Zero

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The Nakajima A6M Zero or "Reisen" (零戦, "zero fighter") is a family of Japanese fighters:

Not to be confused with the Type 0 Recons.

Trivia

The Mitsubishi A6M "Type 0 Carrier-based Fighter", mostly known as the "Zero", was one of the finest planes of its time, capable of greater speed, maneuverability, and range than most American planes, and boasting a powerful armament of two 7.7 mm machine guns and two 20 mm cannons. When encountered, it was codenamed "Zeke" by the Allies, but the "Zero" name took over as its most used nickname in both sides.

Specification 12-shi was sent to Nakajima and Mitsubishi in 1937, as a replacement to the A5M Type 96 Fighter which was entering service in the IJN.

Assessing the performance and experiences of the A5M, the IJN's final requirements were for the fighter to reach speeds of 600 km/h and climb to 3 km in 3.5 min while being able to operate for as much as 6-8 h at cruise with drop-tanks. Equipment was to include a complete radio and armament of twin 20 mm cannons plus twin 7.7 mm machine guns as well as 60 kg of bombs. Maneuverability was to be at least equal to the A5M with a wingspan less than 12 m so that it could be fielded on aircraft carriers. On top of those lofty specifications, this plane had to use available engines, a significant limitation.

Nakajima's engineering team deemed those specifications impossible and resigned from the competition. Jiro Horikoshi, developer of the A5M (and subsequently the A7M Reppuu) thought it was feasible only with an aircraft as light as possible. Every possible weight-reduction measure was incorporated into the A6M, including Sumitomo Metal's new top-secret 7075 aluminum alloy, "Extra Super Duralumin". Armor for the pilot, engine, or other critical points was dropped, as were self-sealing fuel tanks. It had a cantilever low-wing layout, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed cockpit.

The A6M1 prototype passed its testing in a short period and was ordered into service, with shortly after, the A6M2 being introduced incorporating a new engine. The new prototype so greatly surpassed the original specifications that 15 units were sent to battle in China, where they were untouched by planes that troubled the A5M. These results led the Navy to immediately order the A6M2 into production as the Type 0 Model 11.

It could maintain stable flight well below 110 km/h, allowing it to out-turn any contemporary fighter. Reports of its performance eventually reached the USA, where they were dismissed as impossible. The Model 21 in particular introduced folding wingtips to better fit into aircraft carriers, as well as improved range with 2 048 being constructed by Mitsubishi and Nakajima, including 508 trainers by Hitachi and Sasebo.

Compared to contemporary Allied fighters, however, the Zero traded ruggedness, protection, and comfort for its qualities, making it a relatively bridle plane, notably lacking self-sealing fuel tanks, which could easily catch fire and explode when shot.

When powerful Allied aircraft such as the P-38 Lightning, F6F Hellcat, and F4U Corsair were fielded, the A6M had difficulty competing. Regardless, it was developed further into variants such as the Models 3X, 5X, and 6X, with better engines and capabilities.

Many dismissed the Zero origines as a fully Japanese indigenous fighter, but it was indeed truly a fit of engineering achieved by Japan, after years of modernization.

Zero

Trivia

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