In the movie Pearl Harbor, why is there a biplane flying in front of the formation of Japanese planes?

You'd think that the biplane would be shot down in a few minutes? Why didn't they just use a regular airplane (fighter plane to fly in front)? Also, in WW2, did the US navy/air force use biplanes to fly in front of a formation of planes?

The bi-planes were used for reconnaissance. They were economical fuel wise(for distance), and not as easy to see or hear for spy flights, and could easily land and take off from a carrier. After the development of efficient radar, they weren't needed.

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