The Tamiya A6M3 model 22.

The paint scheme was the thing I most wanted to get right on this one, as there is a much published photo of it showing the random mottling and a unique pattern on the forward fuselage. That photo is the basis for Tamiya's box art for this kit. I think I got close but getting a really fine line still eludes me, though I did improve some on this project.

The cowl, prop, and canopy all both press fit, allowing for easily varied display options.

Two more Zeros slid into the display cases today, the Hasegawa A6M2-K and the Tamiya A6M3 model 22. The Tamiya kit was a gem to put together, the Hasegawa kit was less so in comparison but it is a high bar. There were two versions of the trainer, one with the A6M2 model 21 wing and engine, the other with the A6M5 wing but still the type 21 engine. This model is the latter type. As you can see in the last photo with both models facing each other, the A6M2-K had a longer forward fuselage ahead of the wing, and a longer tailwheel, both to accommodate the back seat where the instructor was. Those changes re-balanced the airplane and improved what little forward vision there was from the rear seat.

Here are the photos of the A6M2-K, the next post will be of the A6M3 model 22.

Those look great guys!!!

Great progress John.

Frank is almost ready for paint

I've made progress on the A6M3 and the A6M2K.  The meatballs have been painted on the A6M3, with a thin spacer mask so there will be an unpainted ring around each one.  No white surrounds on this one.  Then I put on a mottle of dark green on the top side.  There is a distinctive pattern on the fuselage right behind the cowl and I will have to try again there, as I didn't get it the first time.





I decided to put the pilots in the A6M2K and that was interesting as the Hasegawa pilots required major reduction in body size to get them to fit.  I think it will be more interesting that way.  I still need to put a flat coat on them and the cockpit assembly.  As usual not a lot will be visible once the fuselage is assembled over it.

Well, the website is back to acting strange again so I hope this posts. 

Looks great John, you're making great progress!! 

I like the latest additions to the GB!

Progress on the Fank - all buttoned up

Need to do some filling and sanding next

Edwin and Hoggarth: Great choices guys! Just put you both down. 

Just getting back to a bit of modeling after being away for a few years. Would love to get into this group build.

Hopefully duplicates are okay. I picked this up a bit ago and would love to build the little guy. I have a Kate in the stash but I figure there would be plenty of those.

Tamiya 1/48 Light vehicle type 95 Kurogane

Sorry, been away too long. Last few months were crazy!

Gamera, I will work on this Tamiya 1/700 Shimakaze:

I got this as well to practise on first, since I do not have much experience with ships:

Hope to get started soon.

John: Looks good! You're off to a great start!!! 

Gary: Thanks, it's not the best badge but four months into the build and I need to get SOMETHING up... 

Keavdog> Nice Frank!

John> Don't have a 3, but good start on it.

Gamera>  The badge look okay to me!  Well done!

Gary

Yeah, no issues so far, John.  So far not much to remark on other than being a great kit.  I am moving one one part of the instructions to another to allow paint to dry or decals to set.  There are so many parts that you do have to be careful to use the right ones in some cases, such as several throttle quadrants and two machine gun control panels.  I did cast aside the purple seat cushion because it would have complicated the seat belt installation, and I think it might be there in case you use the supplied pilot.   There is also a standing figure.

Looking good John.  I've got the A6M5/5a kit in the stash.  according to scalemates same as your kit with a few different parts.  Kit looks nicely detailed - I'll be following along on your build and taking notes.  I'm guessing being a recent  Tamiya kit, it will fall together.

Tamiya has gotten a lot of mileage from this Frank, apparently they are still releasing it, John.  It will be interesting to see how it goes.

I can say that this A6M3 Type 22 I am starting on has nothing whatever to do with the Tamiya A6M2 I did before, which dated from the same time as the Frank.  It was a trouble free build as I remember, not as well detailed as the Hasegawa Zeros I have built but still a good representation.  This one has the detail of a very nice 1/32 kit.  So far I am painting small parts for the cockpit and engine, the only assembly is a gun panel added to the bottom of the instrument panel and the seat assembly of four parts including a purple seat cushion added to the aft cockpit bulkhead.  Also, the rudder pedals are on the floor, attached to a clear part which accomodates a small window in the floor just aft of the rudder pedals.  I'm using the Mitsubishi interior color from Gunze.  There is an option for open or closed cowl flaps, I'm going with open.

Anyway I am working on a badge. Several things have already fallen though so I just ripped something off an AI art generator. Not the best thing but I guess it will work for the time being. I'll see about fiddling with it to something a little better. 

Great job there Keavdog John! She's coming along nicely! 

Started on Frank.  Here's a mockup.  Not a bad fit considering the age of this kit

Hey John, got the new photo up! Waikong said it well, the simple nature of the dio keeps from distracting from the quality of your work! 

posing the Rude with thenKurogane and Komatsu on Brown paper over a blue bottom, surprisingly effective and suggesting a beach. Kinda minimalistic modern take on a Dio, I love it!

Thanks, Cliff.  Yes, the finished photos are with the Komatsu and Kurogane.  On to the A6M3 type 22!

Piers: Looks fantastic! Great work! 

John: Are you finished? I'll post the photos if you are. Really nice work there! 

Piers> Nice start on the Tony!

Gary

Thanks, Piers.  Your canopy masking looks nice and neat.

John,

That's a magnificent result on the Rufe, Komatsu and Kurogane.

The Tony is staggering forward - I now have the white primer on after blacking out the canopy framing.

Thanks, everyone for all the nice comments.  Here are some photos with the Komatsu and a Kurogane for good measure.

jeaton01

Thanks, Robert and Cliff.  Here are two more photos, I have some more weathering to do and I am building a Komatsu tractor to go with the model which I am waiting for paint to arrive to complete.

 

 

 

Beautiful Rufe John!

Lovely work on the Rufe there John!

John: Wow that looks superb John!!! Great work! 

I went ahead and posted you, when you get the tractor done I can replace the photo with the newer one. 

That's a beautiful Rufe!

Gary