Wartime History
Assigned to the 261 Kōkūtai. Tail code 61-121. During March 1944, this Zero operated from Aslito Airfield on Saipan.

Wreckage
In June 1944, captured by U.S. Marines intact at Aslito Field. This Zero was one of twelve captured aircraft, plus spare engines that were loaded aboard USS Copahee including A6M5 1303 (this aircraft), A6M5 4340, A6M5 5350, A6M2 5352, A6M5 5356, A6M5 5357. All were transported to the United States for technical evaluation.

In the United States, designated "TAIC 11" stenciled on the tail with "Technical Air Intelligence" on the right side of the cockpit and "Zeke 52" on the right side of the nose cowling. Tested in the United States. One of the test pilots was W. D. Blocher.

During 1945, this Zero ground looped at NAS Atlanta and suffered landing gear damage and was left resting on the lower fuselage. Postwar, the aircraft was sold as scrap.

Purchased as surplus by John Elliot, Sr. Later, his son, John H. Elliot, Jr. acquired it and displayed it at J. H. Elliot Antiques along with the pilot's seat, a 7.7mm machine gun and a 20mm cannon that were supposed from this same Zero. Visitors were allowed to see the Zero for $2.00 admission. It was displayed until at least the middle 1980s.

During 1991-1992, this Zero was purchased by R. D. Whittington / World Jet Inc. During 1993, transported to Fort Lauderdale and stored in their hangar with the tail section removed. Originally, Whittington intended to restore the Zero, but found the Zero had been previously cut into pieces and spliced back together with screws and galvanized tin sheets. The interior was held together with pieces of welded iron re-bar. The main spar was crystallized. The Sakae engine could be restored. Missing was the tail cone, landing gear legs and all instruments.

During 2001, it was sold to Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection. Registered with the FAA registered as N1303 by Vulcan Warbirds, Inc on August 27, 2001. Today, Zero is in storage at Flying Heritage Collection in Arlington, WA. The museum plans to restore it to fly. Presently, it is unrestored and not on public display.

References
Note, this Zero is sometimes misidentified as either A6M2 Zero 4593 (aka Alaska Zero) or A6M5 Zero 5350.
Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long
Air Classics, November 1973, Warbird Report pages 10-13
Air Classics, August 1979, Warbird Report pages 52
Air Classics, February 1980 "A Bit of Nostalgia" by W. D. Blocher, pages 12 - 14, 52
Zerofighter in Atlanta 1989 via Wayback Machine October 20, 2009
FAA Registry - N1303
Thanks to Jim Long, Jim Lansdale and Dave Pluth for additional information

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Last Updated
April 18, 2021