1:48 Tamiya Japanese A6M5 - First Build and First WIP COMPLETED 2/27/16

Hunter. Joe got me hooked on this stuff too. Really good stuff

Having been on the forum for a little over a year, I find it is like a nice big family, sure there are going to be disagreements on materials, techniques, etc. Maybe even on subject matter. But I have never seen it get really disrespectful, and like most families, there is a world of love and support and friendship around this little corner of the hobby world.

Goldhammer -

I could not agree with you more. That is one thing I really like about this site…Just a bunch a guys forming friendships with a commen bond…this great hobby. I called my wife last night to say good night and as we hung up she called me her “little plastic nerd” We laughed and I told her I took it as a compliment. [:D] I look forward to a long time in here and hope to form a lot of friendships. Thank you for looking back in.

Hello TJ -

I am glad too hear that. That’s the great thing about the forums…everyone exchanging tips and ideas. I am looking forward to trying it out and with the information I have read on it…it really seems very easy. I intead to work on the method that Bish and Steve(Modelcrazy) instructed me on. It’s always nice to learn the “old school” way…Not saying Bish and Steve are old (laughing) [:D] just the process. TJ thank you for looking in on my build.

Hello everyone -

Well finally got off from work and headed straight to the bench when I got home…after I said hello to the wifie pooh. As you can see I applied some putty to the seams of the fuselage. It fit together very nicely and really didn’t need it but I wanted no seams. I got the wings and tail section assembled to the fuselage at this point. I am taking a quick break while the handful of items I hand painted to fully cure. I have been dry fitting these pieces before glueing and have not encounter a single issue as far as fit and alignment. I am no model expert, but Tamiya has put out a very nice kit in this model. I will definitely purchase more Tamiya brand models in the future. As always, thank you for taking the time to look in on my build.

Sometime last week my wife ordered me this neat stand to use during assembly and it is suited to hold 1/72 to 1/32. Very handy

Will post more in the next few hours…again, thank you for looking in and any and all suggestions are welcomed. [:D]

Really nice! That’s always my favorite part of a build, when it starts to look like an airplane. Second favorite is when the first layer of paint or primer goes on.

What’s that cool stand called/who makes it? Looks like a great tool.

Nice to see it coming together Hunter. The fit of the wings does look nice.

Suomi39 -

I totally agree with you…It’s great to have it finally at this point and I can’t wait to paint it. Below is the web link for the stand. The company is UMM-USA and the stand is made by Vertigo. Thank you for looking in on my build.

VMP001 Plastic stand & transport jig 1/72 & 1/48 scale

VMP001 Plastic stand 1/72 to 1/48 scale for airplanes building & transport - Plastic parts, very easy to build.
They are useful for getting wings and things lined up, rigging, general working on models and keeping them safe while transporting.
This product is made in Czech Republic.
Highly recommended to all modelers.

WEBSITE: UMM-USA.com

Thank you Bish. The wings just dropped into place.

Hello All -

Well, I’m inching closer to being done. I just finished painting the fusilage and all the remaining small parts. I deceided to that them dry over night so it has time to fully cure. This has been a great kit to build. If you have any suggestions please don’t hesitate to share them. Thank you and have a good night.

Did my first attempt with putty to hide the fusilage seam.

As always…thank you for looking in on my build

Man! This is shaping up beautifully!

Light years ahead of where I was at, even after a couple years of building!

One suggestion…more of a tip, really…I always attach (and mask) the canopy before painting…that way, any little gaps can be filled / glue cleaned up, etc. You should be just fine though with this one, the kit is so well engineered and everything fits perfectly.

Fermis -

Thank you for that great tip…as I read your suggestion it totally registered in my brain. That makes a whole lot of sense, and I have added that to my building log book. As I was waiting for my supplies to arrive so I could get to modeling I read A LOT of post in many of the forums and came across a good idea…keeping a build log to where you log all the information on all your builds(i.e. - Brand of model, colors used, date you started and finished, pros & cons and where you could improve on your mistakes. Also a good place to log a lot of tips, techniques and suggestions. Thank you, and thank you for looking in on my build.

A build log is such a good idea. I am horrible at keeping records but wish I could. I hardly ever take notes and It bites me later.

I am enjoying watching this your first WIP progress. You’re doing a very fine job .[Y]

Man, that is looking very good. I’m enjoying the progress. Keep it up.

BK

Jay Jay -

Thank you sir, thank you

Hey BK -

Thank you, and it’s been a great experience. Great thing about the forums is I have been looking at all the “WIP’s” and GB’s from start to finish and mocked every step seen so everyone in here deserves a lot of credit. I just copied what they did. Thank you for stopping in on my build.

Steve -

LOL! … You could always use a handheld voice recorder and keep tapes on your builds. Or a voice active computer “note taker” LOL [:D] or maybe Dallas could help you with this. LOL

Haha. Ain’t that the truth. I wouldn’t have jumped back into the hobby without this site. Just reading WIPs is fun; you pick up a neat new trick or two in every one.

For that matter, posting a WIP thread is a type of “build log” in itself.

Great Point