Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter “Zeke"

(Tamiya 1/72)

Rabaul Air Group, Rabaul - New Britain Island - 1943-44

Kit: TAMIYA - 60779

Scale: 1/72

Improvements to the kit:

• Added the IFF wire antenna using MIG aerial line super fine (0.01mm);
• Pitot tube on the wing scratch-built using syringe needles.

Painting guide:

Painting scheme B on the instruction manual was chosen and specific parts for this version were highlighted on the instructions (not to be used parts were crossed).

Attention: This is the only option for a Mitsubishi made aircraft which had a few particularities / differences in relation to the instructions painting guide:

• Different colour on the area behind the cockpit (cowling black instead of interior green);
• The wheel's well and inside of the landing gear covers were painted with the same paint as the underside camouflage colour (Light Grey IJN instead of the Aotake primer used by Nakajima made aircraft).

A mix of Gunze, SMS Paints and Tamiya were used on the kit as follow:

• Interior Green: Tamiya XF71;
• Exhaust: 5:XF56 + 1:XF-7;
• Propeller blades: XF64;
• Spinner: 1:XF-64 + 1:XF10;
• Engine cowling and area behind the cockpit: Gunze C125;
• Underside surfaces: Imperial Japanese Navy Light Grey - Gunze H61;
• Upper surfaces camouflage: Imperial Japanese Navy Green - Gunze H59;
• Clear coat before applying decals: X22; and
• Clear Flat final coat: SMS PL10.

Weathering:

All weathering done using a combination of techniques including: dry-brushing, pigments and water-colour pencils.

In progress photos:

Finished photos: