The museum acquired the A6M in 1991and it has been on display suspended from the ceiling. In 2019 in conjunction with the rearranging of other aircraft, the Zero was taken out to the restoration hangar for a checkup and cleaning. It has since been restored to its location in the main building.

This Zero was built in 1942 and operated from the airstrip on the infamous Pacific island of Ballale (now part of the Solomon Islands). After the island was abandoned by the Japanese this and a few other aircraft were left behind and gradually overtaken by the jungle. The wrecks were recovered in 1968 and this Zero was restored (using parts of other Zeros) and is now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.