The Mitsubishi A6M 'Zero' is a long-range carrier-capable fighter aircraft that was manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, which was part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) from 1940 to 1945. It is considered that the A6M 'Zero' was the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world when it was introduced early in World War II, combining excellent maneuverability, high airspeed, strong firepower, and very long range. The IJNAS also frequently used it as a land-based fighter. As the Pacific War progressed, the introduction of new tactics and better equipment by the Allied Powers allowed Allied pilots to engage the Zero on equal terms. By 1943, the deteriorating pilot training within the IJNAS contributed to making the Zero less effective. The lack of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks also made it vulnerable against Allied aircraft. By 1944, the Zero was considered outdated and had fallen behind Allied aircraft in speed; however, it was still capable if piloted by a trained pilot.
