The A6M3 (Model 32) variant of the famous Zero fighter appeared in Spring 1942. It replaced the earlier Sakae 12 engine with a more powerful Sakae 21 and also featured wingtips that were squared off and clipped by 50cm. As a result its top speed of 540km/h was 10km/h higher than that of the Model 21 (A6M2) and it also offered improved acceleration and rate of climb. As the only Zero with squared off wings, the A6M3 had its own Allied code name: Hamp. Production began in April 1942 and 340 were manufactured, mainly seeing action around the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and other areas of the Pacific.
