Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero
- 3 December 2012 07:36204292When they first encountered the Zero at the end of 1941 it was a massive shock for the American and British fighter pilots. The Zero was probably the best fighter in the world, fast, nimble, well armed and with a long range it swept the opposition from the skies over the Pacific front. Its only weakness was a lack of armour protection. It did not last long though and Japanese development of the Zero could not match the pace of Allied developments. New aircraft like the US Hellcat, Mustang and British Spitfire MkVIII helped win back air superiority for the Allies.
This model is a mid/late mark of the Zero that was based on New Britain Island as part of the Rabaul Fighter Group 1943/4. I have tried to produce a war-weary aircraft that has seen a high operational tempo in challenging conditions. It is meant to be grubby, not dirty, with plenty of paint chipping as was typical of Japanese aircraft from wear and tear along with battle damage.
The kit is the 32 scale Tamiya kit, paints Vallejo plus Gunze metallics, built out of the box.
- 3 December 2012 07:41204293You've certainly created that effect Barry - excellant model and photos too.
Looks very authentic.
Roger - 3 December 2012 09:26204308Barry, Nice job, again! Never been any good with aircraft myself, always been a AFV man. I thought the shot of the cockpit was very good, was all that detail in the box or did you put it in?Phil Wyborn - Brown at www.wybornphotography.co.uk
- 3 December 2012 09:35204309It was an out of the box build Phil. These latest Tammy 32 scale 'superkits' are simply outstanding in fit, accuracy and detail. They are also multi-media including photo etch so you get far better detail. Three versions of the Zero have been produced, 3 versions of the Spitfire and two, so far, of the Mustang. I have a Spit Mk XVI 'bubbletop' to do having built one of each of the other types. I will be waiting a bit before doing that though and have a Hasegawa 'Frank' to do next and a Revell JU88 to follow that, both 32 scale, the '88 is a massive model, 23 inch wingspan...
- 3 December 2012 11:21204321When are you going to have a go at the Airfix 1/24th Mossie, I reckon that would be right up your street!Phil Wyborn - Brown at www.wybornphotography.co.uk
- 3 December 2012 11:44204323Another nice model. I think you should do that 1/32 Lancaster.
- 3 December 2012 11:45204324mmmm, yes Phil - an impressive kit and at Westwood Cross last week in the Hobby Craft shop it was up for £93 instead of £140+
I am sorely tempted but I do have a stash of 9 32 scale kits to do with about 4/5 more 32 scale I want to buy!!! 32 scale take up a lot of room as it is if I start on 24 scale I will have to buy an even bigger house!!!
Now if Tammy produced a 32 scale Mossy!!!!!!!!!!! - 3 December 2012 20:40204423Decided on my next build - after a complex Tamiya kit over to a simpler Hasegawa kit and anther Japanese subject. After the best fighter in the world when Japan entered the war and over to the best fighter Japan had in the late war...
- 4 December 2012 09:16204462Well done again Barry.
FRANK?
Is that the left or the right?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
