Scalemates Mitsubishi A6M Zero Group build 2021

The real Zero on Saipan after capture 

Wings previously assembled 

Wings previously assembled 

Cannon bores and shell chutes hollowed out 

Drop tank previously assembled 

Engine previously assembled 

Cockpit assembly previously started 

Painting started 

Painting started 

Cockpit seat and floor w/wash 

Sidewalls and IP w/wash and some detail painting. 

Cockpit finished and assembled 

Cockpit finished and assembled 

Cockpit finished and assembled 

Cockpit installed into assembled fuselage 

Fuselage assembled 

Fuselage seam cleaned up and wings added 

Horizontal stabilizers added 

Test fit of engine and cowling 

Almost ready for the canopy 

Almost ready for the canopy 

Almost ready for painting to start 

Canopy masked and installed. All ready for paint now. 

Tamiya JN XF-12 Gray under surface  

Tamiya XF-11 JN Green upper surface 

Last base colors on- leading edge Yellow ID bands and propeller blades in brown 

All ready for gloss coat & decals 

Last bits painted prior to gloss coat 

Last bits painted prior to gloss coat 

Ready for gloss coat 

Gloss coated and decals applied 

Gloss coated and decals applied 

Bought these to deal with problems encountered on the decal stripes 

Touched up the propeller tip warning stripes with the yellow paint pen 

The wing no step area decals disintegrated in spite of the Microscale Decal Film. I used the red paint pen to add replacement stripes. Not a perfect match for the red, but better than nothing. 

Calling this done, front left 1/4 

Front right 1/4 finished 

Right rear 1/4 finished 

Left rear 1/4 finished 

Eduard carrier deck base, not quite yet finished but good enough for these photos 

Posed on base, farewell last build of 2021 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umi yukaba…. 12/30/21 

A6M5 vs F6F-3, Marianas Islands Philippines Sea, June 1944