IJN A6M3 Type-22

 

 

This Zero-sen Type 22 was an early production model manufactured by Mitsubishi. It was received by the 251st Naval Air Squadron upon its return to the Japanese mainland in the winter of 1942, and after a temporary camouflage paint job, was deployed again to the Solomon Front in the spring of the following year. Research indicates that ace pilot Hiroyoshi Nishizawa flew this aircraft with the marker number "U1-105". Due to frequent breakdowns caused by the harsh environment of the Solomon Front, the radio telephone equipment (Type 96-1 radio telephone) was removed, and the antenna pole was also cut off.