Stopped by Fort Collins today to see how progress was coming on the Evergreen A6M3 Zero being rebuilt there, the canopy glass bracing which was fitted last time was away having the perspex put into it…in these photos you can see the progress made on the Cockpit area (as well as one of the old fuselages being used for reference), and some progress being made with control actuators in the tail feather area….this bird should be a flyer in a few years…for more info see our article in Classic Wings magazine issue #38, entitled ‘Zero Time Restoration’.
Mark
By: Whitley_Project - 23rd January 2005 at 12:05
That’s a magic story Agent86.
In the late 1980’s/early 1990’s I was employed as a mechanic at the Mitsubishi
auto dealership in Cerritos,California.I had a set of Mitsu Zero blueprints/technical drawings taped to the side of one of my toolboxes.at the time Mitsubishi was using the slogan”Mitsubishi,suddenly the obvious choice”
I modified this slogan a little and placed it under the drawings. It read ,
“Mitsubishi,suddenly the obvious choice, again!”.Anyway,due to this dealerships proximity to the Mitsu America headquarters in nearby Cypress,California,The powers that be at headquarters would bus japanese compatriots to visit us ,in order to see a “typical”Mitsubishi dealership.One day as a group of Japanese business types were visiting,I glanced over at my toolbox and spyed an older gentleman who appeared to be in his 80’s checking out my zero drawings.He soon waved me over to him and had a young english speaking co-worker ask me “What do you mean by these drawings?” or something to that effect.I answered
“Thats my tribute to the greatest product ever built by Mitsubishi,Its a true work of art”After the translation,the old mans eyes lit up and he smiled at me and bowed and said”Hai!” Then he shook my hand and left.I smiled too.Tim.
By: Corsair166b - 23rd January 2005 at 00:20
That IS a great Zero story, Tim….funny how time changes things and we now look back at the Zero as a revered fighter plane and piece of history, a brilliant design at one time that is now considered a collector’s item…I would’ve done the same thing, told the guy what a great plane it was despite me being a Corsair fanatic because I respect what the Zero could do and how it had us on the run in the early years of the war…bet that old guy got a kick out of your acknowledgement of the plane.
Mark
By: agent86 - 22nd January 2005 at 18:16
The Work on the Zero is Beautiful.I wish them luck in finishing her.And I thought restoring Ferrari’s was difficult.Theres no comparison really. Tim.
By: agent86 - 22nd January 2005 at 18:14
I dont think they were accurate enough to use.I believe that they came out of an old Air Classics magazine.probably 1980’s vintage. Tim
By: Corsair166b - 21st January 2005 at 15:17
If you still have those blueprints, the guys restoring her could sure use them….especially if they’re for an A6M3 model…they’ve had absolutely no luck finding blueprints for that model…
mark
By: agent86 - 21st January 2005 at 14:06
No Daz, I have no idea who he was .He didnt speak english and I no habla japanese.they were really shy when visiting . Tim. but i’ll never forget him.
By: DazDaMan - 21st January 2005 at 12:12
That’s a great story – did you ever find out who he was?
By: agent86 - 21st January 2005 at 11:51
Old Mitsubishi employee
In the late 1980’s/early 1990’s I was employed as a mechanic at the Mitsubishi
auto dealership in Cerritos,California.I had a set of Mitsu Zero blueprints/technical drawings taped to the side of one of my toolboxes.at the time Mitsubishi was using the slogan”Mitsubishi,suddenly the obvious choice”
I modified this slogan a little and placed it under the drawings. It read ,
“Mitsubishi,suddenly the obvious choice, again!”.Anyway,due to this dealerships proximity to the Mitsu America headquarters in nearby Cypress,California,The powers that be at headquarters would bus japanese compatriots to visit us ,in order to see a “typical”Mitsubishi dealership.One day as a group of Japanese business types were visiting,I glanced over at my toolbox and spyed an older gentleman who appeared to be in his 80’s checking out my zero drawings.He soon waved me over to him and had a young english speaking co-worker ask me “What do you mean by these drawings?” or something to that effect.I answered
“Thats my tribute to the greatest product ever built by Mitsubishi,Its a true work of art”After the translation,the old mans eyes lit up and he smiled at me and bowed and said”Hai!” Then he shook my hand and left.I smiled too.Tim.
By: Corsair166b - 21st January 2005 at 00:09
They were beautiful little planes….take all the guns out of them and use it for a general aviation type plane (for travelling) and you’d do fairly well, it had great range, good speed and great maneuverability…what’s not to like? Looking at the skin of this one (the old cockpit section) I WAS amazed how thin it was (the writing said .025), VERY thin skinned, a .50 calibre bullet would’nt even be SLOWED by going through it, I doubt….and this old canopy section pictured was hit TWICE by attacks (whether in the air or on the ground I don’t know) and twice repaired and kicked back into service.
Mark
By: DazDaMan - 20th January 2005 at 23:03
There’s something I always liked about the Zero – not sure what it is, though! 😀
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January 20, 2005 at 10:58 pm