This extremely rare Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero, registered NX712Z,
flies behind an American-built Pratt and Whitney R-1830 engine. Image by Max
Haynes - MaxAir2Air.com.
History: Fast, maneuverable and flown by
highly-skilled pilots, the Mitsubishi Zero-Sen was the most famous Japanese plane of World
War Two and a big surprise to American forces. Ignored by British and American
intelligence services (who had access to design plans for the aircraft years before the
war) the "Zero" (it was the Navy Type O carrier-based fighter)
was armed with two 20-mm cannon, two 7.7mm machine guns, and possessed the incredible
range of 1930 miles using a centerline drop tank. Though outclassed by more powerful US
fighters after late 1943, the Zero remained a tough opponent throughout the war.
First flown on 1 April 1939, the A6M1
prototype was powered by a 780-hp Mitsubishi Zuisei radial engine which gave it excellent
performance except for its maximum speed, which was below navy specifications. A second
prototype, the A6M2, was powered by a 925-hp Nakajima Sakae
engine, which was so successful that in July 1940, the type was ordered into production as
the Navy Type "0" Carrier Fighter Model 11. Other
variants were rapidly introduced, including a two-seat trainer, the A6M2-K;
a Nakajima-built floatplane version called the A6M2-N; a
performance-increased version called the A6M5; and several
re-engined versions late in the war which culminated in the 1130-hp A6M8.
Pre-production Zeros were used in China from August 1940.
This outstanding aircraft could travel at speeds up to 350 mph in level flight (the A6M5
version) and reach 15,000 feet in five minutes. Contrast this with Americas front
line fighter, the Grumman F4F Wildcat, which had a top speed was 325
mph, was not as maneuverable, and which had four .50-inch machine guns. No wonder the few
Wildcat pilots rising up to defend Pearl Harbor in December, 1941 were surprised!
By late 1944, with most of its aircraft carriers sunk (and
its most highly-trained aircrews gone), Japan resorted to desperate measures. These
included Kamikaze (divine wind) suicide raids, wherein green pilots would turn
their early-model Zeros into aerial bombs for attacks on Allied ships during the battles
of Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the Philippines. Truly an ignominious end for one of
historys great warbirds.
At least two original Zeros are flying today, making them
among the rarest and most-prized warbirds on the display circuit today.
Nicknames: Reisen ("Rei Shiko
Sentoki" -- Japanese for "Type 0 Fighter"); Zeke (Allied reporting
Engine: One 1130-hp Nakajima NK1C Sakae 21 radial piston engine.
Weight: Empty 4175 lbs., Max
Takeoff 6504 lbs.
Wing Span: 36ft. 1in.
Length: 29ft. 9in.
Height: 11ft. 5.75in.
miles with internal fuel.
Armament: Two 20-mm cannon and two
7.7-mm machine guns.
Number Built: 10,500
Number Still Airworthy: Two
Zero Pilot Report by
John Deakin ]
Enthusiast's Corner: A6M Zero
Chuck Hawks' Mitsubishi A6M Zero
Combat Aircraft of the Pacific
War: A6M Zero
Scuba Diving Report -- Underwater Zero in Palau.
Museum of Naval Aviation: A6M-2B Zero
Peter Lewis' Mitsubishi A6M Site
-- Very comprehensive!
WWII [II World War] Fighters:
A6M Zero -- nice full-color drawings.
[ Click for more great books
about the Zero! ]
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All text and photos Copyright 2006 The
Doublestar Group, unless otherwise noted.
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