Aircraft History
Nakajima built Model 21 Zero, likely in May or June 1943. Assigned to the 202nd Kokutai. Tail markings were two horizontal blue lines and tail code '33' (likely X-133 or X2-133).

Ryan Toews adds:
"Thus this A6M2 Zero must have been manufactured sometime just after 9 June and was therefore one of the first to incorporate servo tabs. Or, more likely in my opinion, the tail code prefix of "X" actually should be "X2". This would fit much better into the dates at which the 202nd Kokutai changed their identifying tail code and the adoption of servo tabs. [ Read Complete Research ] "

Jim Long adds:
"This Nakajima-built A6M2 Zero was one of those that had reintroduced the aileron servo tabs. [ Read Complete Research ] "

Wartime History
Disabled at Babo Airfield.

Wreckage
Abandoned at Babo Airfield until 1991.

Bruce Fenstermaker recalls:
"The aircraft was abandoned on barrels for work on the landing gear and engine. Its engine was in the progress of being changed or remounted because it was unbolted from the engine mounts and parts of the engine stand were under the engine itself."

Recovery
This Zero, with its engine and propeller was the first aircraft recovered by Bruce Fenstermaker in 1991 and exported to Santa Monica Museum of Flying.

Restoration
Santa Monica Museum of Flying export this wreck to Russia in 1993/1994. Deskinned and used in the restoration of a newly manufactured A6M3 Zero 3839 (replica) assigned this Zero's tail code: X-133. It is claimed that the landing gear legs of this wreck were used in the restored aircraft.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 19 (top, right) Roy Worchester collection
Air Classics, Volume 27, No 8 (August 1991) "Zero Starts Major Restoration Program" by Michael O'Leary. Pages 34-40
Warbirds International, Vol 14, No 8, November 1995. "Zero Exclusive! Flight Magic lets us take a look at its newly restored Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero by Michael O'Leary. Pages 8-11.
Thanks to Jim Long, James Lansdale, Ryan Toews, Bruce Fenstermaker for additional information.

Contribute Information