the need for a light self-propelled Howitzer; the weapon was a conversion fromthe M.5 tank, although later models weremanufactured using tank components. Thisis a well detailed, five view drawing, alsoshowing internal detail. Super detailed dye-line Multi-view scale drawing of an armoured vehicle By D. P. DYERIdeal reference drawings for scratch building & plastic kit conversions. ...

ML104 155mm Gun Motor Carriage T6 Mounted 011 a modified chassisfrom the Medium M.3 tank, thispowerful weapon was tested by the Field Artillery Board at Fort Braggduring May 1942, & was found tobe satisfactory, having a great manyadvantages over contemporaryweapons. Five view drawingsshowing recoil spade in loweredposltion. Super detailed dye-line Multi-view scale drawing of an armoured vehicle By D. P. DYERIdeal reference drawings for scratch building & plastic kit conversions. ...

ML105 76mm Gun Motor Carriage M.18 Another fine view drawing gives modellersexcellent material for the M.18 HELLCAT, which had the distinction of being the fastesttracked vehicle of World War II. The basicdesign was a sound one & little, if any, modifications were found to be necessary onproduction models. Super detailed dye-line Multi-view scale drawing of an armoured vehicle By D. P. DYERIdeal reference drawings for scratch building & plastic kit conversions. ...

ML106 155mm Gun Motor Carriage M. 12 " King Kong " Another highly detailed drawing whichshows internal detail through a sectionedside elevation. This drawing & others, were measured from life, on vehicles still inexistence at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryl&, U.S.A., & represents the mostaccurate material of this kind to be foundanywhere. Super detailed dye-line Multi-view scale drawing of an armoured vehicle By D. P. DYERIdeal reference drawings for scratch building & plastic kit conversions. ...

ML108 Light Tank M3A1' General Stuart' III & IVThe ' General Stuart' was the first U.S. tank tosee action in World War II; this vehicle was usedby British forces to good advantage against Rommel during 1941. Again, this large scale planshows internal details as well as generalarrangement views. Super detailed dye-line Multi-view scale drawing of an armoured vehicle By D. P. DYERIdeal reference drawings for scratch building & plastic kit conversions. ...