Mitsubishi A6M2 „Zero“ Model 21 – the Japanese deck fighter

The A6M2 “Zero” deck fighter is Japan's most famous World War II aircraft. It earned its fame for its excellent flight characteristics and design innovation, which, together with the excellent qualifications of the pilots, allowed the Japanese military aviation to achieve numerous victories in the first half of the war. This special plane was built in the design office of the “Mitsubishi” company, which was headed by engineer Hiro Horikoshi. In 1937 Imperial Navy Command submitted design requirements for a new deck fighter. The machine has high requirements, but their fulfillment guaranteed, that the future plane will be comprehensive, innovative, surpassing in many characteristics all previous and existing fighters in the world. The first aircraft prototype (A6M1) was built in early 1939. After fixing it, mass production started. The new planes were used for the first time in July 1940 in China. By the end of the year, pilots, flying these fighters, had shot down 45 Chinese aircraft in the air and destroyed another 101 on the ground without losing a single aircraft of their own. After these achievements, the plane began to be surrounded by myths, which became even more true after the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. The “Zero's” streak of victories ended in mid-1942, when the Japanese lost the Battle of Midway. With the arrival of the new American fighters’ “Corsair” and “Hellcat”, the legend of the “Zero's” invincibility disappeared like smoke, but the fighter continued to be developed and used until the end of the war. Since 1944, older versions of airplanes have been used for kamikaze flights.

The model represents a fighter from the IJN aircraft carrier "Akagi", that participated in the attack on the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Shigeru Itaja. The model, although well designed and quite richly detailed, is not complex and can be easily assembled by a modeler with little experience, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. Well detailed interior of the cabin, engine, chassis, control surfaces separated from the main plates, there is an option to make openable air brakes.