Tamiya 1:72 Mitsubishi Zero A6M2b

[dr_gn]

Next one on the list after the Hellcat is its old adversary, the Mitsubishi Zero. This is Tamiya's recent A6M2b version in 1:72:



For the connoisseur of injection moulded kits, this one is a masterpiece. The mouldings look perfect, with beautifullly fine surface detail:



Tiny details are perfectly rendered, with impressively delicate sprue gates:



The cowling is moulded in one-piece thus eliminating any difficult to finish joint lines:



Two canopy options are included: open and closed. The sliding canopy for the open version is thin enough to make a vacform one unnecessary:



Instructions are comprehensive, and include a sheet containing background information:



This boxing includes decal options for eight different aircraft:



Looking forward to this one...

[jamieduff1981]

Great!

What does Tamiya want you to use for the Mitsubishi blue-black on the cowling, out of interest?

[Eric Mc]

Interesting to see the increase in use of slide moulding techniques. The body of the Dragon Gemini capsule I built a few months ago was moulded in a similar fashion.

[dr_gn]

jamieduff1981 said:

Great!

What does Tamiya want you to use for the Mitsubishi blue-black on the cowling, out of interest?

Looks like X-18 on the instruction sheet, which IIRC is just satin "Black".

I'm more concerned about getting a decent representation of the semi-transparent blue/green Aotake coating for the airframe substructures.

[jamieduff1981]

EDit:

Have you read this before?

http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2010/02/aotake-part...

Edited by jamieduff1981 on Tuesday 3rd November 11:12

[dr_gn]

jamieduff1981 said:

EDit:

Have you read this before?

http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2010/02/aotake-part...

Edited by jamieduff1981 on Tuesday 3rd November 11:12

Nope, but I will. Thanks.

[dr_gn]

Now toying with the - frankly daft - idea of riveting the whole airframe.



...it would at least break up the monochrome paint scheme.

[jamieduff1981]

Funny you say that, because I'm musing over doing the same with my Tempest. And possibly filing the surface between rivet lines to give a more stressed skin appearance in places.

I'm going to pick up a tool at Telford this weekend if I find one...

Please crack on and show us how you get on

[dr_gn]

jamieduff1981 said:

Funny you say that, because I'm musing over doing the same with my Tempest. And possibly filing the surface between rivet lines to give a more stressed skin appearance in places.

I'm going to pick up a tool at Telford this weekend if I find one...

Please crack on and show us how you get on

I'm not sure - this is a great kit and the risk of screwing it is high. I did completely rivet a Matchbox Bf109, but that was 1:32...



If you go to the Radu Brinzan stall, he does a decent set of photo-etched rivet tools that fit in a standard scalpel blade holder.