[fso301]

As a matter of fact I believe it was on or Akutan Island where the first Japanese Zero crashed pretty much intact killing the pilot. The plane was repaired by the US and used to gain knowledge of the strong points and weaknesses of the Zero.

Actually the first Zero to fall intact into allied hands was in China but before Americans could come get the plane, an over exuberant Chinese pilot decided he had to have a go at it and proceeded to crash and destroy it.

[buwaya]

Not before the Chines provided a detailed intelligence analysis to Claire Chennault, which he forwarded to the USAAF in @ August/September 1941. Along with his tactical notes on fighting the Zero. Which the USAAF did not supply to any US combat unit until - well, I’m not sure they ever did. It seems that the USAAF units all had to figure out everything in combat.

[Wiggins]

I can see that considering that China was at war with Japan since 1937. Especially with the AVG engaging in aerial combat with the Japanese long before the US officially became involved.