Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I got the awesome opportunity to run the Zero. I made a video to help me and others remember how, and figured I’d share it so everyone can appreciate this awesome rare warbird. Huge thanks to Lips for the opportunity and instruction, and Tom Altruda for recording the outside video!
PLEASE don't watch this video and go start a Zero or other radial-engined airplane solely based on it. This is entirely reference only, your own risk, for entertainment purposes only, etc. This does not supersede the actual official Zero checklist/manual.
There is a whole lot more that goes into an engine run that I didn't cover, like emergency procedures, what to do in the event of an exhaust fire, checking oil, fire guard, etc. I am also definitely not a seasoned expert on starting an R-1830; I for sure could have done a better job (I should have brought the RPM up after start quicker). This is just partially a way for me to remember this really cool moment!
More pressure carburetor info: enginehistory.org/Accessories/HxFuelSys/FuelSysHx08.shtml
Controlled quantity start: douglasdc3.com/sohn/18.htm
More Zero videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_48yhlFRHxHLNcfBztK6qNtvihJhliOo
Want to see this plane in person? Check out the website of this air museum (Commemorative Air Force, Southern California Wing) here: cafsocal.com
This aircraft is Mitsubishi A6M3 mod. 22 Zero 零戦22 c/n 3869, c/r N712Z, operated by the CAF So. Cal. Wing at Camarillo Airport. It is equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R-1830-75 engine (originally a Nakajima Sakae 21).
0:00 Intro
1:15 Start tutorial
3:19 Annotated start
I got the awesome opportunity to run the Zero. I made a video to help me and others remember how, and figured I’d share it so everyone can appreciate this awesome rare warbird. Huge thanks to Lips for the opportunity and instruction, and Tom Altruda for recording the outside video!
PLEASE don't watch this video and go start a Zero or other radial-engined airplane solely based on it. This is entirely reference only, your own risk, for entertainment purposes only, etc. This does not supersede the actual official Zero checklist/manual.
There is a whole lot more that goes into an engine run that I didn't cover, like emergency procedures, what to do in the event of an exhaust fire, checking oil, fire guard, etc. I am also definitely not a seasoned expert on starting an R-1830; I for sure could have done a better job (I should have brought the RPM up after start quicker). This is just partially a way for me to remember this really cool moment!
More pressure carburetor info: enginehistory.org/Accessories/HxFuelSys/FuelSysHx08.shtml
Controlled quantity start: douglasdc3.com/sohn/18.htm
More Zero videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_48yhlFRHxHLNcfBztK6qNtvihJhliOo
Want to see this plane in person? Check out the website of this air museum (Commemorative Air Force, Southern California Wing) here: cafsocal.com
This aircraft is Mitsubishi A6M3 mod. 22 Zero 零戦22 c/n 3869, c/r N712Z, operated by the CAF So. Cal. Wing at Camarillo Airport. It is equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R-1830-75 engine (originally a Nakajima Sakae 21).
0:00 Intro
1:15 Start tutorial
3:19 Annotated start
