Hi guys… Just purchased the Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Model 52 …
I have looked all over the net. But I simply cant find any reviews on this model… I am looking to hear from anyone that has actually built it, know it, or websites with detailed in box and building reviews… I am particularly interested in what the kit contains, so I can start ahead of schedule, work out how to put it together.
I am usually a big fan of Hasegawa, but Hasegawa tends to leave stuff out of thier kits, such as pilots, weopons ect… As its a 1/32 scale model. Does it actually include the pilot’s and extra’s? Love to hear from anyone that has built this model…
The Hasegawa Zero has been around for a while. I think it was originally released about 1977. There have been several versions including a Hi Grade version with metal parts. I have a couple of copies of the kit, but I haven’t built any of them yet.
I’ve seen a website in which somebody did a run down of a large number of Zero kits, but I can’t find it right now. Before the Tamiya kit came out, this was the best available. Having looked over the kit, it looks like a typical1970s Hasegawa kit: great for the 70s, but dated by current standards.
Hey Bgrigg,
What part of asking people for information containing this kit didnt you understand?
Although I have already purchased it, I won’t get it for another week or so, and I am interested in what other peoples feelings are regarding the kit, and thier knowledge on it… Its called researching before building?.. What I should look for, and things I can avoid ect…
I dont recognise your name, so I guess your just a troll that posts crap in order to bump up the stars next to your name?
wdolson. Only 3 posts, and you have been a pillar of information. Thank you kind sir!. And welcome to the boards…
Whoa there, Chris! Bgrigg is not a troll, and to be honest, it sounded like you actually had the kit in your possession, so your questions about whether or not the kit had a pilot or other bits indeed sounded a bit funny to me, too. Now that we all know you have in fact NOT taken possession of the kit, your Qs make perfect sense.
Look at your original post: “Just purchased the Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Model 52.” Certainly sounds like you had the kit already. Of course, in this day and age, of internet shopping, purchasing doesn’t mean possessing, but come on, it sure sounds like it. Maybe “ordered” would have made it clearer. Cut Bgrigg some slack on this one! It was a simple misunderstanding, with a simple yet understandable question in reply.
Also, a post count has nothing to do with how helpful any of us are here.
Anyway, are you still in Japan? Haven’t headed off to Darien yet?
Good luck with that, and your Zero!
The only info I can give you on the Zeke is that the panel lines are raised, not recessed. No problem, if that kind of thing doesn’t bug you.
Hey Brian, thanks for your post. I do appologise in the wrong wording of my post. But in saying that. I find it hard now-days to have any good feelings for people that dont have anything usefull to say… Now even if the item was in my possession, I am simply not an idiot, and yes of course I would have opened the box… But for someone to just make a wise crack kinda gets on my nerve…And for the purpose of his comment other than to get a giggle, simply wasnt very helpfull… Please accept my appologies Bgrigg…
Now, that said, and my persona of being a grumpy kid strengthened. I will answer your next question… I am in Japan. I did get to Darien, and when I arrived. The so called friend that offered me a position, forgot to tell me that he didnt in fact have the work he thought but was happy to see me anyways and wanted to go drinking all day everyday… So basically I wasted an airfare, and time away from my daughter just to get there and be told this news…
As for Darien and Bruswick, well what can I say? Umm, banjo’s playing in my head as I think about it, and ugly waitresses…I did however spend a week on the beach over at St Simons Island… I didnt mind the south east. But if I am ever going to return to the US, I think I would prefer going back to Atlanta… Not knocking the place. But I now know what you meant about the place not having too much interesting about it!
Thanks for your support. In this day of anonymous forums people have a tendency to have a bit of courage they would not normally have. Given his nic and the signature picture I perceive him to be an Aussie, so he also would have said such a thing to my face. [;)]
AusLexusJapan,
I will accept your apology but only if you also accept mine for such a curt question in return. Your initial post did not indicate whether or not your had the kit in hand. I am a fairly particular person when it comes to forums. Had I been in your shoes I would have said “I have ordered the kit” which indicates a purchase, but not yet the receipt of same.
I am familiar with research before building. I am also familiar with research before buying, hence my “crack”.
I have come across a few modelers who will buy a kit, have it in their possession and not open the box to see for themselves what the kit contains, but will post questions about the kit on forums like this. I am convinced if they do not like the answers they in turn sell it on to another builder. Most likely without letting them know the pitfalls they are avoiding. Caveat Emptor!
As Brian said, it’s a decent kit, but with raised panel lines. A friend of mine has the same model, but as he always builds them without pilot figures.I am unaware of whether it comes with a pilot or not.
I am hopeful that the next we meet in these forums that I will keep my wisecracks in hand, and you will keep your grumpiness in check! Good luck with the kit!
Thread postcount tally: ALJ +3 BG +2 (whoops, there goes another wisecrack!)
For some reason the nick I registered yesterday doesn’t work anymore. Anyway…
I just checked both of my Hasegawa Zeroes. The first one dates from the early 80s and it has two figures on a separate sprue. One is standing with a sword and the other is seated and in flight gear. The newer kit is circa 1998 (it was a special edition with a video tape of the Chino Planes of Fame Zero and includes decals for the PofF Zero). This kit has a pilot figure on the same tree with the fuselage.
I would expect a current release kit would have the same mold as the late 90s version with the pilot on the same tree with the fuselage. None of the figures looked all that great. About on par with many 1/32 pilot figures from the 70s.
BTW, this kit is of the last Zero version which has four wing cannons.
Chris, sorry to hear about the runaround you got in Georgia! Yup, I love Brunswick and the Golden Isles, but I don’t think I could live there again. Great for a nice, quiet beach vacation, though! And you must have went to the wrong restaurants: as I recall, there are a fair share of honeys down there! It has been a while, though…
Glad you’re back in Japan, though. I hope you are where you are happiest!
Bgrigg, nicely worded post there. Hopefully all is well now!
Bill, thanks for your informative posts! I’m sure you’ve helped Chris a bunch.
Chris, I built this kit many years ago (17+) and still have it in my possesion. Mine came with one figure and as previously stated it does indeed have raised panel lines. The detail is pretty decent as you would expect in a kit this size but is probably not up to todays standard with all the photo-etch and resin add ons. If my memory serves me well the fit was excellent and I do not recall any major construction flaws but that was many years ago and I was not as picky as I am now over the construction of my kits. Good luck with your build.
Thanks guys, I appreciate all your help!.. I would like to keep this thread alive, as I am interested in hearing as much as I can about it. Even pictures and a build up review if someone out there has done one!..
Brian, yeah, I was a little grumpy as it was a 20 hour return home from Jacksonville… I guess if I had of spent a bit more time, then I would have come to enjoy it. But as I was basically put in a position that blew my mind upon arrival, I guess it just soured it all for me!.. I think I made my friend quite aware of just how pissed off I was, so for the rest of the time, I just made myself at home and used what ever he had to use, and just enjoyed myself… He did actually give me his new Ford F150 to drive around in, and boy did I have a look around… To make my trip all that more upsetting. 2 days before I was to return. I returned home from the grocery store, and I slipped out of the pickup. My ankle turned and tore all the ligarments in my right leg… The last 2 days in bed, and a 20 hour joy ride home with a throbbing from pain busted ankle!.. But I made it back! You say that you probably will never return… Well, if you ever do. I might just join you, if you feel it will be a long ways away! he he he
I know this is five years after your inquirey but here it goes. I was myself looking for a review on the Hasegawa 1/32 A6M5 myself, because I have the old original release kit which I am currently building. I have built this kit before when I was 17 but considering that I am now 50, I’ll give you my current review. The problem that I have run into is the fuselage fitting flush, because it is either warped or the mold it was injected from was not properly aligned. I solved this problem by getting a hold of flat narrow strips of 04 x 32 mm plastic and cut & fitted them making a lip-fit when I joined / glued the fuselage halves together. I used Tenax liquid instant-weld cement which really does the trick about securing plastic together in a weld-like seal. Speaking of plastic, I like the quality and sturdiness of the plastic used on this and other Hasegawa 1/32 aircraft kits in this series. Of course this was the original release kit and the newer ones may have a different plastic they are injection molded from. Over all, I like the kit because you can build as is or add aftermarket or your own creativity in detailing it further. I am a BIG FAN / Model builder of Japanese WW-2 era aircraft, ships and armor. I envy you being in Japan where you have access to all of these great models / subject matter! Hope this helps, even though it may be five years too late.