| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | A1-3-102 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Mitsubishi A6M Reisen |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Mitsubishi A6M Reisen |
| Aircraft Version: | Mitsubishi A6M2b Reisen (Zero) |
| Licence-built by: | Nakajima |
| C/n (msn): | 51553 |
| Operator Titles: | Japan - Navy |
| Local Operator Name: | 海上自衛隊 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Dayton - Wright-Patterson AFB / Wright AFBMap |
| Region / Country: | Ohio, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KDWF IATA: - Local: DWF Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of the United States Air Force |
| Photo Date: | 15 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 809518 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
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 This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 17 May 2025, and has since been viewed 45 times. |