The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long-range fighter aircraft, manufactured by Mitsubishi and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945.
 
The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter or the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen.The A6M was usually referred to by its pilots as the "Reisen", "0" being the last digit of the Imperial year 2600 (1940) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy.
 
The official Allied reporting name was "Zeke", although the use of the name "Zero". When it was introduced early in World War II, the Zero was considered the most effective carrier-based fighter in the world, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range.
The Zero gained a legendary reputation as a dogfighter and better then Allied pilots.