FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

In mid-1943, the A6M3 Model 22 was refined into the A6M5a Model 52 Ko (allied code name “Zeke”). Mitsubishi shortened the wings, gave it a thicker skin, and modified the control surfaces. These changes improved the dive speed of the aircraft among other enhancements. To increase speed and horsepower, thrust-type exhaust pipes were fitted (those brown things sticking out the black engine cowling). Better pilot and fuel tank protection were two more notable improvements. Some A6M5s were converted to a fighter-bomber role by fitting a centerline bomb rack in place of the drop tank. The A6M5 is considered the definitive version of the Zero and was the best all-around fighter in the A6M series. Although it was designed by Mitsubishi, most the A6M5 aircraft were made by Nakajima and a total of 391 Model 52 aircraft were built. The A6M5's main adversary in late 1943 was the U.S. Navy's newly introduced Grumman F6F Hellcat. The A6M5 was only slightly more maneuverable than the Grumman and was slower and more vunerable to the Hellcat's heavy firepower. By the end of the war, most A6M5s were either being used to escort kamikaze aircraft or were used themselves for kamikaze missions. Here's a video clip of me flying the A6M5 Model 52 against a Hellcat. Note that this is slightly longer than previous videos because the Zero has just about met its match. The Hellcat takes a lot punishment from the Zero's 20mm cannons before going down.

MITSUBISHI A6M5a Model 52 Ko "Zeke"

 

 

 Class: Fighter

 Crew: 1

 Engine: Nakajima NK1F Sakae-21 14-cylinder twin-row radial (1,130 hp)

 Max Speed: 351 mph at 17,000 ft

 Climb Rate:  2,810 ft/min

 Service Ceiling: 36,250 ft

 Range: 1195 miles

 Armament:  2 x .303 inch machine gun (fuselage mount)
                        2 x 20 mm cannon (wing mount)
                        

 

  Model Scale:  1:87



















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