1/48 Tamiya A6M5 Zero, 652nd Fighter Group, June 1944 (Complete)

Looking good. The learning about what you are building a replica of is the part of the hobby that I like the most... ever go to j-aircraft.com?

Nice work on the cockpi! I have this one in my build pile too. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

looking good on a real nice kit.

cbaltrin

Looking good. The learning about what you are building a replica of is the part of the hobby that I like the most... ever go to j-aircraft.com?

 

Thanks cbaltrin. Agreed. Thanks for the j-aircraft reference. I'll check it out. 

DM1975

Nice work on the cockpi! I have this one in my build pile too. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

Thanks DM1975!

crown r n7

looking good on a real nice kit.

 

Thanks crown -- much appreciated. 

Nice!  I'm building their newer tooled A6M3 now.  These are some of Tamiya's best.  I wish they'd retool the Model 21 with these molds.  I like your seat belts.  Are those photoetch?

lawdog114

Nice!  I'm building their newer tooled A6M3 now.  These are some of Tamiya's best.  I wish they'd retool the Model 21 with these molds.  I like your seat belts.  Are those photoetch?

 

Thanks. I'm impressed with the kit so far - perfect fit and excellent detail. Thanks on the seatbelts -- they are photoetch from Tamiya's "detail up" kit for the Zero. 

The main build is now complete along with the main painting. No issues to speak of with the build. Perfect fit and minimal cleanup. I can see why people love this kit. 

Mr. Finishing Surfacer was applied as the primer. Tamiya AS-2 (IJN Light gray) for the underside and AS-21 (IJN Dark Green 2) for the topside were applied after decanting from the rattle cans. Plenty of fading and shading was also applied. The topside photo below shows the fading and shading before blending with a thin coat of the base color. 

The Aotake metallic blue-green was painted with Tamiya paints per the call outs and really pops.

A couple of coats of Tamiya X-22 and MCLT and it's ready for decals. 

My rendition of A6M5 Zero 320-85/3 from the carrier Junyo during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 is now complete. 

Since the last update, decals were applied followed by another gloss coat, a Flory wash of dark dirt, a couple coats of Dullcote and final weathering and assembly. 

I will likely avoid decanting Tamiya rattle cans in the future and instead opt for Mr. Color or MRP versions of the colors. Perhaps it was my technique, pressure or thinner ratio, but I couldn't get a smooth finish with this paint. As a result, I applied a 2nd gloss coat for decals, when I usually only apply one. Unfortunately I created some pooling and other lumps and blobs that needed to get sanded out. 

And I didn't listen...The Tamiya kit decals are too thick for my taste but for some reason I went with them. I'll mask or use aftermarket decals in the future. 

All in all, I'm happy with the result. This machine has a real menacing look -- what a beast. Enjoy the photos and thanks for looking. 

Oh wow.  She's a beauty Hoss!

Outstanding!

 Really nice.  I think I'll pick up one of these.  I like the fading technique you applied.

That is one beautiful model, well done.

Whatever the hassles it's a great looking Zero!

That is a great looking Zero. Your weathering technique really put it over the top.

Mopar Madness

Oh wow.  She's a beauty Hoss!

 

Thanks Chad! 

mrmike

Outstanding!

 

Thanks Mike!

wpwar11

 Really nice.  I think I'll pick up one of these.  I like the fading technique you applied.

 

Thanks wpwar11. I definitely recommend the kit. 

plasticjunkie

That is one beautiful model, well done.

 

Thanks plasticjunkie. Much appreciated. 

jeaton01

Whatever the hassles it's a great looking Zero!

 

Thanks John!

TigerII

That is a great looking Zero. Your weathering technique really put it over the top.

 

Thanks Tiger II. Much appreciated. 

I think it looks really good! 

Hoss,

Beautiful job on your A6M5. I built this kit about 10 years ago for a commission job, and I liked it so much I built it again when I got my hobby area set up in my new place. May have to build it again to do it more justice! This is probably one of the premier kits in 1/48 in my opinion. 

Regarding Tamiya's decals, I've often had the same problem you outline, the decals are too thick*! Or so I thought. I've heard a good trick on how to use these decals.
Step 1- go to your local craft store armed with a coupon.

Step 2- buy a candle warmer and a glass jar to set on it. Use this for the water. 
Step 3- wait til the water gets hot. 

Step 4- soak the decal for a good while

Step 5- apply as normal. 

From what I understand, the "thick* decals" actually have a thicker adhesive, and the warm/hot water helps soften it. In my limited experience, the hot water does help. Give it a go sometime!

Very nice model, thanks for sharing!

DM1975

I think it looks really good! 

 

Thanks DM!

RadMax8

Hoss,

Beautiful job on your A6M5. I built this kit about 10 years ago for a commission job, and I liked it so much I built it again when I got my hobby area set up in my new place. May have to build it again to do it more justice! This is probably one of the premier kits in 1/48 in my opinion. 

Regarding Tamiya's decals, I've often had the same problem you outline, the decals are too thick*! Or so I thought. I've heard a good trick on how to use these decals.
Step 1- go to your local craft store armed with a coupon.

Step 2- buy a candle warmer and a glass jar to set on it. Use this for the water. 
Step 3- wait til the water gets hot. 

Step 4- soak the decal for a good while

Step 5- apply as normal. 

From what I understand, the "thick* decals" actually have a thicker adhesive, and the warm/hot water helps soften it. In my limited experience, the hot water does help. Give it a go sometime!

Very nice model, thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks Radmax - and thanks for the pointers on the Tamiya decals. Makes sense - I'll give it a shot.

Hot water defiitely helps Tamiya decals and others that seem stiff, for instance Roden decals.  I have an electric carafe that I keep on my bench and try to keep the water around 140 degrees.  I keep refilling and dumping the water in the little tray I use to soak the decals.