IJN
? Kokutai

Andrew
Wright 1995

H.
Sawyer 2002

via Rod Pearce, 2006 |
Wartime
History
Ditched
off Kokopo, past Raluana
Point, to the south of Rabaul. It has bullet holes in the starboard side, and appears to have
ditched tail first, damaging the fuselage during the impact. According
to locals, the pilot survived the ditching and swam to shore.
Wreckage
This wreck is a popular dive site. This is a well
preserved Zero on a flat silt bed. The propellers are unbend, and
canopy missing. All of the machine guns are still present. Fire corals
surround the cockpit and wings.
Lonely Planet
Dive & Snorkel PNG, page 112
"Another excellent wreck
is that of the classic Zero fighter off a beach south of Rabaul on
the way to Kokopo. The wreck is at 27m, intact & upright. It's
wings are flush with the sand bottom & the propeller is still
in place. The open cockpit is usually full of bait fish. The water
is clear."
References
National Geographic "Ghosts of War" page 430-431
Winged Ghosts of the South
Pacific footage of the Zero underwater
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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