American Wildcat pilots improved their results by fighting as a coordinated four-aircraft formation instead of dividing into separate individual fights. The Thach Weave was one maneuver within that wider practice. Training and mutual support receive the credit for turning the Wildcat's performance against the Zero around. A separate comparison rejects the idea that superior Japanese aircraft would automatically dominate a night engagement with the Fleet Air Arm: the Japanese pilots lacked the required night training and equipment, while British pilots had relevant experience.
Notable Point · 1:49:23-1:51:49
Wildcat formations and the limits of the Thach Weave
Four-aircraft cooperation mattered more than one named maneuver in the Wildcat's success, while night combat depended on training and equipment.