The Museum's example of the Zero is a conglomerate of components from more than one aircraft wreck discovered at an abandoned fighter strip on Ballele Island near Bougainville. An April 1945 report of performance trials at Eglin Field between a captured Zero fighter and three Army Air Forces fighters, noted “’hit and run’ tactics should be used whenever possible, and following the Zeke through any continued turning maneuvers should be strictly avoided.” However, the airplane retained some of its vaunted advantages in maneuverability until the very end. However, as the war progressed, the combination of inexperienced Japanese pilots and more capable Allied fighters flown by well-trained Navy and Army Air Forces pilots turned the tables on the Zero. In the hands of experienced pilots, the Zero proved a formidable adversary during the first year of the war. Using matchsticks on his kitchen table, he developed a defensive maneuver employing a two-plane section, the successful tactic eventually called the “Thach Weave.” With the prospects of his squadron potentially confronting an enemy airplane that was faster, more maneuverable, and with a greater rate of climb than his squadron’s F4F Wildcats, Thach sought ways to gain some advantage. “Jimmy” Thach, commanding officer of Fighting Squadron (VF) 3. Among those paying close attention was Lieutenant Commander John S. While only 328 A6Ms were in operation at the beginning of World War II, some 11,283 examples were ultimately produced by war's end, equipping both carrier-based and land-based units.Įven before the United States entered World War II, word of the Zero’s capabilities appeared in intelligence reports emerging from China. The Zero fighter made its combat debut in the skies over China in July 1940. What the airplane lacked was armor and self-sealing fuel tanks, which made it vulnerable to enemy fire. Weighing just 5,313 lbs., much less than its Allied adversaries, the lightweight fighter boasted exceptional maneuverability, range, rate of climb and acceleration. The engineering team from Mitsubishi, led by Horikoshi Jiro, submitted a design for an all-metal, low-wing monoplane that during flight trials in 1939 met or exceeded all requirements. The birth of the legendary fighter came in 1937, with the issuance of specifications for a new fighter by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine guns, 2 x 20mm cannon.If there was just one aircraft that symbolized Japanese air power during World War II, it was the Zero fighter, versions of which served throughout the Pacific War from strafing attacks at Pearl Harbor to the great carrier battle at Midway to the final defense of the Home Islands.Engine: 1 supercharged Sakae1130 HP each.Mitsubishi A6M3 Naval Carrier Fighter: Crew 1.Whether it was shot down or suffered from mechanical failure is unknown. This Truk aircraft wreck is believed to have crashed on takeoff from Eten Island. However, after the “cream” of Japanese Naval Aviators were lost at the Battle of Midway, there were never enough experienced pilots available to fly the Zero to its full potential. Primarily a fighter, it was also used as a tactical bomber and Kamikaze attack aircraft. The A6M was operated throughout the war in various models by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Approximately 11,300 aircraft where built in various models. Later the aircraft was found to be very vulnerable due to unprotected fuel tanks and easily caught fire. The plane saw action throughout the war and was unmatched in speed and maneuverability until 1942 when modern Allied fighters began to appear. The Zero aircraft was designed in 1937 by Jiro Horikoshi for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Zero was the Allied code name for the Mitsubishi A6M fighter.
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