Zero for Wanaka ?

[nuuumannn]

Hello Folks,

Just after putting my daughter to bed for her afternoon nap just after 1pm today, I heard an unfamiliar aircraft noise outside, so when I went out to see what it was I was astonished to see a Mitsubishi Zero flash past! Zero and accompanying 750XL landed at Woodbourne for a quick refuel before departing a couple of hours later for Wanaka.








Whilst there I had a chat with the pilots and their entourage - real great guys. A pity I'm going to miss the show - but sitting in the Zero's cockpit made up for it though.

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum nuuumannn. Wow, that is a great experience to sit in the cockpit!

[furyfb11]

Thanks for the cockpit photo,the radio, transponder and GPS look a bit out of place though.

[nuuumannn]

Hi Folks,

Hell yeah, when I was asked if I wanted to sit in the cockpit I just about wet myself! ;D

Regarding the non-standard stuff in there, what's not in view is a Russian morse key on the right hand sill. I was told that the Russians commenced restoring the aircraft some time before it went to the US.

I'm going to post some detail pics eventually - hopefully; undercarriage, wheel well, more cockpit etc.

Enjoy the airshow; I'm sure they can do better than the beat up the XL and Zero did yesterday - impressive seeing the XL going low and fast.

[obiwan27]

Thanks for the pics, awesome aircraft shame I can't make it to WOW this year either. No doubt forum members will oblige with pics and video.....won't you guys?

[Peter Lewis]

Feb 5, 2010 16:01:06 GMT 12 shorty said:

Just in case it doesn't make it to Wanaka . . . here are some shots of it I took in 1985

If thats 1985, I don't think its the same Zero. NX712Z was not recovered from Babo airfield, Irian Jaya, Indonesia until 1991.

I think the one you saw was CAF's A6M2 N58245 which was recovered from Ballale, Solomon Islands, 1960s. It first flew after rebuild on August 12, 1985.

[shorty]

I think you're right!

[43willys]

Some earlier shots of the Zero on the Wharf.

[Deleted]

I will most definitely oblige with pics. I have my dads camera in hand, and you will all no doubt be pleased to know that The Spot seems so have been cleaned off at last!

The countdown is well underway, I am back to work for a one-day week (!!!!!) tomorrow, driving to Wanganui tomorrow night and leaving for Wellington around 7am. The excitement probably won't hit until tomorrow. How will I manage to make it through the work day?!

[Dave Homewood]

Neat wharf shots Mike, the Zero was probably remembering its old war days when it was aboard some Japanese carrier and going off to battle.

[FlyingKiwi]

It looks pretty immaculate in the photos, very nice!

[Deleted]

In Wanganui tonight, then down to Wellington and Queenstown tomorrow. Should get to meet the Zero on Friday morning....and yes, I plan on taking many pics!

[ErrolC]

More photos at the support crew's blog
www.zerodownunder.blogspot.com/