Dragster build Doug :) nicely done in this old zero tool !

Gentleman,

As far as I know, Tamiya released only two of the new tooled zeros, so far.  One can see by the parts breakdown, that there others planned.  The two are a A6M5, Model 52, and an A6M3a, Model 32 (?).

I would LOVE to see an A6M2 Model 11 or 22 myself....or a "Hamp".  

But I have to say also, even the older kits from the 1970's are still pretty good, and with a little detail work here and there, can be built into quite a fine looking model.

The kits from the 70's should run about $15-$18, while the newer kits are closer to the $45 range.

The 1:72 kit is freaking awesome by the way, and I can only hope they make her in 1:48 scale.  

Just my 2 cents!!

Freddie, (Fjs3)

Has Tamiya ever retooled or released a new tool of their A6m2 Zero in 1/48?

Again, looking at Scalemates timeline, their 1/48 was first introduced in 1973:

https://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=120375

I have in the stash their most recent 1/72, it's a real gem.

regards,

Jack

Doug - great job on the Lindberg Zero.  

I've seen that orange bottom profile before, but never looked more into it - I 'm guessing it's assigned as a trainer?  Takes me back a number of decades building Lindberg kits in 1/72, and I don't think I made any in 1/48.   Looking at Scalemates timeline, the kit is from the late 50's?

https://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=192539

regards,

Jack

Doug: Just put you down on the front page and I see you've got your badge- again nice model and big congrads!

If you're looking for more Japanese subjects in 1/48th as Fjs3 stated a page back the Hasegawa kits are really nice and the new Tamiya Zero is just gorgeous- pricey but one of the best kits I've ever built (or almost build- I messed up the decals and she's sitting in a box about 90% complete).

For something a little cheaper and simpler I love the old Otaki kits. I don't think they're in production anymore but I found a pile of them on ebay. Some are way over-priced, for $25.00-$30.00 you can get the much better Hasegawa kits but below $15.00 bucks they can't be beat!  

Thanks Gamera,

Like I said this was a real easy kit. Very few parts. The only reason I got this one is that there were two planes in the kit. Plus I have all day to build as I am disabled.

Had  few glitches with the paint job but that is the way it goes sometimes.

Looking to get a better kit soon for this build.

Doug

OMG, done already!?! WOW, well grab your badge and a slap on the back from me Doug! Looks good and wow I can't hardly get the cellophane off in the time you got her built!

Waikong: Don't worry about it, I just got the motorization holes covered and sanded in my kit! You're welcome to jump in anytime- yes you get a year to build the thing in so you don't HAVE to do it in a week

AJD: Very good news! Thinking more about it my kit is the Hasegawa which might not even fit the Tamiya kit anyhow.

PS: Doug- sorry I don't know anything about the email notification feature- I just drop by the site and see what's highlighted.

Can someone help me?

for some reason I can not get email notifications on any of my threads. I was receiving them with the 1944 GB but not any of the new ones. The settings are the same as always.

Thanks,

Doug

It was a very simple kit. I only bought it because it had two planes in it. Also I am disabled so I have the time to work on a model all day if I want to. Keeps me from thinking how much I hurt. (Most of the time)

I plain on getting a much better kit soon and do another one for this GB.

Doug

I was going to join this ,but holy cow, its only 7 days in, and you've finished the build already???!  At this rate, you would build 50 of them by the time the GB ends.

Thanks Goldhammer and Gamera,

Okay the decals are on and a coat of dull coat and I am almost done with her. Just need to make the base and do a touch more weathering. Gamera you can use any one of the photos below to put on the page.

This was a fun little kit. Not much to build but It sure was fun trying to get her painted and all. May try my hand at another one for this build at a later date.

I love group builds.

Doug

Nomad-  nice job so far.  Now that I can put up pics, as soon as the office is done will put those up on the Betty. Spent most of new years w/e with it, got to finish up the PE in there.  Then she should move right along with assembly and gray/white and dark green, then the over coat of white.  Will have to hand paint the crosses on her.  Debating if to do SAC landing gear or not.

Ajd: If you can't find one I have a really old kit I can swipe the canopy off of. Just let me know if you end up needing it.

Doug: I like it, looks pretty cool!

Okay I repainted the lower half with Cadmium Orange and this is what it looks like. Sprayed a coat of Pledge and I am ready for the decals. Hope this looks better now.

Doug

Gamera

Ok, now it's letting me post so here's the new badge- big hearty THANK YOU to Jack for setting this up for us!

Wayne if you or anyone else would like to do a second one I'll get it posted too.

Excellent!!! must have one 

Nice updates guys, waiting for more exciting japanese builds!

Hey hey, once I get done with my Pete from the last build, I'll be doing a Tamiya Ki-84 Frank for this one. Looking forward to it, just one thing. I was fiddling around through the parts tonight, and discovered the front windscreen is missing. Any ideas on where one could find a replacement? Or even a vac canopy? Thanks!

I guess I can try to find an orange paint here close to home and repaint the underside.

Looking good Gamera.

Doug

I blocked out the side sponsons on the Type 74 this weekend with sheet plastic and filled in the motorization holes in the lower hull: 

Now waiting for the Tamiya JSDF colours I ordered to get here while working on the upper hull. 

Brandon: Yeah, looks good to me! As Freddie pointed out those older kits are a little sparse in the cockpit and I think the Zero had a somewhat spartan cockpit anyway. I love how Lawdog does his cockpits and have been trying to learn from him too.

Nomad: Yes, the photo you posted had the underside as trainer orange. I've never seen one with green undersides but well it's your model so build her the way you please.

I darkened the green on the upper half by adding just a touch of black. Looks better to me. My wife pointed out that the lower half was not olive green but a reddish orange. I am color blind to some reds and greens so the pic I have it looked olive green to me.

I think I will leave it as that.

Now I am ready for a coat of Pledge and then onto the decals.

I think it looks really sharp Brandon.  Good coloring, VERY nice and subtle touch on the weathering, outstanding job so far.

Remember this if you will.  The kit your working on, is from the 1970's.  Still she's a great kit, but it is an older model.  Hasegawa's Zeros are fantastic kits, and you may not even NEED a pit for it.  Tamiya themselves have been releasing a range of their own REDONE A6M's in 1:48 scale, and they are FABULOUS!!  Currently, they have an A6M3, Mod 32, and an A6M5, Mod 52.  They have to be seen to be believed as far as the level of detail is concerned.  As good as the Hasegawa kits are, these new Tamiya kits are in a league of their own.  

I think you are doing a fantastic job on your model, and I look forward to seeing the pics posted, as you progress through the build.  Can't wait to see her all done too!

Best Regards,

Freddie from LI

Well, I'm gonna call this pit done. This is a pretty sparse office to say the least. More in line with what one might expect from an old Monogram kit, but this is a Tamiya. The next one of these I do I will attempt to fit a resin cockpit set made for the Hasegawa kit to it since I can't seem to find an AM kit for the A6M2/3 anywhere.

I did the best I could with what I had to work with following Lawdog's cockpit detailing format. I painted the pit in Tamiya XF-71 straight from the bottle. I applied the decals for the instruments as there is no detail in the pit whatsoever for them. I added the lever (don't know what it is) to the right side of the pilot's seat and I added two PE control levers to the left side to dress it up a bit. I also fabricated up two charging handles for the guns and added them in just to give it a bit more life. They are pretty small and just cast a shadow in the photos. I also added the rudder "stirrups" to the kit as they are also not detailed in. I then used MM gloss clear over the whole pit and washed it with Flory Black and sealed it in with MM flat clear. This kit really really needs an upgraded pit. 

I am nearly done with the engine detailing, but it is taking longer as I am working on another kit at the same time and phase as this one so everything is taking double time.

Yeah, a little darker would probably be good.

Okay update time on the Zero. I think I need to darken the green on the upper part of the plane.

Doug

Oh very cool, she's gonna be epic!

I gathered all my stuff together to start on my Ki-45.  Using the Nichimo kit, True Details wheels, Aeromaster decals and a cockpit and wheel wells from Lone Star Models. 

Now to get THIS party started!!

Freddie from LI

Ok, now it's letting me post so here's the new badge- big hearty THANK YOU to Jack for setting this up for us!

Wayne if you or anyone else would like to do a second one I'll get it posted too.

Thank you.

Doug

BTW: Jack just turned out a fantastic badge but can't post it since the site isn't allowing me to post photos. Will get it up ASAP though.