Tetsuzo Iwamoto became a 1st Class Airman in December 1936. In 1938 he was sent to China where on February 25, 1938 Iwamoto downed three Chinese fighters and one probable. In September 1938 with fourteen victories to his credit, Iwamoto returned to Japan as an instructor. In October 1943 Iwamoto and the 201st AG were sent to Rabaul and were confronted with USAAF 5th AF bombing and strafing. While on Rabaul Iwamoto scored 142 of his 202 victories over almost every type of aircraft the Allies flew in the Pacific. 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:
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc. | |||||||||||||
|