This restored World War II-era Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane performed a rare feat over the island of Kanoya, Japan, on Wednesday, January 27. It became one of the first of its kind to fly since Japan surrendered more than 70 years ago. During the war, the Zero was the most feared plane in the Japanese military. Click through the gallery for more photos of the historic flight.
This restored World War II-era Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane performed a rare feat over the island of Kanoya, Japan, on Wednesday, January 27. It became one of the first of its kind to fly since Japan surrendered more than 70 years ago. During the war, the Zero was the most feared plane in the Japanese military. Click through the gallery for more photos of the historic flight.
JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
The Zero -- flown by legendary former U.S. Air Force pilot Skip Holm -- took off from Kanoya air base, which is used by Japan's Maritime Defense Force.
The Zero -- flown by legendary former U.S. Air Force pilot Skip Holm -- took off from Kanoya air base, which is used by Japan's Maritime Defense Force.
JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
Holm flew twice for about 20 minutes, according to a spokesman for the restoration project. This particular plane was discovered rusting away in Papua, New Guinea, in the 1970s. In 2010, Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka purchased it from an American for about 350 million yen (nearly $3 million), the spokesman said.
Holm flew twice for about 20 minutes, according to a spokesman for the restoration project. This particular plane was discovered rusting away in Papua, New Guinea, in the 1970s. In 2010, Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka purchased it from an American for about 350 million yen (nearly $3 million), the spokesman said.
Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP
The airfield was the same base used by Japanese Kamikaze suicide pilots who flew these feared fighter planes. Kamikaze pilots flew Zeroes more than any other aircraft, according to the U.S. Air Force. Thousands of Kamikazes intentionally crashed their aircraft into enemy ships during the war.
The airfield was the same base used by Japanese Kamikaze suicide pilots who flew these feared fighter planes. Kamikaze pilots flew Zeroes more than any other aircraft, according to the U.S. Air Force. Thousands of Kamikazes intentionally crashed their aircraft into enemy ships during the war.
Hiroko Harima/Kyodo News via AP
"I wanted for the people of Japan and especially young people to know about this Zero airplane, as well as those who are old who remember the past," Ishizuka told reporters Wednesday. "Each of them should have different thoughts and perspectives on this, but I just want people to know how Japan has developed its technology."
"I wanted for the people of Japan and especially young people to know about this Zero airplane, as well as those who are old who remember the past," Ishizuka told reporters Wednesday. "Each of them should have different thoughts and perspectives on this, but I just want people to know how Japan has developed its technology."
Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP