Designed by Jiro Horikoshi, the Zero was produced between 1940 and 1945. There were 10430 built during that time. They were put into action in 1940. The top speed of the Model 21 was 331 MPH and the Model 52 had a top speed of 351 MPH.
The wingspan was 39 feet, The length of the airframe was approximately 30 feet. The shape of the wings allowed the Zero to veer and turn with ease.
In speed and maneuverability the Zero outmatched the US Wildcat. However, the US Hellcat exceeded the Zero, with a top speed of 380 MPH – 30 mph more. It could also climb better. So even the Zero, known as the King of Battle, did not want to engage and fight the Hellcat.
In 1943, The Americans found an abandoned unharmed Zero in the mossy soil. They sent it to San Diego, where it was rebuilt and repainted with American Markings. It was then fully tested by an American flight pilot. One of the key finds was that at 200 knots, the ailerons froze and the plane lost the ability to do a controlled spiral.
The armament for the Zero was not good. There was a 20mm cannon in each wing. Also, mounted on each side of the cockpit there were 17mm guns. In part its agility was due to how light it was, with little in the way of armor and protective metal. In fact, it could be shot down by a single bullet from a small caliber gun.
