The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a highly successful aircraft-carrier based monoplane fighter designed by Mitsubishi designer Jiro Horikoshi for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, it entered service in July 1940 at which time it was undoubtedly the best carrier based fighter in the world. The Mitsubishi Zero remained in production and service until 1945 by which time Allied fighters had gained the advantage. A total in excess of 11,000 Zero's were produced, the later virtually obsolete production aircraft often being used in desperate kamikaze missions. Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Model 21 Specifications: - Crew: Pilot only
- Length: 9.06 m (29 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)
- Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
- Empty weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,410 kg (5,313 lb)
- Engine: Single 709 kW (950 hp) Nakajima Sakae 12 radial engine
- Maximum speed: 533 km/h (287 knots, 331 mph) at 4,550 m (14,930 ft)
- Range: 3,105 km (1,675 nm, 1,929 mi)
- Service ceiling 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Armament: - Twin 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 machine guns engine cowl mounted
- Twin 20 mm (0.787 in) Type 99 wing mounted cannon
- Two 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or two 250 kg permanently mounted bombs for kamikaze missions
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