Japanese pilot flies Japanese Zero

steve dickey · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2017 7:58 pm

Wow this is so cool to see, I wish him and the owner the best in their endeavor, hats off!!

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201705010043.html

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2017 8:45 pm

Very interesting! I had just seen some recent photos of this particular Zero at Chino and was wondering what was up, as this aircraft is the very same Zero that Skip Holm flew in Japan, at Kanoya Air Base, just last year (January 2016). Sounds like it will have to be heading back to Japan again very soon.

Thank you for sharing the story, Steve!

Zac Yates · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2017 11:53 pm

Absolutely fantastic! This story brought a massive smile to my face.

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

That is a pretty cool and historic story. Has there ever been any U.S. warbirds out there that were recovered from mainland Japan?

Pathfinder · **Joined:** Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 587

But exceptional flying skills are required to handle the Zero because it comes with a tail wheel that hinders the view from the cockpit. That makes it difficult for the pilot during takeoffs and landings.

What exactly does this mean? That it is a tail dragger?

sandiego89 · **Joined:** Mon May 21, 2012 12:28 pm **Posts:** 1196

CoastieJohn wrote:

Has there ever been any U.S. warbirds out there that were recovered from mainland Japan?

Not sure what you mean John? If you mean Japanese WWII aircraft that we still have with us, then yes, many of the few survivors on static display currently were captured on the Japanese mainland and returned for evaluation, including a few of the sole survivors like the Serian. Others were recovered from outer islands including Saipan, New Guinea, Indonesia, etc. one survivor list: http://www.j-aircraft.com/misc/SURVIVE.HTM

A google book, lists the locations found for some of the Japanese planes.
https://books.google.com/books?id=TlYr1 ... on&f=false

As for the very few flying zeros, looks like most were outer island recoveries, or essentially data plate restorations. Perhaps the most famous flyer with Planes of Fame was a Saipan recovery.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Kazu is a super guy and has been around Chino for a very long time.

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

sandiego89 wrote:

CoastieJohn wrote:

Has there ever been any U.S. warbirds out there that were recovered from mainland Japan?

Not sure what you mean John? If you mean Japanese WWII aircraft that we still have with us, then yes, many of the few survivors on static display currently were captured on the Japanese mainland and returned for evaluation, including a few of the sole survivors like the Serian. Others were recovered from outer islands including Saipan, New Guinea, Indonesia, etc. one survivor list: http://www.j-aircraft.com/misc/SURVIVE.HTM

A google book, lists the locations found for some of the Japanese planes.
https://books.google.com/books?id=TlYr1 ... on&f=false

As for the very few flying zeros, looks like most were outer island recoveries, or essentially data plate restorations. Perhaps the most famous flyer with Planes of Fame was a Saipan recovery.

Thanks....I was referring to U.S. made aircraft. The other possibility is crashed U.S. made aircraft that were transported back to Japan during the war to examine them and they survived.

b29driver · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2017 9:13 pm

Pathfinder wrote:

But exceptional flying skills are required to handle the Zero because it comes with a tail wheel that hinders the view from the cockpit. That makes it difficult for the pilot during takeoffs and landings.

What exactly does this mean? That it is a tail dragger?

It is not a nose dragger.

Zac Yates · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2017 10:38 pm

Pathfinder wrote:

But exceptional flying skills are required to handle the Zero because it comes with a tail wheel that hinders the view from the cockpit. That makes it difficult for the pilot during takeoffs and landings.

What exactly does this mean? That it is a tail dragger?

That would be my guess. One could almost believe the writer isn't an enthusiast :wink:

StangStung · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2017 11:19 am

KiwiZac wrote:

Pathfinder wrote:

But exceptional flying skills are required to handle the Zero because it comes with a tail wheel that hinders the view from the cockpit. That makes it difficult for the pilot during takeoffs and landings.

What exactly does this mean? That it is a tail dragger?

That would be my guess. One could almost believe the writer isn't an enthusiast :wink:

...or that English wasn't his/her first language.

....or that the translating program leaves a bit to be desired.

....or all of the above.

In any case, cheers to that lucky pilot!

Warbird Information Exchange

Japanese pilot flies Japanese Zero

Who is online