List of Mitsubishi A6M Zero operators

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 52 (A6M5)

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was the most well known Japanese warplane of World War II. A6M Zeros were predominantly used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) on aircraft carriers, and also by its land-based fighter units. At the start of the Pacific War in 1941, the A6M constituted about 60% of the IJN fighter force. It took part in carrier operations throughout much of the Pacific Ocean, as well as over the northeast Indian Ocean.

Republic of China (Taiwan)

The Republic of China Air Force operated a small number of captured A6M's (A6M2, A6M3, A6M5s, etc.) after the war. The planes had originally been flown as part of Japan's 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th Naval Units as well as Shanghai Kōkūtai on the mainland. They were also flown as part of Japan's Formosan Navy units, Hao Toko, Takao, Tetshu, Kagi, Toki and Tainan Kōkūtai (Taiwan had been a Japanese territory for several decades by the beginning of World War II). A6M's were used by both sides, Nationalist and Communist, during the Chinese Civil War. The People's Liberation Army Air Force possibly provided the Soviet Union with A6M5's captured from 252 and Genzan Kōkūtai in Korea and Shumushu Detachment of 203 Kōkūtai in Kuriles.

Indonesia

In 1945, Indonesian pro-independence guerrillas captured a small number of A6M aircraft at numerous Japanese air bases, including Bugis Air Base in Malang (repatriated 18 September 1945). Most aircraft were destroyed in military conflicts between the newly proclaimed-Republic of Indonesia and the Netherlands, during the Indonesian National Revolution of 1945-1949. Small numbers of surviving aircraft were saved in Kalijati Air Base, near Subang, West Java and Museum Dirgantara Udara, Yogyakarta (near Adi Sucipto Airport).

Thailand

There are some reports of use of various versions of Mitsubishi A6M2, model 21 and A6M5s for Royal Thai Air Force among others that were supposed to be used as interceptors after the conflict during 1946-47 period according with John & Elke Weal in "Combat Aircraft of World War Two" Book.[1]

There are some reports of use of various versions of Mitsubishi A6M2, model 11 for Royal Thai Navy.

Empire of Japan

Aircraft carriers

Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" Model 21 takes off from the aircraft carrier Akagi, to attack Pearl Harbor.
Carrier A6M2 and A6M3 Zeros from the aircraft carrier Zuikaku preparing for a mission at Rabaul

By airbase name

Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52s abandoned by the Japanese at Atsugi Naval air base and captured by US forces

By unit number

A6M2 (left) and A6M5 Zero in British Malaya being tested and evaluated by Japanese pilots under the supervision of Royal Air Force officers. The A6M5's cockpit survives today at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.[2]

Seaplane fighter units

Units with standard use of the seaplane Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe"

United States

The Akutan Zero is inspected by US Navy personnel on Akutan Island on July 11, 1942.

France

References

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.thai-aviation.net/military%20-%20RTAF.htm
  2. ↑ Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 cockpit, Imperial War Museum, retrieved 22 Nov 2013
  3. ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/WarPrizes.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/jimlansdale/pearl/jimlpearl.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/jimlansdale/ph_crashsite/ph_crash_5.html
  6. ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/jimlansdale/phval/phval_part3.html
  7. ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/jinforeign.htm
  8. ↑ Dorr and Bishop 1996, p.249.

Bibliography

  • Dorr, Robert F. and Bishop, Chris. Vietnam Air War Debrief. London:Aerospace, 1996. ISBN 1-874023-78-6.
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