discussion Eduard 1/48 A6M3 Zero type 32

[Steven000]

So far 2026 has been quite productive so I’ll try to keep things moving with this 1/48 Eduard A6M3 Zero type 32 (kit N°84191)


The kit comes with 5 paintschemes, I’ll be doing ‘option C’ with the dark green scheme.


Sprue shots,






Unfortunately I noticed a bend in the lower wing, hopefully I can get that stretched out again.



I would like to try out a few new techniques on this build, like hairspray and a lot of damage. And of course it’s another ‘in flight’ model if you guys don’t mind. Thanks for reading and cheers ️

 

[yak face]

Brilliant choice steven , it looks up to Eduards usual high standards. The Weekend kits are fantastic , excellent value and now with more decal options and including belts on the decal sheet ( not as good as pe I’ll admit but better than nothing especially if having a closed canopy) . Only thing they dont have is a pilot , but I’m sure youve got one up your sleeve for this build .
Looking forward to this , cheers tony

 

[flyjoe180]

A shame about that wing bend Steven, but nothing you can't remedy I'm sure. The clipped wing Zero is not often seen. Looking forward to seeing this build.

 

[Tim Marlow]

You will enjoy that Steven. I made an Eduard 1/48 Zero last year for a group build and think it was possibly the best kit for fit and finish I’ve ever made. I would ask for a replacement for that damaged part though…..

 

[Jim R]

Great choice. Those Eduard kits are real good value. That fault on the wing is annoying. I'm sure Eduard would provide a replacement.

 

[Steven000]

Well I never returned a kit to be honest - I guess it would take a while to get the replacement kit, so I'll try to get it to work nonetheless.

As you can see I’ve already started working on the cockpit, it’s all very well engineered. Some parts like the construction of the seat were a bit fiddly in my paws.

Also like to recommend the Tamiya ‘low odor’ glue, does make a huge difference in our home

Added labels to the sprues, a bit overkill for a kit like this, but I did it on my last model too and it did save me some time looking for parts.


Thanks for reading and cheers

 

[Steven000]

I started adding battle damage to the fuselage halves with the tip of a fine blade. I would like to give the impression that this plane is still barely flying, so it’s riddled with bullet holes or shrapnel. I’m planning to make the rudder and elevator fabric torn up as well. (I avoided added holes to the fuel-tank locations as these planes didn't have self sealing tanks, so they went up in flames instantly...)




On the inside I removed a tiny bit of plastic to get thinner sides,


For the pilot I used a 3d RAF figure I bought a while ago, I digitally adjusted his head somewhat to make him look more Japanese (hat with long sides, no earmuffs etc) and also scaled the figure down to about 5 feet 8,11” as these pilots were less tall on average.

Then I made a 3d print and tried to put him inside the cockpit. This took a lot of trial and error but after cutting his legs and bottom I got him in,

Dry test-fit with the canopy parts in place.


The pilot was then primed in black and white - fuselage got some green and black primer,


Added an interior green, then locally a gloss black primer + aluminium (vallejo),


I tried to add a green/blue filter over the aluminium as they added some sort of anti-corrosion paint in certain places, doesn’t look right but it’s mostly hidden so I’m not going to waste more time on it.


That’s all so far, next I’ll need to get the cockpit and pilot painted.

Thanks for reading and cheers

 

[Neil]

Like the look of this. I have the ‘Tora Tora Tora’ limited edition in my stash which has 2 full kits so I’ve got the comfy chair, popcorn and eyes glued to this one.

 

[flyjoe180]

Interesting project Steven. The lack of self sealing fuel tanks is interesting, they didn't add them until the 52 model. Pilot looks good.

 

[Neil]

With the lack of self sealing fuel tanks, I guess the Hollywood exploding plane would definitely be true for the Zero's being shot down then.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looking good Steve. Great work on the wing repair.

 

[Steven000]

Life is getting in the way again, but at least I've managed to get the pilot and cockpit done.

Some progress pictures of the pilot, I had a hard time with this one - messed up the eyes a few times etc.


I glued the pilot with super glue (gel) - to save time I painted the instrument gauges instead of using decals.


The fuselage halves were glued together, then from the bottom the cockpit is inserted into the fuselage.


That's all so far, I think the bend lower-wing is going to give me a hard time, it takes quite a lot of force to manipulate.
Thanks for reading - Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

Your pilot looks wonderful, as does his cockpit, Steven. Best of luck for the wing issue.

 

[Steven000]

Thanks Joe

I Added some more damage to the nicely molded kit parts, left-side of the horizontal stabilizer,


Also on the right wing,


The rudder and other flight surfaces were covered in fabric, which I find much harder to replicate as 'damaged'. I gave it a try on the rudder, by keeping the aluminium structure visible.


The wing is now glued together as well.



That's all so far, hope to join the wing to the fuselage soon.
Thanks for watching Cheers

 

[Jim R]

That is coming on really well. The pilot is superb and I love the damage. Well done indeed.

 

[Neil]

Looking good, are you able to incorporate damage to the part of the wing that is bent? Or a problem still to be solved?

 

[Steven000]

Thanks guys

are you able to incorporate damage to the part of the wing that is bent? Or a problem still to be solved?

It was a bit of a struggle but after forcing it in place during the wing glue-up it turned out OK eventually

Since it's another 'in flight' model I added a block of wood inside the fuselage behind the pilot for the vertical rod. Although that space is quite detailed you can't really see much of the inside - So I added some black paint to the wood and glued it in place with super-glue.


After some struggle with the bend lower-wing the plane is now all glued together.
I added more damage to the right-aileron and left-elevator, while keeping the aluminium structure visible. As you can see the Zero got at least one diagonal strafing of bullets. The pilot is trying to dodge more bullets so the ailerons are positioned rolling to the left - the rudder is also turning left and the elevators are pulling up...


The plane will be banking to the left with the nose up - So I drilled the hole for the steel rod.


As with the last Spitfire I glued a plastic tube (3mm) into the fuselage which will later take a steel rod (2mm) - The tube will be cut flush with the fuselage later. Looks like a boy lol


Thanks all so far, thanks for watching - Cheers

 

[yak face]

Fantastic work steven , glad you sorted the lower wing without too much trouble

 

[flyjoe180]

That's looking fantastic Steven. Not sure that rudder is going to provide a lot of control, there's not a lot of surface left!

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

The work on the pilot and interior is brilliant Steven and I am loving the damage that you are building into the model. Top marks.