Aircraft History
Built by Nakajima, estimated date of assembly April 1944. True serial number 350, the 350th produced by Nakajima.

Wartime History
Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Assigned to ? Kōkūtai. Painted with green upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. During 1944, operated from Aslito Airfield on Saipan.

During the night of June 16-17, 1944 this Zero was captured intact by the U. S. Army 27th Infantry Division at Aslito Airfield.

One of twelve aircraft (plus spare engines) were loaded aboard USS Copahee including A6M5 1303, A6M5 4340, A6M5 5350 (this aircraft), A6M2 5352, A6M5 5356 and A6M5 5357. All were transported to the United States.

During 1944-1945, this Zero was studied for technical evaluation then placed into storage.

Postwar
This Zero was purchased or acquired by J. H. Elliot of Atlanta, Georgia.  In 1991, it was sold to R. D. Wittington of World Jet, Fort Lauderdale, Florida who plans to restore it.

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

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Last Updated
September 9, 2020