To roger_wilco,

Thank you so very much.  Yes, it took me awhile to get that Tamiya specific paint to arrive.  I utilized eBay.  Thank you for the visit.

Toshi

Hi Toshi,

That is one very sweet looking Zero-sen! I really like the color scheme,as it looks great! I'll be following your Monogram B-17 build as well.Again fantastic job as usual my friend...Douglas

Greg, it is because of one Sunday.  I looked at my build of a Revell/Monogram P-61 Black Widow, I thought to myself; "I wonder if anybody builds models anymore."  Mrs. Toshi and I looked online and the first thing we saw was the FSM forum.  Once there, I signed up and the rest is history.

This first step led me to tools needed, pliers, tweezers, glue, etc. as I learned more of PE and airbrushing, everything just slowly has come together.  As always, thank you and forum members for your support in my builds, it means so much to me.

Toshi

Another fine model, Toshi. It is great to see you improving not just your modeling skills but also and probably  more importantly your motor skills and overall happiness.

I am looking forward to watching you participate in your first GB (Boeing GB). I hope you enjoy it and I think you will!

To M Brindos,

Those words coming from you means so much to me!

Toshi

That is impressive. :D

Seriously impressive Toshi.

Toshi, goodness.   Anyone who says you cant teach an old dog new tricks, clearly has not seen how rapidly your modeling skills have progressed.  

To BrandonK,

OH WOW!  Thank you for the support.  Your words are so kind it overwhelms me, I will keep doing my best to continue in this growth.  I now started the B-17G build, I did the first photo etch.

Toshi

Toshi, my salute to you for this great build. What a super job, you're quite an advanced modeler now and in such a short time. This activity must be very effective therapy for you, I see huge improvement in your skills, when compared to results from just a few weeks ago. I think Lawdog is right, you're ready for one of the contests. Very nice work, my friend.

Patrick  

Yah.  At first I couldn't believe it, I thought the antennae would break because of the storage scenario.  I guess that's not the case.  Thank you again for all the read and replies!

Toshi

Thank you BrandonK, I used a thread of yours as reference for the details needed.  Thanks for visiting!

Toshi

Ohhh, very cool! I always get models broken in storage. Very neat and thoughtful idea there.

Fantastic job Toshi. You built another great kit. The detail is superb. Great work!!

BK

To my to my fellow forum members,

Here is the Zero before, during and after storage, I think it's an ingenious part on Tamiya to come up with such a contraption!  I'll give the basics down below.

Toshi

Here is the Zero in the holder.  The holder was a cover page if you will, it housed portions of the sprues during transport.  In order to place the Zero in the holder, you must remove the propeller, remove the wing tips, retract all landing gears and then place all the items in the storage box.  The storage box once housed all of the tiny pieces like the PE, screws, and springs. 

This shows what the bottom looks like.  You can pretty much store anything you choose to.

Here, you can see how the bottom of the model kit box becomes the actual holder.  The bottom of the storage box became these towers in the four corners so as to keep the antennae safe.  The top of the storage box now becomes the storage area that holds the propellers and wing tips.

Finally this is what the top of the Zero's storage system looks like thanks to Tamiya!

To Jay Jay,

Yes, those are decals.  The kit comes with a very thin mettalic wire for that very purpose.  I did not assemble that yet as I don't know if the storage system for the Zero would affect the wire itself.  Seems to which it doesn't, so later today I'll install the antennae while I start the build on the "Visible B-17G".  You can see below and I'll give step by step directions on how I did it.

Toshi

Thank you Gamera, your support was most precious to me!

Toshi

Pretty, pretty, pretty.  The colors turned out just right to my eye.  The red stripes on the prop blades are just perfect.  Are those decals ?

You might wanna string an antenae wire from the tail to the mast ( I use 4 lb fishing line ,CA glued on each end ,then tightend up wih a blown out hot match .)

I sure have enjoyed your W.I.P. and I'm looking forward to your next project.

That's beautiful Toshi- love how she turned out!

No I have not considered that, I'll look into it.  Thanks for the visit!

Toshi

Beautiful work Toshi.  You nailed the Ame-hiro.  Have you considered trying a panel line wash? You'd be amazed at the difference.  It can be as easy as mixing pastel chalk water and a touch of dishwashing soap for surface tension.  Just an idea.  

Joe

Here is the completed model.  I hope everyone enjoys the view.

Toshi

Thanks, the engine took some time to put together.  

I am having some issues with the Tamiya decals.  Looks like I have to purchase aftermarket decals.  I've heard horror stories, just never experienced these issues.  Now I have!

To BrandonK,

Thank you, I'm having some major issues with the Tamiya decals.  I am going to get aftermarket decals.  Thank you for visiting and replying.

jelliott523

Greg, I will definitely let you know how Gator's Grip works using their thin formula.  I'm going to probably give it a shot today sometime.  As for the thick, I've used it to secure the open canopy on my Bf-109 and it seems like its a fairly secure bond.  At least, as secure as clear parts can be, especially in the open position.

Thanks, J. I'll look forward to your feedback.

BTW, I'm a fan of Gator Grip, and have been using the regular formula for a couple years for all my 'white glue' model-making needs because a couple years ago I had a finicky two-part gun turret that refused to stay together with any white glue except Gator Grip, and I tried just about all of them!

Curious, when you got your glue, did the maker send you his little cheat sheet on using it to apply PE parts?

Toshi, that engine looks great. Good work!!!

PS, don't not eat lunch. No need to get Mrs. Toshi upset with you.

Really looking good there Toshi.

BK

Thank you Gamera.  I'm on the home stretch right now.  I just have a few things to button up and then the decals and sealer.  Thank you for the read and reply.

Greg

J, if you try the Gator's Grip thin with PE, would you let me know how it goes? According to the maker, he says the thin formula works even better and I'm curious. I think it's probably not just a watered down version of the regular, I've tried that.

Greg, I will definitely let you know how Gator's Grip works using their thin formula.  I'm going to probably give it a shot today sometime.  As for the thick, I've used it to secure the open canopy on my Bf-109 and it seems like its a fairly secure bond.  At least, as secure as clear parts can be, especially in the open position.

Looking good Toshi! Always nice to see the plane standing on it's own two 'feet' as it were. And the engine looks really cool.

Thank you, I don't know about better but, I definately had a blast yesterday building the Zero's engine.  That was a all day affair.  

Toshi