Correct color for Pearl Harbor Zero

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I just purchased the 1/48 Tamiya A6M2 (21) Zero for a steal at a craft store. This will be my first Tamiya kit and japanese plane for that matter. I would like to build a Pearl scheme but am unclear on the correct FS color for the exterior. The instruction sheet says light gray? As a matter of fact, the instructions are very vague on all needed colors. What’s “blue-green clear”? Any suggestions and information would be appreciated for colors needed to paint this plane.

Thanks[banghead]

2

Duke
Try this web site I’m not sure it has what you want but it’s very good for Japanese aircraft
http://www.j-aircraft.com/
tey the research link it should help

3

According to references at j-aircraft.com cited above, until recently, early Zeros were incorrectly described as being painted in overall Pale Gray. It has now been determined that the color was actually Gray-Green, a close match to FS 16350. According to IPMS Toronto, the cowling was Blue-Black-Gray FS 35042, used on Mitsubishi built aircraft only, that quickly faded to dark gray.

The blue-green-clear was called Aotake, which means blue bamboo color. This was a clear blue-green lacquer that was applied to the Zero wheel wells, wheel covers, and most other interior areas, except the cockpit, to protect the aluminum from the weather.
Most model paint manufacturers offer this as Metalic Blue-Green or Interior Green Metalic.

As referenced in “Japanese Aircraft Interiors 1940-1945”, by Robert C. Mikesh, the Zero cockpit interior, including the instrument panel, was a Mitsubishi green listed only as A/N 34 (no FS number given). My Mk 1 eyeball tells me that the closest match is FS 34259. This color is, or was, available from AeroMaster as #1096 Mitsub. Int. Green.

I hope this is of some help and not too confusing. [%-)]

Pete

4

Contrary to the recent film Pearl Harbor, there were no green Zeros at Pearl. Though some of the other aircraft were green (notabley the attack leader’s Kate), all the Zeroes were IJN light gray.

5

Thanks for all the input. Does Model Master Enamels have a Japanese aircraft paint line for the above FS numbers? I’ve been using them forever and have grown accustomed to their product.

6

Model Master has #2114 thru #2119 Japanese aircraft colors.