Complex sentence: The P-40 was better armored and faster in level flight than the Japanese fighters and could outdive them, but they had more range and could outclimb the P-40, and were far more maneuverable.
Split into simpler sentences: The P-40 was better armored and faster in level flight than the Japanese fighters and could outdive them. On the other hand, the Japanese fighters had greater range, could outclimb the P-40, and were far more maneuverable.