Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33103
Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke Diecast Model
IJNAS Tainan NAC, Saburo Sakai, Rabul, New Britain, 1942 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke | | 5" | | 6" |
Saburo Sakai formed a part of the elite Tainan Ku world famous "Ace Trio" along with Hiroyoshi Nishizawa and Toshio Ohta and remains the top surviving ace of the War in the Pacific. Ranked fourth in the Japanese list of aces, he first flew in China with the Imperial Japanese Navy, where he gained two victories and joined the land based naval wing at Tainan. On December 8th 1941 he flew with the rest of Tainan Wing to attack an American air base in the Philippines. By February 1942 Sakai had claimed 13 allied planes and by July 22nd this had climbed to 49. In August, though, Sakai took a bullet across the right side of his face leaving him blinded in the right eye and his left side paralyzed. In hospital until January 1943, he rejoined the Tainan Wing in Japan but when the group was stationed to Rabaul he was left behind and spent the next year as an instructor before being transferred to the Yokosuka Wing, based at Iwo Jima. In one mission 40 Zeros took off but only 20 returned and Sakai himself only survived by flying so close to the ocean that his wings kept dipping into the water. After a spell in the Matsuyama Wing he returned to the Yokosuka where he flew Mitsubishi J3M Jacks until the end of the war. He had achieved 64 victories.
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 explosive-laden aircraft into Allied ships. © Copyright 2003-2010 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 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" 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.
- Optional 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 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.