Warbirds in Action Airshow 2008
Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero

This is the famous A6M Mistubishi Zeke, or Zero (NX712Z). 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.