The second main theme at the 2026 International Sanicole Airshow will be the 85th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the US naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on 7 december 1941, effectively dragging the United states in a World War with the axis powers.
To mark this 85th anniversary, you will discover an iconic symbol of World War II aviation whose nickname became synonymous with all aircraft of its home nation: the legendary Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
Graceful, agile, and formidable, the A6M2 “Zero” earned its reputation as one of the most feared fighters of its era. Designed as a long-range carrier-based fighter, it dominated the skies with exceptional maneuverability and speed. Known to its pilots as the Reisen (“Zero fighter”), it entered service in 1940 and quickly became the backbone of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s air power until the end of the war in 1945. The allies also called this aircraft the “Zeke”. Yet behind its elegance lay a dangerous trade-off: minimal armor, leaving pilots exposed in the heat of combat. The "0" is the last digit of the imperial year 2600 (1940), the year it entered service.
At Sanicole, you’ll experience an impressive sight: a stunningly recreated Zero, brought to life from a rebuilt Harvard aircraft and presented by the renowned collection at La Ferté-Alais. This remarkable warbird will feature in a special aerial tableau, recreating the dramatic opening moments of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Feel the tension. Hear the engines. Watch history unfold above you. Join us at Sanicole Airfield at Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium, during the weekend of 12–13 September 2026 and don’t miss your chance to see this legend in action.
