The Zero’s simple cockpit. The seat was moved back a few inches to accommodate the larger American pilots who will fly the fighter (it is still a tight fit!). Note the machine-gun breeches protruding from the instrument panel.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

The rear fuselage in its jig on November 26, 1991, during rebuild.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

Hardly in mint condition: the Zero in the Museum of Flying’s restoration workshop at Santa Monica Airport on November 26, 1991.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

The Zero after a test flight, with one of its principal opponents, a Grumman Hellcat, in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

The Zero’s light construction imbued it with long range and extremely agile performance, but the aircraft lacked the self-sealing fuel tanks and armoured pilot protection common to Allied fighters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

MICHAEL O’LEARY photographed Alan Preston piloting the Santa Monica Museum of Flying’s Mitsubishi A6M Zero N6582L over Chino, California, in May this year, a few weeks after its first post-restoration flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

The Zero displays its classic lines above a cloudbank over Chino Airport. It made its first post-rebuild flight on April 16 this year.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

Alan Preston displays the Zero with its undercarriage down.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

Tony Corbo painstakingly researched the Zero to come up with this authentic colour scheme. The fighter’s cowling was carefully modified to house the new Pratt & Whitney R-1820 radial without detracting from the aircraft’s original appearance.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939