How a carrier could change the fate of Force Z

How did Eric Brown view the Buffalo, and could carrier air cover have saved Force Z?

Brown saw the Buffalo as suitable for its time, and combined carrier and land-based fighters might have driven off the Japanese bombers.

The Brewster Buffalo was adequate for its time when used well, as Commonwealth pilots demonstrated early in the Malaya campaign. A land-based Buffalo squadron was available to support Force Z, but the ships did not know it was on call. Carrier fighters could break up the unescorted Betty bomber formations during the initial strike. Just as importantly, the carrier could provide the communications and coordination needed to bring the land-based fighters into the defense.