A6M2 Antenna Removal

Tom A. Hawk · Jul 22, 2025

Hello,

I've read in several sources that many, if not all of the A6M2 Zeroes that attacked the Philippines on 08 Dec 1941 had the radio antennas and radios removed. Supposedly the idea originated with Saburo Sakai to lighten his weight and extend his range, and his chutai/shotai leader liked the idea so much he removed his too.

So my question is, where were the antennas removed/cut off, inside the cockpit at the base, or outside the canopy? Does anybody have any reference? Looking to model Sakai's aircraft and I'd like to do it right.

Thanks!

MIflyer · Jul 22, 2025

If the radios were removed by maintenance crews I would assume they just took out the bolts where the antenna was attached under the canopy. Interestingly enough, the radio that was in Koga's Zero, captured in the Aleutians was used by the the US pilots flying the Zero and worked reasonably well, if a bit noisy. One reason they may have yanked the set was that supposedly the A6M2 lacked shielded ignition, which made listening to the radio rather uncomfortable. But Koga's Zero had a radio marked "Fairchild Camera and Instrument Co." and may not have been representative of others.

SaparotRob · Jul 22, 2025

MIflyer said:
… But Koga's Zero had a radio marked "Fairchild Camera and Instrument Co." and may not have been representative of others.

Interesting bit of information.

Tom A. Hawk · Jul 23, 2025

MIflyer said:
If the radios were removed by maintenance crews I would assume they just took out the bolts where the antenna was attached under the canopy. Interestingly enough, the radio that was in Koga's Zero, captured in the Aleutians was used by the the US pilots flying the Zero and worked reasonably well, if a bit noisy. One reason they may have yanked the set was that supposedly the A6M2 lacked shielded ignition, which made listening to the radio rather uncomfortable. But Koga's Zero had a radio marked "Fairchild Camera and Instrument Co." and may not have been representative of others.

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Thanks for that info. I did not know about the radio in Koga's Zero. I HAD read that the Japanese-made radios were problematic, so much so that many Zero pilots removed them for weight saving since they were next to useless anyway.

I will remove the antenna at the base, but now the question comes up as to whether there was a plug fabricated to seal the hole, was there a stock cover, or did they just leave the hole exposed to the elements and slipstream?

Looking on the bright side I don't have to rig antenna wires...!

MIflyer · Jul 23, 2025

Tom A. Hawk said:
I will remove the antenna at the base, but now the question comes up as to whether there was a plug fabricated to seal the hole, was there a stock cover, or did they just leave the hole exposed to the elements and slipstream?

They would not leave the canopy hole open. And the standard way of fixing small non-structural holes in airplanes was dope and fabric patches. However, the Zero's canopy frame was made of wood with a metal covering, so a piece of wood probably would have been the simplest way to patch the hole.

DDonSS3 · Jul 28, 2025

I remember reading, years (decades) ago (unfortunately I can't recall the source) that the antenna was just sawed off where it met the canopy frame.

A6M2 Antenna Removal

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Tom A. Hawk

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MIflyer

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Tom A. Hawk

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DDonSS3

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