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80-G-248975 Japanese Mitsubishi A6M5 zero-sen

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Title: Japanese Mitsubishi A6M5 zero-sen

Caption: Photographed 25 September 1944. The A6M5, an improved version of the earlier A6M2 and A6M3, had a reduced wing span and exhaust stacks in place of the cowl flaps of the earlier models. During World War II the Zero was officially referred to by the allied code name Zeke, but the name zero had so caught the public mind that it was also widely used. It was Japanese practice to use the last digits of the year of adoption to identify airplane types; since the Zeke was first produced in 1940 (the year 2600 in the Japanese calendar), it was known as the zero-sen (zero fighter). This plane had been painted with U.S. insignia which have, in turn, been painted out before the photograph was taken; the white star shows conspicuously through the red paint. It seems to retain its original Japanese paint scheme; dark olive green on sides and upper surfaces, and on the entire cowling, with light gray underneath.

Description:

Catalog #: 80-G-248975

Original Creator:

Original Date: Mon, Sep 25, 1944

After this Year: 1939

Before this Year: 1945

Original Medium: BW Photo

Naval History and Heritage Command

80-G-248975 Japanese Mitsubishi A6M5 zero-sen