Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” – V-173, Saburo Sakai, IJNAS, Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, June to July 1942

1:48 Scale.  Length: 7.5”.  Wingspan: 9.75"


Limited production of approximately 750 models worldwide

Saburo Sakai became a pilot in 1937. In 1938 Sakai flew an A5M Navy Type 96 fighter, scoring one victory over a DB-3 bomber. In 1940 he was chosen to test the new A6M Zero against the Chinese and in late 1941 joined the Tainan Air Group on Taiwan. Sakai used A6M2 Zero V-173 while based on Rabaul in June and July 1942. Ordered to shoot down any Allied aircraft, military or civil, Sakai refused to shoot down a C-47 when he saw a woman and a child onboard. Sakai is credited with 64 victories.

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) from 1940 until 1945. The origin of its official designation was that "A" signified a fighter and "6" for the sixth model built by Mitsubishi "M". The A6M was usually referred to by the Allies as the "Zero" – a designation that was frequently misapplied to other Japanese fighters, such as the Nakajima Ki-43, as well as other codenames and nicknames, including "Zeke", "Hamp" and "Hap". First flown in April, 1939, the A6M Zero-Sen was the Allies' main opponent in the Pacific and the most famous symbol of Japanese air power during World War II.


Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an A6M2 “Zero” features: