Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33110
Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke Diecast Model
IJNAS 381st Kokutai, 81-1183, Sorong Airfield, Jeffman Island, May 1944 | |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen/Zeke | | 5" | | 6.5" |
PLEASE NOTE: This item is not currently in stock and has a planned arrival date of October 2026.- Orders may not ship until complete. If you wish to receive in-stock items prior to pre-ordered items, you must place separate orders.
- Arrival dates are subject to change. Consider them to be estimates as manufacturers frequently revise them.
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During the early stages of the Second World War, the Mitsubishi Zero stood as one of the most formidable fighter aircraft in the skies, a worthy contemporary of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Supermarine Spitfire. Engineered specifically for the vast expanses of the Pacific Theatre, the Zero combined heavy armament with exceptional manoeuvrability, achieving an impressive 12:1 success ratio in early combat operations against Chinese aircraft. However, unlike its European counterparts which proved highly adaptable to successive upgrades, the Zero's design would eventually be surpassed by more advanced Allied fighters. The Japanese Navy's nomenclature system designated this aircraft as the A6M, identifying it as the 6th carrier fighter type to enter service, with the M denoting Mitsubishi as manufacturer. The Type 21 variant introduced a crucial innovation: folding wing tips that enabled more efficient operations from Japanese navy carriers. Approximately 3,700 of these aircraft were produced, with manufacturing split between Mitsubishi and Nakajima.
Formed on 1st October 1943, the 381st Kokutai operated as a fighter-bomber unit supporting Japanese ground forces engaged in brutal combat against American and Australian troops. By May 1944, the unit found itself fighting a desperate attritional battle against superior Allied air forces in West Papua, with reinforcements a distant hope and the outcome grimly inevitable.
First flown in April, 1939, the A6M Zero-Sen was the Allies' main opponent in the Pacific and the most famous symbol of Japanese air power during World War II. This carrier-based fighter, designed with a low-monoplane wing and armed with a formidable array of two 20mm cannons and two 7.7mm machine guns, proved capable of handling any of the Allies' aircraft. It wasn't until the Allies studied a captured Zero that they were able to identify and exploit weaknesses such as minimal pilot and fuel tank protection. Zeros became infamous for Kamikaze attacks, in which pilots would intentionally crash explosion-laden aircraft into Allied ships. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Zeros are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used in the manufacturing process. The solid diecast metal wing features simulated fabric-stretched control surfaces with counter balance weights applied separately to the top. The large "bird-cage" canopy allows for easy viewing of a detailed hand-painted pilot figure. Radial engine detail is visible inside the engine cowling with machine gun ports on top for the internally mounted Type 97 guns. Most releases include removable landing gear and center mounted fuel tank that are easy to install for ground display (see photos).
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
