Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2)

UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2)

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Sunday, May 24, 2015 5:43 PM

Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2) "Build Update #1" Hello Guys, This is my latest build that I started a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had the time to jump on here and post my build progress, until now. So, here goes.... I've decided to build two A6M2's at the same time, so that I can model one in the Aircraft carrier based all over Japanese Navy Grey/Green color and one in the ground based Japanese Navy Green upper and the Japanese Navy Grey lower. The Grey/Green version will have little chipping, but the Green version will have heavy chipping. The chipping will be done by using the "hairspray" technique. These will be my 18th and 19th model builds since starting modeling in January 2014, and, they will be my first ever attempts at Japanese WWII aircraft, so, I've been looking forward to doing these. Anyway, that's enough of the introduction, let's get on with the build..... As always, I start my builds by washing the sprues in warm soapy water...

Next, I assembled both drop tanks, one for each plane...

I then put all the small parts onto cocktail sticks in preparation for painting...

All parts were then taken to the spray booth for airbrushing a black base coat onto....

When the black base coat was dry, I then airbrushed Cockpit Interior Green onto the fuselage interiors and onto the cockpit tub parts....

I then made a start on detailing the cockpit tub and added the instrument panel decals, then assembled the separate parts to form the tub....

I then started on the radial engine parts and cowlings, and assembled them when the paint was dry...

It was now time to assemble the cockpit tubs into the starboard side fuselage halves and then assemble the portside fuselage halves onto the starboard side...

It was now time to assemble the wings and horizontal stabilizers onto both planes...

Followed by assembling the starboard side upper wing sections, then the portside upper wing sections, taping the wings to set the dihedral and to hold them in place whilst the glue set. I then glued the horizontal stabilizers into position...

When the glue had set, I removed the tape and checked both planes to see how they looked so far...

Well, that's it for the first update. Next, I will prepare the planes for priming and applying paint. Thanks in advance for taking a look and commenting, much appreciated and in the meantime, if you'd like to watch my "Build Update #1" video on YouTube, here is the link for that: [youtube]PBuSMyQB9bY[/youtube] Cheers, :cheers2: Martin :)

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Monday, May 25, 2015 12:27 AM

Looking great Martin. I look forward to your progress.

Joe

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

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BrandonD

Member since
January 2015

Posted by BrandonD on Monday, May 25, 2015 2:01 AM

Great start, Joe. You're a machine!

I can't wait to see how these turn out.

-BD-

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Jay Jay

Member since
August 2013

Posted by Jay Jay on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 8:47 AM

I enjoy your W.I.P. and thank you for posting.

That interior color looks perfect, is that Model Master ?

I see you haven't lost your English accent yet...whilst ? LOL

I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Thursday, May 28, 2015 10:20 AM

Thanks, Joe, greatly appreciated! :)

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Thursday, May 28, 2015 10:21 AM

Thanks Brandon, much appreciated!

Cheers,

Martin :)

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Thursday, May 28, 2015 10:32 AM

Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2) "Build Update #2" Okay, so I got more done on the two Mitsubishi A6M2 Zeros and I'm just getting around to posting the progress. Following on from where I left off in update #1, I began to prepare the two planes for priming. First, I masked the wheel well by temporarily sticking the wheel bay doors in place with putty:

I then used damp tissue to mask inside the cockpit areas and then cleaned both planes and their drop tanks with Isopropyl Alcohol:

When the alcohol had evaporated from the plane surfaces, I then primed them and their drop tanks with Model Masters Grey Primer and when that had dried, I checked everything to see how they looked, and, all looked okay:

Next, I airbrushed silver all over one plane that I intend to have heavy chipping and silver onto the leading edges of the wings, horizontal stabilizer, rudder and around the cockpit fuselages surfaces and wing root areas of the second plane:

When the silver paint was dry, this was all sealed in with a clear coat of "Pledge" (Future) which was my first time using this product and this build is an experiment to see what I feel about using this product compared to the Model Masters clear coats that I have always used without issues since I started modeling in January 2014:

When the clear coat had dried, it was then time to airbrush a couple of thin coats of hairspray onto the silver surfaces in preparation for applying the "Hairspray Chipping" technique later in this build. I decanted Hairspray into my airbrush cup, then sprayed it onto the planes and drop tanks:

When the hairspray had dried, I then pre-shaded both planes and their drop tanks with thinned down Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black:

Okay, with the pre-shading applied and dry, it was time to airbrush the camo colors onto the planes and drop tanks. I started by airbrushing the Japanese Navy Grey, Tamiya XF-12 toned down with around 20% XF-2 Flat White onto the underside of one of the planes and a drop tank:

I then added more white to what was left in the airbrush cup and then airbrushed some highlights on top of what I had just airbrushed, to produce some tonal variations:

While that was drying, I took the second plane and drop tank and airbrushed them all over with the one color cam scheme using Tamiya XF-76 Japanese navy Grey/Green, again, toned down with around 20% Tamiya XF-2 Flat White:

Again, I added more white to what was left in the airbrush cup to create some highlights on top of what was previously airbrushed:

Now that the second plane was completed with its camo color, I went back to the first plane and masked it to airbrush the upper side with Tamiya XF-11 Japanese Navy Green toned down around 20% with Tamiya XF-2 Flat White:

Again, I added more white to what was left in the airbrush cup and airbrushed highlights in places to provide tonal variations:

When this was dry, I then checked how both planes and drop tanks looked, and so far, I thought they were looking good:

I then decided to glue the radial engine and cowling assemblies onto the fronts of both planes:

After doing that, I painted the areas around the cockpit on top of the fuselage that are seen through the canopies- Interior Cockpit green behind the seat and black for the anti-glare in front of the cockpit. I then painted the leather color onto the seat headrests, chipped one of the propellers and temporarily located it onto the front of its corresponding plane. After that, I thought that I'd gone far enough for this update #2 and therefore, I took some photos at different angles to look at everything in closer detail (and for you guys to take a look at, too!):

Then finally, I took a couple of images of both planes side by side for comparison:

So, that's it for this update guys. I haven't done much since this was done last Friday because of the Memorial Day weekend Holidays and having family here from Florida until they leave tomorrow afternoon (May 29th). I should be able to get back onto these planes this coming weekend...I'm starting to get withdrawals! :P Thanks for following this build along and for your comments so far, both on here and on my YouTube videos for this build. And, if you'd like to watch my "Build Update #2" YouTube video for this update, here is the link to that: [youtube]t96YKuENSL8[/youtube] Happy modeling and have fun, Cheers :cheers2: Martin :)

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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Buckeye

Member since
February 2007
From: Brunswick, Ohio

Posted by Buckeye on Thursday, May 28, 2015 11:20 AM

Very nice work and WIP thread.

Mike

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Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Thursday, May 28, 2015 11:42 AM

That's a terrific step by step presentation, great work as well. X2

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

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Jay Jay

Member since
August 2013

Posted by Jay Jay on Thursday, May 28, 2015 2:07 PM

TY for the w.i.p. I'm learning a lot from you. You're quite a good hand with the airbrush a skill I have yet to master.

I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

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JOE RIX

Member since
August 2009
From: MOAB, UTAH

Posted by JOE RIX on Thursday, May 28, 2015 7:43 PM

Each of your Zeros are turning out excellent. Very sharp paint work indeed. And your step by step WIP is superb. This was the very first kit that I built 6 yrs ago when I returned to the hobby following about a 30 yr. hiatus. Needless to say mine don't look nothing like that. Thank you for sharing your fine skills with us.

Joe

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

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RobGroot4

Member since
June 2013

Posted by RobGroot4 on Friday, May 29, 2015 3:09 AM

These really look excellent. I'm interested to see how the hairspray method works out. Thank you for all the tips.

Groot

"Firing flares while dumping fuel may ruin your day" SH-60B NATOPS

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bvallot

Member since
June 2013

Posted by bvallot on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:20 AM

Great thread here UKguy. =] I'm still looking for a way to do paint chipping better. I think that's a pretty universal concept among guys in forums like these. I'm looking forward to your video. Things like that are better suited to be seen in action.

Thanks for sharing. =]

On the bench:

Tamiya F4U-1 Kenneth Walsh

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mississippivol

Member since
November 2003
From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)

Posted by mississippivol on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:24 AM

Those kits are coming along nicely. Looks like you had no problems with the wing to fuselage fit like I had.

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Friday, May 29, 2015 2:27 PM

You're making great progress, sharp work!

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

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M. Brindos

Member since
January 2015
From: Tumwater, WA.

Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, May 30, 2015 1:24 AM

That is some really excellent work. I can't imagine doing two at the same time lol. Bravo so far.

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 3:57 PM

Thanks Jay Jay, much appreciated!

Yes, it is Model Masters Interior Green and Green Zinc Chromate mixed together to get that shade.

I've been here for 15 1/2 years and I don't want to lose my accent, because the American ladies love it! It's gotten me in trouble in the past, in a good way of course...."Yeah baby"!!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 3:58 PM

Thanks, Mike, greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 3:59 PM

Thanks Toshi, greatly appreciated mate!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 4:01 PM

You're welcome Jay Jay! I started using the airbrush last year..14 months so far. My first couple of builds didn't look very good where I airbrushed the paint too hard and thick and left lumps on the surface of the plane. But, I'd just started out modeling and threw myself into the deep end with an airbrush!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 4:03 PM

Thanks for your very kind words Joe greatly appreciated! After 6 yrs of building, I'm sure you'd make an excellent job of a Zero now?!

I started modeling last year.

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 4:04 PM

Thanks Rob, Greatly appreciated! I've just finished applying the chipping an will be posting my "Build Update #3" report shortly.

Cheers,

Martin : )

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 4:18 PM

Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2) "Build Update #3" Well, it's been a week since I posted my last update for these two Zeros, but I managed to get a bit more done. Since my last "Build Update #2" report the following progress has been completed: First, I masked the leading edges on the wings of the Zero that is painted in the IJN Green upper, in preparation for painting the yellow bands on them. I then brush painted thin coats of Tamiya XF-3 Yellow on, allowed it to dry a little then removed the masking tape to check how it looked;

Next, using wet Q-Tips/Cotton Buds, I wetted the areas on the IJN grey/green painted model to activate the hairspray beneath the paint, which in turn helps the paint to be chipped/peeled away to expose the silver paint beneath. I decided to do light chipping on this plane....

...and heavier chipping on the plane painted in the IJN dark green upper:

Next, I sealed the chipping in on both planes and drop tanks with a clear coat prior to beginning the decaling:

Once the clear coat had dried, overnight, I began the decaling, starting with the IJN Grey/Green plane....

....and followed by the IJN Dark Green Upper plane:

When the decal had set, I then applied some more chipping to the Upper Dark Green plane to make the decals look worn and battered, too:

I then sealed everything in with another clear coat prior to commencing to applying the pin washes, dirty washes, filters, oil, fuel and dirt streaks:

While those clear coats were drying, I moved onto painting the 4 crew figures, two for each plane, that come with the kits; two standing pilots and two seated pilots;

And, that was the end of my work for this update, but I took a few more photos of what had been completed on both planes so far;

I then put the planes side by side for a couple of comparison shots;

So, where do I go from here? Well, first I will apply a oil pin-wash to highlight the recessed panel lines, followed by a dirty wash. I will then seal those in with a clear coat and when that is dry, I will add a color filter and maybe some highlights and lowlights, blend in the decals and create exhaust, oil, fuel and dirt stains. When all of that is done, I will mask and paint the canopies, remove the temporarily located undercarriage doors and paint the insides of them, along with the wheel wells, a metallic blue color. When that is dry, I will do a final assembly and then airbrush a dull clear coat over both planes to finish them off, and the final small items will be assembled, such as the antenna cable, pitot tubes and aileron counter balance weights to complete this build. My next update will be the "Final Reveal", so until then, thanks for following this build thread and for your kind encouraging comments, much appreciated! In the meantime, if you'd like to watch my YouTube "Build Update #3" video for this report, then here is the link to that: https://youtu.be/3Ecg5wrLr0o Until the "Final Reveal", have fun and happy modeling! :) Cheers! Martin

Cheers :)

Martin

Link to my YouTube Modeling Cannel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHdyW0iN5_YXCdLEhgFqA?disable_polymer=true

Link to my Facebook Modeling Page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBritishModeler/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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leemitcheltree

Member since
January 2003
From: Washington State

Posted by leemitcheltree on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 6:17 PM

Wow...outstanding builds.....but.....what really sets it apart from most modeling journeys is the quality of the photography. Great pics of two great little models. Your step-by-step pics are a fantastic training aid for anyone else who wants to lift their game and replicate your builds.

All too often, outstanding builds are let down by average pics.

Do you have any tips for your photography techniques? Camera? Lighting? Setup? Background used? Color balance adjustments?

I can't wait to see them finished.

Thanks for sharing, mate!

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!