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Mitsubishi A6M 'Zero'
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Photography by Action Asia Photo |
As the Japanese invasion of China moved farther inland, a need arose for a fighter with a much longer range to escort bombers to and from their targets. It was this requirement for a combination of speed, range and maneuverability that led to the development of the Japanese A6M fighter. Designed to 1937 specifications and first flown in April 1939, the A6M was ordered into series production as the Navy's type "0" carrier fighter and thus the basis for the name "Zero". The allied designation was "Zeke". In July 1940 A6M-2s appeared in the skies over China. While only 328 A6M-2s were in operation at the beginning of World War II, 11,283 were ultimately produced by war's end. Credited with mystical powers of maneuverability, what made the Zero a great combat aircraft during the early stages of World War II was the high level of experience of Japanese pilots. In all other respects the A6M was rapidly out classed by newer allied fighters. The lack of self-sealing fuel tanks and armor protection for the pilot as well as a tendency for the controls to stiffen at high speeds, made the A6M extremely vulnerable to attack. Still, opposition fighter pilots made it a point to avoid a one-on-one confrontation, the escape from which was a steep dive. Converting altitude advantage to speed for a slashing attack at the Zero coupled with other defensive tactics such as the Thatch Weave was what led to the high kill ratios achieved by the F4F Wildcat on the Zero during the early years of WW II. Length: 30 feet
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