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

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. 

Nikola

Very nice work Hoss! Well done!

 

Best,

Nikola

 

Thanks Nikola! Much appreciated. 

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!

Very nice work Hoss! Well done!

Best,

Nikola

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. 

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.

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. 

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! 

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. 

Chemteacher

Beautiful job. Nicely done.

 

Thanks chemteacher. 

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

DM1975

I think it looks really good! 

 

Thanks DM!

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!

I think it looks really good! 

TigerII

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

 

Thanks Tiger II. Much appreciated. 

jeaton01

Whatever the hassles it's a great looking Zero!

 

Thanks John!

plasticjunkie

That is one beautiful model, well done.

 

Thanks plasticjunkie. Much appreciated. 

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. 

mrmike

Outstanding!

 

Thanks Mike!

Mopar Madness

Oh wow.  She's a beauty Hoss!

 

Thanks Chad! 

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

Whatever the hassles it's a great looking Zero!

That is one beautiful model, well done.