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  A6M2 Model 21 Zero    Blanche Bay off Malapau
IJN
? Kōkūtai

Click Fo Enlargement
Andrew Wright 1995

Click Fo Enlargement
Rod Pearce 2006

Click Fo Enlargement
Don Silcock 2023

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown.

Wartime History
Assigned to an unknown Kōkūtai (Air Group). No known markings or tail code. Likely, this Zero was based at one of the Rabaul area airfields.

Wartime History
This Zero likely took off from one of the Rabaul area airfields on a mission. The precise date and pilot are unknown. Ditched off Malapau into Blanche Bay. This Zero has bullet holes in the starboard side, and appears to have landed tail first, damaging the fuselage during the impact. According to locals, the pilot survived and swam ashore and returned to duty.

Wreckage
The Zero was first discovered in the early 1970s at a depth of 88.5' / 27m upright on a flat slit bottom. The propellers are unbend, and canopy missing. All of the machine guns are still present. Fire coral surround the cockpit and wings. This aircraft is a popular dive site but generally does not have excellent water visibility.

References
Winged Ghosts of the South Pacific (1995) includes underwater footage of this Zero
National Geographic "Ghosts of War" (April 1998) pages 430-431
Lonely Planet Dive & Snorkel PNG (1999) page 112
"Another excellent wreck is that of the classic Zero fighter off a beach south of Rabaul on the way to Kokopo. The wreck is at 27m, intact & upright. It's wings are flush with the sand bottom & the propeller is still in place. The open cockpit is usually full of bait fish. The water is clear."

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Last Updated
February 26, 2024

 

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SCUBA
88.5' / 27m
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