One step at a time, so says my new motto!  Actually, those are Mrs. Toshi's words.  So, step by step, I've got half of the cockpit put together.  The other half contains the pilot seat and PE seat belts plus a few other things that I currently don't recognize.  For some reason, I had a little difficulty comprehending the instructions for the cockpit.  There's just too many variances, it's a bit overwhelming, but I must admit it was extremely tedious, time consuming, fun, exciting, and a big surprise!  Why surprised?  I never would have thought that I could put this together.  

I dry fitted the cockpit to the fuselage and it fits like a glove.  I'm pleased with that, I'm crossing my fingers that the rest of the build will be so.  Here is what I have so far, thank you very much forum members.

Toshi

"Cockpit Floor".

"Left and right side attached to the cockpit floor".  (Front View)

(Top View)

(Rear view)

LOL!  The only PE I'll be doing is physical education.  LOL!  Thanks for the visit Modelcrazy.

Toshi

That is really intricate Toshi. Next thing you know you'll be getting into PE.

7/14/15 evening,

Right side and left side cockpit completed.  Now onto the main cockpit.  I'll update any further advancement tomorrow.  Thank you forum members.

Toshi

Left side cockpit, 50% done.

[/URL

[URL=http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/hayn0824/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/FF9208EC-AA56-4040-BA20-AD15A050AFF5_zpsu8mthclq.jpg.html]

As promised, I've finished the right side of the cockpit.  It is not much to show with only two frames.  But I'm finding that with all these tiny microscopic parts, the build is slowly coming together.  I cleaned up the right side cockpit and added the control levers as you can see.  Now my attention is now drawn to the left side cockpit.  Thank you forum members for visiting and replying on this thread.

Toshi

7/13/15 Monday Evening,

As you can see, step three is the assembling of the fuselage.  I felt that the front of the fuselage where it meets the cowling definitely needed to be braced.  A simple tooth pick did the job.  As for the cockpit, that is only the right side, it's half way done.  I'll probably be able to complete the right side sometime tomorrow.  Thank you forum members for following this build!  Here is today's work.

Toshi

Hello Patrick206, thank you so much for the kind words.  The AB can be fun and challenging at times.  Lots of maintenance and lots of cleaning as well.  LOL!  But it's worth it!

Toshi

To Jay Jay,

The kit is a little crazy and yet, very fun also.  Takes awhile to decipher what the drawing is about.

Thank you for following this build and the others that I have completed in the past.  

Your friend,

Toshi

Hi, Toshi - Looks like you have the Tamiya paint and your airbrush dialed in. The finish looks just great, and your careful building with the "one step at a time" method is serving you well. Every day we see how your many projects proceed, having as a member is a welcome treat. You're making great progress and are already a very good builder.

Now take a break, go get a black coffee and a doughnut. (Make mine an apple fritter, please.)

Patrick

What a cool kit and what a beautiful job you're doing on it so far Toshi.  I'm excited for you and for your next updates.  I'm following your build closely ( as Always my friend )

To Greg,

LOL!  Yes, and let's not forget, Wally, Ward, June, and my peeps, Eddie Haskell!  Thank you for the look.

Toshi

To Gamera,

Oh nooooo!  Free DONUTS for me is better, and black coffee!  Yum!  Thank you for the read and yummy reply.

Toshi

To modelcrazy,

No, the tail wheel attaches to the silver coupling.  Hopefully it works.  Thanks for the look.

Thanks,

Toshi

Wow. Leave it to Tamiya. (and Beaver, I suppose)

 Retractable arresting hook..... 

Whoa... 

That sounds almost as cool as free donuts... 

What a cool looking gizmo thereToshi.

So let me get this straight. If the tail wheel is retracted, the tailhook extends? If not, what is that little wedge button in front of the tail wheel gear?

Either way, that is so cool, I'm so jealous right now.

To modelcrazy, Gamera, and Greg,

Thank you for the visit and the replies.  I'm glad that I waited for the Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green.  I do agree with you gentlemen, it looks great.  As you can see, the majority of the interior parts are minuscule at best.  I'm so happy that I purchased the magna-visor.  Yeah, I can see!  

The assembly of the fuselage was a pleasure to put together, everything went like clock work.  The only interesting item was the components that made up the retractable arresting hook.  You'll see it below among today's build.  

Toshi

The dry fit of the fuselage did not need any white adhesive nor tape.  It almost went together like a snaptite kit.  LOL!

These are the components that make up the retractable arresting hook.  The blue tube consist of Tamiya grease.  It was needed for the spring loaded mechanism.

Paraphrasing one of my father's favorite sayings, If you don't like how Tamiya lays down through your airbrush, you don't like NUTHIN!.

I agree on the interior green, looks good.

Coming along nicely Toshi!

That looks like a perfect interior green Toshi.

I forgot to add this.

Below, is the left side of the fuselage.  It took me four hours just to get this far, right now I'm looking at the cockpit and it looks cool yet scary!  LOL!  One step at a time.

Toshi

The assembly of the Zero is much more difficult for me then the Tamiya 1:32 Corsair and Mustang.  At least that's what it seems to me in my humble opinion.  

To BrandonK,

Wow, this is a huge amount of information, thank you.  This is the first time I'm using Tamiya paints, it's a bit of experimenting for me, so far I really like Tamiya paints.  The XF-71 cockpit green (IJN) looks really nice.  As for accuracy, I highly agree with your statement.  Thank you BrandonK, for all you do.  I really appreciate it.

Toshi

To Greg,

Your welcome!  This kit has a lot of things that are going on, especially the cockpit.  One step at a time.  Thanks for the visit.

Toshi

Thank you modelcrazy for the insight.  There's so much information out there it's had to try pick the ones that are accurate.  Thank you for the read, reply, and these wonderful photos.

Toshi

Toshi,

You'll find alot of conflicting info on what color the Zero, inside and out, is supposed to be. Most of this is personal preference and not based on fact. To this day, no one really knows for sure exactly what the color was, so you kinda gotta go with what you feel is best to meet your own personal desires. I spent a great deal of time researching my Zero and settled on the Tamiya Grey Green XF-76 and the Mr Color Cowling Color #125, which is a black with a blue tinge. The cockpit I used Tamiya XF-71 slightly darkened with a black base and light coat to allow it to show through a bit.

Overall, everyone has their own opinion on how it should look and you are just gonna have to settle for what you feel is best. I even went so far as to have a lengthy conversation with a gentleman who had researched this for some 30+ years. I still felt like I had to guess on the colors. Keep in mind that many of the restored planes you see photos of are also just another guess. Paint this thing as YOU see best and enjoy the process. I don't think we will ever settle on any one EXACT color for the Zero.

Here is a link you can check out. I found the images very helpful.

modelingmadness.com/earlya6mcolors.htm

Good luck,

BK

Looking forward to watching this one, Toshi. Looks like a great kit, and thanks for the peek inside the box.

Mr Toshi,

Those are some nice pics Mrs Toshi downloaded for you, just make sure while your looking, the pictures of the real plane aren't of an AT6 modified to look like a Zero, and done very well too (the wings, gear and cowl are quick giveaways). Those are owned by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and were used to great extent in TV and movies. The have since purchased a real flyable A6M for their inventory. There are VERY few flying Zero's, maybe 2 I think. I could be wrong though.
The cockpit picture looks to be correct. Probably off the plane below.

Actual Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Zero at the Reno Air Races in 2013.

I have a story about the AT6 Zeros, if your interested.

After I graduated High School, I wanted to be an aircraft mechanic. So I attended an 18 mo school in Waco Tx in 1979-1980.
Well in August 1980, here comes this massive hurricane called Allen into the gulf coast. Since the Commemorative Air Force (Confederate Air Force at that time) was located in Brownsville Texas, right on the coast then, they needed to move their inventory to safer ground. The CAF spread all their planes to different locations, and our airport received their "Japanese" squadron.
Well I was walking out of a hanger at the field and heard the sound of several radial engines flying overhead. When I looked, I saw several "Zeros" flying overhead and and peeling off for a landing, and thought of what the guys at Pearl must have felt. I was so excited! I couldn't believe my luck to see those planes up close.

Steve