Here is the last of Jiro Horikoshi's designs. Only a few prototype A7M1's and one production A7M2 were built, due to the 1944 Nagoya earthquake and some persistent bombing by B-29's. None saw service. Reppu is the Japanese name, Hurricane in English, but the code name was just Sam.
What with the the J2M Raiden being a Thunderbolt, seems like the Zero at least could have been called a Thunderstorm! Typhoon?
This is a very nice kit by Fine Molds. I did have some issues with the forward fuselage and cowl as they come in 4 parts with minimal areas to glue in addition to the main fuselage, and the alignment of the cowl is very dependant on how straight the engine is mounted. I'll get it perfect next time if I ever find tha A7M2 kit. THe fit of the upper wings was also a little loose as you move back from the leading edge. A little Epoxysculpt and a wet finger fixed it right up. I painted all the markings and the wing no step lines, and went without the no step text because all I could see of the black text against the dark green was the presence of decal film. I did put decals on the fuel tank caps, the prop, and the gear doors.
Tamiya IJN green on top, Alclad Duralumin under, Mitsubishi interior green inside with details in Nakajima interior green. Gunze propeller color. The kit decal was used on the instrument panel, subdued nicely with Mr. Mark Softer, Eduard seat belts.
With the prototype Zero, Hasegawa A6M1:
The Zero, Jack, and Reppu:
And with the P-47N and F4U-4 added. The Reppu would have been one nasty customer with the engine from the F4U-4.
