Flying A6M Zero?

[mike furline]

Besides the POF Zero, how many original/rebuild/reproductions are out there flying? Not looking for preserved museum examples or moded T-6's.
Didn't they build a few in Russia about 10 years ago?


TIA,
Mike

[vg-photo]

The POF Zero is an A6M5. There is also an A6M3 at Camarillo, operated by the CAF SoCal Wing. I have heard there are 1 or 2 more that are in flyable condition but rarely, if ever fly. There is a non-flyable A6M (don't remember which model) that the CAF originally had "Fugu" that is now in the museum on Ford Island as a static display.

Here are the POF and CAF Zeros together at Chino last year

[ww2John]

Since I am way too young to have ever fought them, I find the Zero a very pretty a/c in flight.
Thanks for sharing the formation picture.

[Roger Cain]

Pulled this off our SAH website. This was at the Reno Air Races in 2004.

[bdk]

Didn't they build a few in Russia about 10 years ago?

Paul Allen has a two seater nearly completed in Chino.

[warbird1]

There are currently 5 Zero's in flying condition now:

1) The CAF's
2) One owned by an L.A. businessman
3) Paul Allen's two seater at Chino
4) Fargo Air Museum's
5) The POF's original example (only one flying with a Sakae)

The first 3 are the ones that the old defunct Santa Monica MOF/Flight Magic had rebuilt in Russia. Even though Paul Allen's is technically not flying now, I included it because it was in flying condition prior to it's restoration to 2 seat trainer configuration. Those 3 are the ones based off of the airframes recovered from Babo island in about '90-'91 by Bruce Fenstermaker. The Fargo Air Museum's example is the ex-Blayd corporation Zero, originally from Bob Diemert who recovered it from the Solomons in the 60's. The POF's is authentic, having been captured in Saipain during the war and then held in Maloney's collection since about the 50's.

In addition, Naburo Harada in Japan, has at least 1, maybe 2 flyable Zero's. Last I heard, the goverment would not license the aircraft, so I don't believe any of them actually flew. It is doubtful they will ever fly.

There is also a very rare A6M3 Model 32 that is being restored to flying condition for the Evergreen Museum in Oregon by Darryl Skurich in Colorado. The jury is still out whether it will actually fly or not though.

In the next few years, I believe we will see at least 1 or 2 more Zero's restored to flying condition downunder in either Australia or New Zealand. There are several airframes that either have been recovered or are about to be recovered that could be candidates for a flying restoration. Also, Paul Allen has at least 2 more Zero's, in addition to the 2 seater being restored currently at Chino. I believe at least one of those is slated to be restored to airworthy condition. AFAIK, restoration has not started on either of those 2.

So, the future is bright for the Zero, with several airframes in line to be returned to airworthy condition!

[vg-photo]

Great info, warbird1. The "one owned by an LA businessman", do you know where that one is based?

It would be cool to go to an airshow and see several Zeros in formation. Plus it would be great for Hollywood to have some real examples to use for movies and TV shows. Not that they are good at historical accuracy...

[bdk]

Great info, warbird1. The "one owned by an LA businessman", do you know where that one is based?

LAst I heard Mojave.

[Chad Veich]

Great info, warbird1. The "one owned by an LA businessman", do you know where that one is based?

LAst I heard Mojave.

And sitting outside in the elements no less.

[warbird1]

Great info, warbird1. The "one owned by an LA businessman", do you know where that one is based?

LAst I heard Mojave.

And sitting outside in the elements no less.

This is true. I would love to know who actually owns it. From an FAA search, it is registered to a corporation, so I still don't know the individual who "owns" it. Anybody know how many times it has flown since it was sold to him? AFAIK, I'm aware of only one photo flight that was accomplished with Bruce Lockwood at the controls. Anybody have any more info on this?

[marine air]

So like birds in a cage, there are at least 4 that once flew or could be flying but never will again.
1) The former CAF zero which flew as recently as (?) ten years ago now in Hawaii.
2) The two Harada Zero's in Japan that will never be given a permit to fly in Japan. WHen he dies they no doubt will stay in Japan,my guess.
3) The Marine Corps example at their Air-Ground museum that flew into Quantico in the 1980's with an P&W 1830 engine, U.S. N-number, and fuel tanks made by rigging F-86 drop tanks underwing!

Any others?

[vg-photo]

The former CAF Zero had it's wing spar cut when recovering the plane, which was welded back together. Once that was discovered, the plane was grounded. Unless a new wing spar could be made, it will never fly again. The museum on Ford Island has no plans to ever get it airworthy.

[RickH]

Once it was discovered ? I would venture that the spars condiotion was known all along. Every time I saw it fly in Texas ( it was based with the Dallas Wing for a time ) during the Tora display it made very gentle lazy orbits over the real action. I was always told that it was flown like that because of the spar repair.

[bdk]

Unless a new wing spar could be made, it will never fly again.

The Planes of Fame example had new spar caps manufactured back in the late 1970s I believe, as have all the other flyers, so it clearly is doable.

Doesn't POF have a second Zero squirelled away somewhere? Ed Maloney rescued it just after the wings had been gas-axed, about the same time he acquired the one that's now flying?