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

Looks fantastic.  I've got a couple of Japanese aircraft in the stash - haven't done one since I was 18 or so.  Really like the finish you developed - top notch.

Beautiful photos Hoss. That's a nice set up. And excellent work here. Tamiya makes a great zero but their decals are definitely leaving room for improvement. You seem to have tamed them well enough here. I can't really see much wrong with it. That green has a lot of life to it as well. 

 Very cool Hoss. Thanks for sharing. 

jeaton01

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.

 

Thanks for the tip jeaton. Good idea!

Chemteacher

Beautiful job. Nicely done.

 

Thanks chemteacher. 

lawdog114

Beauty work Hoss. Have you considered AK Real Colors? They go down smooth as glass, no pebbling, and they look accurate to me. You could also paint on your markings with Montex masks. I started doing this years ago and haven't turned back. Regardless, that Zeke looks great.

 

Thanks lawdog. I use AK real colors now and then and agree on all points. I've used Montex masks a couple of times for RAF markings when I'm concerned about color matching but have not made the full switch. I'll keep experimenting. Thanks. 

keavdog

Looks fantastic.  I've got a couple of Japanese aircraft in the stash - haven't done one since I was 18 or so.  Really like the finish you developed - top notch.

 

Thanks keavdog! 

bvallot

Beautiful photos Hoss. That's a nice set up. And excellent work here. Tamiya makes a great zero but their decals are definitely leaving room for improvement. You seem to have tamed them well enough here. I can't really see much wrong with it. That green has a lot of life to it as well. 

 Very cool Hoss. Thanks for sharing. 

 

Thanks bvallot. Much appreciated. 

Hoss WA

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. 

 

 

Stunning finnish, Hoss! I love the photorealism you manage to achieve. Sadly I lack such skills. I'll have to work on that lol.

M. Brindos

  

Stunning finnish, Hoss! I love the photorealism you manage to achieve. Sadly I lack such skills. I'll have to work on that lol.

 

Thanks! Much appreciated. I've been trying to improve the photography of these birds in their natural habitat. Glad you like it. Thanks again. 

Very nice work Hoss! Well done!

Best,

Nikola

I built this when it first came out, finished it as a captured aircraft in us markings. Its a great kit and you did a fantastic job. Love that paint job!

Nikola

Very nice work Hoss! Well done!

 

Best,

Nikola

 

Thanks Nikola! Much appreciated. 

waikong

I built this when it first came out, finished it as a captured aircraft in us markings. Its a great kit and you did a fantastic job. Love that paint job!

 

Thanks for the nice comments, waikong! Your website is fantastic -- and I really like your captured version. Cool scheme.