Airfix 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

[flyjoe180]

My second completed build, and the first since my Spitfire. I was building this parallel with the Hawker Hurricane restoration which is nearly completed too (just waiting for the temperature to rise and humidity to drop before applying a flat coat). This was another really old Airfix kit with all the associated issues that an old kit has.

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No cockpit detail was included, not even a seat. So the box of spares was raided and a seat was scratch built. The decals had gone moldy and were quite fragile and needed a bit of attention. A few of them broke but I managed to blend them in and sealed them with a gloss coat.

The kit represents Saburo Sakai's A6M2 in 1942. I omitted the kill markings from the tail as references online show he didn't add these until much later. Also omitted was the aerial mast. Sakai had his entire radio set and mast removed. I'm unsure whether he was saving weight or disliked radios. This required a delicate bit of filling at the rear of the canopy.

The Zero is finished in a semi gloss as referenced to Mitsubishi's factory paint details.

Anyway here it is, I hope you like it. I think I have done some justice to a very old kit and fragile decals.

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[aaron]

I agree bro, you HAVE done this pigs ear justice.

Very crisp and clean, especially by the looks of those decals.

I prefer this colour of the zero better than green.

[stona]

Nicely done,it looks very good indeed.

I think I may have made a proper dog's arse of one of these when I was still at school (a looooong time ago!) so it's good to see one done properly.

Is it just me or does the "Zero" look old fashioned in comparison to many of its contemporaries?

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Nice build Joe, especially given the mouldy decals. I've got an Academy Zero waiting for me at the moment. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the Airfix - haven't they brought out a new mould version?

Tony

[papa 695]

Great work there Joe its a wounder the the decals actually worked at all never mind just broke a little

[flyjoe180]

Cheers guys. Yes, I believe there is a new mould for the Airfix 1:72 Zero however I think it is a later version, maybe an A6M5?

Ian, I was amazed I got any of them off in one piece too. I was quite quick to soak them in decal solution and once dry, get the gloss coat on.

[colin m]

Nice job on an old kit. I like the look of this, but quite fancy the new mould version ! Yes that's me, no bottle....

[InFlames]

Nice clean job! I like it!

[yak face]

Nice job joe , great save on the decals , cheers tony