A6M Zero “Zeke”

[BlackSheep214]

Last night, I stumbled across a YouTube video about the Pacific Naval war - particularly the USS Enterprise. There was one footage of a Zero doing a kamakazi - an inverted dive and scored a hit directly on the number 6 armed with a 500 lb bomb. The bomb shot the elevator 400 feet into the air. Incredible footage since I never seen it before.

So my question is what Type Zero that was flown by the pilot? I’m actually confused by the number of types of Zeroes during WW2 - 11, 21, 52, 63, etc… (A6M type 21, A6M type 52, well, you get the idea) My guess the 21 is more common. Which Zero type did the pilot fly during his kamakazi maneuver on the Enterprise during the Battle of Okinawa?

Such a shame it didn’t have buyer for a potential as a floating museum but ended up being scrapped in 1958-1960. I get it it lacked funds to do so.

[Stikpusher]

I have only seen the still photo of the Enterprise’s forward elevator getting blown into the air off Okinawa, never any movie footage. Odds are that it was an A6M5 Zero, as that was most produced type of the airframe. The A6M2 (Models 11 & 21), and A6M3 (Models 22 & 32) versions were much shorter production runs earlier in the war, and heavily attrited in the early war campaigns, especially in the Solomon Islands.

[BlackSheep214]

I betcha it’s in my viewed history on my TV. Once I take a look see, I’ll post the link. The footage was filmed by a photographer on the USS Washington.

[BlackSheep214]

Referred to a reference book I had forgotten I had. I now know which type Zero was used and it’s the only type that is capable in carrying a single 500 lb. bomb…. the A6M7 Type 62 or 63.

This kit fits the bill should I want to build a kamakaze Zero that attacked the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Okinawa.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/hasegaw ... t--1026520

[Medicman71]

Eduard is coming out with a dual boxing of the Zeros used in Kamikaze attacks.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/eduard- ... s--1602094

[BlackSheep214]

I did see that. Wanted to take a peek at the instruction guide. There's no link to download guide yet.

[Stikpusher]

Referred to a reference book I had forgotten I had. I now know which type Zero was used and it’s the only type that is capable in carrying a single 500 lb. bomb…. the A6M7 Type 62 or 63.

This kit fits the bill should I want to build a kamakaze Zero that attacked the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Okinawa.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/hasegaw ... t--1026520

I believe that most Zeros had the capability to carry a 500 lb. bomb. Here is an early model either A6M2 or A6M3 carrying a 500 lb. bomb in 1944. It’s not an M5 or M6 due to the lack of individual exhaust stacks around the cowling like on those types

[BlackSheep214]

Ok.

[BlackSheep214]

The only issue I have is finding a Zeke kit with a centerline bomb rack.and 250 kg bomb included in the kit. I'm hoping the upcoming new Eduard Dual Zero kit has it.

[KSaarni]

Eduard is coming out with a dual boxing of the Zeros used in Kamikaze attacks.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/eduard- ... s--1602094

I did see that. Wanted to take a peek at the instruction guide. There's no link to download guide yet.

Try this: https://eduard-cdn.oxyshop.cloud/out/media/11184.pdf

Loads extremely slow, but then you get this, the instruction sheet: