FHC A6M3-22 Zero paint scheme completed

[Richard W.]

I wonder why they'd put a second seat into it. Does anyone know?

I couldn't find any explanation on the FHC website.

[mike furline]

I wonder why they'd put a second seat into it. Does anyone know?

I couldn't find any explanation on the FHC website.

This may explain it,
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a ... plica.html

and an original "modified" two seat A6M2b,
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Japan--- ... 76c7e91004

and the A6M2-K Trainer, (Notice there is no closing canopy for the front cockpit.)
http://www.ijnafphotos.com/jbw19.htm

[The Inspector]

At least it isn't painted overall '56 GMC Truck green, nice to see the paint outfit used tape or stencils and left their imaginations at home that day. I doubt there was any masking tape available on Rabaul in '43 and the camo stripes were, for the most part free handed on the airplanes either with a mop or, if they had one, a spray gun.
No ceegar!no pony-

[Chappie]

Wow, an already rare fighter with a feld modification and a not often seen paint scheme. Very cool. I like it.

Chappie

[Zac Yates]

Wow, an already rare fighter with a feld modification and a not often seen paint scheme. Very cool. I like it.

Chappie

Agreed! It was wonderful enough to see a fourth A6M take to the air, and now to see it in such unusual paint is terrific. Another stellar job by the FHC!

Now for that Stuka.....

[Steve Nelson]

I'm assuming it's an attempt to replicate the scheme in this oft-reproduced photo (right dow to the partially overpaitned unit designator.)



Looks great, albeit a bit too neat for a feild-applied camo job. The photo above is of course a single-seat fighter, Is the FHC two-seater wearing the markings it carried originally, or was it assigned to a dedicated training unit (or is it's service history ieven known?)

SN

[DaveM2]

The identity of the FHC aircraft stems from an aircraft of the 11 Sentai, so no relation to the scheme it now wears.

Dave

[Mike]

It was wonderful enough to see a fourth A6M take to the air

There were already 4 Zeros flying (including the Blayd one, now in Texas) - this one is number 5.

[Zac Yates]

Thanks for the correction!

[C VEICH]

It was wonderful enough to see a fourth A6M take to the air

There were already 4 Zeros flying (including the Blayd one, now in Texas) - this one is number 5.

Too bad the Mojave example will soon be ground bound and the number will be back to four.

[oz rb fan]

darn...why would you ground a new build plane
other than the a6m3 model22 (hamp) are there any others likely to fly(mr harada's zero's are beautiful and if i recall at least one has run it's motor...but never likely to fly)?...bring on the ki61's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Warbird Kid]

Well my thoughts on this are: Since 3 examples have already been restored in Russia. (The last two being almost complete new-builds, as well as the Bayld example, why couldn't we see another new-build example(s) from one of these two workshops? Or is it just a matter of someone writing the check.

And for that matter does Mr. Yagen have a Zero yet?

[Mike]

Well my thoughts on this are: Since 3 examples have already been restored in Russia. (The last two being almost complete new-builds, as well as the Bayld example, why couldn't we see another new-build example(s) from one of these two workshops? Or is it just a matter of someone writing the check

Like the Sakae-engined one being done at Paine Field?

[Mike]

Too bad the Mojave example will soon be ground bound and the number will be back to four.

Why do you think it will be grounded?

[C VEICH]

Too bad the Mojave example will soon be ground bound and the number will be back to four.

Why do you think it will be grounded?

It was announced at the Planes of Fame airshow that the Zero was headed to a museum in Alaska.