The first A6M5 "Zero" was buit by the Mitsubishi Jukogyo in 1943. It was developed to combat heavier built and armed Allied fighters that were knocking the earlier "Zero" out of the sky during 1943. The Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21 engine gave the plane slightly better performance, and the armament was changed to 2-20mm and 2-13.2mm guns. These changes did not make up for the lack of armor, or the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks. However, despite these shortcomings, over 10,450 were built, being used during the entire war because other models of Japanese aircraft continued to have "teething" problems.

First flown in April, 1939, the A6M Zero-Sen was the Allies' main opponent in the Pacific and the most famous symbol of Japanese air power during World War II. This carrier-based fighter, designed with a low-monoplane wing and armed with a formidable array of two 20mm cannons and two 7.7mm machine guns, proved capable of handling any of the Allies' aircraft. It wasn't until the Allies studied a captured Zero that they were able to identify and exploit weaknesses such as minimal pilot and fuel tank protection. Zeros became infamous for Kamikaze attacks, in which pilots would intentionally crash explosion-laden aircraft into Allied ships.

The Easy Model "Platinum Collection" range presents highy-affordable, ready-made plastic models of military aircraft. While these models may not have the same "heft" as their diecast siblings, they do offer remarkable value for money. Most importantly, they look perfectly at home alongside diecast modes, allowing collectors to "flesh out" their collection with types and paint-schemes not yet available in diecast.

Easy Model "Platinum Collection" display model airplanes feature:

Molded plastic construction.

Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.

Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.