A Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero, the first Model 32 variant to fly since 1945, has successfully completed its first flight after an extensive restoration, according to the Military Aviation Museum, located in Virginia Beach, United States.
The former Imperial Japanese Navy fighter took off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, on May 5, 2025, at 08:00 local time, the Military Aviation Museum announced in a statement. The aircraft was flown by Mike Spalding, the museum’s chief pilot.
According to the Director and CEO of the Military Aviation Museum Keegan Chetwynd, the Zero was the “most significant Japanese aircraft type during World War II and was America’s principal adversary in the air war over the Pacific.”
“Having one represented in our flying collection helps us recognize, and honor those US naval and marine corps aviators who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy today,” Chetwynd added.
A group of museum staff and the restoration team at Legend Flyers supported the pilot from the ground. The museum noted that it was hard to “fully comprehend the winding journey of survival this aircraft represents.”
Paine Field is a large facility, so it took a while for the Zero to get to runway 34L. The pilot flew to a specific flight test area near Possession Sound, just west of the runway, making several circles before successfully landing back home.
“It handled very nicely and was light on the controls,” Spalding noted following the first flight. “With only a couple small tweaks to the control trims and a couple other very minor adjustments, which are to be expected after a first flight, we will be ready for another flight (me and the plane).”
Despite his many years flying a variety of vintage military aircraft, Spalding had not previously had the opportunity to fly a Mitsubishi Zero.
“He has proven himself a cool hand on more than one occasion in such aircraft, and has significant experience conducting test flights,” the Military Aviation Museum noted in the statement. “Furthermore, his many hours flying behind an R-1830 engine (which this Zero has been tailored to operate in place of the original Sakae 12) will have provided additional comfort as well.”
