Japanese designers aggressively removed weight to gain speed and maneuverability, following the maxim of discarding anything unnecessary. Taken too far, that approach can produce a fast but narrowly optimized aircraft. The A5M remained more balanced than the usual stereotype of Japanese fighter design suggests. Its structure could absorb serious combat damage, including a case in which an aircraft returned after losing much of a wing. The A5M pursued lightness without becoming a fragile or disposable machine.
Notable Point · 38:27-40:42
Lightness delivered speed without making the A5M disposable
The A5M pursued speed and agility yet retained enough structural strength to survive damage that could remove much of a wing.