Mitsubishi A6M Zero

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero, often called just the A6M Zero or simply the Zero was a long range carrier ship-based fighter aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. The aircraft was built by Mitsubishi, making its first flight in 1939, and entering naval service in 1940.

A6M "Zero"
Replica of Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Model 22 (NX712Z), used (with the atypical green camouflage shown) in the film Pearl Harbor
Role	Fighter
National origin	Japan
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight	1 April 1939
Introduction	1 July 1940
Retired	1945 (Japan)
Primary users	Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Chinese Nationalist Air Force
Produced	1940–1945
Number built	10,939
Variants	Nakajima A6M2-N

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was an amazing performing and nimble aircraft from the Japanese, most widely remembered for its performance in the Pacific War. The Mitsubishi A6M Zero (also known as ‘The Zero’) was a versatile fighter aircraft, usually used as ambush aircraft, bomber attackers and sometimes escorts. People would often rate the A6M a ‘Zero’ out of 10.

It was the primary fighter used by Japan during the war. It was the primary enemy of US Naval aircraft such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat, Vought F4U Corsair, and later the Grumman F6F Hellcat, which was specifically designed to combat the Zero. The A6M Zero was the best fighter at the beginning of the Pacific war. However, late in the war, new American fighters were able to defeat it.

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Media

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  Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" Model 21 takes off from the aircraft carrier Akagi, to attack Pearl Harbor.

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  The cockpit (starboard console) of an A6M2 which crashed into Building 52 at Fort Kamehameha during the attack on Pearl Harbor, killing the pilot.

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  Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero wreck abandoned at Munda Airfield, Central Solomons, 1943

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  Photograph of Japanese Zero taken from the window of a DC-3 on a flight from the Reno Air Races to Wisconsin. The mountain in the background is Peavine Peak outside Reno, and near the Stead airfield where the Reno Air Races are held.

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  Carrier A6M2 and A6M3 Zeros from the aircraft carrier Zuikaku preparing for a mission at Rabaul

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  A6M3 Model 22, flown by Japanese ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa over the Solomon Islands, 1943

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  Wrecked A6M Zero in Peleliu jungle

• Short film Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter (1943), intended to help U.S. airmen quickly distinguish the Zero from friendly aircraft, with Ronald Reagan as pilot Saunders.

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  Type zero fighter en-hierarchy

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  A6M2a model11 on China.

Related pages

• F4F Wildcat
• F6F Hellcat