A Japanese Purchased a Zero in the U.S.

[Shinpachi]

Just a breaking news and I don't know details yet but -

A Japanese entrepreneur Masahide Ishizuka 53 purchased a Zero (A6M3) in the U.S. and it arrived at Saitama City near Tokyo to be displayed on Nov 21. He says he is going to fly it in next year.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwJNbefEpe4

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Is this the one Greg showed a pic of being crated up at his museum?

 

[Wurger]

 

[evangilder]

I think that is the one that was going to go to Alaska that spent a few weeks at Camarillo back in 2012. Here is was at the Chino show in 2012. If memory serves correctly, it had a little bit of a nose up flight characteristic that couldn't be trimmed out back then, so it was a little tiring to fly.

 

[evangilder]

Yep, that is the sister ship of the Camarillo Zero. That is the one that was supposed to go to Alaska in 2012. I hope Mr. Ishizuka has a lot of money, I have heard insuring one in Japan is prohibitively expensive, unless insurance regulations have eased. How long has it been since a Zero has flown over Japan?

 

[GrauGeist]

If memory serves correctly, it had a little bit of a nose up flight characteristic that couldn't be trimmed out back then, so it was a little tiring to fly.

Wasn't that because it was cobbled together from different A6Ms?

Or perhaps I am thinking of another Zero...

Excellent photos, by the way!

 

[evangilder]

Yeah, this one and the one in Camarillo are like Frankenstein. There are parts from multiple Zeros that were recovered from Babo Island Airfield in the 1980s and partially restored in Russia for the Camarillo one. I had heard this one was from Babo as well, but I have also heard it was recovered in New Guinea. But the Camarillo Zero and this one both have the Pratt and Whitney engines in them.

 

[Gnomey]

Good to see one in Japan. Looking forward to seeing it flying.

 

[vikingBerserker]

That is just awesome!

 

[Shinpachi]

Thanks for the information, Eric.

He purchased the Zero for about US$3,000,000.00 and asks donation for the maintenance in Japan.
He also has business in US and NZ with the NZ passport.

 

[Wayne Little]

I want to see one up close....

 

[Shinpachi]

This Zero in Tokyo may be good for you to check, Wayne

 

[Shinpachi]

Mitsubishi's Komaki Museum may also be good though visitors are requested reservation.

 

[Wayne Little]

This Zero in Tokyo may be good for you to check, Wayne

View attachment 277532

Most certainly on my must see list !

 

[evangilder]

You should have been at Chino in 2012. The one just purchased is the one on the left. This was something I may never see again in my lifetime.

 

[Shinpachi]

I think your action field will extend to overseas, Eric

 

[evangilder]

True, Shinpachi-san. I have a lot of fans in Japan. Thankfully their English is better than my Japanese.

 

[Shinpachi]

Konnichiwa(Hello), Arigato(Thanks), Sumimasen(Sorry or Excuse Me) and Sayonara(Good-bye) would be enogh as a first step

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

This is good news, and a lot of excellent information to!

 

[Shinpachi]

Thanks Aaron
I hope more warbirds would fly in the future.