A6M2B Zero Tetsunzo Iwamoto 201st Naval Group Rabaul 1943 HA8803 1:48

A6M2B Zero Tetsunzo Iwamoto 201st Naval Flying Group Rabaul Nov 1943 HA8803 scale 1:48 Highly detailed Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series Item#: HA8803 Scale: 1:48 The A6M entered service in 1940 and became known as the Zero because of the Japanese designation of Type 0 Carrier Fighter. The Zero technology was years ahead of any other fighter and had no problem clearing the skies of opposing aircraft. There were numerous variants of the Zero including the folding wing A6M2 Model 21 designed for carrier operations. The A6M2 was the most produced Japanese aircraft of WWII. As the war went on the Model 21 would be the Zero variant that most Allied pilots would encounter. Tetsuzo Iwamoto became a 1st Class Airman in December 1936. In 1938 he was sent to China where on February 25, 1938 Iwamoto downed three Chinese fighters and one probable. In September 1938 with fourteen victories to his credit, Iwamoto returned to Japan as an instructor. In October 1943 Iwamoto and the 201st AG were sent to Rabaul and were confronted with USAAF 5th AF bombing and strafing. While on Rabaul Iwamoto scored 142 of his 202 victories over almost every type of aircraft the Allies flew in the Pacific. Specifications A6M2 Model 21 Type 0 Role – Fighter Production Of All Zero Types – Almost 10, 500 Crew – 1 Pilot Dimensions Length – 29.72 ft (9.06 m) Wingspan – 39 ft 4.4 in (12 m) Height – 10 ft (3.05 m)