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| IJN 252 Kōkūtai Former Assignments 201 Kōkūtai Chitose Kōkūtai
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Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi on September 16, 1942 as the 148th Model 32 built. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter Reisen / A6M3 Model 32 manufacture number 3148. Wartime History Assigned to the Chitose Kōkūtai (Chitose Air Group) with tail code S-112 and operated in the Marshall Islands. On December 1, 1942 redesignated as the 201 Kōkūtai (201 Air Group) and operated in the Marshall Islands. During July 1943, assigned to the 252 Kōkūtai (252 Air Group) with tail code Y2-128. During September 1943, the unit's tail prefix was changed to "52" and the tail code was changed to 52-130. Wartime History This Zero operated from Taroa Airfield. Disabled or abandoned on Taroa Island. Wreckage Until 1991, this Zero remained in situ on Taroa Island. Recovery During 1991, recovered by John Sterling. After a year of negotiation, including sleeping in the jungle for nearly 3 months to perform the recovery of this and other Zeros: A6M3 3685, A6M3 3318, A6M2 31574 that were disassembled, crated and shipped back to his home in Boise, Idaho in May 1991. He focused his efforts on restoring A6M3 3318 and using parts from the others to support this. Restoration Later this Zero was sold to the Evergreen Aviation. Next sold to Vintage Aircraft Ltd in Colorado. Then to Legend Flyers in Everett, Washington. This airframe is being used as the basis of the restoration, with parts from A6M3 3318. References Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long FlyPast January 1998 article by Ron Werneth, and "The Return of japan's Legendary Zero Fighter". Asahi Journal Vol 1 No 2 has an interview with John Sterling. YouTube "Birdseye Zero" posted November 8, 2013 YouTube "A6M3-32 Zero Rollout" posted December 19, 2013 Facebook "Isamu Miyazaki: A Last Zero Pilot on Taroa Island" includes artwork with HoKo 994 Thanks to Ryan Toews and Jim Lansdale for additional information Contribute
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