If you're a mediocre to good shot, the Ki43 by miles. I flew the Ki43 for tour 181 earlier this year, and whenever I ran into Zeros in a 1v1 they always lost. Same vs other earlier war fighters as mentioned. Even in the MA vs all the late war rides, the Ki43 is incredibly survivable if you maintain good SA - it's very nimble and hard to hit, but if you do get hit, you're usually done, there is no "damage" like the Ki84 for example, not often anyway. I had k/hour in or very close to double digits, and a k/d close to 4 in it, and I'm no super pilot, so if I can do it, anyone can. It's the most underestimated plane in the game IMO, it amazed me how many guys would get into turn fights with it when they had me 1 on 1, or even 2 or 3 on 1.
I think it's a combination of that it frustrates guys, plus it's known to be fragile, so folks go for shots, and then end up not getting them, and pressing that shot into a turn fight without realizing they are getting into one until it's too late.
I'd love to see one of the super-shots in the game, probably Bruv119 I think, fly it for a tour. I'd wager it'd be pretty impressive, and incredibly frustrating to those trying to kill him in it.
In an FSO type scenario where bombers might be targets, I'd reverse that opinion, and say the Zero by miles, due to the extra speed, and absolutely the armament which is pretty decent for such a good turning fighter. Spit5 should be in the discussion/mentioned in terms of the early war ride comparisons like the P40/F4F/Hurri were earlier too, as it'd be my 2nd choice next to the Ki43 if I was going to be fighting turn fights.
I do think though that the bottom line is that when facing any other high rate/radius fighter, the Ki43 will win in a 1 on 1 with the pilots being equal. Just my opinion.
