In the Pacific war, the Japanese Zeke [Zero] was so much lighter and more nimble than the Allies aeroplanes.
They paid for that by a lack of armour and self-sealing tanks.
The NZ Squadrons were restricted to escorting bombers mainly because they would stick to the job and not roam all over the place, leaving the bombers to their own devices.
As Germany and later, the Allies found in the Europe war, a fighter has to be free to do its job, not be tied to a slower bomber.
By the time the faster Corsairs arrived there were no Japanese aeroplanes left.
In the Pacific war, the Japanese Zeke [Zero] was so much lighter and more nimble than the Allies aeroplanes.
They paid for that by a lack of armour and self-sealing tanks.
The NZ Squadrons were restricted to escorting bombers mainly because they would stick to the job and not roam all over the place, leaving the bombers to their own devices.
As Germany and later, the Allies found in the Europe war, a fighter has to be free to do its job, not be tied to a slower bomber.
By the time the faster Corsairs arrived there were no Japanese aeroplanes left.