The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

Zero-1 is now on its gear. It's a bit wonky, but it'll do.

zero-2 is progressing quickly. Hoping to get some paint on it this weekend.

Well, I didn't manage to get much done on the Zeros at all over the weekend. Certainly no painting, anyway.

I'll try to get some work done this week - if my stupid shifts will allow me, that is!

I've managed to get the two Zeros painted up, but I've had a SERIOUS lack of mojo the past couple of weeks. I've barely touched any plastic lately - even the "simple" Spitfire project I was working on has ground to a serious halt!

However, I will try to get my Zeros done in time for the deadline - or at least one of them!

I've decided - a little late in the day, of course! - to build Zero-2 with its gear up and mount it on a stand. So, to that end, the Zero now has its gear doors installed. Means I'll have to fill and sand the spinner, mind, but that's not going to take long.

I promise I'll get photos!

Zero progress....

Photos at last! Both are looking good

Zero-1 has got some decals on....


It's going to need a lot of weathering done, however, since the aircraft in the film is very much a veteran - lots of aluminium showing through the green!

I'm calling these two DONE!

First up, in reverse order, Zero #2....






This is the aircraft seen being flown by Kyuzo Miyabe early on in the film, during the raid on Pearl Harbor.

I didn't add any weathering to the aircraft, as my thinking was that these aircraft would have been virtually brand new at the time, although I might add some exhaust stains and gun smoke on the wings later on. I've built up the drop tank, but I haven't fitted it yet, so this will be going on later (providing it stays securely when the model is placed on its stand!)

Zero #1....







This is the aircraft that Kyuzo Miyabe flies at the end of the film, on a kamikaze mission. He decides to fly the earlier model in place of the newer model he normally flies, arguing that he wants to fly the older model as it was his favourite version.

I'm not 100% happy with this one, as I kind of rushed the weathering a bit, and the finish looks a bit uneven due to having to repaint patches over the wing walkway decals. I'll add some more stains and scratches later on, I think. My one complaint about this kit is the fact that it doesn't come with the large bomb that the film aircraft carried into the kamikaze mission - presumably, though, the original kit doesn't have one anyway. Not to worry, I might see if I can find something that will suit!

From most photos of weathered Japanese planes that I have seen, there are as many exceptions as rules regarding patterns of weathering. They both look the business to me. Nice work Daz.

Cheers, PT!