On December 7, 1941 this aircraft, A6M2 Zero c/n 5349 was flown by flight leader PO 1st Class Tsugio Matsuyama that was assigned to the carrier Hiryu took part in the raid on Pearl Harbor. On that day 8 Zeros from the Hiryu strafed Kaneohe and Bellows Field destroying several trucks and airplanes. Next they joined the air battle and Matsuyama shot down of the U.S. defender aircraft. Out of 384 U.S. aircraft on the ground 188 were destroyed and 159 damaged with Japan losing 15 aircraft. Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/ZekeFirst flown in April, 1939, the A6M Zero-Sen was the Allies' main opponent in the Pacific and the most famous symbol of Japanese air power during World War II. This carrier-based fighter, designed with a low-monoplane wing and armed with a formidable array of two 20mm cannons and two 7.7mm machine guns, proved capable of handling any of the Allies' aircraft. It wasn't until the Allies studied a captured Zero that they were able to identify and exploit weaknesses such as minimal pilot and fuel tank protection. Zeros became infamous for Kamikaze attacks, in which pilots would intentionally crash explosion-laden aircraft into Allied ships.© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc. Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power SeriesThe Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
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