PLANE TYPE Single seated monoplane fighter (A6M3) Land based and carrier based fighter, this plane had many names and it was the most famous plane of the Japanese during WW2. It was called "Zero-sen" "Zero", but the Japanese preferred to call it "Reisen" , while in the american code it was designed "Zeke" . During the firist part of the war it became the terror of the sky, because of its swift manouverability that outpassed all the American , Dutch and British planes in the Far East theatre. It was the air weapon that great contributed to Japanese victories until Midway. His secret was in the light-wooden structure and in the powerful engine that greatly increased his manouverability, but also decreased the armor and the pilot protection. So , when it has to combat with the new generation of american planes (Hellcat, Corsair, Lightning), his supremacy began to fade out , despite of he many improvements made during his long life.
LENGTH 9,06 m ; 29,8 Ft
WINGSPAN 12 m ; 39,47 Ft
WING AREA 21,3 m2 ; 25,48 Sq Yds
POWERPLANT 1 Nakajima Sakae (940 CV)
WEAPONS 2 7,7 cal. Type 97 MG; 2 20mm Type 99 cannons ; 2 60 kg bombs
MAX LOADED WEIGHT 2733 Kg ; 6033 Lbs
TOP SPEED 535 Km/h ; 333 MPH
CEILING 10000 m ; 32895 Ft
RANGE 1870 Km ; 1162 Mi