Mitsubishi F1M 'Type Zero Observation Seaplane' ~commonly known as "Zero-Kan"~ was a Japanese seaplane specializing in short range reconnaissance and gunnery spotting. If it was not for this plane, naval gunfire would not have been effective. However, in reality, like the E13A, this craft handled convoy escort, antisubmarine missions and, in the end, area-defense duties on outlying islands. This plane was aerodynamically superior, and while it was a seaplane with an attached pontoon, it also had strong ability when it came to dogfights. Because of this, in the area-defense of outlying islands it frequently took part in dogfights with US fighter planes and bombers, and even went as far as to become the stalwart that shot down an F6F Hellcat. But however good its aerodynamics can be said to have been, it was unable to compete with specialist fighter planes such as the Zero...
