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FYI: Basically, the Zero could out turn all our fighters but the Mustang and the Hellcat which could hang very well with the Zero. The Zero could not out climb or out dive the P-51 Mustang, the F4U Corsair or the Hellcat, nor was the Zero's speed close to those US aircraft. The Navy F6F Hellcat has the WWII record for downed enemy aircraft in the Pacific. Japanese pilots were terrified of the Corsair because of its speed and durability.

http://www.aviation-central.com/1940-1945/aen60.htm

In production longer than any other U.S. fighter in World War II (1942-1952) with 12,582 built, the Vought F4U "Corsair" had several claims to fame. It was credited with an 11:1 ratio of kills to losses in action against Japanese aircraft and was the last piston-engine fighter in production for any of the U.S. services.

All in all, the "Hellcat" was credited with destroying 5,156 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat (75% of all Navy aerial kills) with a kill ratio of 19:1. Combat stories of F6F encounters with enemy aircraft during World War II are legendary.