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| IJN Tainan Kōkūtai or 2nd Kōkūtai |
Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi likely during late June 1942. At the factory, painted overall gray with a black cowling. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter / A6M3 Model 32 Zero / Hamp manufacture number unknown. This Zero was likely one of A6M3 Model 32 Zeros with manufacture numbers noted by Allied intelligence between late December 1942 and early January 1943. The the possible manufacture numbers include: A6M3 Zero 3018, A6M5 Zero 3020, A6M3 Zero 3021, A6M3 Zero 3024, A6M2 Zero 3028, A6M3 Zero 3029, A6M3 Zero 3031, A6M3 Zero 3032, A6M3 Zero 3036, A6M3 Zero 3042, A6M3 Zero 3043 or A6M3 Zero 3044. Two of the intact Zeros were salvaged and therefore are not possibilities: A6M3 Zero 3030 and A6M3 Zero 3032. Alternately, this Zero had another manufacture number not recorded by Allied intelligence. Wartime History Assigned to either the 2nd Kōkūtai (2nd Air Group) or Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). No known tail code or markings. Depending on the assignment, tail code Q-1?? (last two digits unknown) or V-1?? (last two digits unknown). During August 1942 operated from Buna Airfield (Old Strip) in New Guinea. Between the middle of August 1942 until early September 1942 this Zero operated from Buna Airfield (Old Strip) in New Guinea. At some point in that period, this Zero sustained damage and was abandoned on the side of the runway. Afterwards, it sustained additional damage from the concision of nearby bomb blasts that caused ripples in the aluminum skin and strafing and bombing that added more bullet and shrapnel holes. Wreckage This Zero was abandoned at Buna Airfield (Old Strip) at the side of the runway. On December 27, 1942 captured by the U.S. Army. Afterwards, Allied personnel removed pieces of aluminum skin from the fuselage and tail as souvenirs. The ultimate fate of the rest of the wreckage is unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Afterwards, captured Japanese aircraft at Buna Airfield (Old Strip) were investigated by Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) and the more intact Zeros removed plus parts and engines for for further evaluation. including the more intact Zeros, parts and engines were recovered and moved to the beach, then loaded aboard a barge then shipped to Australia for technical evaluation at Eagle Farm Field. Possibly, parts of this Zero were among the recovered wreckage. Afterwards, Allied personnel removed pieces of aluminum from the wreckage as souvenirs. By the early 2000s, wreckage from this Zero remained in situ at Buna Airfield. The wreckage includes wing wreckage with one of the main landing gear legs and tail wreckage with many rectangular pieces of aluminum cut out, likely removed by Allied souvenirs or locals. Justin Taylan adds: "I examined this wreckage in 2000 and 2003, and was unable to find any data or additional information to identify it, other than the fact it were parts of a Zero." Contribute
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