Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.
A Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero, described as “a time capsule” has hit the market.
The aircraft was “built presumably at the Nakajima No. 2 Koizumi plant in Gunma Prefecture” and bears construction number 1303. It was reportedly assigned to Naval Air Group (NAG) 261 in the 61st Air Flotilla of the First Air Fleet. It received the tail code 61-121 and was eventually captured by the Americans at Aslito airfield on Saipan. It went to Technical Air Intelligence Center (TAIC) at NAS Anacostia for evaluation, where it became “T.A.I.C. 11.” In late 1945 it became part of the Victory Squadron’s “Navy’s Flying Might” tour in support of the last bond drive, but suffered a nose up accident shortly afterward. The engine and propeller were changed, however it was ground-looped and abandoned before rejoining the tour. Continue reading For Sale: “Time Capsule” 1943 A6M5 Model 52 Zero
.jpg){kind=link}