Hi Guest!
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Mitsubishi did in fact build airframes and aircraft engines, but it is interesting to note that the A6M Zero was powered by a Sakai engine manufactured by Nakajima which was their rival aircraft manufacturer. Mitsubishi just simply did not have an engine suitable for the Zero airframe. However, I guess Mitsubishi had the last laugh in that Nakajima was ordered to build Zero's as well during the war.
Most everyone knows that the Zero was very manueverable compared to the American aircraft, and that has alot to do with its lightweight structure. The main reason it was manufactured to be so light in weight was so that it could travel long distances by burning less fuel. I believe it was probably the first long range fighter airplane. Also I believe that the raw materials were hard to obtain so they couldn't afford to waste material.
Most people probably think that the Japanese pilot was expendable because there was no armor plating in the airplane. However, the airplane did have a rollover structure to protect the pilot which also doubled as a headrest. Also, in the aft portion of the fuselage there was a large rubberized canvas bag used as a flotatation device. Sections of each wing were sealed to be used as flotation devices as well. Apparently with those long distance flights several Zero's ran out of gas and had to ditch into the water.
When it comes to the Zero being superior to the American aircraft we are definately not talking about the quality of construction. I had the privelage of being involved with a A6M3-22 Zero restoration and let me tell you, American airplanes were constructed far superior to the Japanese Zero. While working on the Zero I met a Japanese individual that was forced to work at the Mitsubishi factory when he was 12 years old. He told us that the working conditions were horrendous. If you passed out on the assembly line from malnutrition, you were beaten. From looking at the airplane's poor workmanship, it shows.
Anyways, I guess that all of the emblems (BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi) look good spinning in a hub cab because they never look like they are upside down once you park!
Most everyone knows that the Zero was very manueverable compared to the American aircraft, and that has alot to do with its lightweight structure. The main reason it was manufactured to be so light in weight was so that it could travel long distances by burning less fuel. I believe it was probably the first long range fighter airplane. Also I believe that the raw materials were hard to obtain so they couldn't afford to waste material.
Most people probably think that the Japanese pilot was expendable because there was no armor plating in the airplane. However, the airplane did have a rollover structure to protect the pilot which also doubled as a headrest. Also, in the aft portion of the fuselage there was a large rubberized canvas bag used as a flotatation device. Sections of each wing were sealed to be used as flotation devices as well. Apparently with those long distance flights several Zero's ran out of gas and had to ditch into the water.
When it comes to the Zero being superior to the American aircraft we are definately not talking about the quality of construction. I had the privelage of being involved with a A6M3-22 Zero restoration and let me tell you, American airplanes were constructed far superior to the Japanese Zero. While working on the Zero I met a Japanese individual that was forced to work at the Mitsubishi factory when he was 12 years old. He told us that the working conditions were horrendous. If you passed out on the assembly line from malnutrition, you were beaten. From looking at the airplane's poor workmanship, it shows.
Anyways, I guess that all of the emblems (BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi) look good spinning in a hub cab because they never look like they are upside down once you park!
