In researching WW2 Japanese aircraft, it is difficult to determine serial numbers as we know them, but it seems that the tail codes are as near as we get. The wreck of this Nakajima-built naval A6M2 was found in Papua New Guinea, near Kavieng on New Ireland, probably one of the aircraft operated there by the 6th and later the 253rd Kokutai. Assembled locally for display as a composite with another wreck c1964, it was extracted to Australia in 1967. Since 2004 it has been painted as a section leader's aircraft from the carrier Zuiho during the March 1943 Battle of the Bismarck Sea

The museum acquired the A6M in 1991and it has been on display suspended from the ceiling. In 2019 in conjunction with the rearranging of other aircraft, the Zero was taken out to the restoration hangar for a checkup and cleaning. It has since been restored to its location in the main building.

In Imperial Japanese Navy markings

This Zero was built in 1942 and operated from the airstrip on the infamous Pacific island of Ballale (now part of the Solomon Islands). After the island was abandoned by the Japanese this and a few other aircraft were left behind and gradually overtaken by the jungle. The wrecks were recovered in 1968 and this Zero was restored (using parts of other Zeros) and is now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.