{"product_id":"hasegawa-d26-1-72-mitsubishi-a6m3-zero-model-22-32-zeke","title":"Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Model 22\/32 ‘Zeke’","description":"The Zero fighter, which dominated the early days of the war with outstanding flight performance achieved using an engine of less than 1,000 horsepower, was a magnificent aircraft.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause it proved to be such an excellent fighter, both the manufacturer and the military sought even greater performance. In early Showa 16 (1941), roughly one year before the outbreak of the Pacific War, development of the A6M3 — including an engine upgrade — began.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe main objectives were to improve high-altitude performance by replacing the engine, enhance roll rate and speed by deleting the wing-folding mechanism, and improve productivity and maintainability.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe new engine was the Sakae 21, equipped with a one-stage, two-speed supercharger. To handle the increased power, a larger Hamilton Standard propeller (15 cm greater in diameter) was fitted. Although engine output improved, the weight also increased significantly. Combined with major changes to the engine mount and fuselage structure, the overall fuselage was shortened compared to the previous A6M2 (Type 21). The cowling was redesigned for better aerodynamic performance, and the carburetor intake was relocated from the bottom to the top of the cowling.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe wings were shortened by a total of 1 meter and given square tips. The 20 mm wing cannons were upgraded to the longer-barreled Type 99 Mk.2.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe renovated A6M3 made its maiden flight on July 14. After a series of tests, it was officially adopted by the Imperial Japanese Navy as the Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 32 and deployed to the Southwest Pacific, particularly the Solomon Islands area.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile speed and roll rate were improved, the excellent horizontal maneuverability and long cruising range — the Zero’s greatest strengths — were significantly reduced. This was not a major problem initially, but it became critical once long-range operations from Rabaul to Guadalcanal began.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo restore cruising performance, the wingspan was returned to 12 meters and additional fuel tanks were installed in the outer wings. This enhanced variant was adopted as the Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 22.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Model 22 offered significantly better range than the Model 32. As a result, the newer Model 32 was soon reassigned to training units, while the Model 22 became the primary fighter used in the Solomons air battles. In both variants, the wing armament was changed to the long-barreled Type 99 Mk.2 20 mm cannons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eData: Mitsubishi Type 0 Carrier Fighter (Model 21)\u003cbr\u003e\nCrew: 1\u003cbr\u003e\nWingspan: 12.00 m\u003cbr\u003e\nLength: 9.060 m\u003cbr\u003e\nHeight: 3.570 m\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximum speed: 540.8 km\/h (at 6,000 m)\u003cbr\u003e\nEngine: Sakae 12 (approx. 950 hp)\u003cbr\u003e\nArmament: 2 × 7.7 mm machine guns + 2 × 20 mm cannons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eData: Mitsubishi Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 32\u003cbr\u003e\nCrew: 1\u003cbr\u003e\nWingspan: 11.00 m\u003cbr\u003e\nLength: 9.060 m\u003cbr\u003e\nHeight: 3.570 m\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximum speed: 544.5 km\/h (at 6,000 m)\u003cbr\u003e\nEngine: Sakae 21 (1,130 hp takeoff power)\u003cbr\u003e\nArmament: 2 × 7.7 mm machine guns + 2 × 20 mm cannons (Type 99 Mk.2)\n\n","brand":"Hasegawa","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53161506046219,"sku":"D26","price":14.39,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/hasegawa-had26.jpg?v=1780703218","url":"https:\/\/anglia-models.com\/de\/products\/hasegawa-d26-1-72-mitsubishi-a6m3-zero-model-22-32-zeke","provider":"Anglia Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}