Current Zero rebuilds in Japan

[airmanual]

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

[Cees Broere]

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

cheers

Cees

[Kaigun Fan]

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

[Kaigun Fan]

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

[Dan K]

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.