IJN
261st Kokutai
History
Built by Nakajima, estimated date of assembly April 1944. It was the 2,357 Zero produced.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 261st Kokutai. Participated
in the air defense of the Japan. In March of 1944, it was reassigned to the air defense of Saipan, Tinian
and Palau. Based on Saipan at Asilito
Airfield. Captured during
June 1944.
War
Prize & Evaluation
One of twelve aircraft (plus spare engines) shipped to the US aboard
the USS Copahee in July 1944 along with A6M5 4340, A6M5 1303, A6M5 5350, A6M2 5352, A6M5 5357.
Assigned number TAIC 5, it was flight tested at Patuxent River, Maryland accumulating 190 hours of flight time. One of the pilots to test fly it was was Charles Lindbergh.
Restoration
Discarded by the military after the war, this Zero was acquired
by Edward Maloney in 1950. The Zero was restored and first flew in June
1978 and has about 200 hours of flight time since the rebuild. Assigned
Civilian registration NX46770 The Zero has done two tours in Japan,
one shortly after it was restored, and was the first Zero to fly over
Japan since the war, and again during the summer of 1995. This aircraft
is the only authentic, flying example of the Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Model
52, with its original Sakae engine.
Display
The Zero can be viewed in the Japanese Aircraft Exhibit at
the Planes of Fame Museum,
located at Chino, California. Or, flying at its annual air shows.
References
Thanks to Jim Long for estimated date of assembly
Thank to Edward Maloney for additional information
