The Atlanta Zero Wartime History During March of 1944, assigned to Aslito Airfield on Saipan. Wreckage During June 1944, captured by US Marines at Aslito Field. This Zero was one of twelve aircraft (plus spare engines) loaded aboard USS Copahee including A6M5 1303 (this aircraft), A6M5 4340, A6M5 5350, A6M2 5352, A6M5 5356, A6M5 5357. All were transported to the United States. United States Testing Assigned designation TAIC 11 that was stenciled on the tail. Also, Technical Air Intelligence on the right side of the cockpit. Tested in the United States. One of the test pilots was W. D. Blocher. Reportedly ground looped at near Atlanta (possibly NAS Atlanta) and suffered landing gear damage at some point during its testing, and was left resting on the lower fuselage at an Atlanta area airfield in 1945. After the war the Zero was apparently put up for sale or disposed as scrap. Atlanta Zero Later, purchased as surplus by John Elliot, Sr. His son, John H. Elliot, Jr. later acquired it and displayed it at J. H. Elliot Antiques. Also, a seat, 7.7mm machine gun and a cannon that were supposed to have come from the Zero. Visitors were allowed to see the Zero for $2.00 admission. It was displayed until at least the middle 1980s. This Zero has been incorrectly described as the Alaska Zero A6M2 4593 or A6M5 5350. World Jet This Zero was purchased around 1991/1992 by R. D. Whittington of World Jet Inc. It was moved to their possession in 1993, and stored in a hanger with the tail section removed. Originally, they intended to restore the Zero, but found the Zero had been previously cut into pieces and spliced back together with screws and galvanized tin metal sheets. The interior was held together with a welded iron re-bar. The main spar was crystallized. The Sakae engine could be restored. Missing were the tail cone, landing gear and all instruments. Flying Heritage Collection During 2001, it was sold to Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection. Registered with the FAA registered as N1303 by Vulcan Warbrids, Inc on August 27, 2001. This Zero is in storage at Flying Heritage Collection in Arlington, WA. The museum plans to restore it to fly. Presently, it is unrestored and not on public display. References FAA Registry - N1303 ************************************************************************************** PHOTOS.... 1) war time paint. 2) Captured and last flown at NAS Atlanta in 1945. 3) Abandoned in Atlanta and sold as scrap to a junk dealer. It sat from about 1946 until 2001 and then vanished. 4) Current condition in storage.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:06:04 +0000
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