Warbird Information Exchange

Hello Again,

Does anyone know the current Zero rebuilds for Japanese collector Nobuo Harada? He is bad of answering my mail. Harada finished his static A6M5 and it was donated to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. He also just about finished an A6M2 model, complete with running original engine. However, the Japanese government will never let him fly it!

I saw a 3rd Zero being rebuilt in his workshop. Any idea on his current projects?

Thanks,

Ron Werneth[/img]

Sounds like he needs to register it and get an airworthiness certificate in the US. Planes of Fame has had their Zero over there to fly a number of times.

I wonder if he would actually have to bring it to the US to register it and get the airworthiness certificate if he were to start a US corporation and register it to the corporation first???? Then it could fly in Japan on the US certificate.

Any idea what kind of engine he's running in his plane?

_________________
Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Hi Rob:

He's running a Sakae engine on it.

Mr Rohr wrote:




Where in Nam was he looking? Would anyone know? You'd think that the Vietnam war would've turned everything into strictly recyclable material.


I believe the majority of his Zero collection came from Yap, including the D4Y Judy in the Kamikaze Museum.

Hello,

He has a rebuilt Sakae 12 radial engine which was the original type used in the A6M2. So, if he got permission to fly it, his Zero would be powered with the original engine, not a P&W American motor. Very cool indeed.

The last time that I saw it, his A6M2 was done except for cockpit instruments, some plumbing, etc. It was restored to a very high-standard as well.

I have a good picture of his A6M2 but not sure how to attach it!

Ron[/img]

I'd say, when do we go? Anyone got pictures? Got any names of the bases?

Chris

Mr. Werneth wrote:



That's ok, here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/4691/

Hopefully Mr. Parker will notice this message, and we can see waht he has to say.


Chris

Hello,

I know Harada-san would love to finish his "Betty". In fact, during my visit, he mentioned that he was going to meet a representative from the Solomon Islands to try to get permission to recover another "Betty".

HOWEVER, he asked for my help so I introduced him to the best person who could help him, Charles Darby. Yet, Harada never responded to Darby's letters! Very strange. Darby knew of several good examples which could possibly be recovered as well. So, that's all I know.

Harada-san does have a 3rd Zero in his workshop too. The wings were well advanced and the basic airframe (minus skins) was in a jig during my visit one year ago.

Ron

Maybe someone else would like some Bettys?

There seems to be some large collections growing around the US and a lot of work being done Down Under.

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com

There are definitely several very well known Betty's waiting to be recovered from Ballalae island before it's too late and at least another one complete but broken close to Lae in PNG.

I thought that Yap was considering it's WWII wrecks as national treasures and forbid the removal of any. Moreover i heard that Yap was also serious enough to actually enforce it.

Are the A-6M recovered by Mr Harada the ones that were standing next to the international airport ? I had the chance to see them beginning of the 80's while on holiday with my parents and that's when my interest for WWII wrecks started.

Laurent

Is this the same chap who has rebuilt the tail section of a Betty already?

cheers

Cees

Hello,

Here is the info on Harada's two restored Zeros from my "FlyPast" article a few years back -

Nakajima built A6M2 (s/n 91518) is a model 21 example (a variant with folding wing tips). It was recovered from Yap Island in 1983. Will hopefully fly with his rebuilt and running Sakae 12 engine.

Mitsubishi built A6M5 (s/n 4241) was recovered from Rabaul in 1975. It has been completely restored except for the Sakae 21 engine which is in poor condition. Rebuilt and donated to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

Harada also owns two more Zero wrecks, one of which is being rebuilt now. This is the last that I heard.

Ron

Hello,

I just received an update from Japan. Harada is currently working on his 3rd Zero, an A6M5. Then, he may also rebuild an additional A6M2. Please see these links -

3rd: A6M5
http://astroboy.ddo.jp/harada/body2.jpg

4th: A6M2 (scroll down the page of this link)

http://www.aramant.com/ARM/NEWS/2004.html

Cheers,

Ron Werneth

Hi Ron,

Neat links. Now, if one keeps scrolling down the second link several other aircraft images turn up as well (P-38, Betty, etc.). Any input you can provide on the rest of this?

Give my best to Kaori and have a happy new year.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.