Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  A6M3 Model 32 Zero Manufacture Number 3035 Tail 2-181
IJN
2nd Kōkūtai

Click For Enlargement
Click For Enlargement
U.S. Army 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi on July 6, 1942 as the 35th Model 32 manufactured. At the factory, painted overall gray with a black cowling. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 / A6M3 Model 32 Zero Manufacture Number 3035. This aircraft was assigned a Houkoku Gou (Navy Patriotic Presentation Number). Donated by Hamunamu marine company (Korean fisheries company). Assigned Houkoku Gou 877 (Patriotic Presentation Number 877) in black on both sides of the rear fuselage.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 2nd Kōkūtai (2nd Air Group). On November 1, 1942 redesignated 582 Kōkūtai (582 Air Group). Tail code 2-181. The rear fuselage had a red double chevron around the Houkoku Gou 877 marking and the point of the chevron facing towards the Hinomaru. This Zero operated from Lae Airfield until disabled or damaged.

Wreckage
On September 16, 1943 this Zero captured by the Allies among the Japanese aircraft captured at Lae Airfield. One of seven A6M3 Model 32 Zeros noted pro forma by Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) with manufacture number 3035. No other markings were noted.

Afterwards, this Zero was moved into an area with other wrecked Japanese aircraft and photographed by Allied personnel showing the Houkoku Gou 877 marking and tail Tail code 2-181. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long
Crashed Enemy Aircraft Report No.17 (CEAR No. 17) includes seven captured A6M3 Model 32 Zeros
Yokoi Houkoku List - Houkobku Gou 1-994 (List 1)  Houkoku Gou 877
Thanks to Yoji Sakaida and Jim Long for additional information

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 27, 2021

 

Tech Info
Zero
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram