Mitsubishi A-6-M Zero fighter

The Zero was introduced into the Japanese fleet in July of 1940. It was the best carrier aircraft in the world at the time. The fighter had superior speed, climbing ability and longer range than any other carrier based fighter. It's weakness was no armor for pilot safety and no self-sealing fuel tanks. Without the self sealing tanks, the plane was vulnerable to incendiary rounds from American fighters.
The first picture is a recovered WWII Zero that was painted and dolled up for the movie Pearl Harbor.

 Japanese Zeros attacking the Solomon Islands in 1942.

 Zeros preparing to attack Pearl Harbor from Japanese aircraft carrier.

  Zeros preparing to lift off and attack the Santa Cruz islands.

 Another shot of a Zero lifting off deck on the way to Pearl Harbor.