Camarillo Airport, February 2008
Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero
Mitsubishi
Design Bureau created the design for the A6M Zeke, or Zero. A majority
of the Zeros were manufactured by Nakajima. This is the A6M3
model 22, built by Nakajima in 1942. Over 10,000 of these airplanes
were made during WWII. Today, only three to five of them remain in
flyable condition. They are light and have great range, but above about
250-275 MPH and the ailerons become impossible to move. Until tactics
were developed to overcome its shortcomings, the Zero earned a
reputation that was based on many myths. There is next to no armor
plate in the airplane and the wings do not have self-sealing tanks.
Contrary to the myths of the Zero, it did not have an overwhelming
kill/loss ratio at any time against the US Navy.
The Commemorative Air
Force, Southern California Wing maintains and operates this rare
warbird. It is currently undergoing maintenance and will be flying
again soon. This gives a rare view of the engine and of the aircraft up
on jacks during landing gear testing.
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