Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi on June 30, 1942. Houkoku Number 872 (presentation number) on the left side of the fuselage, indicating the aircraft was donated by a civilian volunteer group in Japan.

Wartime History
Took off in the early morning piloted by P. O. Kazuo Tsunoda defend Buna Airfield against fourteen Airacobras and seven 19th BS B-26s attacking the airfield in the early morning.

As a dogfight unfolded over the airfield around 7:00am, this Zero was damaged in an air battle with Airacobras of the 35th FG on August 27, 1942. This Zero managed to land safely at Buna Airfield. Reportedly, it was this damaged and without repair facilities, the Zero was camouflaged. Later, the tail section was damaged by the concussion of an exploding bomb nearby.

Wreckage
Captured at Buna Airfield on December 27, 1942 after the Battle of Buna. Recovered in January 1943 along with A6M3 3032 to the coast and loaded onto a barge. Transported by barge to Brisbane, where it arrived on February 19, 1943. At Eagle Farm, the main fuselage and wing sections of this aircraft were chosen for repair, to build a flyable A6M3 Hamp.

References
Thanks to Jim Long for additional info. Technical Air Intelligence Report No. 163, Headquarters Allied Air Forces, Directorate of Intelligence, APO 925, Subject: Recovery and Reconstruction of Type 0 Mk 2 SSF HAP, 16 September 1943.

References
Yokoi Houkoku List
Revenge of the Red Raiders, page 134
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 12 (top)

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

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