Originally posted by Widewing
You haven't run into a really good F4U driver yet... I out-turn Zeros with an F6F... That's because the Zero driver wasn't very good. It's all about pilot skill. Until you fly against someone of equal skill, any comparison is subjective.
My regards,
Widewing
I've run into some pretty tough opponents in the basic Corsair models, and some really tough ones in the -1C. But none of them have been a huge problem when I'm in a Spitfire Mk. IX or Mk. XIV.
I can say that I've had some really tough fights with F4U-4s over the years, though. I can also say that I've made plenty of mistakes in these fights (though who hasn't?).
Even still, I can't imagine being unable to defeat a -4 pilot of the same skill level (but I'm not saying I'd never lose) in a Spitfire Mk. XIV, or even a Mk. IX. Like you said, it's all about pilot skill, and I have a lot of hours in Spitfires (and even moreso for 109s). And as for the A6M2, I've yet to have anybody out-turn (or even turn with) me, save for other A6M2s. Even so, there aren't too many Zero pilots who really know how to use it.
And just last night, I lost almost twenty points by losing a Spitfire Mk. XIV to two Tempests up at 11,000 feet. I would've been fine, as I had Tempest #1 running away (I imagine I gave him a pilot wound, as I sprayed the canopy with .50s), and Tempest #2 wasn't faring so well... But, #2 turned back to face me for a head-on, and we started firing. His shots only pinged me, and I got his oil --- but he turned right into my left wing when I was rolling hard right, and for some reason I got the damage from the ram. Oh well, such is life.

That aside, I suppose I'll try a few flights in the F4U-4 and form my own opinions about it. I've had great flights in the XIV, and I hope I can match them in the -4. But as far as the basic models go, there are still plenty of ways to beat them in a Spitfire, or a 109, or a Mustang, or... Well, I think you see where I'm going with this.
Again, like you said, it's all about skill, really.