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

tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Saturday, January 23, 2016 11:33 PM

Those are looking really good.

Eric

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BrandonK

Member since
June 2014

Posted by BrandonK on Saturday, January 23, 2016 11:33 PM

Superb. They just look great together.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed

14 / 5 / 2

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Greatmaker

Member since
April 2013
From: Eleva, Wisconsin

Posted by Greatmaker on Saturday, January 23, 2016 9:31 PM

Those look terrific. I really like building zeros. I've made four but yours put mine to shame. I'm going to have to try the alcohol before the model master primer. I've had terrible luck with that stuff peeling down to the bare plastic. Not to mention I bought a ton of it when I started modeling and used very little.

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:13 PM

RobGroot4

Man those look great. Is the chipping on the decals drybrushed paint?

Groot

Hello Groot,

Thanks for your comment, much appreciated! No, the chipping is the first application of silver paint beneath the color paint. I used the "Hairspray Technique" to chip the top paint away to reveal the silver beneath.

Sorry for my very, very late reply!!

Cheers Smile

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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Greg

Member since
May 2013
From: Indiana, USA

Posted by Greg on Friday, June 12, 2015 7:17 PM

That is some seriously nice workmanship, Martin.

Thanks for a great WIP thread, mate!

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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Friday, June 12, 2015 5:04 PM

Hello Guys, Below are the images of my "Final Reveal" for the two Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zeros (Zekes) that I built side by side, with one finished in the IJN Green Upper and Grey lower and one finished in the all over IJN Grey/Green. This build had a few firsts for me: 1) First time building Japanese Aircraft 2) First time using Johnson's Pledge/Klear Acrylic floor shine to see how I personally feel about it compared to the Model Masters clear coats that I have always used without issue since starting modeling in January 2014. 3) First time attempting heavy chipping using the "Hairspray Technique" on the IJN Green version only. After the images, I will include some notes regarding this build; my opinions of the kit in terms of quality, cost, value for money etc and any points to look out for if you decide to buy and build this kit. I hope you like the following views! Plane #1: 261st Air Group (Tiger Corps), Kagoshima Base, February 1944

Plane #2 Petty Officer 1st Class Saburo Sakai, Tainan Air Group, Denpasar Base, Bali Island, February 1942

And, some photos of both versions side by side for contrast and comparison:

These are Tamiya's kit # 61016 that is the 2007 Type 21 version release. This kit was re-tooled in 2008 and updated a couple of times since then with new parts and decals. This kit is available from Scalehobbyist.com for only $10.84, about 7.00 quid in the UK, here is the link to their page: https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Model_Aircraft/a6m2-type-21-zero/TAM00061016/product.php?s=0&t=0&u=0&micr=148&pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&era=0,6&man=TAM The kit comes with a reasonably detailed cockpit, that has a decal for the instrument panel and a decently detailed radial engine. There are options to have the undercarriage up or down, the canopy closed or open and decals for 5 different markings; I modeled one with the canopy closed and one with the canopy open. The undercarriage is sturdy and nicely detailed, too. A 8 page black and white assembly/instruction booklet is included that is clearly detailed with part numbers, decal numbers and Tamiya paint numbers. The decals are typical Tamiya which I expected to have some breaking issues with, as I have with other Tamiya kits, but fortunately, these decals went down excellently adhering to recessed and raised details nicely. The parts are very crisp and cleanly molded with no ejector pin witness marks on visible areas, no warp, no flash and no aberrations on the clear molded parts. The exterior surfaces of the plane come with recessed panel lines. Scores out of 10: Packaging: The kit comes in a sturdy two part box- lower and lid format, the grey sprues are packaged in one polythene bag and the clear parts are packaged in a separate clear polythene bag that is within the larger bag. The lid has nice artwork on the front and the two longer sides show two of the five different markings available, one in the IJN Green and one in the IJN grey/Green. Score: 9/10 Quality of Molded Product: 10/10 Quality of Molded Details: 9/10 Engineering Fits: I had no issues with this kit, everything went together well and no need for filler anywhere! Score: 10/10 Quality of Decals: - it's a bonus to have enough decals for 5 different markings! Score: 9/10 Quality of Instruction/Assembly Booklet: It would be much better if Tamiya included color pages for the painting and decaling sheets and provide other paint manufacturers conversion colors instead of just their own paints. Score: 8/10 Value For Money: 10/10 Enjoyment Value: 9/10 You can also see my "Build Update" videos on my YouTube channel; here are the links for the 3 "Build Update" videos: Build Update #1 Video: https://youtu.be/PBuSMyQB9bY Build Update #2 Video: https://youtu.be/t96YKuENSL8 Build Update #3 Video: https://youtu.be/3Ecg5wrLr0o And, to go with these "Final Reveal" photos, here is the link to my "Final Reveal" video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bGDtOdc3sVg Thanks to everyone who has followed this build thread both on here and on YouTube, and, for leaving kind and encouraging comments, it's greatly appreciated! :) :thumb1: Now, what should I build next? Hmmmmmmm..... Have a great weekend! 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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UKguyInUSA

Member since
April 2015
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by UKguyInUSA on Friday, June 12, 2015 4:52 PM

Final Reveal coming soon...

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, June 11, 2015 9:30 PM

Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (Zeke) (x2) "Build Update #4" It's been a week since my last update, but I have completed both of these Zeros! But, before I reveal them, the following is the work that I did to them since my last update and up to their completion: After the last gloss clear coat had dried, it was time to start weathering both planes. I started off on the lighter colored plane with a pin-wash:

I then applied a dark dirt wash to the dark green plane:

After the washes, another clear coat was applied to seal them in, then when that had dried, I applied a light color filter to tone down the decals and to provide some highlights on various areas of each plane:

I then added exhaust stains to both planes using a mix of Model Masters brown and black acrylic washes and some graphite dust scraped from the tip of a 6B pencil:

When the exhaust stains were complete, I then moved onto adding fuel, oil and dirt streaks:

When I felt happy with what had been completed so far, I then sealed everything with the final Matt/Flat clear coat. I used Model Masters, which has always been a great clear coat for me on all of my models since starting modeling on January 2014:

When the final flat coat had dried, I removed the temporarily located undercarriage doors, and painted the inside of those and the wheel wells a metallic blue. I used a mix of Tamiya X-11 Chrome Silver and X-4 Blue. When that had dried, I applied a gloss clear coat, let that dry then applied a dirt wash:

Next, I painted the canopies, starting with a black base coat followed by the external color for each plane. I decided to use the full closed canopy for the light grey/green plane and the 3 section open/sliding canopy for the dark green version. When the canopies were complete, I assembled the internal aerials before assembling the canopies into place:

With the canopies and aerials in place, it was now time to focus on the underneath of each plane. I therefore assembled the wheel assemblies and fitted those into place, along with the rear wheels. I also fitted the long range fuel/drop tanks onto the underside of each fuselage:

With the wheels and drop tanks in place, all that was left to do to complete both planes was to glue the pitot tubes, aileron counterbalance weights and upper side limiters in place, then using some EZ-Line attach the antennas. Whilst super-gluing the antenna cables into place, I discovered that both aerials were very delicate, they both snapped in the process! I therefore had to super-glue the broken halves together, but it left a slight bulge/witness that was difficult to try and smooth out without re-breaking the aerials, so, I had to live with what was. Anyway, that's it for this final build update; the "Final Reveal" photos will be released soon. Thanks to those that have followed this build both on here and on my YouTube account, and for the kind and encouraging comments, it is greatly appreciated! Until the "Final Reveal", take care and have a great weekend! :) 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, June 11, 2015 9:13 PM

They truly are Crockett and only $10.84 from Salehobbyist.com! Great value for money kits! : )

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, June 11, 2015 9:10 PM

Thanks Lee, greatly appreciated! : )

My photo techniques are very basic...I use a white table beneath a window for natural daylight and set my digital camera to "auto" and click away. A lot of people take photos against cluttered backgrounds?! With a clear bright background, it makes a huge difference.

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, June 11, 2015 9:07 PM

Thanks Gamera, 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, June 11, 2015 9:06 PM

Thanks Mississippivol, much appreciated! No, I had no problems at all with those fits and I didn't need to use filler anywhere on either plane!

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, June 11, 2015 9:04 PM

Thanks BV 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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RobGroot4

Member since
June 2013

Posted by RobGroot4 on Friday, June 5, 2015 4:58 PM

Man those look great. Is the chipping on the decals drybrushed paint?

Groot

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

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Friday, June 5, 2015 2:30 PM

Beautiful work, the pre-shading and paint chipping look perfect. And your figures ain't too shabby either!

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

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crockett

Member since
April 2004
From: The cornfields of Ohio

Posted by crockett on Friday, June 5, 2015 2:16 PM

These Tamiya Zeke kits are so much fun, simple and beautiful...

img.photobucket.com/.../zero6.jpg

Tigers no Lions, no Bears...OH MY

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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!!!

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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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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 4:03 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 4:01 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 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 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 3:57 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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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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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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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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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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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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