The Local A6M Zero Flew for the First Time Yesterday!
There's an old saying in the war bird restoration industry: "the aircraft is 90% done… with 90% left to go." This bird has been in the works since the 1990s when it was recovered as two wrecks from Toroa island in the South Pacific, where it had sat derelict since 1945. It was built in 1942. This is truly a restoration, everything that could be saved, was. Technically it is a Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero, Model 32. The tail empennage is from one wreck and the rest is from the other. The only significant substitution is the use of a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 double-row radial engine instead of the original Nakajima Sakae 21. There are so few of those engines left that few would want to risk one in the air (but there is one flying). For that matter, with this flight, there are only two flying Zeros in the air!
This one was restored in Everett, Washington. Between 1990 and this year it had changed hands multiple times, usually exhausting the resources of the outfit attempting the restoration, until it came into the possession of the Military Aviation Museum. By last year they had run the engine and taxied the aircraft but were still struggling with a couple of technical details. You can read about this first flight and see great pics, HERE. After testing and final certification this plane will join the flying Hurricane, Spitfire, Messerschmitt BF-109G, Focke Wulfe 190s, Wildcat, Coursair, etc. at the Virginia Beach museum.
Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
That’s great! Another one flying.
A very interesting video from the 1980’s about another Zero “restoration” is called “The Defender”. It is a documentary about Bob Diemert and his helper trying to build an alternative for the F-18’s that Canada bought. He runs low on cash and “restores” a Zero for the Confederate Air Force. It is a classic for Warbird people. It’s on the you tubes under “The Defender Documentary”.
It should be noted that standard operating procedure for first flights is to conduct them with the gear down, but the Zero's gear can't handle the wind stream generated at its cruise speed so it had to be retracted. That complicated planning for the flight.
Bob
Last edited by Bob Womack; 05-07-2025 at 08:14 PM.
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
Awesome. An iconic fighter of which few remain. It was cutting edge when first produced. No big deal using the P/W engine, the Nakajima was a direct copy.
We've been to the Flying Heritage Museum only one time and the BF-109 was without all covers and hatches, undergoing annual certification. It was stupendous to see flying aircraft I grew up reading about. The FW 190 Dora was especially terrific. Thanks for the post.
Last edited by eb in oregon; Yesterday at 10:39 AM.
That’s great! Another one flying.
A very interesting video from the 1980’s about another Zero “restoration” is called “The Defender”. It is a documentary about Bob Diemert and his helper trying to build an alternative for the F-18’s that Canada bought. He runs low on cash and “restores” a Zero for the Confederate Air Force. It is a classic for Warbird people. It’s on the you tubes under “The Defender Documentary”.
It was Diemert who brought the Zero(s) back from S. E. Asia and restored one to flying condition.
"First Flight in 80 Years'?
He's passed now of course:
Last edited by Surpmil; Today at 11:22 AM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
The Defender video is a documentary that plays like a Monty Python skit making fun of a serious documentary. When he ground loops the Defender, his Wife says something like “dang it Bob, not again”. Pure comedy gold.
This reminds me of the day when Macchi brought the MC205 Veltro back flying. In Venegono Superiore. The pilot asked the skydivers for a leather cap since the helmet was too big to close the hood. I was a kid. Great emotions with my dad.
PM
Originally Posted by CoatiMundi
