One of the tactics that USN pilots (one in particular) developed was called the Thach Weave (also known as Beam Defense).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thach_Weave
The idea is tight coordination between wingman and lead to provide mutual defensive capabilities against any attacking Zeros. Despite initial losses, effective teamwork and coordination allowed USN pilots to achieve high kill to loss ratios versus their Japanese counterparts. Particularly by Guadalcanal the USN pilots were doing extremely well and that was just with Wildcats.
By the time the Hellcat came on scene the USN pilots were all of a very high average quality while Japanese pilots tended to either be experienced Aces with dozens of kills and much more poorly trained (than earlier in the war) pilots that ended up being shot down in droves. Since you don't always face this in single player or offline you really have to know your aircrafts advantages.
Hellcats and Corsairs in particular are all slightly to moderately faster than any Zero they face. Climb rates are more-even so acceleration often favours the Zero... but a Zero cannot, over a long distance, follow any USN fighter (Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair) in a sustained power dive.
If you wanted to sum it up... US Navy aircraft have the following pros and cons:
PRO
- Fast overall top speed and excellent dive capabilities
- Robust airframes able to absorb more punishment and protect the pilot
- Better high speed manoeuvrability
CONS
- Slower climb rates and acceleration rates (vs Zero)
- Significantly slower turn rates
- Less range than Japanese types
In short... a Japanese pilot wants to close the gap and fight the knife fight while a USN pilot wants to stay hands off and fight from above and at high speeds. Slowing down is death. Speed and altitude are life!