This is the second of the skins requested by Devil for a future Guadalcanal event. Thanks to him for finding the info for it.
The largely intact wreck of this A6M3 was recovered from where it had ditched in the shallow waters off Kolombangara Island by the US Navy in May 1944. Post war analysis of IJNAF records revealed it was probably the mount of Lt Jg Shibuya Kiyoharu of the 204th NFG. On 23rd January 1943 he had been leading a force of nine Zeros and two F1M2 flying boats providing CAP for a destroyer and merchant ship. They were attacked by a US force of twelve SBDs from VMSB-233, four TBMs from VMSB-131 and twelve Wildcats from VMO-251. The US fighters' leader Major Joe Renner scored hits on the lead Zero on his first pass and this aircraft was seen to fly away smoking. The Japanese shot down two Wildcats and were able to prevent damage to their ships but lost two Zeroes including Lt Kiyoharu's and also one flying boat. The wrecked Zero was later found on a direct line from the engagement to the nearby Japanese base at Munda but about 10 miles short, so it seems the pilot likely perished after ditching his aircraft.
