Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Japan
Type: Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi A6M Zero Aircraft Overview
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a fighter aircraft that was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. It was designed and produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and was renowned for its exceptional speed, range, and maneuverability.
The A6M Zero was a single-engine, single-seat fighter, and was known for its lightweight construction and impressive speed. It had a top speed of around 330 mph (531 km/h), and was armed with two 7.7 mm machine guns and two 20 mm cannons.
The Zero played a major role in several key battles of the Pacific theater, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, and the defense of the Japanese homeland during the final stages of the war. It was particularly effective at the beginning of the war, when it was able to outmaneuver and outgun most Allied fighters.
However, as the war progressed, the Zero began to lose its advantage as newer and more advanced Allied aircraft were introduced. Despite this, it remained in service throughout the war and was widely regarded as one of the most iconic and legendary fighter aircraft of World War II.
Mitsubishi A6M Zero Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9.06 m (29 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
- Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 22.44 m2 (241.5 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.4
- Airfoil: root: MAC118 or NACA 2315; tip: MAC118 or NACA 3309
- Empty weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)
- Gross weight: 2,796 kg (6,164 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,796 kg (6,164 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 518 L (137 US gal; 114 imp gal) internal + 1 × 330 L (87 US gal; 73 imp gal) drop tank
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima NK1C Sakae-12 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 700 kW (940 hp) for take-off, 710 kW (950 hp) at 4,200 m (13,800 ft)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Sumitomo-Hamilton constant-speed propeller.
Mitsubishi A6M Zero Performance
- Maximum speed: 533 km/h (331 mph, 288 kn) at 4,550 m (14,930 ft)
- Cruise speed: 333 km/h (207 mph, 180 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 600 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn)
- Range: 1,870 km (1,160 mi, 1,010 nmi)
- Ferry range: 3,102 km (1,927 mi, 1,675 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 15.7 m/s (3,090 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 7 minutes 27 seconds
- Wing loading: 107.4 kg/m2 (22.0 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.254 kW/kg (0.155 hp/lb)
Mitsubishi A6M Zero Armament
- Guns:
- 2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 aircraft machine guns in the engine cowling, with 500 rounds per gun.
- 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Type 99-1 Mk.3 cannon in the wings, with 60 rounds per gun.
- Bombs:
- 2 × 60 kg (130 lb) bombs or
- 1 × fixed 250 kg (550 lb) bomb for kamikaze attacks.
