I’m hoping that someone out there might be able to shed a little light on an A6M2 Zero color discrepancy. I am looking to find the “correct” color to paint the dash under the windscreen, and the “turtledeck” behind the pilot under the canopy. I looked at photos over at the J-aircraft site and in the “Building the Zero” book by Brian Criner, and found three different schemes. One is black, one is the light green interior color, and the the last is the outside fuselage color. I suspect that there might not be a “standard” color, but would like to get as close to what was really there as possible. TIA!
Frank, I remember reading somewhere that the cockpit decking should be black on the Nakajima-built Zero but is the same green as the rest of the upper surface camouflage green on the Mitsubishi-built models. I’m quite sure this applied to the A6M5 series, but I can’t be positive about the A6M2’s. If it does apply, then I imagine one would substitute grey for green on the Mitsubishi-built models. Hopefully, someone with a bit more knowledge on the subject will come along.
Thanks Mike! I did some more searching on J-aircraft.com, and found some more info on the early Zeros. According to paint samples from wrecks, the color off the canopy deck and the instrument deck on the early A6M2’s was very similar to FS 15050, a dark almost black green that looks very close to RLM 70 used by the Luftwaffe. I think I may go this route, judging by the color samples found, and the fact that I have some Gunze RLM 70 on my bench.
The actual color is the same as the cowling on the engine. Its a blue balck. White Ensign makes a great match. The canopy framing on the inside is the same also.
That is a great site, eh Frank?! [tup] Can’t wait to see how your Zeke progresses!
Thanks, guys!
Mike- It IS a great site, so much info you almost wonder if you could build your own and fly it.
I’ll post some pics of her as she progresses. I have the cockpit almost done, just have to paint the gunsight. I used the kit seat, thinned it a little and drilled the lightening holes. The seatbelts were made of lead foil from a bottle of expensive booze, and the buckle is fine copper wire bent to shape.
Looking goood, Frank.
Hey, that looks great, Frank! [tup] If the office is any indication (and I’m sure it is) she’s gonna be a real looker when finished! I love using that foil. You can even burnish it down against sandpaper to give it some added texture.
Well, last night I finished masking all of the canopy frames, and glued the canopy on. I am hoping to start the painting this weekend. I’ll post some pics soon!
Cool! I’m looking forward to seeing 'em, Frank! …and congrats on masking that complex Zero canopy. That part drives me nuts, which is probably why I have no completed Zekes in my collection. When I do get around to finishing my 1/32 Tamiya kit, I’ll be using the pre-cut masks I bought for it. [swg]
Thanks Mike! I have one of those Tamiya 1/32 scale Zeroes too, only problem is they are too large to fit into my display case! Sure are beautiful kits though, aren’t they?
Making that canopy was a royal pain as the raised lines on it are nowhere close to being straight. I had to fudge ‘em a lil’ to make them look straight.
Ya got that right, Frank. They are gorgeous kits, aren’t they! [tup] …and display space is yet another reason I haven’t finished it yet.
Here’s the engine I did for mine, with a little (OK, a LOT!) of help from some Eduard PE. [;)]
Your engine looks awesome! Way better than any I have ever done. What technique did you use to give it that dingy, worn look? I really like it!
Frank, for that worn metal look I’ve always prefered drybrushing with a mix I whip up of burnt umber oil paints and testors chrome silver (the one in the little square bottle). It looks like a very light bronze when mixed on the pallette, but it loses a lot of the hue when drybrushed and just leaves you with a nice subtle worn metal effect. The grime is just a straight oil wash, using both straight black and burnt umber, and applied liberally.
That’s the same technique I use! I think you do a better job with it, guess I’m gonna have to practice it a lil’ more to get it to look like yours. Nice job!
Thanks much, Frank! It took more than a few trys on my part to get the right combination for me and to find out that a little of it goes a very long way. [;)]
Frank–
Can’t wait to see the Zero!! If it’s anything like your 109, I’m going to love it!
Hey Frank-
Nice work on the cockpit! Can’t wait to see more![tup]
Mike-
Very nice engine! Looks like the real thing!
Thanks guys! I only hope that it doesn’t try to shoot down my FAA Corsair when they’re in the display case together. [V]
Thanks Darren! The Eduard set really made the difference.
MrDrummy…yep, I agree. The Emil that Frank built was one of the nicest I’ve seen here. His Zeke should be a knockout!