Mitsubishi A6M2b /A6M5 Zero Fighter Type 21/52 'Super Ace Combo' - 1:72 Hasegawa

[Paul A H]

Mitsubishi A6M2b /A6M5 Zero Fighter Type 21/52 'Super Ace Combo' (two kits)

1:72 Hasegawa

 

 

Blessed with outstanding agility and long range, the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Reisen ‘Zeke’ was able to dominate the early years of the air war in the Pacific theatre. Known by the Allies as the Zero, a contraction of its full designation Type Zero Carrier Fighter, this famous aircraft was designed to be as light as possible in order to make the most of the relatively low power available from its Sakae 12 radial engine. This weight saving became a major Achilles heel for the Zero, however, once heavily armed and armoured opposition such as the Grumman Hellcat entered the fray.

The A6M2 was the initial production variant of the Zero, which made its combat debut in China in 1940. By the end of that year, it had achieved phenomenal success, accounting for 59 enemy aircraft without a single loss sustained. This run of success continued at Pearl Harbour when 105 Zeros of the IJN, flying as escorts for torpedo and dive bombers, shot down a number of American aircraft with minimal losses. The A6M5 was an improved variant which entered service in late 1943. It featured stronger wings which permitted higher dive speeds, and a redesigned exhaust system. Some sub-variants featured an improved armored windscreen and heavier armament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the years, Hasegawa have produced a pretty comprehensive range of Japanese types in 1:72. Judging by their release schedule, one of their most enduringly popular kits must be the Mitsubishi Zero. This edition contains two complete kits - one Type 21 and one Type 52 Zero – with decal options to represent the aircraft of high scoring aces.

 

The kits are made up of 46 and 48 parts respectively, spread across four sprues of grey plastic plus a one-piece canopy moulded in clear plastic. Although these kits aren’t representative of Hasegawa’s current capabilities, they do sport the delicate, engraved surface detail that the Japanese manufacturer’s kits are famous for. The moulds appear to be in good shape, with just a little flash present here and there.
 

 

 

 

Each cockpit is made up of five parts including a decent seat, control column and rear bulkhead. In common with many other Hasegawa kits of a certain vintage, this area is devoid of raised detail. Instead, you have to use the supplied decals to add interest to the consoles and instrument panel. In contrast to the cockpits, the engines are quite detailed and the two rows of cylinders are moulded separately from one another.

 

The lower wing is moulded in a single span, so you won’t have to worry too much about getting the dihedral of the wings right. The main landing gear bays are moulded in place in the lower wing and feature some convincing structural detail. The undercarriage is reasonably good. The scissor links on the main landing gear legs are particularly nicely rendered. The wheels themselves are not weighted, however, and sport a couple of ugly ejector pin marks that will have to be cleaned up. The addition of fine details such as radio aerials and aileron counter balances set the models off nicely. The canopies moulded in one piece, but are thin and very clear.

 

 

Five decal options are provided in total:

• A6M2b of 201^st Naval Flying Group, flown by WO Tetsuzo Iwamoto, November 1943;
• A6M2b, Zuikaku, 2^nd Section, 1^st Aircraft, NAP 1/C, flown by Tetsuzo Iwamoto, December 1941, Pearl Harbour attack;
• A6M2b, Oppama Naval Flying Group, NAP 1/C, flown by Tetsuzo Iwamoto, February 1943;
• A6M5, 253^rd Naval Flying Group, flown by WO Tetsuzo Iwamoto, February 1944; and
• A6M5, 253^rd Naval Flying Group, flown by WO Tetsuzo Iwamoto, January-February 1944.

The decals themselves are the usual Hasegawa type, being nicely printed but a little thick. In my experience though, Hasegawa decals usually behave pretty well.

 

Conclusion

 

Hasegawa’s Zero is a fairly simple but reasonably refined rendition of a classic World War Two fighter. What the kits lack in cockpit detail, they make up for in other areas such as the engine, wheel wells and overall surface detail.

 

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for