IJN
USN March 7, 1943
Aircraft History
Nakajima built early June 1942 (estimated)
Wartime History
Abandoned or destroyed on August 7, 1942 and captured by US Marines at Tanambogo (Tulagi Seaplane Base).
Recovery
Recovered, this wreck was one of two from Tulagi and transported to the United States for evaluation by the US Navy. Brought to NAS Alameda, California.
JICPOA Bulletin No. 51-43, 16 November 1943, entitled "Notes on Production Rate of Japanese Float Fighter Rufe Type Zero Mark 1 and Type 2." No. 821 was identified from a photo of the fuselage stencil.
Japanese Aircraft Makers' Plates and Markings Report No. 68 "Life of Japanese Combat Airplanes," March 20 1945 listed two Rufe aircraft: 821 (this aircraft) and 739. The data from this report are as follows:
RUFE
Serial No. 821
Date of Assembly: Early Jun 42 [estimate]
Date of Crash: 7 Aug 42
Life in Months: 2
Place of Crash: Tanambogo, Florida Is.
Jim Long adds:
"I have seen photos of two Rufes that were shipped to the U.S. They may have been planes recovered at Tanambogo."
References
Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information. Thanks to Jim Long for report no 68 reference. Air Progress Magazine "Minus Zero"
Rufe
Salvaged Rufes NAS Alameda
