Page 22 - Marks Test - Old Insight

Here’s a real blast from the past. This Mitsubishi Zero was recovered from the Pacific
back in the early 1970’s by Geoff Pentland and Barry Coran. It was stored at Essendon
Airport where this photo was taken. After a restoration that consisted of a coat of paint
and multiple press releases the aircraft was sold to Japan. Today it is on display at the
Tokyo Science Museum. The aircraft was unique: it had been modified in the field as a
two seater; probably for observation duties.

The early 1970’s saw the great Sabre giveaway when the Australian Government gifted
recently retired CAC Sabres to Malaysia and Indonesia. At the time it was a very
controversial decision. If you look closely you will see that, while this Sabre still carries
RAAF insignia, it’s sporting a Royal Malaysian Air Force serial number. Photo; Roland
Jahne