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Last update:
05/05/2012
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Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero |
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Scale 1:33 |
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Author: Lukasz Fuczek |
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File Size: 25.1Mb |
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Please take a look at
Our Offer page before placing an
order. |
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Parts are provided to
build two planes:
1. Tamotsu Yokoyama,
Formosa 1941
2. Saiyu Okajima, Carrier
Hiryu
Pearl Harbor
December 7th, 1941
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Price $12.00 |
Model # 069 |
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This model, in
printed format, is available from Modelik |
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If ordering a CD, please
add $5.75
for Shipping & Handling. One charge per order. |
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Technical data: |
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Length |
9.06 m |
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Span |
12.00 m |
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Engine |
1 x Nakajima NK1C Sakae 12, 950hp |
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Max Speed |
533 km/h |
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Armament |
2 x 20mm Type 99 cannons and 2 x
7.7mm Type 97 machine guns |
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Range |
3,105km |
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Crew |
1 |
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The Mitsubishi A5M fighter was just entering service in
early 1937, when the Imperial Japanese Navy started looking for its
eventual replacement. In May, they issued specification 12-Shi for a new
carrier-based fighter, sending it to Nakajima and Mitsubishi. Both firms
started preliminary design work while they awaited more definitive
requirements to be handed over. Based on the experiences of the A5M in
China, Japanese Navy sent out updated requirements calling for a speed of
500 km/h at 4,000 m and a climb to 3,000 m in 3.5 min. They needed an
endurance of two hours at normal power, or six to eight hours at
economical cruising speed. Armament was to consist of two 20 mm cannons
and two 7.7 mm machine guns. A complete radio set was to be mounted in
all planes, along with a radio direction finder for long-range navigation.
The maneuverability was to be at least equal to that of the A5M, while the
wing span had to be less than 12 m to fit on the carriers. All this was to
be achieved with such engines as were available at the time. Nakajima's
team considered the new requirements unachievable and pulled out of the
competition in January of 1938. Mitsubishi's chief designer, Jiro
Horikoshi, felt that the requirements could be met, but only if the
aircraft could be made as light as possible. Every weight-saving method
was used. Most of the aircraft was built of T-7178 aluminum, a top-secret
alloy developed by the Japanese just for this aircraft. It was lighter and
stronger than the normal aluminum used at the time, but was more brittle.
In addition, no armor was provided for the pilot, engine or other critical
points of the aircraft, and the self-selling fuel tanks that were becoming
common at the time were also left off. The first Zeros (pre-series A6M2)
went operational in July 1940. On 13 September 1940, the Zeros scored
their first air-to-air victories when 13 A6M2s led by Lieutenant Saburo
Shindo attacked 27 Soviet-built Polikarpov I-15s and I-16s of the Chinese
Nationalist Air Force, shooting down all the fighters for no losses.
Before they were redeployed a year later, the Zeros had shot down 99
Chinese aircraft. At the time of Pearl Harbor attack, 420 Zeros were
active in the Pacific. Thanks to a combination of excellent
maneuverability and firepower, the Zero easily disposed of all the Allied
aircraft sent against it during first months of the war creating Zero’s
myth of invincibility - Wikipedia |
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