Japanese aircraft colors... help needed

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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I thought that painting Japanese aircraft was quite simple, as I’ve built a 1/72 Zero… But now, I’m building a 1/48 Zero, and after a little research, I’ve found that, depending on the factory, the copkpit color was two different shades of green, I mean, a Mitsubishi color and a Nakajima color, this last is a bamboo green. Now, Tamiya makes a cockpit color XF-71, but which of the two cockpit colors is the match of the Tamiya color? If none, I want to know the color mixes for those colors… There are seven marking options in the Tamiya A6M5c Zero in 1/48… 6 Mitsuibishi-built Zero’s and one Nakajima-built Zero, this last is an aircraft for a Japanese ace: Takeo Tanimizu, and I want to build this one and want to paint it very accurate. Mmm… There was a good website with references of Japanese aircraft colors, but I’ve missed it. Thanks for your advice. Regards.

José

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Dont know much about Japanese A/C but there a fellow here named Chris_in_japan he builds alot of Japanese A/C he might drop in.

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Is this the site you were thinking of? I use this alot when i’m building IJN aircraft. Got a 1/48 zeke on deck, to go with the B6N2, and the Val

http://www.j-aircraft.com/

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Jose:

The Tamiya XF-71 color is the Mitsubishi cockpit color (not Nakajima). I’m an acrylic guy myself, but if you don’t mind enamels, White Ensign Models makes a great line of supposedly authentic Japanese aircraft colors, including the two you are looking for. Check out this link:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/paint/wem/paint_wem_ija_colourcoats.shtml

Hope this helps.

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Yep, Mist086 is all over it. Just bring up this sight, click on research & nav your way to the bit on colour mixes. Can’t go wrong. I even laminated Joern’s pages & have them stuck on the wall in the modelling area.

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Interesting problem… I use Tamiya paints, and am lucky to have seen alot of the Aircraft that I build on display or in Japanese text books from the library… So I usually mix what looks good to the eye… I will say that for me. Mitsub or even blue…Then after you give the office a wash, it changes colour again, and so I just put this down in my way of thinking that all aircraft are different, and weather in different ways…

Chris

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I see… I want to finish it before the 25th, but I’m afraid I can’ make orders this month, because every package goes automatically to the local customs office, and I have to queue for hours and maybe pay a tax… for one paint bottle?.. It’s not worthy. I’ve found the Humbrol Hu 78, Cockpit Green… How good is it?.. I supose it’s for British aircraft, but looks different when I compare it with my Model Master British Interior Green… Thanks for your replies. Regards.

José

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I dont know what happened there, but my post makes absolutely no sence… Half of what I wrote is missing? Hmm strange… Anyways, what I wanted to say is, that Mistubishi aircraft had a tropical yellowy green paint, and Nakajima aircraft had a warmer green…

Chris