1/32 Tamiya A6M2 build

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

OK, so this is my first build/WIP for this site. Please don’t be too harsh if I make a mistake on this. This is the first Aircraft I have built in over 20+ years. Now a days I usually build Armor and Sci-fi kits. But I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone. I have this A6M2 and an A6M5. The A6M2 I am building OOB basically to get my feet wet. The 5 will be built after this and I have a lot of aftermarket parts for it.

This is where it sits right now. The cockpit and engine are painted, I’m going over the whole thing making sure there are no seams, replacing rivets that were sanded away, making sure it looks good before I prime it.

I’m not worried about the accuracy of this one, as I’m just building it to get a feel for the next one. I do want it to look nice, though.

Any comments or insight would be greatly appreciated.

2

Oooh goody, i like the big builds. No isight from me, im just gonna sit an enjoy this one.

3

Looking really nice!!

4

That engine looks like a real gem!!! Very nicely done, now we can forgive you for the whole “armor/sci-fi” thing!!![6]

Are the gear indicator tabs a kit part, or your own addition???

5

You should have a lot of fun with the two Zero’s, those kits are real gems. They will spoil you forever.

6

I’m in. I’ve got the A6M5 sitting in my stash.

7

fermis, the indicator is part of the kit.

Any ideas on how I should mask the cockpit? I was going to tape it like I’ve done on other models, but I’m a little afraid to do it like this with all the different opennings and angles.

8

I was given a botlle of this stuff to mask a polycarbonate body for a RC buggy I was painting for a workmate, it works a treat on aircraft canopies too. Paint on a few coats and when dry cut out the frames with an exacto blade.

9

Very nice start on a very nice kit. Keep us posted.

Regards, Rick

10

Update time-

I got the first layer of Primer on. And of course there are areas that need attention.

Right where the wings attach to the fuselage-

Underneath along the seam and rivets that aren’t there anymore-

While I was replacing rivets on the right wing, it decided to split right down the seam. So I had to reglue and refill it.

I actually wanted to get paint on it today. Oh well. Luckily I’m not in too much of a hurry to finish this.

11

Small update today.

I’ve been working on getting the areas that needed work done. I think I got all of them, except one area on the belly that keeps wanting to split. I think I have it fixed, think being the key word.

I also started on the exterior painting. It is Model Master semi-gloss black and deep sea blue enamels.

It looks like straight black, but it’s not.

Hopefully tomorrow I can start on the preshading. I’ve been looking forward to this part for about 3 weeks now.

12

Good looking Zero!

I have built three of the Tamiya 1/32 Zero’s. Two A6M5’s and a A6M2. In my opinion, the best engineered models available.

emo07

13

They are great models. I am very happy with them.

Preshading is done-

I used Model Masters Burnt Umber.

I wiped the whole thing down before I started spraying with a polishing cloth. Then again after the burnt umber had dried a bit.

14

Worked on the paint today-

There are a few areas that need a little more paint. I’ll get those tomorrow.

I used the mix of 20 parts SAC bomber tan, 11 parts flat white and .9 parts green zinc chromate spelled out in the Osprey book for Zeros.

15

Engine is complete and mounted-

Rear of engine, never to be seen again.

I like how it’s turning out and can’t wait to get started on the next one.

16

as you should! Great work.

17

Thank you.

Here are some decent pics of the cockpit and painted rear deck.

There is still a little bit of weathering to do in there.

18

Update-

I finished the rest of the little parts around the cockpit.

I also started the part that I’ve been dreading ever since I bought this a couple of years ago, the canopy.

I know it doesn’t seem like much, but canopies have aways given me a hard time.

Right now the plane is sitting letting Future cure. All of the Aluminum parts have a base of gloss black enamel curing. I am going to use Alclad Aluminum on these parts.

19

Your work looks very nice.

20

Nice job so far. I really like the cockpit. Looks like a lot of detail in there.