{"product_id":"japanese-navy-a6m2-mod-21-zero-201st-kokutai-rabaul-1943-by-ron-cole-copy","title":"Japanese Navy A6M2 Mod. 21 Zero Pearl Harbor AI-154 Akagi, by Ron Cole","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full mt-[1.4em] mb-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"font-[600] py-[3px] text-[1.5em]\" data-anchor=\"themissionandengagementathickamfield\" data-slug=\"themissionandengagementathickamfield4\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eHistory: The Mission and Engagement at Hickam Field\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eAt 0550 (0120 Tokyo time), the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"italic\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eAkagi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003elaunched its contingent of the First Strike-Wave, which included a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"italic\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003ehiko chutai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(flight) of nine Zeros under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Shigeru Itaya. PO1c Takashi Hirano flew as Itaya's wingman in the No. 1\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"italic\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eShotai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(element). Their primary objective was to provide top cover for the Aichi D3A1 \"Val\" dive bombers attacking Hickam Field and to interdict American aircraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eAs the attack commenced around 0800 local time, Itaya's unit encountered an unarmed American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress piloted by Captain Swenson and 2nd Lt. Ernest L. Reid. The B-17, arriving from Hamilton Field, California, was attempting to land at Hickam Field amidst the chaos. Itaya, Hirano, and PO1c Shinatsugu Iwama engaged the bomber, setting it ablaze with tracer fire. The B-17 managed a hard landing, breaking in half upon impact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eFollowing the engagement with the B-17, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"italic\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eAkagi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eZeros commenced low-level strafing runs across Hickam Field. It was during these runs that Hirano's Zero, AI-154, met its fate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full mt-[1.4em] mb-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"font-[600] py-[3px] text-[1.5em]\" data-anchor=\"thecrashofai154\" data-slug=\"thecrashofai1548\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"font-[600] py-[3px] text-[1.5em]\" data-anchor=\"thecrashofai154\" data-slug=\"thecrashofai1548\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eThe Crash of AI-154\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eWhile strafing the apron in front of the hangars, Hirano fixated on a running figure—later identified as 1st Lt. (Dr.) William R. Schick, a flight surgeon who had been aboard the B-17. In his pursuit, Hirano failed to pull up in time. The Zero's belly tank struck the runway and was torn off, while the propeller blades dug into the tarmac. The resulting damage bent the blades, causing severe engine vibration and structural stress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"element\" data-slate-inline=\"true\" data-slate-void=\"true\" class=\"inline-block px-0.5 align-middle h-5 min-w-5 rounded-full text-[var(--text-secondary)] text-center text-sm hover:bg-[var(--icon-primary)] hover:text-[var(--text-onblack)] clickable select-none before:content-[attr(data-index)] bg-[var(--background-selection)]\" data-link-reference=\"true\" data-reference-id=\"1\" data-index=\"1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-spacer=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-zero-width=\"z\" data-slate-length=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eStruggling to maintain altitude, Hirano directed his faltering aircraft west-southwest toward Fort Kamehameha. Eyewitnesses, including Ensign Harvey N. Hop, Sr., observed the pilot frantically attempting to restore fuel pressure using the wobble pump. Near the verge of a stall, the Zero struck two coconut palms in front of the Fort Kamehameha Ordnance Machine Shop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eThe impact was catastrophic. The aircraft's engine and forward fuselage separated and spun, embedding palm fronds and trunk fragments into the cockpit, killing Hirano instantly. The rear fuselage broke and twisted into a \"Z\" shape. The wreckage and the detached engine plowed into a group of soldiers from C Battery, 41st Coast Artillery Regiment, who had gathered outside the shop. The crash resulted in four American fatalities: Cpl. Claude L. Bryant, Pvt. Eugene B. Bubb, PFC Oreste DaTorre, and Pvt. Donat G. Duquette, Jr., along with numerous severe injuries\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-slate-node=\"element\" class=\"py-[3px]\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-node=\"text\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-slate-leaf=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan data-slate-string=\"true\"\u003eRon Cole has depicted Hirano and his Zero a few seconds prior to its drop tank and propellor strike, racing down Hickam Field after 1st. Lt. Schick. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eSee our Options for available papers, canvas, sizes, and framed or unframed options - all signed \u0026amp; numbered. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan face=\"Arial\" size=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cole's Aircraft","offers":[{"title":"13x19 Matte Paper (1 of 250)","offer_id":48709062426873,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x30 Matte Paper (1 of 250)","offer_id":48709062459641,"sku":null,"price":215.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36 Metallic Paper (1 of 50)","offer_id":48709062492409,"sku":null,"price":270.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36 Rolled Canvas (1 of 20)","offer_id":48709062525177,"sku":null,"price":340.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x60 Framed Canvas (1 of 10)","offer_id":48709062557945,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Framed and Matted (ready to hang) 13x19 (1 of 250)","offer_id":48709062590713,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Open Framed Canvas (ready to hang) 24x36 (1 of 50)","offer_id":48709062623481,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0241\/1737\/files\/Zero-PH-Virt-1.jpg?v=1784916919","url":"https:\/\/roncole.net\/products\/japanese-navy-a6m2-mod-21-zero-201st-kokutai-rabaul-1943-by-ron-cole-copy","provider":"Cole's Aircraft","version":"1.0","type":"link"}