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Mitsubishi A6M 5 Zero

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MITSUBISHIA6MZEROAIRPLANEPISTON

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The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a Japanese fighter aircraft developed during the 1930s, which became famous during World War II. It entered service in 1940 and was mainly used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in battles in the Pacific Ocean.

The A6M Zero was known for its great speed, maneuverability and range, which allowed it to attack enemies from long distances. In addition, it was equipped with cannons and machine guns that made it a formidable threat to enemy planes.

However, the plane also had some limitations, such as its lack of armor and heavy armament, which made it vulnerable to attack by enemy fighters with greater firepower. Despite this, the A6M Zero was used in many important battles of World War II, such as the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Guadalcanal.

At the end of the war, most A6M Zeros were destroyed in combat or on the ground, and few survive to this day. However, the plane left an enduring legacy as one of the most iconic fighters of World War II and one of the greatest achievements of Japanese aeronautical engineering.

Extra commands: Smoke ---> "O" key Open/close canopy ---> "L" key

The A6M Zero is a single-engine, single-seat, carrier-capable military aircraft produced by Japanese aviation manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The multi-role Zero was a mainstay of the Imperial Japanese Navy throughout the entirety of World War II, and it operated from both land bases as well as from carriers.

Designated the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter, hence “Zero,” the legendary fighter took its maiden flight on April 1, 1939 and it entered service on July 1, 1940. A total of 10,939 A6M airframes were built, more than any other Japanese military aircraft. It was renowned for its long range, power, and nimbleness. While it became famous due to its air superiority role through numerous dogfighting engagements, the Zero also proved eminently capable as a light bomber, attack aircraft, and for interdiction missions. For combat, it was armed with two 7.7 millimeter machine guns and two 20 millimeter cannons. It could carry two 130-pound bombs.

The Zero is crewed by one and features a retractable traditional undercarriage, a standard tail unit, and a low main wing with a span of 39 feet, 4 inches. The aircraft measures 29 feet, 9 inches in length and stands 10 feet tall. It is powered by a 14-cylinder Nakajima NK1C Sakae-12 radial engine that produces up to 940 horsepower and turns a 3-blade constant-speed propeller. The Zero has a range of 1,200 miles, a service ceiling of 33,000 feet above sea level, and it climbs at 3,000 feet per minute. It has a cruise speed of 207 miles per hour and a top speed of 331 mph. It can dive at speeds up to 370 miles per hour, its never-exceed velocity.

One of the most formidable combat aircraft of World War II, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero boasts an incredibly well-balanced design, one that ideally pairs its power with its lifting and control surfaces. Pilots appreciate its handling at low speeds as well as its high-speed maneuvering prowess, which gives it one of the broadest operating spectrums of any aircraft, of any type, ever created.