Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (x2) Kit # 61016 (2007)

[UKguyInUSA]

Hello Guys,

Below are the images of my "Final Reveal" for the two Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zeros (Zekes) that I built side by side, with one finished in the IJN Green Upper and Grey lower and one finished in the all over IJN Grey/Green.

This build had a few firsts for me:

1) First time building Japanese Aircraft
2) First time using Johnson's Pledge/Klear Acrylic floor shine to see how I personally feel about it compared to the Model Masters clear coats that I have always used without issue since starting modeling in January 2014.
3) First time attempting heavy chipping using the "Hairspray Technique" on the IJN Green version only.

After the images, I will include some notes regarding this build; my opinions of the kit in terms of quality, cost, value for money etc and any points to look out for if you decide to buy and build this kit.

I hope you like the following views!

Plane #1: 261st Air Group (Tiger Corps), Kagoshima Base, February 1944

Plane #2 Petty Officer 1st Class Saburo Sakai, Tainan Air Group, Denpasar Base, Bali Island, February 1942

And, some photos of both versions side by side for contrast and comparison:

These are Tamiya's kit # 61016 that is the 2007 Type 21 version release. This kit was re-tooled in 2008 and updated a couple of times since then with new parts and decals. This kit is available from Scalehobbyist.com for only $10.84, about 7.00 quid in the UK, here is the link to their page:

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Model_Aircraft/a6m2-type-21-zero/TAM00061016/product.php?s=0&t=0&u=0&micr=148&pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&era=0,6&man=TAM

The kit comes with a reasonably detailed cockpit, that has a decal for the instrument panel and a decently detailed radial engine. There are options to have the undercarriage up or down, the canopy closed or open and decals for 5 different markings; I modeled one with the canopy closed and one with the canopy open. The undercarriage is sturdy and nicely detailed, too.

A 8 page black and white assembly/instruction booklet is included that is clearly detailed with part numbers, decal numbers and Tamiya paint numbers.

The decals are typical Tamiya which I expected to have some breaking issues with, as I have with other Tamiya kits, but fortunately, these decals went down excellently adhering to recessed and raised details nicely.

The parts are very crisp and cleanly molded with no ejector pin witness marks on visible areas, no warp, no flash and no aberrations on the clear molded parts. The exterior surfaces of the plane come with recessed panel lines.

Scores out of 10:

Packaging: The kit comes in a sturdy two part box- lower and lid format, the grey sprues are packaged in one polythene bag and the clear parts are packaged in a separate clear polythene bag that is within the larger bag. The lid has nice artwork on the front and the two longer sides show two of the five different markings available, one in the IJN Green and one in the IJN grey/Green. Score: 9/10

Quality of Molded Product: 10/10

Quality of Molded Details: 9/10

Engineering Fits: I had no issues with this kit, everything went together well and no need for filler anywhere! Score: 10/10

Quality of Decals: - it's a bonus to have enough decals for 5 different markings! Score: 9/10

Quality of Instruction/Assembly Booklet: It would be much better if Tamiya included color pages for the painting and decaling sheets and provide other paint manufacturers conversion colors instead of just their own paints. Score: 8/10

Value For Money: 10/10

Enjoyment Value: 9/10

If you are just coming across this build for the first time, thanks for checking in, but if you'd like to see the build thread for this build, here is the link to it:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234982300-tamiya-148-mitsubishi-a6m2-zero-zeke-x2-build-update-1/

You can also see my "Build Update" videos on my YouTube channel; here are the links for the 3 "Build Update" videos:

Build Update #1 Video:

https://youtu.be/PBuSMyQB9bY

Build Update #2 Video:

https://youtu.be/t96YKuENSL8

Build Update #3 Video:

https://youtu.be/3Ecg5wrLr0o

And, to go with this "Final Reveal" thread, here is the link to my "Final Reveal" video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/bGDtOdc3sVg

Thanks to everyone who has followed this build thread both on here and on YouTube, and, for leaving kind and encouraging comments, it's greatly appreciated!

Now, what should I build next? Hmmmmmmm.....

Have a great weekend!

Cheers!
Martin

Edited August 15, 2016 by UKguyInUSA

[WildeSau75]

Very nice Zeros. Especially like the overall grey/green machine. Both a bit on the heavy weathering side but that's a matter of taste.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Michael

[batcode]

superb looking pair. great job on the finishes....

[Knight_Flyer]

Very nice pair of contrasting Zekes. You've done an excellent job with the paint finish. Weathering kinda looks a bit on the heavy side but can't say if it's wrong as I have seen similar on other Japanese WWII warbird models. Thanks for taking the time to post the video and review comments, very helpful for modellers who want to build this kit.

[Dave N]

Very nice work- I especially like the grey one, the green is tad weathered for me(though no doubt still realistic). Thanks for posting. D

[doozer1974]

A great pair of Zeros Martin, I like the heavy weathering on both.

Adam

[rob85]

Both look stunning, and thanks for the I t overview!

Rob

[MikeW]

Looks like the green machine went through a war or something. I think that is the best 'heavy weathering' job I have ever seen. Very nicely rendered.

Cheers,

Mike

[chris148]

great finishes especially on the green,looks well beaten up.

[thorfinn]

Both are beautiful, but I really love the battered look of the Tiger Corps bird. Well done!

[supernoob]

"First time using Johnson's Pledge/Klear Acrylic floor shine to see how I personally feel about it compared to the Model Masters clear coats that I have always used without issue since starting modeling in January 2014."

can u giv me slight opinion ..... pro's & con's between using klear & clear coats?

cheers,

steve

Edited June 14, 2015 by supernoob

[Bob Henry]

They are really good looking Zeros. Thanks for taking the time to post. Bob

[UKguyInUSA]

Very nice Zeros. Especially like the overall grey/green machine. Both a bit on the heavy weathering side but that's a matter of taste.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Michael

Thanks Michael, much appreciated!

Cheers,

Martin

[UKguyInUSA]

superb looking pair. great job on the finishes....

Thanks Batcode, much appreciated!

Cheers,

Martin

[UKguyInUSA]

Very nice pair of contrasting Zekes. You've done an excellent job with the paint finish. Weathering kinda looks a bit on the heavy side but can't say if it's wrong as I have seen similar on other Japanese WWII warbird models. Thanks for taking the time to post the video and review comments, very helpful for modellers who want to build this kit.

Thanks Knight Flyer, greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Martin

[UKguyInUSA]

Very nice work- I especially like the grey one, the green is tad weathered for me(though no doubt still realistic). Thanks for posting. D

Thanks Dave, greatly appreciated! The grey one is my favorite one out of the two....the green one was my first exercise with the "Hairspray Chipping" technique.

Cheers

Martin

[UKguyInUSA]

A great pair of Zeros Martin, I like the heavy weathering on both.

Adam

Thanks Adam, much appreciated!

Martin

[UKguyInUSA]

Both look stunning, and thanks for the I t overview!

Rob

Thanks Rob, much appreciated!

[UKguyInUSA]

Looks like the green machine went through a war or something. I think that is the best 'heavy weathering' job I have ever seen. Very nicely rendered.

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks for your very kind comment, Mike, much appreciated!