Mitsubishi Zero A6M3

At the Imperial War Museum there is a Mitsubishi Zero A6M3 in a very decayed state.

Mitsubishi Zero A6M3

The Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” was a long-range fighter aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter. The A6M was usually referred to by its pilots as the Reisen (zero fighter), “0” being the last digit of the imperial year 2600 (1940) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy. The official Allied reporting name was “Zeke”, although the use of the name “Zero” was used colloquially by the Allies as well. The Mitsubishi Zero A6M3 was introduced in 1941.

The Zero is considered to have been the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world when it was introduced early in World War II, combining excellent manoeuvrability and very long range.