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| IJN Junyō |
Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. Assigned to the Junyō Hikōkitai aboard Junyō. No known markings or tail code. Wartime History On January 17, 1943 at 10:40am took off from Junyō roughly 200 miles north of Wewak as one of twenty-five A6M2 plus six B5N2 Kates on a flight to Wewak Airfield (Wirui Airfield). During January 18, 1943 until February 28, 1943 Junyō Hikōkitai Zeros began flying combat air patrols over the Wewak and on several occasions intercepted B-24 Liberators. Mission History Likely, this Zero took off on January 23, 1943 at 7:25am from Wewak Airfield (Wirui Airfield) piloted by CPO Satō Taka’aki on a scramble to intercept B-24D Liberators from the 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG) over Wewak. During the interception, this Zero was likely damaged by gunfire and was attempting to land with flaps and landing gear extended but instead ditched into the sea off Wei Island (Vial). Wreckage During 2007, this Zero was discovered upside down on a sandy bottom at a depth of 24m. The Zero is covered in marine growth with both wing flaps and main landing gear extended with the tires intact. The right side of the fuselage has a hole, possibly combat damage. Luca Ruffato adds: "It is possible that the crashed Reisen found off Wei Island is that flown by CPO Satō Taka’aki. Another little clue about Satō suspicious loss is that Kōdōchōsho lists him shot down on 23 January 1943 and scrambling at 0825 JST the following day against a lone B-24 and landing at 0910 JST" References Kōdōchōsho Junyō Hikōkitai - January 17, 1943 departed Junyo 1140 JST Kōdōchōsho Junyō Hikōkitai - January 23, 1943 Kōdōchōsho Junyō Hikōkitai - January 24, 1943 HalsteadDiving. - News Tours September 2007 Thanks to Bob Halstead and Luca Ruffato for additional information Contribute
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