A6M2 Zero "Last Samurai" 2024-06-07

This is a repaint for the A2A/Shockwave Productions WWII Fighters product. This repaint depicts the Nakajima A6M2 Model 21 owned/operated by the Texas Flying Legends Museum, based at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, which flies at airshows around the country each year. The aircraft is referred to as the "Last Samurai", as it is the only A6M2 Model 21 Zero still flying, the same type which was used by the Japanese Navy during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the actual aircraft is almost entirely new-build, each part copied from original parts or drawings, the aircraft's identity originates from A6M2 serial number 1498, which was recovered from the Solomon Islands in the late 60's. The completed aircraft, which first flew in the summer of 2005, has been praised by Japanese aeronautical engineers and world experts as being the most accurate/authentic of all of the flying reproductions. The exterior repaint was created using Martin Catney's superb paint kit, and modified VC textures are included to closely match the real aircraft.