discussion Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero

[chameleon 2009]

Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero Fighter “Model 21” Kit


Hajime Toyoshima, Manufacture Number 5349 Tail BII-124


Mitsubishi vs. Nakajima Zero


Throughout its production, the Zero was manufactured by two companies -- Mitsubishi and Nakajima. Both were in fact bitter rivals. However, the Japanese naval command cared little for such bickering. They needed aircraft in numbers. So Mitsubishi was forced to cooperate with Nakajima. Ironically, Nakajima built more than double the number of Zeros that Mitsubishi ever produced during the war.


BII-124 spent most of its time below a carrier deck (apart from flying), sun-fading would have been very slight. Bear in mind that this plane saw less than six months of operations. It was essentially spanking new when it crash landed in Australia.View attachment 119224

View attachment 119225

View attachment 119226

View attachment 119227

View attachment 119228

View attachment 119229

View attachment 119230

View attachment 119231

View attachment 119232

View attachment 119233

View attachment 119234

View attachment 119235

View attachment 119236

View attachment 119237

View attachment 119238

View attachment 119239

View attachment 119240


View attachment 232246

View attachment 232247

View attachment 232248

View attachment 232249

View attachment 232250

View attachment 232251

View attachment 232252

View attachment 232253

View attachment 232254

View attachment 232255

View attachment 232256

View attachment 232257

View attachment 232258

View attachment 232259

View attachment 232260

View attachment 232261

View attachment 232262

 

[colin m]

It's a good one for sure.

 

[Guest]

Very nice build, you have done a great job of retaining the details on the airframe and the end result is great

 

[papa 695]

That is stunning

 

[Guest]

This is fantastic, Mike - some superb detail in that engine and cockpit, and the surface detail is great, too. I made up the Airfix 1/72 Zero recently as BII-124 - not the same level of detail but I settled on more or less the same shade as you for the IJN 'grey'.

 

[eddiesolo]

Beautiful work, the detail is superb on the kit and only enhanced by the quality paintwork and build.

 

[Guest]

Magnificent work!


Looks very well painted

 

[monica]

fantastic,work Mike,real do like it,great detail work on the cockpit and ,engine,and nice pickup work of the


detail,lovely build,

 

[takeslousyphotos]

Very very good.... Stunning in fact. Superbly detailed and finished.

 

[Guest]

Beautiful........ Stunning!!

 

[Guest]

I'm just beginning to build this kit and I can only hope I do it justice. Very nice detail especially the engine compartment. This sure gives me something to strive for.


RS

 

[Guest]

Stunning result!

 

[Guest]

Stunning build - engine in particular is a thing of beauty. Was there much scratch-built additional detail there?

 

[Vaughan]

Very, very nice Mike the Tamiya kits certainly have some great detail. Have you added the plug leads?

 

[Guest]

Sweet Lordy, that's a damn fine build! Beautiful work!

 

[chameleon 2009]

Stunning build - engine in particular is a thing of beauty. Was there much scratch-built additional detail there?

Hi yes mainly wiring hole drilling, the usual


Mike

 

[chameleon 2009]

Very, very nice Mike the Tamiya kits certainly have some great detail. Have you added the plug leads?

Hi yes plug leas added with copper wire, but the kits engine is a dream


Mike

 

[geegad]

stunning work love the details on the engine and the cockpit and the weathering is spot on top stuff

 

[tr1ckey66]

That is a beautiful Zero Mike. I have the very same kit in the stash and I can only hope that mine turns out as well as yours.


It's truly stunning.


Question: Do the wing tips, cowling and canopy actually move? Or have you deliberately left them unglued? Is the cowling attached with micro magnets as in some other Tamiya 1/32 models? I haven't opened the box yet on mine and it's buried in an avalanche of other 'must have' kits!


Cheers Paul

 

[chameleon 2009]

Hi Paul


this kit comes with 2 lots of wing tips, a down version and an up version, my client want me to make both so he can have the option for display.


the canopy is just loose, it can be glued open or shut.


the cowling is just attached with a bit of blue tac, your right the spitfire kit has the option of magnets for the cowling, not sure why they didn't opt for this method on this kit, with out the blue tac the cowlings will just fall off


its a very good kit, but its expensive to buy, but like all things you get what you pay for


thanks for the comments


Mike