Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33109
Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke Diecast Model
IJNAS Hiryu Flying Group, Pearl Harbor, HI, December 7th 1941 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke | | 5" | | 6.5" |
Even before the first attack wave had hit military facilities on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu at the commencement of the Pearl Harbor raid, the second of three planned attack waves were already taking off from their home carriers, which were steaming through the Pacific Ocean. Still unaware of what opposition they would be facing, this second attack wave consisted of 35 Mitsubishi Zero fighters, 78 Aichi Val dive bombers and 54 Nakajima Kate bombers, some equipped with torpedoes. The primary mission of the Zero fighters was to protect the strike aircraft from potential US fighter attack, but if opposition proved to be light, their secondary task was to strafe the airfields on the Island, destroying as many US aircraft as they could on the ground.
Additional Zeros were retained to perform combat air patrols, protecting the naval task force from possible attack. Although the pilot of this particular Zero is unknown, it is thought that this fighter was the first aircraft to take off from the second attack wave on the morning of 7th December 1941 and is unusual because the last numbers of its tail markings cannot be seen, as it appears to have recently required the replacement of its rudder. It carries the two blue stripes which identify this as a fighter from the Imperial Japanese Navy carrier Hiryu, part of the Second Carrier Division.
First flown in April, 1939, the A6M Zero-Sen was the Allies' main opponent in the Pacific and the most famous symbol of Japanese air power during World War II. This carrier-based fighter, designed with a low-monoplane wing and armed with a formidable array of two 20mm cannons and two 7.7mm machine guns, proved capable of handling any of the Allies' aircraft. It wasn't until the Allies studied a captured Zero that they were able to identify and exploit weaknesses such as minimal pilot and fuel tank protection. Zeros became infamous for Kamikaze attacks, in which pilots would intentionally crash explosion-laden aircraft into Allied ships. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Zeros are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used in the manufacturing process. The solid diecast metal wing features simulated fabric-stretched control surfaces with counter balance weights applied separately to the top. The large "bird-cage" canopy allows for easy viewing of a detailed hand-painted pilot figure. Radial engine detail is visible inside the engine cowling with machine gun ports on top for the internally mounted Type 97 guns. Most releases include removable landing gear and center mounted fuel tank that are easy to install for ground display (see photos).
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
