Once-feared ‘Zero’ fighter flies again over Japan

It was an amazing sight in the skies over the Japanese island of Kyushu on Wednesday.

That small airplane buzzing thousands of feet up was a Japanese Zero, once the most feared fighter plane in the world.

The World War II-era plane made two test flights after a restoration project funded by a Japanese businessman.

This restored World War II-era Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane performed a rare feat over the island of Kanoya, Japan, on Wednesday, January 27. It became one of the first of its kind to fly since Japan surrendered more than 70 years ago. During the war, the Zero was the most feared plane in the Japanese military. Click through the gallery for more photos of the historic flight.

The Zero -- flown by legendary former U.S. Air Force pilot Skip Holm -- took off from Kanoya air base, which is used by Japan's Maritime Defense Force.

Holm flew twice for about 20 minutes, according to a spokesman for the restoration project. This particular plane was discovered rusting away in Papua, New Guinea, in the 1970s. In 2010, Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka purchased it from an American for about 350 million yen (nearly $3 million), the spokesman said.

The airfield was the same base used by Japanese Kamikaze suicide pilots who flew these feared fighter planes. Kamikaze pilots flew Zeroes more than any other aircraft, according to the U.S. Air Force. Thousands of Kamikazes intentionally crashed their aircraft into enemy ships during the war.

"I wanted for the people of Japan and especially young people to know about this Zero airplane, as well as those who are old who remember the past," Ishizuka told reporters Wednesday. "Each of them should have different thoughts and perspectives on this, but I just want people to know how Japan has developed its technology."

Feared suicide warplane flies again

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The Zero’s air-to-air combat abilities were second to none during much of the war, making it the most famous symbol of Japanese air power.

Made by Mitsubishi and officially called the “A6M,” these killing machines were used in the infamous 1941 attack on the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

It also was a flying suicide machine.

Japanese air force Kamikaze pilots flew Zeroes more than any other aircraft, according to the U.S. Air Force Museum. Thousands of Kamikazes intentionally guided their planes into enemy ships during the war.

During the 71 years after Tokyo’s surrender, the sight of a Zero in the sky above Japan has been a very rare thing – which is what made Wednesday’s flight so remarkable. Also, of the 10,815 produced, fewer than 10 surviving Zeroes are still thought to be flyable.

Mitsubishi is still making planes. The company Wednesday debuted the first Japanese-made passenger jet in a half century.

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First Japan-made passenger jet in 50 years

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The Zero – this one a Model 22 – made its test flight Wednesday from Kanoya Air Base of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, the same airfield where many Kamikaze pilots began their missions.

The test flights were piloted by legendary former U.S. Air Force pilot Skip Holm, according a project spokesman.

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Related video Japanese WWII 'Zero' pilot reflects on life and war

The plane was originally found in Papua, New Guinea, in the 1970s. In 2010, Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka purchased it from an American for about 350 million yen (nearly $3 million), the spokesman said.

“I wanted for the people of Japan, and especially young people, to know about this Zero airplane, as well as those who are old who remember the past,” Ishizuka told reporters Wednesday. “Each of them should have different thoughts and perspectives on this, but I just want people to know how Japan has developed its technology.”