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  A6M2 Model 21 Zero Tail V-???
IJN
Tainan Kōkūtai

Pilot  Leading Airman Takeichiro Hidaka (KIA)
Crashed  June 16, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown (four digits). Assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai. Tail code V-??? (three digits).

On June 16, 1942 in the morning took off from Lae Airfield piloted by Leading Airman Takeichiro Hidaka on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby. Over the target, Hidaka cliamed a single Airacobra shot down and returned from the mission safely.

Mission History
On June 16, 1942 in the afternoon took off from Lae Airfield on a second fighter sweep over Port Moresby. Over the target, shot down by P-39F Airacobra piloted by Lt. Francis "Frank" Royal who claimed a single Zero shot down.

References
Winged Samurai page 88 (Tainan Kōkūtai Pilot Casualties June 16, 1942 / Leading Airman Takeichiro Hidaka / Lae)
Thanks to Francis Royal for additional information

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Last Updated
August 23, 2022

Tech Info
Zero
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