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| IJN 252 Kōkūtai |
Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi, estimated date of assembly May 1943. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 3685. Wartime History Assigned to 252 Kokutai with tail code Y2-176. This Zero was abandoned at Taroa Airfield. Wreckage Until 1991, this Zero remained in situ until on Taroa Island. Stan Gajda adds: "Y2-176 was sitting on its belly and the port center fuselage had been hacked right out, this appearing to be to provide access to the interior for pillagers. When I saw it in 1988 it looked a lot better but you will see that the wings were already in bad shape. This aircraft bears extensive evidence of a lot of combat with many field patches both large and small all over the airframe. All aircraft in this area have had engines removed although there are many engines scattered about most with propellers still attached." Recovery Recovered by John Sterling, in the 1990s. After a year of negotiation, including sleeping in the jungle for nearly 3 months to perform the recovery of this and other Zeros: A6M3 3318, A6M3 3148 and A6M2 31574 that were disassembled, crated and shipped back to his home in Boise, Idaho in May 1991. He focused his efforts on restoring A6M3 Zero 3148 and using parts from the others to support this single project. Sale During 2000, acquired by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) at Duxford. There were no plans to restore the aircraft at this stage, and it has been proposed to display it 'as is'. This Zero remained in storage until at least 2010. Today, displayed at Imperial War Museum. References References Glimpses of Micronesia “Maloelap: Japanese Naval Bastion on World War II” by William Bartsch Vol. 25, No. 3, 1985 pages 48-52 After The Battle Magazine No. 54 "Unknown Maloelap" by William Bartsch pages 28-41 Asahi Journal Vol 1 No 2 has an interview with John Sterling Contribute
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