Aircraft History
3785 is not a Mitsubishi or Nakajima Manufacture Number, recheck data.

Stan Gajda reports:
"This Zero is an A6M2 because the engine has the early-type short reduction case, the -3s had a long case, different mark/model engine probably more horsepower. (No anti-vibration counterweights or extended crankcase/reduction gear). I really would like to ID this Zero, this one is missing all the obvious id plates, no stenciling is visible and the fin has weathered badly."

Wartime History
Crashed near Nan Pohn Mal Airfield. It was shot down just after take-off by F4U Corsairs escorting B-25s on a bombing raids which originated from Eniwetok.

Wreckage
The wreckage was located on local landowner's property. Stan Gajda fnegotiated with the landowner to purchase the wreckage, to prevent him from disposing of it.

Stan Gajda reports:
"The other Zero that impacted into a hill just across the channel from my place is the same, I have the smashed engine from this also plus a few small fragments. The airframe was cleared long ago and nobody seems to know what happened to it. I hear rumors of another wreck in the bush along one of the rivers not that far from town but nobody seems to know anything specific of this one either. Same as a wreck on a hill-top on the south side of the island but I suspect locals are confusing the Corsair crash site with a Zero."

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