Tamiya 1/48 A6M5a Zero

Greg

Member since
May 2013
From: Indiana, USA

Posted by Greg on Friday, March 6, 2020 9:20 AM

Gamera
And sorry, missed this before...

Me too.

Very nice work. Yes

I'm also glad you posted this, thanks. I haven't built a zero as an adult and have had my eye on the Tamiya 1/32 for several years. As already mentioned above but deserving of repeating, what you've shown us has me thinking build this one instead.

Reply

Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Friday, March 6, 2020 8:40 AM

Oh wow great job there! She looks beautiful!!!

And sorry, missed this before...

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

Reply

mustang1989

Member since
March 2012
From: Corpus Christi, Tx

Posted by mustang1989 on Friday, March 6, 2020 8:32 AM

Boy am I ever late to this party. Max that looks out freeking standing. I see what you mean about a masterpiece in plastic. I may have to get one of these Tamiya Zeros myself after seeing this build of yours.

Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com)

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Friday, March 6, 2020 7:33 AM

Thanks for the compliment, Joe. The kit made it looks easy, though! I know you've built the A6M3, so you understand what a masterpiece in plastic it is!

Reply

lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 1:06 AM

Outstanding work Max! Thanks for sharing the finished plane...

"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 11:15 PM

keavdog

Worth the wait! Turned out real nice. I have this one in the stash - which paint/color do you use for the props?

Build it! It truly is an amazing kit. The props are a blend of Tamiya paints: XF64:2, XF52:3, and XF58:1. I used an app (iModelKit) to reference a color found on j-aircraft.com, and it developed that mix for me.

Thanks for the comment.

Reply

keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 11:00 PM

Worth the wait! Turned out real nice. I have this one in the stash - which paint/color do you use for the props?

Thanks,

John

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 10:45 PM

Well, after 18 months, I can finally stick a fork in this one. I finished it in March 2019, save a couple details (nav lights and antenna, CMK resin lights and Infini Aero-Rigging, respectively). I finally took some photos tonight, and while they aren't the greatest, I think they get the point across. As mentioned, I tried black-basing, and I'm not a fan. I much prefer the "marbling" technique as seen on my F-6B. Well, without any more jawing, here's the finished pics.

Questions, comments, and constructive criticism welcome. Thanks for looking!

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 12:37 PM

Thanks guys!

Good to see my NE Ohio friends checking in. Wish I could be as prolific of builders as you two!

Hope to have some paint on by this weekend!

Reply

lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Saturday, July 21, 2018 2:05 AM

Good to see you back Max. Congrats on the new arrival to your family. The zero is coming along nicely.

"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

Reply

Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Friday, July 20, 2018 5:28 PM

I feel that your AB technique will overcome any discrepancies. This build looks fantastic, I am looking forward to your next installmen!

Your friend, Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi

Reply

ChrisJH666

Member since
January 2004
From: Brisbane Australia

Posted by ChrisJH666 on Friday, July 20, 2018 4:34 PM

Looking good. Can't wait to see the finished item

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

Chris

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Thursday, July 19, 2018 11:34 PM

Well, it’s been 4 months, but I’ve been working on this in my spare time from helping with my 5-week old daughter. Kids are a lot of work!

Anyway, here’s where I’m at:

I added the details to the ignition ring and the plug wires. I chickened out and only did 14 wires instead of the 28 they actually had. Shh... It can be our secret.

The prop was painted with a special blend to achieve Propeller Brown, according to j-aircraft. I also painted the spinner Testor’s silver with a satin coat, to represent the fact that this was a painted part in real life, not NMF. I think it turned out well, and will also work very well for landing gear and P-51D wings.

Finally, here’s the airframe. I am doing the “black basing” technique again. I’m still on the fence with this technique. I think it looks great with lighter colors, but darker colors hide it, plus I’m not sure how much it messes up the actual color. But we’re going forward anyway!

Next up, bottom color of XF-76! Stay tuned...

Reply

Greatmaker

Member since
April 2013
From: Eleva, Wisconsin

Posted by Greatmaker on Saturday, March 3, 2018 4:45 PM

Pit looks fantastic. I’ve built two of these and every time I go to a model shop I have to fight the great temptation to get a third

Reply

tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Friday, March 2, 2018 11:46 PM

Lovely office and look forward to the rest of this build.

Eric

Reply

BrandonD

Member since
January 2015

Posted by BrandonD on Thursday, March 1, 2018 6:30 PM

That's a great looking kit. I love the cockpit work.

-BD-

Reply

BrandonK

Member since
June 2014

Posted by BrandonK on Thursday, March 1, 2018 9:08 AM

I agree, the pit is fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest come to life.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed

14 / 5 / 2

Reply

lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, March 1, 2018 1:35 AM

Awesome pit! I built this one a few years ago and loved it. I have their A6M3 in my stash which I should drag out one of these days. Nice tid-bit on the pilot. I want to say my 5 was in his markings too, from a Berna decal sheet. These are great decals if you can find them. I look forward to your progress.

"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 11:49 PM

Thanks for the comments, all. Stay tuned for updates this coming week.

Reply

Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 11:33 AM

Fantastic work on the cockpit there.

One of the best kits I've ever built. It's a gem, I bought some aftermarket for mine but didn't even use it, I built mine straight from the box.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

Reply

7474

Member since
December 2002

Posted by 7474 on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 8:22 AM

Looking good, I have the same kit and will be watching your build.

Reply

Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 4:26 AM

Excellent build sir. Looks amazing!

Your friend, Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi

Reply

ChrisJH666

Member since
January 2004
From: Brisbane Australia

Posted by ChrisJH666 on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 3:39 AM

Looking very nice!

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

Chris

Reply

Aggieman

Member since
January 2015
From: Katy, TX

Posted by Aggieman on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 10:32 PM

I am currently building Tamiya's A6M5 in 1/32, and while I have the kit you are building in my stash, I am amazed that level of detail in the smaller scale looks very similar to what they offer in the larger scale.

Nice work so far.

Reply

RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Tamiya 1/48 A6M5a Zero

Posted by RadMax8 on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 10:25 PM

Hello all,

I’ve got the bug. Spitfire is nearly done, should be posting an update soon. While waiting for paint and decals to dry, I’ve started on the nicest kit I’ve ever built... Tamiya’s new Zero. I’ve chosen to represent the plane on the box art, flown by Sadaaki Akamatsu.

He was a legendary Japanese ace, a counterpart to Greg “Pappy” Boyington. His story is worth a read (but don’t let yourself get too carried away!). Unfortunately Akamatsu died of liver disease due to alcoholism.

I have built this kit on commission once before, and was instructed to keep the plane clean. I’m planning on weathering this one tastefully. I’ll also be using some aftermarket goodies, namely an Ultracast seat, Quickboost gun barrels, and Quickboost exhaust. I started where most everyone does... the cockpit.