Restoration
One of three replica Zeros built for Santa Monica Museum of Flying in Russia between 1994-1997. Manufactured with new materials and assigned the identity of A6M3 Zero 3858, yet this Zero has features of an A6M2 Model 21 Zero, such as folding wing tips.

Returned to the United States, it was issued airworthy certificate on February 17, 2000 and registered as N553TT.

Afterwards, sold or owned by LGT Aviation of Los Angeles, CA. Presently based at Mojave, CA. This Zero is painted in a green color scheme with tail marking A1-112. It flew in the Hollywood Movie "Pearl Harbor". Last inspected by the FAA on February 17, 2000.

In April 2008, an advertisement offers Zero for sale for $1.9 million USD.

Re-registered with the FAA as N553TT on March 17, 2009 by Bob Hannah Aviation LLC, Caldwell, ID. Listed as as "sold" on the Bob Hannah Aviation LLC website as of November 2009.

False Historical Claims
2008 advertisement claims:
"This historic fighter was recovered from New Guinea during the late 1980s and completely restored by the Museum of Flying during the late 1990s. The restoration required tens of thousands of man hours. The Zero is completely original except for the power plant which is a modified [P&W] R-1830. The Zero, which has significant WWII combat history, is finished in the colors it wore for the film Pearl Harbor where it flew some 55 hours for filming."

Another source states this Zero as "lost in the South Pacific, February 6 (or 7), 1943". This is impossible due to the model and date of manufacture of this Zero, if it is indeed A6M3 Zero 3858. Also that "The Smithsonian was at one time interested in acquiring this aircraft".

AircraftOne.com Registry for A6M3 Zeros and its FAA registry listing for this aircraft's year of manufacture as 1942, incorrect if this Zero is really A6M3 Zero 3858.

References
FAA Registry - Aircraft N Number N553TT
Bob Hannah Aviation LLC - Classic & Warbird "Japanese Zero WWII fighter" listed for sale late 2007 - early 2009, then sold. Photos in Zero advertisement depicted A6M3 3869 (Replica) X-133.
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.
Warbirds, Vol 27, No 4 (April 2008) offered for sale $1.9M Page 29
Thanks James Lansdale, Jim Long, Ryan Toews and Bruce Fenstermaker for additional information

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Last Updated
November 4, 2009