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

On display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This rare Type 21 Zero was recovered from Kavieng in New Ireland. It was flown by the 6th Kokutai, and is now painted to represent a section leader's Zero from the aircraft carrier Zuiho during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. The twin 7.7mm fuselage machine guns are missing in this excellent caramel-tint restoration with the visible aotake color in the wheel wells. The longer spinner of this Nakajima-built A6M2b is evident.

As one can guess from the folded-wingtips this was a Naval Zero and painted to represent a section leader's aircraft from the aircraft carrier 'Zuiho' during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, March 1943. This plane was discovered near the city of Kavieng on New Ireland, Papua New Guinea and after restoration was placed on display at the National Museum for the USAF in 2004.