Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero "Zeke"
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1943 · fighter
The most-produced Zero variant, the A6M5 traded the A6M2's folding wing tips for a shorter fixed-tip wing and a more powerful Sakae 21 engine, improving speed at the cost of the earlier model's exceptional range.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.06 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Non-folding, rounded wing tips shorter than the A6M2 — the folding hinge is eliminated and the outer panel is clipped and rounded
- Broader Sakae 21 cowling with improved exhaust stacks visible as individual stub exhausts rather than a single collector ring
- Heavier overall appearance than the A6M2; the shorter span is perceptible in side-by-side comparison but less obvious solo
Against the A6M2: shorter, non-folding rounded wing tips and broader cowl are the key marks. Against Allied contemporaries: the Zero's slim fuselage, round cowl, and absence of self-sealing tank bulges make it appear lighter-built than an F6F or F4U.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero has a length of 9.06 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 565 km/h (351 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in mid-1943 as the Zero that faced the Hellcat and Corsair in Marianas Turkey Shoot conditions, the A6M5 was outclassed by the new US fighters despite being the best Zero Japan could field. Over 3,000 were built, many ending as kamikaze aircraft.
Variants
Model 52 (basic A6M5), 52a (heavier wing gun), 52b (13 mm cowl gun), 52c (additional armour and armament). The progressive variants grew heavier and slower.
Where you'll see it
As with the A6M2, true A6M5s are museum pieces; the Planes of Fame and National Air and Space Museum hold examples. Replica Zeros are sometimes built on T-6 Texan fuselages for airshows.
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- Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52
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- Brewster XA-32
- Curtiss P-40 N Warhawk
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