posted
Re: Japanese Plane Found in Yap Revetment Area
Although it’s taken me a week to get started, here’s my first post of pictures from our 2006 Yap Trip. I will continue to post links to pictures from the various crash and wreck sites we located over the next few weeks. The exact locations will never be mentioned, however, feel free to contact me if you have a need for additional information or the GPS coordinates. I will post updates on the following page:
The pictures at the following link were taken of a Japanese plane we found in an revetment area near the main Yap airstrip used during the war. Although I believe the wreckage is a Japanese Zero, I have not completely identified the plane at this time. Please feel free to submit comments about the pictures so we can identify the plane type. Send emails to Pat at: pat@missingaircrew.com
Schubert
Senior Missing Air Crew Member
Member # 26
posted
The only fighters that I have listed anywhere for Yap is Zeros. Exact type will take a little more time. Wish you had better pics of the wing feom different angles. Tim
Posts: 20 | From: Albany Oregon | Registered: May 2006
| Logged: 67.171.195.28
posted
Pat, Did some checking and the rivet pattern and rudder look like a dead match for Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen. I'll keep looking for other possibilities.
Posts: 12 | From: virginia | Registered: Jan 2005
| Logged: 66.207.84.189
Schubert
Senior Missing Air Crew Member
Member # 26
posted
Okay through elimination. The plane does not have an oblong access plate on the bottom of the rudder just aft of the gusset. This eliminates A6Mfc mod 52, A6M5 mod 52, and the A6M7 mod 63
Posts: 20 | From: Albany Oregon | Registered: May 2006
| Logged: 67.171.195.28
Schubert
Senior Missing Air Crew Member
Member # 26
posted
I could almost swear that I see the landing gear indicator pin.
Posts: 20 | From: Albany Oregon | Registered: May 2006
| Logged: 67.171.195.28
Schubert
Senior Missing Air Crew Member
Member # 26
posted
Pat, can you remember whether the wing tip was rounded or squared off? Tim
Posts: 20 | From: Albany Oregon | Registered: May 2006
| Logged: 67.171.195.28
Yap is a challenge when it comes to Zeros, because there were A6M5's there, also A6M2's (maybe other models?)
* The photo of the flap mechanism & U shapped object - that U shapped object is the seat adjustment!
* The tail assembly of the Zero was interchangable between models - same for A6M2 - A6M5. So, based on only that, it could be from any.
* There are details on the wings that vary Zero-to-Zero. I cant tell from your wing photo, but if you have details of wingtips, i can tell you if A6M2 or A6M5...
* It appears there are traces of a tail number on the right side of tail - did you note them, it looks like an 8 to me.
Posts: 682 | From: Cameron, Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2004
| Logged: 63.231.183.145
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