Saburo Sakai was a true hero for Japan during the war and deserves to be viewed as such by Americans as well. He did his duty just like our soldiers and pilots and did it with as much humanity and honor as possible under the conditions presented. I had several family members in both European and Pacific theaters and NONE of them talk bad about their old foes. Most men that fought on BOTH sides were no different than your own father or brother. Men just doing their duty.
Nice video! But I think the Zero is the wrong version. That is an A6M2 Zero, that Saburo Sakai flew in 1941-42, until he was very badly wounded in it over Guadalcanal by a TBF Avenger ventral gunner.
The battle against 15 Hellcats took place near Iwo Jima on June 24, 1944. At that time Sakai was flying a green A6M5 Zero Model 52.
Hope you remake the video with the A6M5....go on, it's fun making it! ;)
@timonsolus - During the Battle of Guadacanal, Sakai-san was hit by the tail gunner while (mistakingly) attacking a squadron of SBD Dauntless dive-bombers from above and behind, thinking them to be F4F Wildcats.
The F6F was not only more maneuverable than the A6M, but it also had thicker armor plating, superior fire power and almost x2 powerful engine (approx 2,000HP vs. 1,000HP for the A6M). Sir. Sakai, during this evasive combat, had one eye impaired from a previous battle.
@JPN850R ..umm ok you have seen the result and still think the F6F is so much better? its heavier than TWO zeros... gravity? physics? This enormous weight forces the minimal speed to be a lot higher than the zeros one so a F6F wont be able to stay behind a zero for more than a few seconds so it can barely place a few shots. On the other side its even harder now to shoot a F6F down compared to the old F4F, but he doesnt have time to place good shots anyway when theres 14 more enemies around
Consider the motor output difference; 2,000HP(Hellcat) vs less than 1,000HP(Zeke).
The A6M series fighters were great planes, because the pilots were extremely skilled. With virtually no protection, many skilled pilots were shot down and it led to the victory of the U.S armed forces.
Later in his life, Sir. Saburo Sakai noted that P-51D Mustang (The U.S Army) was the best fighter that came out during the WWII.
You seem to not understand that the power of the engine does not make a plane maneuverable. The zero's wings provided much more lift at a lower speed, and it was way, way way lighter. If you tried to do a turn dogfight in any US aircraft during WW2 against a A6M plane, the A6M will outmaneuver each one. But as shown here, it's kind of hard to shoot down a plane even if you get behind it if you have 14 other hellcats chasing you while you line up your shot.
Also, take in consideration the diffrence in skill between Saburo Sakai and the american pilots. As he said himself, they were nowhere near as good as their planes.
@JPN850R Depends on what model Rei-sen Sen to ki you speak of, the original A6M2 type11 had 960hp. It was improved to 1000hp with the type 21. The A6m3 had a 2 stage supercharger Sakae21 and put out about 1200hp at 24,000ft. The A6m5 type 52 had a bigger supercharger with water/meth and increased bore that brought the engine to 1,400hp.
My son met him in the 1990s at Fredericksburg, TX, at a Confederate Air Force event. My son is privileged to have a Zero tech brochure signed by Sakai both in English and in Katakana.
My father served in the Pacific in WW2 and Americans were not always "The Good Guys" in how they conducted themselves. War is war.
America commited as much if not more war crimes then any other force. You would have to be blind to think America force were angels sent from heaven. LOL!!!
@CapKorzeniowski in the book during this fight he realizes the enemy pilots were as green as his own inexperienced fliers and that factor could save his life.
I also read somewhere that Saburo wasn't this "typical fanatical-bushido-fucked-up kill-all-the-whites-warrior". In 1942 he intercepted a Dutch DC3 fleeing to Australia from Java, - just before he should open fire, he saw it was full of civilians and broke of the attack...he was truely a great pilot in more than one way
@CapKorzeniowski He was not fanatical, bloodthirsty, or racist. He was a humble man from a poor family. He squandered an opportunity at an elite high school, and he felt guilty and ashamed. After that, he tried to learn from his mistakes, joined the IJN and dedicated himself to doing a good job.He felt he was defending Japan, but did not enjoy killing. After the war, he became a pacifist and pledged never to kill another living thing. His daughter married a USAF pilot.
Snoopy should have fought HIM instead of the Red Baron :-)
starguard 2 weeks ago
Hitomi Tanaka would be Proud
starguard 2 weeks ago
Saburo Sakai was a true hero for Japan during the war and deserves to be viewed as such by Americans as well. He did his duty just like our soldiers and pilots and did it with as much humanity and honor as possible under the conditions presented. I had several family members in both European and Pacific theaters and NONE of them talk bad about their old foes. Most men that fought on BOTH sides were no different than your own father or brother. Men just doing their duty.
damnonii 2 months ago 4
i admire to you, real professional
zberkut12 2 months ago
Experts in a chaos ... good video and of course good skills!
il2gambit 3 months ago
These American were new pilots, this samurai trained pilot was the better by far.
Read his book.
Myanleader 4 months ago
Nice video! But I think the Zero is the wrong version. That is an A6M2 Zero, that Saburo Sakai flew in 1941-42, until he was very badly wounded in it over Guadalcanal by a TBF Avenger ventral gunner.
The battle against 15 Hellcats took place near Iwo Jima on June 24, 1944. At that time Sakai was flying a green A6M5 Zero Model 52.
Hope you remake the video with the A6M5....go on, it's fun making it! ;)
timonsolus 8 months ago
@timonsolus it is a A6M5 5-2. . . it just had the incorrect paint scheme. =) observe the nose cowl flaps
FilipinoZeroFighter 7 months ago
@timonsolus - During the Battle of Guadacanal, Sakai-san was hit by the tail gunner while (mistakingly) attacking a squadron of SBD Dauntless dive-bombers from above and behind, thinking them to be F4F Wildcats.
MrWayne731 6 months ago
newer whatc this history dog fight
ISAACASIMOV30 9 months ago
The F6F was not only more maneuverable than the A6M, but it also had thicker armor plating, superior fire power and almost x2 powerful engine (approx 2,000HP vs. 1,000HP for the A6M). Sir. Sakai, during this evasive combat, had one eye impaired from a previous battle.
JPN850R 9 months ago
@JPN850R ..umm ok you have seen the result and still think the F6F is so much better? its heavier than TWO zeros... gravity? physics? This enormous weight forces the minimal speed to be a lot higher than the zeros one so a F6F wont be able to stay behind a zero for more than a few seconds so it can barely place a few shots. On the other side its even harder now to shoot a F6F down compared to the old F4F, but he doesnt have time to place good shots anyway when theres 14 more enemies around
Buemmo 6 months ago
@Buemmo san,
Consider the motor output difference; 2,000HP(Hellcat) vs less than 1,000HP(Zeke).
The A6M series fighters were great planes, because the pilots were extremely skilled. With virtually no protection, many skilled pilots were shot down and it led to the victory of the U.S armed forces.
Later in his life, Sir. Saburo Sakai noted that P-51D Mustang (The U.S Army) was the best fighter that came out during the WWII.
JPN850R 6 months ago
@JPN850R
You seem to not understand that the power of the engine does not make a plane maneuverable. The zero's wings provided much more lift at a lower speed, and it was way, way way lighter. If you tried to do a turn dogfight in any US aircraft during WW2 against a A6M plane, the A6M will outmaneuver each one. But as shown here, it's kind of hard to shoot down a plane even if you get behind it if you have 14 other hellcats chasing you while you line up your shot.
TehRK4000 6 months ago
@JPN850R
Also, take in consideration the diffrence in skill between Saburo Sakai and the american pilots. As he said himself, they were nowhere near as good as their planes.
TehRK4000 6 months ago
@JPN850R Depends on what model Rei-sen Sen to ki you speak of, the original A6M2 type11 had 960hp. It was improved to 1000hp with the type 21. The A6m3 had a 2 stage supercharger Sakae21 and put out about 1200hp at 24,000ft. The A6m5 type 52 had a bigger supercharger with water/meth and increased bore that brought the engine to 1,400hp.
lemonite1 6 months ago
I got a huge surprise upon seeing a hellcat the very first time at an air show. i saw it fly...I was blown away...I wanted to learn more...
norseleague 9 months ago
Sakai was honorable in the old sense of the word.
My son met him in the 1990s at Fredericksburg, TX, at a Confederate Air Force event. My son is privileged to have a Zero tech brochure signed by Sakai both in English and in Katakana.
My father served in the Pacific in WW2 and Americans were not always "The Good Guys" in how they conducted themselves. War is war.
colkelley 10 months ago
fuck of japan
dustyrohdes 11 months ago
America commited as much if not more war crimes then any other force. You would have to be blind to think America force were angels sent from heaven. LOL!!!
2010THEDRAGON 1 year ago
@2010THEDRAGON
Why do YOU hate America?
hetmanbasza 10 months ago
1:13 music from Chrono Cross?
mazek858 1 year ago
@mazek858 music is by Andreas Waldetoft, songs are Choose Your Path and East vs West from Europa Universalis III
nashashmalchiel 9 months ago
Comment removed
mazek858 1 year ago
"..it was very clear that these pilots weren't as good as their planes" ...- says it all...like it, like it;)
CapKorzeniowski 1 year ago 5
@CapKorzeniowski in the book during this fight he realizes the enemy pilots were as green as his own inexperienced fliers and that factor could save his life.
nashashmalchiel 1 year ago
@nashashmalchiel
I also read somewhere that Saburo wasn't this "typical fanatical-bushido-fucked-up kill-all-the-whites-warrior". In 1942 he intercepted a Dutch DC3 fleeing to Australia from Java, - just before he should open fire, he saw it was full of civilians and broke of the attack...he was truely a great pilot in more than one way
CapKorzeniowski 1 year ago
@CapKorzeniowski , You are an idiot not all japanese think alike and not all white think alike.
2010THEDRAGON 1 year ago
@2010THEDRAGON
LOL - such wisdom! Read a book about war atrocities in the pacific and come back ...
CapKorzeniowski 1 year ago
@CapKorzeniowski He was not fanatical, bloodthirsty, or racist. He was a humble man from a poor family. He squandered an opportunity at an elite high school, and he felt guilty and ashamed. After that, he tried to learn from his mistakes, joined the IJN and dedicated himself to doing a good job.He felt he was defending Japan, but did not enjoy killing. After the war, he became a pacifist and pledged never to kill another living thing. His daughter married a USAF pilot.
sonoki82 11 months ago 6