Building the Tamiya, Mitsubishi A6M3 1/48 scale English

Airplanes

Building the Tamiya, Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero 1/48 scale

by Allon Kira © Modeler Site

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The model is characterized by a good level of details and an excellent level of accuracy. The build was done without any special issues. I assembled it directly out of the box except for two minor additions: Eduard WWII seat belts for Japanese aircraft and Eduard canopy mask for A6M3 – EUEX318, although the kit included canopy masks, but I was not aware of the matter when ordering the kit.

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a fighter operated from aircraft carriers of the Japanese Imperial Navy from 1940 to 1945. The Allied official nickname for the plane was "Zeke", but it was known as "Zero" or "Reisen". The Zero excelled in excellent manoeuvrability and an extremely long flight range, making it one of the great fighters of its time and having an almost legendary reputation.

However, design flaws and critical lack of powerful engines influenced its fate on battles with more advanced American aircraft, such as the P-38 Lightning and the F-6F Hellcat.

Building

Here is my step by step building, painting and weathering process.

The main colors and weathering materials I used for this model were: A.Mig 7230 WWII imperial Japanese navy colors set, A.Mig 7233 WWII Japanese cockpit set and A.Mig7418 WWII Japanese airplanes panel line wash set.