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Japanese Aircraft Salvaged by Robert Diemert
Recovered from the South Pacific during 1967–1968. See also Aircraft Restored by Robert Diemert.

Model 21 Zeros

6345 (10-42), 5355 (10-42), 4362, 5459, 3471, 7830 and 2985

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 5451 Tail W1-150
Recovered front fuselage and tail section

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 3471
Recovered fuselage section (cockpit and rear portion)

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 2985
Recovered nose machine gun ammunition cover

A6M2 Zero Model 21 Manufacture Number 4362
Recovered left horizontal stabilizer and an elevator. Salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968 and transported to Canada 1969.

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 5355

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 5451 Tail W1-150

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 5459

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 6345
Tail cone salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968 and transported to Canada 1969.

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 7830
Salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968 and transported to Canada 1969.

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number ???? Hokoku 1045
Center section and rear fuselage salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968 and transported to Canada 1969.

Model 33/22 Zeros

A6M3 Model 32 Zero Manufacture Number 3285 Tail 3-174
Recovered fuselage section, tail and likely wings

A6M3 Model 22 Zero Manufacture Number 3753 Tail 103
Recovered rear fuselage of this Zero and horizontal stabilizers. Salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968 and transported to Canada 1969.

Model 22 Val

D3A2 Model 22 Val Manufacture Number 3178
Salvaged by Robert Diemert 1968. Restored to flying condition today owned by Planes of Fame Museum.

References
Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long
A Brief History of the Blayd Zero and Its Markings by Ryan Toews June 15, 2014 page 1
(Page 1) "These wrecks included several Zeros and one Aichi D3A2 Val dive bomber. The recovered Zero artifacts bore the serial numbers 6345, 5355, 4362, 5459, 3471, 7830 and 2985, all of which were Nakajima-built A6M2 21s. Components of Mitsubishi-built A6M3 32 (s/n 3285) and A6M3 22 (s/n 3753) were also salvaged.
Bob Diemert was interviewed by this writer on 10 and 20 March 2000. In the interviews he claimed to have found fourteen aircraft on Ballale Island - two Vals and twelve Zeros. One of the Vals was reasonably intact, but the other one was deemed good only for a few parts. Of the remaining twelve Zeros, five were deemed recoverable with three of them described as being in good condition."
(Page 3) "The evidence provided that at least six tail fins with tail codes had been recovered, but only three of these could be identified: W1-106 from 201 Kokutai; W1-187 from 201 Kokutai (later over-painted with the code 6-136); and what is believed to be an A6M3 32 tail with the code 3-174 over-painted with 5-136."
Thanks to Robert Diemert, Ryan Toews, Jim Long, CAF Midland & Planes of Fame for additional information.



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