Dates

Event

Constructed as an A6M2.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force with s/n 5349.

To Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, Winnellie, Darwin, Northern Territory.
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19 February 1942

Flown by Sergeant Pilot Hajime Toyoshima during the first raid on Darwin as part of an attack flight, dispatched from Japanese Imperial Navy carriers Akagi, Aga, Hiryu ans Soryu. After the attack, during the return flight, the engine of Toyoshimas Zero quit while he was over Melville Island. The engine was seized as a single.303 bullet had hit the oil tank and all oil had leaked out. Toyoshima made a forced landing at Melville Island during which he was wounded in the face when he hit the gun sight.

Recovered.
The Wings and tail were moved to Darwin Airfield for technical evaluation. It is not known what happened with these parts, it is not known if they were scrapped or stored elsewhere.

From Circa 1965 to Circa 1969

The centre section was recovered from Melville Island, and later went to the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre.

27 August 2001

Photographer: Han de Ridder

27 August 2001

Photographer: Han de Ridder

27 August 2001

Photographer: Han de Ridder

To Darwin Aviation Museum, Winnellie, Darwin, Northern Territory.
View the Location Dossier