The POF Zero is heading to Japan

[Warbirdnerd]

According to the Planes Of Fame Facebook page their Zero is heading to Japan for display. It will be back in Chino for their airshow in May.

[JohnB]

Good. I'm in favor of showing aircraft where they'll be best appreciated.

IMHO... a lot or rare Japanese stuff belongs back in that country. Better to be seen and appreciated my a larger audience of the general public than a smaller number of "buffs" here.

I'll duck while awaiting incoming...

[gary1954]

disagree, guys, who is that Japanese fellow that has restored several airframes, but the Japanese Government won't let him get one in the air....I can see his face but suffering from CRS I can't remeber his name...but he has done some Awesome work, his work should be in a National Museum in Japan, we should show our stuff (even if it was made in Japan) but....we the US being us, should keep it....just MHO

[JDK]

There's no way all Spitfires will end up in the UK, or all Japanese aircraft back in Japan, and in terms of operations, dedicated locals changing legislation and the market will decide where stuff is - so there's no mileage in postulating absolutes - pointless 'angels on a pinhead' argument.

On the subject, that's great news. IIRC, this will be the second visit to Japan (previously in the 1980s?) of the PoF Zero, so firstly credit to PoF for making it possible, and secondly, it'll be very interesting to see how the visits compare, in numbers and interest.

Regards,

[tulsaboy]

Gary, you're thinking of Mr. Harada.

kevin

[airnutz]

Ya beat me toit Tulsa! Nobuo Harada...
www.car-airmuseum.com

[bdk]

On the subject, that's great news. IIRC, this will be the second visit to Japan (previously in the 1980s?) of the PoF Zero, so firstly credit to PoF for making it possible, and secondly, it'll be very interesting to see how the visits compare, in numbers and interest.

This will actually be the third trip the aircraft has made since it was restored. It was there right after the restoration was completed in 1978 or '79 and it was there in 1995.

[Rob Mears]

Hmmm, if the POF can deliver their Zero to Japan for a flight tour, wouldn't it be neat if POF could work something out with Mr. Harada to import Harada's planes to the US for the chance to prove them in flight? It would sure make for a very unique relationship between the two parties and their respective countries.

[JohnB]

There's no way all Spitfires will end up in the UK, or all Japanese aircraft back in Japan, and in terms of operations, dedicated locals changing legislation and the market will decide where stuff is - so there's no mileage in postulating absolutes - pointless 'angels on a pinhead' argument.

Regards,

That's not what I'm advocating...the free market in Spitfires, Mustangs and other mass operational warbirds is safe.
The kids on the other forum are fine with the importation of warbirds to the UK...but hate to see anything (US or UK) leave..
I'm suggesting that ceratin lesser types, in places where few see them, would likely be better appreciated somewhere where they would be seen as something more than curiousities.

[Mudge]

Here to Japan? With it's range, that'll be a lot of pit stops.

Mudge the planner

[gary1954]

Hmmm, if the POF can deliver their Zero to Japan for a flight tour, wouldn't it be neat if POF could work something out with Mr. Harada to import Harada's planes to the US for the chance to prove them in flight? It would sure make for a very unique relationship between the two parties and their respective countries.

Tulsaboy thats the cat and I concur with Robs idea.....
.....the only hitch in that would be that, it would throw Customs for a Loop as they are so very much being used to seeing MADE IN CHINA on everything. Made In Japan. ..they would have to call in the NSA , CIA , FBI , ATF , the ASPCA , and all the other alphabet agencies to see if it was legal to import them.

[Dan Jones]

Hats off to the POF for going to all the trouble and expense of taking the Zero on the road for others to see. Will it be a one airplane event or is the F4U or P-38 or something going along as well?

[Mudge]

Hats off to the POF for going to all the trouble and expense of taking the Zero on the road for others to see. Will it be a one airplane event or is the F4U or P-38 or something going along as well?

IMHO...F4Us and P-38s would probably be about as welcome as a B-29.

Mudge the careful

[DaveM2]

Mr Harada is open to shipping his aircraft offshore. We almost had his Zero down here for Classic Fighters a couple of years back, but a lot of 'add ons' torpedoed our budget.
An article on his operation is in the planning stages- but he is a hard man to pin down for any length of time- so it won't be anytime soon

[Mark Allen M]

Not for me to know, but I'm assuming that someone is paying for the POF zero to travel to Japan? I would assume it's a "by request" trip and that the POF wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for a nice paycheck. Anyone know if this is the case? Nice to see it happening either way, but I have always been under the assumption that Japan as a whole doesn't have much interest in any type reminders of the war years past whether it's a Japanese tool of war or an former foe's machine.