Pete's Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero 'Zeke'. Airfix, 1/72

[adt70hk]

Coming on nicely Pete.

Re Airfix pilot not fitting.....I chop their legs of around the top of the boots!

[Mini Me]

Good idea Andy, I would go further and section out the excess material in each leg and then glue the boot portion back on at the correct length to contact the pedal. I know, it's micro surgery but it is doable. if 'is butt is still off the seat, just make a cut accross the back above the hip line (below the arms) and bend (ever so gently) to allow 'is arse to set in the seat! VIOLA! :tongue-out3: :tongue-out2: :tongue-out: :thumb2:

[stillp]

Coming on nicely Pete.

Re Airfix pilot not fitting.....I chop their legs of around the top of the boots!

Good idea Andy, I would go further and section out the excess material in each leg and then glue the boot portion back on at the correct length to contact the pedal. I know, it's micro surgery but it is doable. if 'is butt is still off the seat, just make a cut accross the back above the hip line (below the arms) and bend (ever so gently) to allow 'is arse to set in the seat! VIOLA! :tongue-out3: :tongue-out2: :tongue-out: :thumb2:

Even easier, just throw them in the spares box!
Pete

[flyjoe180]

Looking good Pete.

Regarding the small rectangular gap in the rear canopy section behind the antenna hole. I believe this is related to the float version of the A6M, which featured a canvas floatation bag for use after ditching. The bag was vented to the atmosphere via this gap. All single-seat A6M's after the very early versions utilised the same canopy. Ease of manufacture etc I suppose.

It was a pain to mask when I built mine, I sealed it for painting by using a strip of tape firmly stuck to the inside of the canopy, pushing the middle of the tape through the hole to form a loop, which I pulled out at the end. I seem to find complex solutions! An easier method would be to paint the canopy separately with inner masking over the holes, or temporarily tacking it to the fuselage and removing the inner mask prior to final fitting.

[Mini Me]

No fun in that Pete, here's where your modeling skills all come into the show. That bird won't fly itself so you gotta work with what they give you in the kit box Sir.

[papa 695]

Just caught up Pete, coming along nicely.

[stillp]

Sorry for not updating more often, but here's a quick 'teaser' of progress so far:

Hopefully A clear coat tonight and decals tomorrow.
Pete

[scottie3158]

Pete,
Looking good.

[Mickc1440]

Nice work Pete

[Mini Me]

Excellent....keep it coming Pete! :thumb2:

[Geoffers]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it with decals in place :thumb2:

Geoff.

[The Smythe Meister]

That's great Pete,
Did you mask the wavy line between the green and light grey/green or freehand it?..... It looks very neat indeed :thumb2:

[stillp]

Thanks chaps.

Did you mask the wavy line between the green and light grey/green or freehand it?..... It looks very neat indeed :thumb2:

Masked Andy. Strip of 10mm Tamiya tape stuck on the cutting mat, drew a wavy line down the middle with a scalpel, two masks at once!
Pete

[stillp]

Made a start on the decals:

The prop is off because the cement wasn't setting - might be a bit of blu-tac in it, or maybe some oil wash on the engine has got onto the prop spindle.
Also noticed I'd forgotten that the external fuel tank and its pylon should be aluminium. Not sure if I'm brave enough to brush paint it now!
Pete

[Mini Me]

That looks really nice Pete.....won't be long now. :thumb2: