A6M2 Model 21 Zero 1575 Tail V-110

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Milmart
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A6M2 Model 21 Zero 1575 Tail V-110

Post by Milmart » Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:39 pm

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 1575 Tail V-110
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On April 28, 1942 took off from Lae Airfield piloted by PO3c Yoshimitsu Maeda on a morning combat air patrol (CAP) and landed safely. Later that same day at 1:00pm took off again from Lae Airfield with A6M2 Zero pilot Arita in pursuit of a "Lockheed Hudson" in fact, B-25C "Der Schpy" 41-12496 that Arita claimed as shot down. During the flight, Maeda became separated and did not return. When this aircraft failed to return, he was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

If fact, Maeda became separated from Arita, crossed the Owen Stanley Range and ended up east of Port Moresby when he spotted MV Laurabada to the east of Abau Island on the southern coast of New Guinea. As he turned to strafe it, and hit a coconut palm on Otamata plantation and made a crash landing in the plantation. Maeda survived the crash landing unhurt but was stunned from the impact.

The official Japanese report said Maeda was ill due to oxygen starvation, and that is why he made a forced landing. Other reports incorrectly state this Zero was hit by Allied gunfire and the pilot made a forced landing with the engine running at the time.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m2/1575.html

PO3c Yoshimitsu Maeda (POW, survived)
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During July 1943, the Zero engine, wing and fuselage were paraded on a flatbed with a sign stating (incorrectly) "Japanese Zero Fighter shot down by U.S. Air Force". After intelligence officers finished with the Zero at Brisbane, it was shipped to Melbourne for further study. Ultimate fate is unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.
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