First, there is some truth to the Zero analogy. Basically, Japan's measly industrial capacity could never generate vast numbers of 2000 hp engines like the R-2800. Indeed I don't think they ever built anything in that class. So as the war progressed the US could build fighters with heavy armament, armor/self-sealing tanks, speed and maneuverability.
I was not talking about "as the war progressed" nor was I talking about industrial capacity. I was talking about combat in 1942 and early/mid 1943 when the US was flying pre-war F4F Wildcats and P-40 Warhawks against the zero. The F6F Hellcat did not see action until September 1943.