Original Item: Only One Available. During World War Two there was a mass of teaching materials used by the armed forces to train gunners and aircrew in the identification of aircraft, ships and ground vehicles. The ability of servicemen to identify "friend or foe" in an instant was crucial to combat survival and the subject of recognition was taught in just about every World War II service school. Trained spotters were important to the war effort and to aid them 1:72 scale plastic models were made. The manufacturers Cruver and Design Center for airplane models are well known as being the primary providers of almost all production models in plastic.

This is a beautiful, original (cellulose acetate) Design Center model with no distortion or deterioration. Underbody designation reads JAP / ZEKE 52 on the center of the body, above the the Square DC Design Center Logo and date DEC  '44 around the logo. This model  with a wingspan is 5 15/16" and fuselage length 4 7/8" and is offered in excellent condition.

The included original box measures 7 1/4" x 6 7/8" x 2", and is stuffed with shredded newspaper. It still retains the original label on the side, indicating that it is an AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION MODEL for a ZEKE 52 JAPANESE FIGHTER. It also indicates that it was manufactured by DESIGN CENTER, INC. NEW YORK 19, N. Y.. There is even an original circular cardboard label intended for attachment to the model.

A great complete set from WWII, ready to display!

The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range fighter aircraft formerly manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter (零式艦上戦闘機, rei-shiki-kanjō-sentōki), or the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen. The A6M was usually referred to by its pilots as the Reisen, "0" being the last digit of the imperial year 2600 (1940) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy. The official Allied reporting name was "Zeke", although the use of the name "Zero" (from Type 0) was used colloquially by the Allies as well.

The Zero is now considered the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world when it was introduced early in World War II, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) also frequently used it as a land-based fighter.

In early combat operations, the Zero gained a legendary reputation as a dogfighter, achieving an outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, but by mid-1942 a combination of new tactics and the introduction of better equipment enabled Allied pilots to engage the Zero on generally equal terms. By 1943, due to inherent design weaknesses, such as a lack of hydraulic flaps and rudder rendering it extremely unmaneuverable at high speeds, and an inability to equip it with a more powerful aircraft engine, the Zero gradually became less effective against newer Allied fighters. By 1944, with opposing Allied fighters approaching its levels of maneuverability and consistently exceeding its firepower, armor, and speed, the A6M had largely become outdated as a fighter aircraft. However, as design delays and production difficulties hampered the introduction of newer Japanese aircraft models, the Zero continued to serve in a front line role until the end of the war in the Pacific. During the final phases, it was also adapted for use in kamikaze operations. Japan produced more Zeros than any other model of combat aircraft during the war.