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| IJN 343 Kōkūtai    Roy Wiggs 1962  Uru 2000  via Bob Rocker 2000 |
Pilot Lt. Cdr Shinya Ozaki (WIA, died) Force Landed June 19, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi estimated date of assembly March 1944. At the factory. painted with green upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M5a Model 52ko Zero Manufacture Number 4685. Wartime History Assigned to 343 Kōkūtai (343 Air Group) with tail code 43-188 in yellow. This Zero was initially based at Atsugi Airfield in Japan. During early June 1944 flown to Tinian Island. Afterwards operated from Agana Airfield on Guam Island. Mission History On June 19, 1944 took off from Agana Airfield on Guam on the first day of the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" piloted by Lt. Cdr Shinya Ozaki. A pair of Zeros, including this aircraft strafed a U.S. Navy (USN) SOC Seagull attempting to rescue a downed American aviator from the sea. Afterwards, intercepted by F6F Hellcat pilot Lt. Henry C. Clem and damaged. Next, spotted by an F4U-2 Corsair night fighter piloted by Lt.Cdr. R. E. Harmer from VF(N)-101 who chased Ozaki and further damaged it. Streaming smoke, the Zero managed to reach Guam and force landed just off off Agana Airfield. Wounded, Lt. Cdr Shinya Ozaki later died of his wounds. Wreckage This Zero landed in a swamp near Agana Airfield and was not discovered during the American occupation of Guam. In March 1962, this aircraft was located by a worker from the Government of Guam. Afterwards, rediscovered and recovered by the American military. The Zero was intact with only the tail rudder fabric missing. The original green paint and Hinomaru markings were clearly visible. Display During January 1964 shipped to Japan for static restoration. Afterwards, the Zero was painted in the original wartime markings including tail code 43-188. Afterwards, displayed at Hamamatsu-Minami AFB suspended from the ceiling of the hangar. References Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long Pacific Aircraft Wrecks (1979) page 53 (lower) Thanks to Roy Wiggs for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated October 11, 2024 |
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