Mitsubishi A6M -- ZERO / ZEKE
For the entire duration of the war between Japan and the United States, the Japanese kept a distinguished aircraft in production, without doubt the most famous of those that fought in the Pacific: the Mitsubishi A6M, renamed ZERO unofficially by the Allies and ZEKE in the official identification code.
The Imperial Navy’s specification which led to the creation of the Mitsubishi A6M was submitted to Mitsubishi and Nakajima in May 1937. It was Mitsubishi that won out due to the fact that in October the military authorities changed the original aircraft requirements due to combat experience gained in China.
Contrary to some beliefs (due to inaccurate movie depictions), the ZERO’s that attacked at Pearl were painted in a scheme like that depicted in the photo - not green, but almost a ghost gray. The aircraft in my photo uses a tail - number from a latter Japanese Air Force ZERO that was found in Guam and is now on display.
The role of the ZERO at Pearl was to defend the VALS and KATES, drop bombs, and act in a strafing role. Few U.S. aircraft actually made it into the air during the invasion for the ZERO to show it’s fighter skills.
Mitsubishi A6M -- ZERO / ZEKE
For the entire duration of the war between Japan and the United States, the Japanese kept a distinguished aircraft in production, without doubt the most famous of those that fought in the Pacific: the Mitsubishi A6M, renamed ZERO unofficially by the Allies and ZEKE in the official identification code.
The Imperial Navy’s specification which led to the creation of the Mitsubishi A6M was submitted to Mitsubishi and Nakajima in May 1937. It was Mitsubishi that won out due to the fact that in October the military authorities changed the original aircraft requirements due to combat experience gained in China.
Contrary to some beliefs (due to inaccurate movie depictions), the ZERO’s that attacked at Pearl were painted in a scheme like that depicted in the photo - not green, but almost a ghost gray. The aircraft in my photo uses a tail - number from a latter Japanese Air Force ZERO that was found in Guam and is now on display.
The role of the ZERO at Pearl was to defend the VALS and KATES, drop bombs, and act in a strafing role. Few U.S. aircraft actually made it into the air during the invasion for the ZERO to show it’s fighter skills.