ZERO A6M3 No. 3618

[oldodgeboys]

Hi everyone. This is my first visit to this forum...thank you for letting me post my question here!

I have a horizontal stabilizer skin from a Japanese ZERO A6M3. I've had it many years and I recently took a look at it again.

The serial number (3618) can be traced through the Pacific Wrecks website and I posted it here:
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m3/3618.html

My question is this: I'm not really sure how to tell if it was on the left or right side, top or bottom. I searched the internet and I cant find an original (not repainted) horizontal stabilizer that shows the serial number. I cant find any written literature on it either. Does someone know the correct location for the skin?

Thank you!

PS- How can I post an image here?

[DaveM2]

Posting images...


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1822

[oldodgeboys]

Here are the images of the ZERO skin:

http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/oldod ... ml?filters[user]=140166275&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=5

http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/oldod ... ml?filters[user]=140166275&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=6

Thanks again.

[Adam Kline]

The images give me an error message.

[AvroAvian]

Try this....

[makin' boost]

Pretty cool,
You don't see that everyday ....................

[cooper9411]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to have it?

[k5083]

I'd guess that's a lower port stabilizer skin. That rectangular access panel right above the number seems to appear only on the underside in drawings I've seen.

August

[Hemiman]

I would post the pic on this site:

http://www.j-aircraft.com/

[oldodgeboys]

I would post the pic on this site:

http://www.j-aircraft.com/

Wow, thats it! Thank you! The j-aircraft website confirms that this skin section was located at the underside of the port horizontal stabilizer.

Here is the page that shows the info:
http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/ryan ... rkings.htm
"Horizontal Stabilizers - The (data) plate was located on the underside of each horizontal stabilizer between the fuselage and rib number 2. The aircraft serial number was to the rear of the plate at right angles to the fuselage. This plate has been misinterpreted in many drawings as an inspection access cover."

Many thanks to those that contributed to solving the mystery.

[Hemiman]

No problem... glad to be able to help..