Ken,
I am interested in your comments on the Zero.I feel you just have focussed on turn rate exclusively.
I suspect if you look at the energy manoverability spectrum a P-40 would have places where it can dictate the fight - probably by staying fast.
No so sure how the Wildcat would compare though.
I think the F-35 can be more compared to the F-105 or the 104 in European duty than the A-7
I wonder if the 104 was also touted as an Air-Air machine when Lockheed and the US govt decided they were just what Europe needed
Of more relevance I'm interested how you think the F-35 stacks up? Draggy, low power to weight and high wing loading. Where does the F-35 win out on energy manoverability? Or do you assume the opposition is carrying lots of missile, bombs and ferry tanks, while the F-35 is clean?