Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter Type 52 "SUPER ACE" with Pilot Figure # 07497

Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter Type 52 "SUPER ACE" with Pilot Figure # 07497

Markings
1) I.J.N. 253rd N.F.G. W.O. Tetsuzo Iwamoto Code: 53-104 Rabaul Feb.,1944
2) I.J.N. 253rd N.F.G. W.O. Tetsuzo Iwamoto Code: 53-102 Rabaul Jan.-Feb.,1944

The Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (also known as the Zero or Zeke) is a World War II Japanese single-engine fighter plane with an all-metal low wing configuration.

The prototype flew for the first time on April 1, 1939, and it entered service in the summer of 1940.

The Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 engine was used in the earliest prototypes, but from the A6M2 model 11 onwards, the Nakajima NK1B Sakae 12 engine with 950KM was installed, making the aircraft one of the best we Early war period crushers.

Before and during the war, new versions were written.

The A6M2 Model 21, a modified version with folding wings built for aircraft carriers that was prepared at the start of the Pacific War and became the standard Japanese carrier-based fighter, was one of the most famous.

The following versions are A6M3 and A6M5, both of which have undergone multiple changes.

The original one had a compressor and a Nakajima Sakae 21 engine with 1130 horsepower, but it was heavier and had less range and maneuverability.

In the A6M5 variant, attempts were made to remedy this problem by altering the exhaust system, changing the design of the wing, and abandoning the folding of the wing, all of which resulted in an increase in maximum speed.

This version first flew in 1943 and was manufactured until the conclusion of the war.

It's worth noting that the A6M5C Model 52C «Hei» aircraft was one of the most extensively produced variations of the A6M5, with over 5,000 produced.

They served in the Pacific throughout the war, primarily as deck fighters but also as Army fighters to some extent.

Engineer Jiro Horikoshi was the father of this legendary plane, which was based on his expertise working on the M5A aircraft.

He was able to create a plane that was extremely nimble, had excellent aerodynamic features, was ideal for battle, and had a long-range.

This, however, came at the cost of armour and the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks.

Furthermore, due to a lack of aircraft engines with equal power to American machines, every year of the war, starting in 1943, the Zero evolved towards the weaker opponent P-51, P-47, F-4, or F-6.

It also turned out to be a machine that was easily damaged and prone to fire.

This does not change the reality that the Allies did not have an aircraft capable of competing with the A6M Zero until 1943.

Technical specifications (A6M2 model 21):

Length: 9.06m,

Wingspan: 12m,

Height: 3.05m,

Maximum range: 3105 km,

Maximum altitude 10000 m,

Maximum speed: 533 km/h,

Rate of climb: 15.7 m/s,

Maximum range: 3105 km,

Maximum altitude 10000 m,

Armament:

Fixed - 2 cannons Type 99-1 calibre 20 mm and 2 machine guns Type 97 calibre 7.7 mm,

Suspended - up to 250 kg of bombs,