:bangin:Were there any Japanese fighter planes that could take heavy battle damage in a dogfight? I 've always heard that they couldn't Weren't there any, at all?:noidea:
Homer, it's a general perception that they were lightly built aircraft and proof of that can be seen in the wrecks left in the Pacific. The metal is now paper thin. However, I seem to remember one of the later designs being able to absorb a decent amount of punishment. The Tony, for example, had armour and self-sealing tanks and was, apparently, quite well built.
:juggle:How about the N1k1 "George" fighter? (I read that it was a Match for the best fighters the Western allies had)
I found the Japanese plane as a model !!! Kawanishi N1K1-J George Model Airplane - War Planes, Handmade Wooden Models Including Military Aircraft, Jets, Sail Boats, & Helicopters
The Frank had decent armor. The Japanese usually worried about speed, manuevarability. You gave a good question.