Mitsubishi A6M Zero (3844)

ZERO #3844 The aircraft was restored with parts from many aircraft, but the entire fuselage is from one aircraft, #3844. And the paint scheme is from it's time as a carrier-based aircraft.

Quoting from information at the museum:

"The Zero displayed is an A6M3 Model 22, the fastest model made. It was probably constructed in early 1943 and based on an aircraft carrier serving in the Soloman Islands area. Eventually it was stationed at Kara airfield on Bougainville and adapted for land-based action. In November 1943 it was damaged by bombing but due to lack of supplies repair work did not begin until early 1945. The pilot, Sekizen Shibayama, was flown in from Rabaul to test it, however, the fighter did not fly before the war's end in August 1945."

"News of the Zero's survival reached RNZAF personnel and in September, it was flown to Piva, Bougainville. It was transported to RNZAF Hobsonville, near Auckland and given the new code NZ6000. The Zero had at least one surreptitious test flight but was permanently grounded in 1946 due to lack of spare parts. In 1947 the RNZAF offered the Zero to Auckland Museum but it remained at Hobsonville until moved to Ardmore and stored. From there it was hastily repaired to be displayed at two Easter shows and at RNZAF Ohakea, near Palmerston North. Finally, in December 1959 the Zero was delivered to Auckland Museum."