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Allied Fighter Aces: The Air Combat Tactics of WWII, Mike Spick
ISBN 1-85367-587-3
"...for carrier operations there was on tactical considiration which differed widely from land operations.The distance were vasy, and the fighter base was mobile and could change oisition by up to 60 miles during a single sortie. For this reason, aircarft caused at their most economical speed rather then faster combat cruise used by threir land based couterparts. This was typically 120-150mph, and made formation more vulnerable to the suprise bounce from above. The extra risk was accepted by both sides, on the basis that while thr enemy might rate 50% the sea always rated 100%." page 151
"The overhead attack commenced from ahead and at least 2000 ft above the target, on an oppose course. The Wildcat then rolled on its back, before pulling through into vertical dive. Even Zero couldn't not turn fast enough to evade this, as a quite small change in direction on the part of attacking Wildcat was enough to hold it in the gun sight. Optimum range was 600ft or less, after which breakaway was made astern of the opponent, with a smooth pull-out to convert the excess speed back into altitude." page 153
"Basic performance (F4F) was inferior to Zero, but it had virtues by its own. The standing joke about Grumman fighters was that they were carved out of solid, and the rugged Wildcat was certainly no exception. Heavily armed with six .50 machine guns, and armored, with self sealing fuel tanks, it could absorb far more battle damage than the Japanese fighter. This gave it the advantage in head on passes. It could also exploit the one serious weakness of the Zero. At speed the ailerons of the latter progressively stiffened, until at about 290mph they become almost immovable. The Wildcat was far more controllable in the rolling plane, and as speed exceeded 250pmh, it could easily turn out of the line of fire and escape" page 155.
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