Zero in Bakersfield

[HarvardIV]

Hey Folks:

I read an article that there was a Zero in Bakersfield, Ca which was pulled up from the sea near Rabaul in the early 70's. Is this the one that went to the San Diego Aerospace Museum, and was destroyed in the fire in '79?

[Jack Cook]

Yes, it came from Truk and was recovered by Navy ace Jim French.

[bdk]

Yes, it came from Truk and was recovered by Navy ace Jim French.

I thought the one that burned in San Diego was one recovered by Dave Tallichet? I remember it had a hole in the seat where a bullet had injured the pilot. I saw it about 6 months before the fire.

[HarvardIV]

Does anyone have any pictures?

[DaveM2]

BK

It was definitely the one that came out of the sea, and displayed as is. There was a pic of it on display at the museum in an old Aeroplane, also said they coated it in some sort of preservative as it was going down hill at an alarming rate.

Dave

[bdk]

It was definitely the one that came out of the sea, and displayed as is. There was a pic of it on display at the museum in an old Aeroplane, also said they coated it in some sort of preservative as it was going down hill at an alarming rate.

Yes, I remember a story about how a large supply of the natives' drinking water supply was used to rinse it off when it was recovered.

[HarvardIV]

So the one at San Diego, and Bakersfield were the same?

[HarvardIV]

Wow! Found photos of it on Pacific Wrecks:

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m/4323.html

[bdk]

I guess my memory has failed me once again with the Tallichet connection. My apologies!

[Jack Cook]

For a second there i thought I was wrong.
Now, for the million $$$ question. Who shot
it down???