From the early days of the Second Sino-Japanese War to the end of hostilities in the Pacific, the Mitsubishi Zero served as the Imperial Japanese Navy's main frontline fighter. The first major mass-produced version was the A6M2b. Equipped with 50cm folding wingtips to enable it to fly from aircraft carriers, it was flown by expert pilots and took part in operations such as the Pearl Harbor attack and the invasion of the Philippines, its 3,000km range, powerful 20mm cannon armament, and legendary maneuverability quickly earning the respect of Allied air crews.