The
Mitsubishi A6M Reisen ("ree-sin," Japanese for Zero
Fighter) best symbolizes Japanese air power during World War II.
Mitsubishi designed the Zero fighter but co-produced the airplane
with Nakajima. between March 1939 and August 1945, the two
companies built a total of
11,291 Zeros and sub-variants related to it, more than any other
Japanese warplane. Design
work began in 1937 when the Japanese Navy staff directed
Mitsubishi and Nakajima to submit proposals for a new aircraft to
replace the Mitsubishi A5M carrier fighter (Allied codename
CLAUDE). Combat trials began in China during July 1940 and by
fall, Zero pilot's felled nearly 100 Chinese aircraft for the loss
of only two Zeros and they were lost to "friendly fire."
Japanese
naval aviators flew 328 combat-ready A6M2 Reisens against American
forces at Pearl Harbor and in the Philippines. The Reisen totally
outclassed all Allied fighter aircraft for the first six months of
the war until American carrier forces stopped the Japanese in the
Coral Sea and at Midway in May and June 1942. The loss of four
Japanese aircraft carriers at Midway underscored a deadly trend.
The Japanese were losing experienced pilots and aircraft faster
than they could replace them. Yet for almost two more years the
ZEKE, as the Allies code-named it, remained an ominous threat.
The A6M5 Zero Model 52 on display in the
National Air and Space Museum came from a group of Japanese
aircraft captured on Saipan Island in April 1944.
A6M2-2-N Zero
"Zeke" Floatplane.
These aircraft could be launched from non-carrier aircraft then
land in the water, where they hoised back aboard the ship.
They were often used for reconnaissance. This model is
from our Premier Series. 1/28th scale. 17"
wingspan and 13" long, exclusive of float.
No. AEJ2D-CL. Only $194.95
A6M2
Zero "Zeke" - White
From our Premier Series Same size as above.
No. AEJ2D-BR. Only $174.95
A6M2
Zero "Zeke" - Dark Green
From our Premier Series Same size as above.
No. AEJ2D-AR. Only $174.95
A6M2
Zero
Deluxe
Series. 1/24th scale.
18.25" wingspan by 13.6"
length
No. AEJ2D-DX. Only $139.95
A6M2
Zero
Standard Series
1/32nd scale.
13.5" wingspan by 11"
length
No. AEJ2D-ST. Only $119.95
