For many years I'd wanted to build a two-seat version of the Zero fighter-trainer and to facilitate this I'd collected the required kit's (JT43, JT18), aftermarket detail sets and a vacform canopy set (Falcon No.33) as well as any available reference material. Why? Because at the time this kit (09855) wasn't even on Hasegawa's production list and the prospect of it ever becoming available was almost naught. Isn't that how it always goes??.......
As a consequence when I set out to build this model - in 2007 - it ended up being the most expensive ($350 Aus) and complex build I'd ever undertaken. Initial construction consisted of grafting the forward fuselage section from an A6M3 (type 32) onto the forward fuselage of an A6M2b (type 21) to create the correct profile. The fuselage opening was also enlarged to accommodate the dual cockpits and the anti-spin strakes were also made and fitted at this stage. Two CMK A6M2/3 Zero cockpit sets (4120) were used to create the dual cockpits, with the rear having a shortened (by 6mm) and narrower floor and fitted with the rear bulkhead. Because little is known about the actual configuration of the rear cockpit, from the information available to me I decided to fit only the instrument panel, seat, control column, rudder pedals, throttle quadrant and radio, with the majority of items coming from an Eduard etch-set (48-176). The forward cockpit on the other hand was fitted out as per normal, also using items from an Eduard etch-set.
As CMK also produce a nicely detailed Nakajima Sakae 12/21 engine (4097), I decided this would be a nice feature to add to my model. However, although it provided a good starting point I felt it lacked a lot detail and by the time I was finished with it, 180 parts had gone into its construction. In the end it was all well worth it though, but I don't know that I'd ever do it again.
The rudder and elevators were also removed from the kit and KMC resin replacements fitted, the wing guns and shell ejection chutes were filled in, brake lines were added from fuse wire, True Details resin wheels were fitted and the undercarriage bays and doors were detailed with parts from an Eduard etch-set.
As the model was to be finished as an aircraft from the Genzan Air Group, which lost most of its Zero's in Kamikaze attacks during the Okinawa campaign of 1945, I fitted the model with a centreline bomb-rack and 250kg HE bomb, instead of the usual drop tank.
The model was painted using the Gunze Hobby Color range of acrylic paints and Vallejo acrylics for the cockpit details. Weathering consisted of panel line washes, exhaust stains and scratches and paint chips made with a silver Prismacolor pencil. Aeromaster Decals (48-017) were used for the Hinomarus, HobbyDecal rub-down transfers for all of the other markings and hand cut mask for the tail codes. The figures came from the Eduard set, Japanese Army AF WWII (8504).
The model was completed in 2008, just in time for Hasegawa to announce the imminent release of their offering..........DOOH!
As CMK also produce a nicely detailed Nakajima Sakae 12/21 engine (4097), I decided this would be a nice feature to add to my model. However, although it provided a good starting point I felt it lacked a lot detail and by the time I was finished with it, 180 parts had gone into its construction. In the end it was all well worth it though, but I don't know that I'd ever do it again.
The rudder and elevators were also removed from the kit and KMC resin replacements fitted, the wing guns and shell ejection chutes were filled in, brake lines were added from fuse wire, True Details resin wheels were fitted and the undercarriage bays and doors were detailed with parts from an Eduard etch-set.
As the model was to be finished as an aircraft from the Genzan Air Group, which lost most of its Zero's in Kamikaze attacks during the Okinawa campaign of 1945, I fitted the model with a centreline bomb-rack and 250kg HE bomb, instead of the usual drop tank.
The model was painted using the Gunze Hobby Color range of acrylic paints and Vallejo acrylics for the cockpit details. Weathering consisted of panel line washes, exhaust stains and scratches and paint chips made with a silver Prismacolor pencil. Aeromaster Decals (48-017) were used for the Hinomarus, HobbyDecal rub-down transfers for all of the other markings and hand cut mask for the tail codes. The figures came from the Eduard set, Japanese Army AF WWII (8504).
The model was completed in 2008, just in time for Hasegawa to announce the imminent release of their offering..........DOOH!
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| Bunrindo Co Ltd Famous Airplanes of the World No.55 |
