Tamiya 1/32 A6M2

[JohnB]

I rarely do Japanese subjects but I have decided do this Zero kit as a "change of pace". Not gonna do a Pearl Harbor a/c but one that was in the S. Pacific and ditched in a swamp and is still there AFIK. 😐 

[belugawhaleman]

I have one in my stash. Oh,  you know I'll be following this build😀

[JohnB]

20 minutes ago, belugawhaleman said:

I have one in my stash. Oh,  you know I'll be following this build😀

LOL Paul. I'll try to do it justice. Looks to be a very nice kit and knowing Tamiya I figure it'll build up nicely. 🙂

[crazypoet]

I’m following as well 🙏

I have a P-40, B-25, and A-20 in the stash that I’ll be doing up in South Pacific colors, and a Zero would make a perfect addition to the set

i look forward to seeing how your build works out 🍿

…now if only someone could put out a 1/32 Betty, I’d have a whole set 🤣

[JohnB]

13 hours ago, crazypoet said:

I’m following as well 🙏

I have a P-40, B-25, and A-20 in the stash that I’ll be doing up in South Pacific colors, and a Zero would make a perfect addition to the set

i look forward to seeing how your build works out 🍿

…now if only someone could put out a 1/32 Betty, I’d have a whole set 🤣

😄

[Spitfire]

Nice one John I am on a Japanese kick at the moment building a Ki.44 Togo, and the last Zero that I built was the Swallow one may years ago, so this should be a vast improvement.

Cheers

Dennis

[JohnB]

1 hour ago, Spitfire said:

Nice one John I am on a Japanese kick at the moment building a Ki.44 Togo, and the last Zero that I built was the Swallow one may years ago, so this should be a vast improvement.

Cheers

Dennis

I figure Tamiya's is about the best. 🙂

[JohnB]

In keeping with my usual procedure I've pre-painted some of the parts before beginning assembly.  

[BlrwestSiR]

Looks good there John. 

What paint did you use for the Aotake blue sections?

Carl

[JohnB]

3 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Looks good there John. 

What paint did you use for the Aotake blue sections?

Carl

Thanks Carl. I used Mr. Paint (MRP) Aotake Green Primer MRP-409. I don't know why it's called green as it sure isn't. 🙂

[Spitfire]

Hi John you probably know already but Aotake came in various blue and green colours, 

Cheers

Dennis

[JohnB]

5 hours ago, Spitfire said:

Hi John you probably know already but Aotake came in various blue and green colours, 

Cheers

Dennis

Yes it did Dennis. Depending on whether it was from Mitsubishi, Nakajima etc. 

[JohnB]

Cockpit well along.

[Spitfire]

Nice work John, looking good.

Cheers

Dennis

[BlrwestSiR]

Great progress. Lovely work on the cockpit. 

[JohnB]

5 hours ago, Spitfire said:

Nice work John, looking good.

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis. It sure was a cluttered cockpit on those Zekes.

 

[JohnB]

2 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Great progress. Lovely work on the cockpit. 

Thank you Carl. Lots of fiddly bits! 

[JohnB]

Great fit. 🙂

[JohnB]

Everything was going fine until it got to the VERY fiddly "workable" landing gear and wells. WAY too many little fiddly springs, etc. I finally got the wheel wells together and attached to the lower wing. The gear doors have some "workable" little steel hinges so you can have the gear retracted or down. These have a high cuss factor to attach. I decided to do away with those since the gear was going to be fixed down anyway. I got the left wing joined onto the bottom piece but the right wing just will not attach properly. I tried to get that sorted out but finally got so "frustrated" I decided to put this SOB on the SOD and work on something else for a while. I'll get back to it at some point but not for a little while.

[Spitfire]

That's a shame John but better to walk away than make a mistake or bin it.

Cheers

Dennis

[BlrwestSiR]

I think this was the height of the  working features on Tamiya 1/32 kits. Glad they moved away from it in their later releases. 

[JohnB]

4 hours ago, Spitfire said:

That's a shame John but better to walk away than make a mistake or bin it.

Cheers

Dennis

Agreed Dennis. I'll get back to it at some point.

[JohnB]

1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said:

I think this was the height of the  working features on Tamiya 1/32 kits. Glad they moved away from it in their later releases. 

I agree Carl. Those fiddly toy like features are a real PITA and I too am glad they quit adding them. 

[JohnB]

I decided to go on and sort this one out. I used my trusty Dremel to "persuade" it to fit and then slapped on some CA to be sure it stays that way. I hope there won't be any more problems.

[JohnB]

I have a bad feeling about that engine/cowling fit. I hope I'm wrong but I have the feeling it "ain't gonna fit right". We will soon see.