HOME | DD
DavidKrigbaum — Rare Zero (A6M3 Type 0 Model 32)
#aviation #figher #japan #kamikaze #museum #pacific #pacificwar #wwii #imperialjapanesenavy #tachiarai #zero
Published: 2016-02-02 14:35:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 1077; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
The Zero on display at the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum in Chikuzen-machi, Fukuoka Prefecture is a rare Type 0 Model 32 "Hamp" or "Zeke 32" which stands apart from most other Zeros with it's squared off wingtips. From what I've read it sacrificed range and turning, the hallmarks of the Zero, for better rolling and diving capabilities. The overall production run was rather low compared to other Zero models. Unfortunately since I don't read Japanese I do not know what this Zero's full personal story is. Tachiarai was once the Imperial Japanese Army's largest flight training school and kamikaze training center.The museum believes their Model 32 is the last in existence, if you know of another please let me know.
Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, Chikuzen-machi, Fukuoka Prefecture
Related content
Comments: 26
We've got an intact Zero over here in Auckland, if you're ever in NZ you should check it out. We've also got a Spitfire.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'd love to see it. Apparently the Zero has become my Pokemon and I have to catch them all.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Me too. Even though it's lack of armour makes it a less than effective fighter, I still like the mentality. Make it light, so that you don't need much power.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Its interesting to me because of a few things. It was the symbol of Japanese airpower and it was also a very good fighter under the right circumstances because of it's extreme tradeoffs for greater maneuverability and range. It required the best pilots to be effective as anything less made it worthless. At the beginning of the war Japan had those so its armor short-comings were irrelevant. Its like a niche aircraft because that also meant that you couldn't really upgrade the design all that much because it didn't handle being weighed down very well.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
And there's it's speed problem. Above 200 knots, it's ailerons are basically frozen and it can't turn. So it's relatively easy to escape by diving away. And a turn approaching 9 G's will rip its wings off, while most Allied fighters could easily handle a turn like that. And you're right, as they upgraded it with bigger engines and guns, it became less effective, much like the 109. By contrast, the Spitfire constantly improved, mainly by squeezing ever more power out of the engine without making it heavier.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It was the best at doing a particular thing in a particular way.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's funny you say that, 'cause the Allies, particularly the British, had developed a few planes with a similar mentality of low weight, high agility with low power. A few good examples are; the Martin-Baker MB 2, Miles M.20, Vickers Venom & Gloster F5/34. Compared to the Model 21 Zero (often considered the best overall variant); The MB 3 has a lower weight, and better armament (8 x .303 machine guns) and was only slightly slower despite a fixed indercarriage and was likely tougher. The M.20 was as fast despite fixed gear, (also with 8 x .303 machine guns and likely tougher) and had a similar service ceiling) with better all-round visiblity and was smaller (harder to see). The Venom was just 20 mph slower despite a 325 hp difference, climbed almost as fast, still had the eight machine guns, also much smaller, and had a similar ceiling. The F.5/34 had a comparable wing loading, still the heavier 8-gun armament, almost as fast with 110 hp less, and a very reliable engine.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
And well done Eric for turbo amounts of info on it lol
Rob
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Great shot and super rare!
Well posted mate..
Rob
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad people have taken the time to look into this, I hope it doesn't sound petty, but it makes it feel like the time I spent posting this and another images here worth it. It's good finding people who loves these things as much as I do.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I am trying to catch up mate, (just did a few more today) fine shots and amazing aircraft..
Thanks for posting.
Rob
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I dont know if you heard but the for Dago Red, flew this ZERO in Japan just the other day. It was a 45 min demo flight and spent most of his time a tree top levels. The video clip was also carried on Yahoo. I forwarded the clip to NHK....as even they did not know.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
can you post the link please.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I will go look for it but it was in YAHOO about 3-4 days ago on the main page....let me see what I can do.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
interesting.. I have stuff like that to show n didnt see it.. wonder why.
cool beans. thanks
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well it appears that Yahoo pulled down the link after about 3 days. I was able to send the link to NHK when it first came up.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
figures... thank your anyways for looking.. I cant find anything on it even with a yahoo search
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I posted this at a couple of other Aviation sites at DA.
search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A…
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
the one on how to dogfight the A6M ?
Thats cool and validates who really knew what he spoke of . Chennault ! even using POS -40B's the AVG hammered and hammered the A6M's again and again and again to have the kill ratio that no one in the history of air combat can even come close to touching. Just taking say... The Salween engagement alone in stopping a whole Nipponese army cold would be amazing for any other unit but was just " A day in the life " when it came to the AVG.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Info link -----> www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft…
A6M3 Model 22 Zero Manufacture Number 3621 Tail Y2-128 IJN
252 Kōkūtai
Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi, estimated date of assembly April 1943. Assigned Assigned to 252 Kokutai. Tail code Y2-128.
Wartime History
Operated from Taroa Airfield . This Zero was damaged or unserviceable and abandoned at the airfield.
Wreckage
While parked, the Zero was strafed and sustained further damage but survived the war largely intact. Until 1979, this Zero remained in situ at Taroa Airfield . During the late 1970's, Stephen Aiken observed "Y2-128" visible on the tail.
Salvage
During September 1979, Stephen Aiken inspected this aircraft and decided to salvage it. The aircraft was disassembled with the wings removed. A trailer was installed beneath the aircraft, with two rubber truck tires to allow the aircraft to be towed. When salvaged, the gun site was missing.
During September 1979, loaded aboard a LSU (Landing Ship Utility) and shipped from Taroa Island to Majuro Atoll . Stored behind Kirt Pinho's house and warehouse on the lagoon side of the causeway until December 1979 due to high seas. Afterwards, transported to Saipan and lifted ashore by a crane, then moved by road to Steve Aiken's house near Garapan on Saipan . Aiken paid approximately $8,000 to transport the aircraft from Taroa to Saipan.
Restoration
Aikin began to externally restore the Zero himself on his property. The majority of this aircraft is made of A6M3 Zero manufacture number 3621. During the restoration, wing tips from an A6M3 Model 32 Zero were incorrectly attached to this aircraft. Presumably, these wing tip were also recovered from wreckage at Taroa Airfield , and were installed because of a lack of available A6M3 Model 22 Zero wing tips. This aircraft was restored with 20mm long barrel cannons. The instrument panel was restored using instruments salvaged from several other Zero wrecks on Taroa. The Zero was painted with dark green upper surfaces and with tail code Y2-128. In total Aiken spent approximately $10,000 restoring the aircraft to static condition.
Justin Taylan adds:
"No known photos show the original tail code on this aircraft prior to restoration. Also, A6M3 Zero 3318 is claimed to have the same code "Y2-128". It is unclear if both aircraft had the same tail code, or if 3318's tail code was used as an identity for this aircraft or vice-versa. There is evidence that Kokutai did issue the same tail codes to different aircraft due to losses or unserviceable aircraft."
Display
During December 1979 until March 1983 this Zero was displayed on his property as a part of the Stephen Aiken Collection . The Zero was stored outdoors on a trailer with both outer wing panels removed on Steve Aiken's property.
During the early 1980s, Aiken attempted to sell this Zero to the Marianas Visitors Bureau, but they didn't have the money or accept his offer. Afterwards, another potential buyer did not materialize.
Learning of the Zero, a non-profit organization based in Fukuoka began fund raising to purchase this aircraft. During late 1982, a Japanese attorney Seiichi Matsumoto approached Aiken and began negotiations to purchase the Zero, eventually buying the aircraft from Aiken for $45,000. During March 1983, the Zero was shipped from Saipan to Japan. On March 5, 1983 this aircraft was unloaded at Hakata port at Fukuoka . The arrival of the Zero was heavily reported in newspapers and television news.
Re-Restoration
On March 9, 1983 this Zero was transported to Dazaifu Tenman-gū shrine (太宰府天満宮) and the aircraft was placed into a building dubbed "Zero Fighter House". Over 15 days, volunteers worked to re-restore the aircraft, some of the volunteers worked to built the Zero fighter at Mitsubishi during the war. On March 26, 1983 the Zero was officially unveiled for the public in a ceremony.
At Fukuoka, the Zero was restored by Japanese volunteers and assistance from Mitsubishi for static display. The restored Zero was placed on displayed in the markings and configuration of A6M3 Model 32 Zero Tail Y2-128. During the middle 1980s, this Zero was displayed in a hanger display in Fukuoka .
Display
Later, this Zero was transported to the Nagoya Airport Aerospace Museum and displayed for years. Next, displayed at the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum . During 2009, this exhibit was renovated with new displays and restoration work done to the aircraft. Restoration work was performed by Mike Maekawa and Taizou Nakamura .
References
Note, some sources incorrectly list this aircraft as a A6M3 Model 32 Zero
RCAF War Prize Flights, German and Japanese Warbird Survivor page 174, footnote 18
YouTube 零戦 ３２型 と ９８式射爆照準器 by Taizou Nakamura September 13, 2009
３２・２２型タイプ照準器マウント基部 作業工程 by Taizou Nakamura
Steve Aiken's Zero notes by Michael Belles
Marianas Variety News & Views "Zero Altitude" February 4, 1983
Telegram S. Matsumoto to Michael Belles acknowledging arrival of Zero on March 13, 1983
Letter S. Matsumoto to Michael Belles about arrival of Zero April 21, 1983
FASA (Fukuoka Aero-Space Association) newsletter March 1983, pages 1-5
Pacific Daily News "Aiken had one of most explosive jobs" June 29, 1983
"Once, clearing some remote atolls in the Marshalls, Aiken came across a marvelous find, a group of Japanese Zeros quietly rusting away in the jungle. We sir, there aren't very many Zeros left in the Pacific - or in Japan either for that matter. Aiken, with an eye towards the future, conned the chiefs out of the best of the Zeros, and had it shipped to Saipan. He spent most of his time trying to restore that Zero, although it would never fly again. He tried to sell the Zero to the Marianas Visitors Bureau, but they didn't have the money for this prize. I'm sure that a lot of people in the Marianas and the Pacific were unhappy when they heard that he finally sold the Zero to a Japanese businessman (for an estimated $25,000), who dismantled it and took it to Japan. It is said to be worth at least $175,000 today. All the islands should, of course have laws that prevent this sort of thing from happening. There isn't going to be much left to remind us of the war unless such laws are passed."
Marianas Variety News & Views "Demolition expert Aiken dies" June 24, 1983
"While working to clear land mines from the Marshall Island atoll of Wotje [sic] in 1978, Aiken discovered a Japanese Zero fighter plane hidden among the bushes. Aiken got permission from an island chief to take it with him to Saipan, a decision bucked by the TT [Trust Territory] Hi-Com. Aiken spent $8,000 to ship the aging craft to the NMI and another $10,000 to renovate it to its original condition. After attempts to sell the aircraft to the NMI [Northern Mariana Islands] government failed, Aiken sold the Zero to the Fukuoka Air Museum in Japan for $45,000. The plane had since been restored by the Japanese to an estimated value of $175,000... the fact that the Zero could not stay on Saipan were two demoralizing factors which caused him to leave the island [of Saipan] in January of this year [1983]."
Commonwealth Examiner "Steve Aiken passed away in California" June 23, 1983
"Steve's Zero was a popular tourist attraction many tourists would come and see at his house on Saipan when it was here. The Zero is now in Japan. A Marshallese chief, by vote of his people, gave Steve a Zero fighter plane for recognition of his help in making their home a good place to live."
Commonwealth Examiner "Micronesia explosive expert dies" June 24, 1983
"Aiken brought to Saipan a Japanese zero which he restored and displayed as a tourist attraction. The zero was discovered in Toroa in the Marshalls. Prior to his departure, he tried unsuccessfully to sell the zero to the Marianas Visitors Bureau. He later sold it to a Japanese businessman who dismantled it and took it to Japan."
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for that. Didn't realize it's a hybrid, I think I've only seen the Model 52 Zero before. Besides the wingtips I don't see much of a physical difference between the 22 and 32.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
well you know us Warbird fanatics are more than just a bit anal when it comes to our beloved planes. ( understatement ) an example would be that even in the age of Jets on everything we still argue the pro's n con's of water v air cooled engines ( or the .50 cal v the 20mm ) That having been said dont worry. She IS a beautiful bird and the photo. and to have the info and find that actual people who built all the "Zero's" helped bring her back to this condition tells me that there is a lot more accuracy in this restore than many others.
besides so what if it's even slightly a hybird ( or even the original number ) what really matters is the bird not the "fiddly bits"
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Lovely shot! These are such nice-looking plane, it's good to see!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
