discussion Zero colour indea!

[slupanter]

Hi guys a quick one, Just went mad and bought every aircraft i liked the look of in hobby craft. First quick project is a 1:72 Zero. The Kit says humbrol 64 which is light grey. I thought zero's were white you have I been miss lead by hollywood.

In Summary: What colour should I do a 1941 Zero

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[AlanG]

They could be grey, white, green

 

[Ian M]

Going by what I have seen it dont really matter that much, after a week most of the paint was worn off any way!! Its a good thing that the Japs made better planes than they did paint. The USA would of been so bored in the Pacific!

Ian M

 

[AlanG]

Oh i don't know Ian. The zero was a bit weak in the armour department. Excellent manoeverability though (not in a dive though as controls locked)

 

[Guest]

I think the colour was known as grey mouse or rat colour.

 

[stona]

Don't know much about Japanese colours,but that was a fantastic aircraft, It did for a fair few Australian Spitfires whose pilots failed to grasp that the Zero could easily out turn them under 300mph. Unrivalled agility,a good clout and most importantly good long range capability. It's biggest failing was a lack of power.

It was only later,in the hands of novices, that it was savaged by the more experienced and organised Americans.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

Dont know if this helps at all

The Mitsubishi Zero - Colour Schemes

NZ6000 has worn at least five distinct colour schemes, as described in the following paragraphs:

Japanese Navy: The standard colours for JNAF combat aircraft from July 1943 were dark green upper surfaces with light grey (or natural metal) lower surfaces. Engine cowlings were black. Shiro Imazawa, who worked on the machine, confirms that the aircraft was painted in this manner, but with the addition of "green and grey spots here and there... ", presumably an attempt at a blotch-type camouflage. The red Hinomaru on both sides of the fuselage and on both upper and lower wings were not outlined in white - a common omission in combat areas. The aircraft identification data information was painted on the port rear fuselage in black, and the unit/aircraft numbers 2-182 were painted across the fin and rudder in a lighter colour (possibly white, red or yellow).

 

[Guest]

Mmmmm, very handy. I have a 1:48 Zero in the stash. I will certainly be doing the green scheme as it fits the aircraft I have and I really like it. Someone once told me that the green wasn't the green we normally see on models but a brownish olive green. I have seen no evidence of this brownish olive green though. Anyone else seen this????

 

[Guest]

As an addition to 'Lady-Phoenix's posting, here is a photo of the zero NZ6000, taken by my Dad in the Islands before its shipping back to NZ. (1944/45)

If anyone would like a high resolution scan (1200dpi) copy of this pm me and will email out.

cheers

View attachment 20215

vnkiwi

View attachment 27366

View attachment 139892

 

[Guest]

This link may help, as this guy knows what he is talking about.

Aviation of Japan