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Plate 3: Site #2. |
This site lies on the east side of the dispersal area, just east of the
eastern taxiway (latitude 9° 29.437′ N, longitude 138° 04.413′ E), near the
modern communications station with its large satellite dish antenna. It covers
an area of about 250 square meters. The remains of a Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero”
fighter, it includes a portion of the central fuselage with both wings attached.
The wings are more or less intact, though the leading edge and tip of the
right wing are missing. The outer wing panels of both wings are broken and
droop toward the ground. The fuselage forward of the cockpit is mostly gone;
the engine lies on the ground in front of the fuselage. The empennage is
gone. The skins of the fuselage and wings are riddled with what presumably
are shrapnel and/or bullet holes. In the cockpit area and the remnant forward
part of the fuselage many of these appear to represent the passage of objects
outward from inside, suggesting an explosion in this area. There is evidence
of fire damage in the cockpit area, and around the main spar there is an
accumulation of melted aluminum slag. Many rivets in the fuselage and wings
have popped, presumably from explosive concussion. The underside of the wings
show evidence of fire damage, and the fuel tanks are missing. Possibly an
explosion in the cockpit area blew off the engine and ignited both fuel tanks.
The propeller blades are highly corroded, bent and broken. The cylinders
are rusted through, and virtually all other engine components are heavily
corroded. Both landing gear are intact and extended. The gear legs are not
heavily corroded, and the wheels are virtually corrosion-free – presumably
being made of a different alloy than other wheels observed, which were badly
corroded. The tires are gone.
This aircraft may have suffered a direct bomb hit, or exploded when hit
by shrapnel or gunfire. The burning has accelerated corrosion. The airframe
has also suffered more recent damage; graffiti are scratched into the skin
of the wings, and parts have probably been removed by souvenir collectors.
Site Plan. |