I’ve really been looking forward to building the Tamiya A6M5 1/48 kit and just started it. It’s wonderful so far. This is my first Japanese subject build. I’m also posting updates in the Japanese GB section.
I’ve chosen 320-85 from the 652 FG on the carrier Junyo during the Marianas Turkey Shoot in June 1944.
The planes in the photo actually look in pretty good shape, so I won’t be going hog wild on the paint chipping and weathering.
I’m using mostly Tamiya paints and learning much about Zeros along the way. Just finished the office. Fuselage and engine are next.
Nice! I’m building their newer tooled A6M3 now. These are some of Tamiya’s best. I wish they’d retool the Model 21 with these molds. I like your seat belts. Are those photoetch?
Thanks. I’m impressed with the kit so far - perfect fit and excellent detail. Thanks on the seatbelts – they are photoetch from Tamiya’s “detail up” kit for the Zero.
The main build is now complete along with the main painting. No issues to speak of with the build. Perfect fit and minimal cleanup. I can see why people love this kit.
Mr. Finishing Surfacer was applied as the primer. Tamiya AS-2 (IJN Light gray) for the underside and AS-21 (IJN Dark Green 2) for the topside were applied after decanting from the rattle cans. Plenty of fading and shading was also applied. The topside photo below shows the fading and shading before blending with a thin coat of the base color.
The Aotake metallic blue-green was painted with Tamiya paints per the call outs and really pops.
A couple of coats of Tamiya X-22 and MCLT and it’s ready for decals.
My rendition of A6M5 Zero 320-85/3 from the carrier Junyo during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 is now complete.
Since the last update, decals were applied followed by another gloss coat, a Flory wash of dark dirt, a couple coats of Dullcote and final weathering and assembly.
I will likely avoid decanting Tamiya rattle cans in the future and instead opt for Mr. Color or MRP versions of the colors. Perhaps it was my technique, pressure or thinner ratio, but I couldn’t get a smooth finish with this paint. As a result, I applied a 2nd gloss coat for decals, when I usually only apply one. Unfortunately I created some pooling and other lumps and blobs that needed to get sanded out.
And I didn’t listen…The Tamiya kit decals are too thick for my taste but for some reason I went with them. I’ll mask or use aftermarket decals in the future.
All in all, I’m happy with the result. This machine has a real menacing look – what a beast. Enjoy the photos and thanks for looking.
