Japanese designed and built planes for range & maneuverability.

Below 300mph the Zero would have come out a winner in a dogfight but given poor protection (armour) it might have been close. Above 310 mph the Zero suffered from heavy alierons & elevators (the same alierons & elevators that gave it soo much maneuverability at low speeds).

Historically, there is alot of misconception about the Spit vs Zero. much of it can be found here http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=700005072&tstart=30&mod=1163270666582
including the myth that 17 Spits were taken out by Zeros in one encounter.

REQ: please post pictures of the RAF in the far east if you have any 🙂