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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

1/32 A6M2-N


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My first "official" WIP thread here. Be forewarned - my build rate makes glaciers appear speedy!

The base kit is Tamiya's A6M2 Zero. A beauty of a kit in itself, but I already have the A6M5 - and there's just something about floatplanes...

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I'll be using the Rufe Conversion set from Model Design Construction.

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The set includes a replacement rudder/ tailfin, solid resin floats and pylon in addition to various fuselage mods to replace the arrestor hook. A short spinner is also included. The casting on these parts is remarkable!

I also bought the Aires A6M2 cockpit. Lots of detail; it remains to be seen how well it will fit in the Tamiya fuselage. Here is a shot of the main pieces from the Aires set, side by side with the kit parts (Aires parts are on the left).

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I'm undecided on the seat at this point. I can go with the Tamiya part, or use the seat from a CMK A6M5 set with molded in harness.

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The CMK set also included some very delicately molded flaps; I'll have to see if they'll fit on the A6M2.

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The only other thing I could want for this kit is a set of REXx exhausts, but I can't find any in stock.

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Here we go... For me, the first cut on an expensive kit is the hardest. There was obvious interference between the fuselage and the Aires cockpit; the first thing that had to go was the molded in mount for the throttle quadrant. The fit, after removal, is still too tight...

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The openings for the machine guns creates a very delicate piece hanging in space. Clumsy me is virtually guaranteed to snap that off at some point; Tamiya provides gun troughs which will strengthen the part in this area.

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Aotake (Model Master enamel) sprayed...

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Now for the cut to remove the tail... The cut follows panel lines, and isn't the easiest thing to do.

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Both sides cut and resin plug fitted. Still some tweaking, and it will take some filler, but I'm not displeased.

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A little progress... Forward center section of the lower wing was cut out. I added some backing material, and some shims to fit the MDC insert.

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Some filling, sanding, and rescribing will be in order, but it's to be expected.

Checking the fit of the upper wings. All appears good.

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I laid down a coat of Tamya XF-71 over Mr. Surfacer black on the main cockpit components. Detailing these areas will take a while - there's a lot there. I removed the mounting for the arrestor hook lock lever.

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I have to be in the right frame of mind to paint the details. Until I'm ready, I've started on the engine. I used Elmer's to mask areas to be cemented.

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Cylinder heads were sprayed with MM Metalizer Aluminum. I'll follow that with a black wash to show some detail. Crankcase will be a 50/50 mix of IJN Gray and RLM 65. I've added some tiny Eduard PE details from their A6M5 engine set. They're tacked with white glue. Once dry, I'll CA them in place.

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Coming together greatly Whatever Elmer's is, I like the idea of masking to be cemented areas while painting, simple, but I haven't heard of before. I'm always scratching with a blade after painting with the risk of ruining something, so thanks for the idea.

Cheers Rob

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1 hour ago, DocRob said:

Coming together greatly Whatever Elmer's is, I like the idea of masking to be cemented areas while painting, simple, but I haven't heard of before. I'm always scratching with a blade after painting with the risk of ruining something, so thanks for the idea.

Cheers Rob

Thanks, Rob! Elmer's is just cheap white school glue.

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