Aircraft History
4461 was the identity applied to the first Zero restored by Robert Diemert recovered wreckage. This number is from a component dataplate likely found in the wreckage, not a Mitsubishi or Nakajima manufacture number.

Wartime History
Abandoned at Ballale Airfield or Kahili Airfield.

Wreckage
Remained in situ until 1968.

Recovery
Salvaged by Robert Diemert and transported aboard a barge to Port Moresby. Stored outdoors at Jackson Airport until the middle of January 1969 when flown to Canada aboard a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) C-130 Hercules to Canada, then to Diemert's property at Carman, Manitoba Province.

Restoration
This was the first Zero Diemert began restoring. This Zero took off once in 1973 but crashed during the test flight due to a landing gear failure. After rebuilding, parts were incorporated into A6M2 Zero 5450, his second Zero restoration.

References
Control Column "Mitsubishi Move" Vol 11 No 5 (July 1977)
Thanks to Ryan Toews for additional information

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Last Updated
September 17, 2020