WW2 Imperial Japanese Army Mitsubishi Zero Propeller Blade

An almost one of a kind example. A single show stopping display item from one of the world’s most iconic and historically important aircraft.

A very heavy alloy propeller blade painted in brown with yellow tip stripe the remains of a factory decal to one side.

This propeller is solid aluminum construction and is approximately 54 inches long and 10.5 inches at its widest point. One point of note is that both the obverse and the reverse side of the prop is painted brown making this a mid to late war production piece. James Lansdale, a noted authority on Japanese WW2 aircraft color and markings, has referenced that "mid 1943 Mitsubishi started painting factory propellers brown. Prior to that, Mitsubishi painted the reverse side of the props only, and that color was brown, not black."

The prop is in excellent condition and can stand up straight making it a fantastic easy to display piece. It has all original paint and original Japanese labeling and markings.

Seriously rare item. Please note this is a very heavy item and will have to be sent via courier services. Please ask for a shipping quote if seriously interested.

The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range fighter aircraft formerly manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter, or the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen. The A6M was usually referred to by its pilots as the Reisen, "0" being the last digit of the imperial year 2600 (1940) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy. The official Allied reporting name was "Zeke", although the use of the name "Zero" (from Type 0) was used colloquially by the Allies as well.

The Zero is now considered the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world when it was introduced early in World War II, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) also frequently used it as a land-based fighter.

In early combat operations, the Zero gained a legendary reputation as a dogfighter, achieving an outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1,4 but by mid-1942 a combination of new tactics and the introduction of better equipment enabled Allied pilots to engage the Zero on generally equal terms.5 By 1943, due to inherent design weaknesses, such as a lack of hydraulic flaps and rudder rendering it extremely unmaneuverable at high speeds, and an inability to equip it with a more powerful aircraft engine, the Zero gradually became less effective against newer Allied fighters. By 1944, with opposing Allied fighters approaching its levels of maneuverability and consistently exceeding its firepower, armor, and speed, the A6M had largely become outdated as a fighter aircraft. However, as design delays and production difficulties hampered the introduction of newer Japanese aircraft models, the Zero continued to serve in a front line role until the end of the war in the Pacific. During the final phases, it was also adapted for use in kamikaze operations.6 Japan produced more Zeros than any other model of combat aircraft during the war.

Code: 2825