Japanese designers kept pressing the Zero's light-airframe formula after its costs became severe. Speed and maneuverability came at the price of structural strength and an ability to absorb gunfire. The Thach Weave let paired American fighters cover one another, forcing an attacking Zero across the supporting aircraft's line of fire. The tactic converted mutual support into a direct answer to the Japanese fighter's impressive agility and limited resilience.
Notable Point · 19:17-20:42
The Zero's design bargain and the Thach Weave
The Zero gained speed and maneuverability by sacrificing resilience, creating an opening for mutually supporting American fighters.