A6M3 Model 22, Shoichi Sugita, 204 Kokutai, Rabaul 1943 1:48

PetrOs · January 16, 2018

A few weeks ago, I was presented by a kit of A6M3 Zero in a christmas present exchange action in a forum. It was an old tool Tamiya kit of Mod.32 "Hamp". As I have no japs in my collection yet, I went on to start it! I got lots of goodies for it, but I managed to destroy the kit as my skills in engraving the panel lines are nonexistant.... Thus, I aquired a new tool Tamiya kit, its a different A6M3 variant (Mod.22, different wings), and started it after a few weeks of research.

Following goodies are here, but its likely not all would be used. Sure use are only the BigEd set and the "Saburo Sakai" pilot, plus diorama items. I always want to make a diorama out of my kits, but noone makes the japanese mechanics working on the airframe! I asked Luis "Panzer vs. Tanks" on shapeways, if he can make a set, but its not yet there, and he's not sure he will make it in time for decision.

CMK Sakae 21 Motor - only if ground crew would come
CMK Weapon bays A6M3 - not likely
CMK Rear conus A6M3/A6M5 - not likely, new Tamiya looks correct to me

CMK Cockpit - most likely not

Big Ed A6M3 - already
HGW Seatbelts Zero - not really, pilot has the belts molded on
Scale Aircraft Conversions Metal Gear struts - quite sure use, I always have a stability problem with plastic struts when transporting to shows
SBS Model Seat - nope
Squadron Vacform canopy - likely
True Details Wheels - sure
Techmod A6M3 "Aces" decal - sure

For the diorama I got

CMK Ground crew (winking)
CMK Saburo Sakai IJN Pilot
PJ Productions IJN Pilot
Tamiya Kurogane 4x4 jeep
Tamiya Komatsu G40 Bulldozer

Barrels, crates, etc from different kits.

The plan is to make an aircraft coded T2-165 in a highly weared green over the IJN glossy faded grey green. This machine was a mitsubishi build A6M3 Mod. 22, so mitsubishi specific coloring applies. It was a part of 204 Kokutai activities in the Solomons in 1943, based on Rabaul and Buin. It was mostly flown by the top ace Shoichi Sugita.

Shoichi Sugita was one of the 6 pilots who were escorting Admiral Yamamoto's Betty when P-38 Lightnings ambushed the group and shot down both Betties, killing Yamamoto. Sugita shot down one of the Lightnings, but too late to save the admiral. 6 Pilots were ashamed to have failed, and swore an oath to fight the enemy with no respect for their own life. In a few months, 4 were killed, and another went home after loosing an arm, only Sugita remaining. He was respected as the most agressive japanese pilot, and shot down between 70 and 120 aircraft. He was injured a few times, but returned to action, fighting over Truk, Peleliu, Phillipines and japanese mainland. In 1945 he was a part of the elite 301 Hikotai, 343 Kokutai, which was commanded by Minoru Genda and flew the brand new N1K2-J George to a devastating effect (most likely my next build ). However, on 15. April 1945 US carrier Hellcats from VF-46, led by Robert "Doc" Weatherup, struck the airfield. Despite the order to get in cover from Genda, Sugita and his wingman Miyazawa ran to their fighters and tried to start, only to be blown to pieces on takeoff by Weatherup.

The plane weathering should look like this (its another Zero from the same area)

The profile is:

Edited January 16, 2018 by PetrOs

PetrOs · January 16, 2018

And a few pics of my progress in the last 1-2 days. MGs were of course blackened since then, but the progress is slow due to work, 2 kids, scale model shop secondary business and 2 other projects on the workbench