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  A6M3 Model 32 Zero Manufacture Number 3042 Tail Q-108
IJN
2nd Kōkūtai

Click For Enlargement
Silk December 5, 1942

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McMahon c1942

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi during July 1942. At the factory painted overall gray with a black engine cowling. Assigned Houkoku Number 884 (patriotic presentation number) donor details unknown. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter Reisen / A6M3 Model 32 Zero manufacture number 3042.

Wartime History
Assigned to 2nd Kokutai (2nd Air Group). Tail code Q-108. During late August 1942 part of a detachment of Zeros flown from Lakunai Airfield to Buna Airfield (Old Strip). This Zero was disabled on the ground with the center section burned out, likely due to attacks by Allied bombers and fighters.

Wreckage
This Zero was abandoned at Buna Airfield (Old Strip). On December 5, 1942 this Zero overgrown with kunai grass was captured by Allied soldiers at Buna Airfield (Old Strip). The tail had the rudder fabric missing with "08" [Q-108] visible.

On December 5, 1942 a group of Allied soldiers including Australian Army and U.S. Army were photographed by George Silk near the tail of this Zero.

The ultimate fate of this Zero is unknown, possibly parts were recovered by the Allies or was abandoned at the airfield.

References
Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long
Thanks to Jim Lansdale and Ryan Toews for additional information

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Last Updated
November 23, 2021

 

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