The Desert Sun,
The skies over Palm Springs became a World War II battleground for about an hour Saturday afternoon.
The Palm Springs Air Museum presented a rare flight demonstration featuring the only all-original Japanese Zero fighter plane still flying, and an American F6F Hellcat fighter, one of only five that remain operable.
“I don't come out here very often, but I couldn't miss this,” said Palm Desert resident Ron Chamberlain.
“It's a one-of-a-kind Zero. You just don't see them flying. It just doesn't happen.”
The Zero, a Mitsubishi A6M, was on loan from the Chino Planes of Fame Museum.
Prior to the flight demonstration, local World War II veteran fighter pilots discussed what it was like to face Japanese Zeroes when the bullets were flying.
Because of the Zero's lighter weight and maneuverability, American fighter pilots were taught to engage them only when they had an advantage, such as coming in from a higher altitude and with more airspeed, said O.B. Carter of Cathedral City, who faced the Japanese war planes in the skies of Burma.
“We were taught to make one pass (against the Zeroes) and then get out of Dodge,” Carter said. “Young pilots in World War II had big egos – I know; I was one. To be told to run away from a fight just didn't settle very well.”
Carter said he shot down two of the Japanese planes – “pure luck,” he said.
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