This is my first entry to the Pacific war challenge. I am not sure the second entry will finish in time. I have tried to make everything as accurate as I could.

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was the most produced Japanese aircraft of WW2. It came as a surprise to the allies as it was the first ship based fighter that exceeded land based aircraft. Early in the war it was a symbol of Japanese air power and naval aviation. Due to the A6M's impressive range and preformance, it was able to stand almost all engagement until the end of the war. The aircraft started development in 1937 when the Japanese Imperial Navy submitted specifications for a new aircraft to replace the A5M. The Navy ordered two prototypes and submits were by Nakajima and Mitsubishi. Nakajima dropped their proposal for a fighter design and Mitsubishi submitted their design led by Jiro Horikoshi. The Mitsubishi A6M1 prototype was an all metal, low wing plane with retractable gear, and powered by a 780 hp Zuisei engine. Other than maximum speed, requirements were met/exceeded. The Navy authorized an initial batch of A6M2's and trials progressed quickly. Trials were complete in 1940 and a fleet was assigned to trials in China. In China it was very successful and was accepted for production in july, and in 1941 was prepared for impending war with the allies. The modified version of the A6M2 was used at pearl harbor and in early stages of the war. Shortcomings of the Zero would be revealed 6 months later when allies gained information about the aircraft form a crashed A6M on Akutan island in the Aleutians. Later in the war, modified Zeroes assigned to the Philippines became the first Kamikaze squadron in the Japanese Imperial Navy. Outstanding effectiveness of this type of attack led to the formation of more squadrons of this type. The Zero reached its lowest point when it was selected to be the main aircraft in mass Kamikaze attacks. More Zeroes were produced than any other Japanese wartime aircraft, with 10,938 planes of the A6M family created.

AG1 to detach drop tank. AG2 for arresting hook. Thanks to edensk for the locking control surfaces.