Aft section on display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. Lettering on the Type 22 fuselage denotes this Zero was a war effort contribution. At the time, Japanese towns and villages, occupied territories, companies, schools, associations and individuals contributed. Naming ceremonies were conducted when several aircraft were christened together. The tail code and blue slanted band belong to Tainan Air Group, with two horizontal bands indicating this was flown by a chūtai leader. This Naval Air Group produced famous aces like Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Saburō Sakai, Jun-ichi Sasai and Toshio Ōta.

Built by Mitsubishi July 1943 (approx). Examined in September 1945, at the Kara Airstrip, Bougainville, it had been repainted overall white with green crosses as required under surrender terms and displaying identification numbers 2-182. Flown to Piva airstrip at Bougainville. Shipped to RNZAF Hobsonville in mid-October and allotted serial no. NZ6000. Barely surviving storage, moved to the museum in December 1959. Partially disassembled in 1985, it was discovered that NZ6000 was a composite airframe made up from at least 8 other airframes. 1997 restoration revealed original JNAF paint scheme.

NZ6000 had been surrendered to New Zealand forces at Bougainville and shipped to New Zealand. Made airworthy with the intention of demonstrating it to the public, it made a single brief flight. Now part of the New Zealand War Memorial collection. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

[Nikon D300s + Tokina 12-24mm/4]

This rare and beautiful Zero is one of only three flying Zeros in the world. This plane was found on New Guinea (now Indonesia), near the town of Babo. It was restored partly in Russia, and partly in the U.S. and is based at CAF - SoCAL Wing Aviation Heritage Museum, Camarillo. Owner is David Price.

Visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum along with "FIFI"

Beautiful! This Zero, on loan to the Commemorative Air Force taxies in after its display at the Wings Over Gillespie Airshow.

This 1943 Zero has been converted to a two-seater during its restoration to airworthy status with an R-1830 engine. Whilst the second seat helps to earn the warbird's upkeep I suppose, I understand it does represent a wartime field modification to reconnaissance aircraft. An A6M-2K two-seat trainer variant also existed.

Pictured taxying along the crowd line to take part in the super Airsho 2011 re-enactment of the Doolittle Raiders raid on Tokyo in 1942. In the background are some of the B-25s lined up and ready to go from rw10.

Sneaking in amongst all the Japanese 'imposters' forming up to take part in the 'Tora, Tora, Tora' demo for Airsho 2011 was this real Zero, and one of very few examples still flying. I really enjoyed my time in Midland at the super warbird fest that was Airsho 2011.

This Zero was built in 1942 and operated from Buna airfield, PNG by the Tainan Kokutai. The right wing was torn off during a bad landing and so the remaning airframe was abandoned. After the war the hulk was shipped to Brisbane and the rear fuselage used to build a composite Zero for testing. Somehow the rear fuselage has survived and is now on display at the Planes of Fame museum.

One of the very few airworthy WWII Zeros left in the world.

Probably built in early 1943 and damaged by bombing on Bougainville in late 1943. Captured and shipped to New Zealand in 1945.

This aircraft is a long-term restoration project for the Imperial War Museum and is totally original. It was recovered from Taroa in the Marshall Islands in 1991 having been ditched and recovered. It had been a part of the 252nd Japanese Naval Air Group that had been based there in 1942 and 1943, Though badly corroded and with its engine missing it seems somehow poignant in that state