The Legend Reborn From the early days of the Second Sino-Japanese War to the end of hostilities in the Pacific, the Mitsubishi Zero served as the main front line fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The first mass-produced version was the Model 21, which was equipped with 50cm folding wingtips, landing hook, and radio direction finder for long-range carrier-based operations. Flown by expert pilots, the Model 21 took part in daring operations such as the Pearl Harbor attack and the invasion of the Philippines, and its 3,000km range, powerful 20mm cannon armament, and legendary maneuverability quickly earned the respect of Allied aircrews.