For rest of construction, please refer to the construction for Version 2.0.

Engine cover.

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 (零式艦上戦闘機), or the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen. The A6M was usually referred to by its pilots as the Reisen (零戦, zero fighter), "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 Mitsubishi A6M project started with the Imperial navy’s request on the basis of combat experiences in China. The resulted specification was not easy to satisfy, and Nakajima abandoned its competition. The Mitsubishi went on with a successful design. The first prototype fulfilled and exceeded all the official request during the flight tests.  

The Zero is considered to have been 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 reputation as a dogfighter, achieving an outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, 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. By 1943, due to inherent design weaknesses, such as a lack of hydraulic ailerons 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its levels of maneuverability and consistently exceeding its firepower, armor, and speed, the A6M had largely become outdated as a fighter aircraft.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. Japan produced more Zeros than any other model of combat aircraft during the war.

The Mitsubishi A6M was an immortal fighter whose fame was equal to that of the British Supermarine Spitfire, the German Messerschmitt Bf 109, and the US North American P51 Mustang. The A6M Zero had a long operation radius that invades many allied “safe spot”. The navel fighter had constantly defeated the land-based fighter that really represents the symbol of the airpower achieved by the Japanese during WWII. From Pearl Harbor up to the time of the kamikaze mission, the A6M Zero has served the Japanese military during the entire wartime of WWII. 

​​​Down Load template: Click "Down Load Template" button and print.  Or copy-paste the “print-out” of 4D template on your graphic program (such as PowerPoint) and add your label. Adjust the size as needed. ​

(Skill index 6)

Main Fuselage.

Fuel tank

Front Fuselage

Base

​​​Download template: Click the "Download Template" button and print.  Or copy-paste the “print-out” of the 4D template on your graphic program (such as PowerPoint) and add your label. Adjust the size as needed. 

​Construction Photo Notes

Check the discussion for construction. To see a large image: Click the picture.

​​​4D model template of Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero aircraft. (version 2.0)

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Forward fuselage.

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter

​4D model template of Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero.​ (Version1.0)

Cockpit 

​​​DownLoad template: Click the "Down Load Template" button and print.  Or copy-paste the “print-out” of the 4D template on your graphic program (such as PowerPoint) and add your label. Adjust the size as needed. 

​Construction Photo Notes

Check the discussion for construction. To see a large image: Click the picture.

​​Down Load template: Click "Down Load Template" button and print.  Or copy-paste the “print-out” of 4D template on your graphic program (such as PowerPoint) and add your label. Adjust the size as needed. 

​Construction Photo Notes

Check discussion for construction. To see large image: Click picture.

Main wing

​​​4D model template of Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero aircraft. (version 2.1)

A modified version of Ver 2.0. Change included:

1. Engine cover construction would be easier.

2. Improved cockpit design.

3. redesigned drop tank for more actions. 

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Final assemble

(Skill index 6)

(Skill index 5)

The birth of Mitsubishi Zero

​Video watch:
(follow video may contain depictions of violence, viewer discretion is advised.)

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​​The A6M Zero - Documentary (1)                                        The A6M Zero - Documentary (2)

​The A6M Zero - Documentary (3)                                         The A6M Zero - Documentary (4)

Drop tank.

Front/engine cover

Main Frame

Fighter​

First flight: Apr. 1, 1939

Introduction: July, 1, 1940,

Retired: 1945,

Production: 10,939 (from 1940 to 1945)​

4D paper airplane:

model template

Real look, really fly

Tail wing

Cockpit.