What-If Reno Racer - A6M8 Zero. Potential Paint Schemes?

[seiran01]

I'm going to be building an A6M8 in 1/32 scale, with a conversion I've designed. The new cowl with large air scoop on top and a Kinsei 62 radial engine are being 3d printed, and the more I look at the plane with that giant air scoop on top of the new cowl.  So it's got me thinking, what about making one into a fictional Reno race plane?  

Does anyone have thoughts on what would make a great looking paint scheme on such a plane? This is the part where my creativity is severely lacking so I'm hoping some of you guys will have some fun and creative ideas 

Cheers!
Mike 

[1to1scale]

Something to think about, the Japanese Hinomaru was very unpopular after the war. However, the Japanese are always nature/animal lovers, so flowing/swooping lines, feathers, dragons, etc. would have been more likely. 

[HubertB]

Excellent ideas. I confess I did not think about them. Whatever the scheme, red and white seem « compulsory » colors. And don't forget to clip the wings !

A « rising sun » scheme seems an idea (like the Super Corsair), although probably not a good one in an immediate-post-WWII racing configuration, where anti-Japanases feelings were still strong.

Hubert

[smitty44]

Big Dragon on the side with Kirin as a sponsor

[1to1scale]

Then again, there is always this scheme...

[Martinnfb]

[Martinnfb]

[seiran01]

14 hours ago, 1to1scale said:

Then again, there is always this scheme...

 

9 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

 

12 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

 

Oh boy... Hard no on these suggestions!

[seiran01]

On 3/25/2020 at 12:49 PM, 1to1scale said:

Something to think about, the Japanese Hinomaru was very unpopular after the war. However, the Japanese are always nature/animal lovers, so flowing/swooping lines, feathers, dragons, etc. would have been more likely. 

 

21 hours ago, HubertB said:

Excellent ideas. I confess I did not think about them. Whatever the scheme, red and white seem « compulsory » colors. And don't forget to clip the wings !

A « rising sun » scheme seems an idea (like the Super Corsair), although probably not a good one in an immediate-post-WWII racing configuration, where anti-Japanases feelings were still strong.

Hubert

 

20 hours ago, smitty44 said:

Big Dragon on the side with Kirin as a sponsor

 

These are some great ideas guys, thanks  

I've posted this on LSP as well, the rising sun theme seems popular over there too. Not sure I'm sold on doing that yet on the Zero, but it really does look stunning on the F2G!

[Martinnfb]

Sorry Mike, I couldn't help myself

[GazzaS]

There are rules for marking Reno Racers that I didn't discover until after I did my PCM TA-152C in a Reno-esque scheme.  Your numbers must be in contrasting paint on both the rudder and upper and lower wings...  my memory is a bit sketchy on which side of the wings, but it is top and bottom...  but there are plenty of pics out there to give you an idea.

 

As for design, coming up with something original is tough.

[IainMackayDall]

How about adding in on our lockdown viewing "The wind rises"..

 

[BradG]

Needs a cut down canopy, enlarged fin and rudder with an R 4360 up front...but you know that's just me.

[seiran01]

I’ve been thinking about a new canopy and trimmed wingtips, since you mention it. 4360 is a project for another day, and not for this plane. Drawing the Kinsei 62 was enough of a challenge for me - but here’s how things look before I sent them off to print. Now I just need to figure out how to add panel lines for my next project, I’ll be scribing them onto the cowl here.
 

 

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

This is interesting indeed. Is this an American owned racer or is it owned by Japanese interests?

If it is close in time to the war I doubt any American would put hinomarus on it. That being the case, loads of American flags. All over it. (I have seen Stars and stripes Karate gis. )

If Japanese, do a search on JASDF F-4's and F-15's. There are so many ideas. Caligraphy, cherry blossoms, birds, shark mouths, kabuki... the end is listless. 

Were it me? Japanese owned Kabuki mask surrounded by taiko drums and cherry blossoms.