IJN


Andrew Wright 1995

H. Sawyer 2002

via Rod Pearce, 2006

Wartime History
Ditched off Kokopo, past Raluana Point. It has bullet holes in the starboard side, it 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 Today
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

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27m