A6M2 Zero Fighter W/Interior of the Engine and Weapons 1:35 Border Model BF006

Plastic model airplane to assemble: A6M2 Zero Fighter w/Interior of The Engine and Weapons 1:35 Border Model BF006

The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range fighter aircraft capable of operating from aircraft carriers, produced by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This aircraft was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was known as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter or Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen. Pilots often referred to it as "Reisen," which means "zero fighter," referring to the last digit of the imperial year 2600 (1940), when it entered service.

At the time of its introduction at the beginning of World War II, the Zero was considered the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world. It combined excellent maneuverability, high speed, strong armament, and a very large range. The Imperial Japanese Navy also frequently used it as a land-based fighter.

In the early combat operations, the Zero gained a reputation as an excellent fighter, achieving an impressive kill ratio of 12 to 1. However, by mid-1942, new tactics and the introduction of better equipment allowed Allied pilots to engage the Zero on equal terms. By mid-1943, the deterioration of fighter pilot training in the Imperial Japanese Navy contributed to the reduced effectiveness of the Zero in engagements with newer Allied fighters.

The Zero lacked hydraulic assistance for ailerons and the rudder, making maneuvering at high speeds difficult. The absence of self-sealing fuel tanks made it more vulnerable to damage than its contemporary counterparts. By 1944, the A6M lagged behind Allied fighters in speed and was considered outdated, although still capable of combat if it had well-trained pilots. However, delays in design and production difficulties postponed the introduction of newer models of Japanese aircraft, causing the Zero to continue serving on the front lines until the end of the Pacific War. In the later stages of the war, it was also adapted for kamikaze operations.

Japan produced more Zero aircraft than any other model of combat aircraft during the war.

Kit for self-assembly and painting. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.