With thanks due to Steffen for alerting us to this exciting new kit a couple of weeks ago, here's a First Look Review of Tamiya's superb 1/48 scale Zero.
Link to Item
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
REVIEW
A6M5/5a Zero
Merlin
Senior Editor
#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Friday, August 15, 2008 - 11:38 PM UTC
With thanks due to Steffen for alerting us to this exciting new kit a couple of weeks ago, here's a First Look Review of Tamiya's superb 1/48 scale Zero.
Link to Item
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
alpha_tango
Joined: September 07, 2005
KitMaker: 5,609 posts
AeroScale: 5,231 posts
Posted: Friday, August 15, 2008 - 11:55 PM UTC
Hi Rowan
very nice review!
Even if you are not into Japanese aircraft, this is worth having a look!
Many thanks also for the ad in your review.
cheers
Steffen
very nice review!
Even if you are not into Japanese aircraft, this is worth having a look!
Many thanks also for the ad in your review.
cheers
Steffen
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 12:24 AM UTC
Hi Steffen
Thank you for first highlighting the kit! My mid-year's resolution is to concentrate on building some of the kits I've already got in the Stash rather than buying still more new ones, but if kits of this quality keep appearing, I'm doomed before I even start!
All the best
Rowan
Thank you for first highlighting the kit! My mid-year's resolution is to concentrate on building some of the kits I've already got in the Stash rather than buying still more new ones, but if kits of this quality keep appearing, I'm doomed before I even start!
All the best
Rowan
youngc
Joined: June 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,166 posts
AeroScale: 105 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 12:57 AM UTC
Excellent review, great photos.
I have a diorama planned showing an A6M crashed in the jungle. Pity I have already bought Tamiya's earlier A6M2 kit. Oh well, it's not really worth buying a great kit like this if I'm going to smash it up anyway...
Thanks again for the expert review Rowan,
Chas
I have a diorama planned showing an A6M crashed in the jungle. Pity I have already bought Tamiya's earlier A6M2 kit. Oh well, it's not really worth buying a great kit like this if I'm going to smash it up anyway...
Thanks again for the expert review Rowan,
Chas
CaptainA
Joined: May 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,117 posts
AeroScale: 2,270 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 11:42 AM UTC
I have the Hasegawa kit. But I would be willing to trade it for this one. This new kit looks great. Good review.
Emeritus
Joined: March 30, 2004
KitMaker: 2,845 posts
AeroScale: 1,564 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 08:48 PM UTC
Good review of a great-looking kit.
I'll have to be careful or I'll end up with another kit in my stash...
I don't know about the rest of you, but I think it's funny how Tamiya still persists on selling separately detail parts that are regularly included in some other manufacturers' kits. *cough* Eduard *cough*
It's all in the price increase of imported kits. 600 Yens for the extra details isn't that much (~3,70€), and the Yen price of the kit itself is a real bargain (~20€), but when bought here, I'd guess the kit will sell for around 30-35€, and the extras another 8-12€.
But then, there's always the online stores...
And another one. Finemolds' 1:72 Bf-109s. ~13,50€ at HLJ, prices in Finland range between 25 and 33€(!).
I'll have to be careful or I'll end up with another kit in my stash...
I don't know about the rest of you, but I think it's funny how Tamiya still persists on selling separately detail parts that are regularly included in some other manufacturers' kits. *cough* Eduard *cough*
It's all in the price increase of imported kits. 600 Yens for the extra details isn't that much (~3,70€), and the Yen price of the kit itself is a real bargain (~20€), but when bought here, I'd guess the kit will sell for around 30-35€, and the extras another 8-12€.
But then, there's always the online stores...
And another one. Finemolds' 1:72 Bf-109s. ~13,50€ at HLJ, prices in Finland range between 25 and 33€(!).Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 05:37 AM UTC
Hi all
I couldn't help starting the kit straight after my Review... and then it sat on the workbench for a couple of weeks with no more done to it!
Talking to Andy yesterday inspired me to knuckle down and just get on with it(!), so I've had a fresh tinker today:
I'm resisting the urge to complicate things, so all I've added are a cowl flap control and foot stirrups. I've chosen a Nakajima-built a/c from the kit's decal choices, so I've used WEM Colourcoat's Nakajima Interior Grey-Green ACJ04 (the corresponding Mitsubishi colour (ACJ18) is darker and richer, more akin to US Interior Green).
All the best
Rowan
I couldn't help starting the kit straight after my Review... and then it sat on the workbench for a couple of weeks with no more done to it!
Talking to Andy yesterday inspired me to knuckle down and just get on with it(!), so I've had a fresh tinker today:I'm resisting the urge to complicate things, so all I've added are a cowl flap control and foot stirrups. I've chosen a Nakajima-built a/c from the kit's decal choices, so I've used WEM Colourcoat's Nakajima Interior Grey-Green ACJ04 (the corresponding Mitsubishi colour (ACJ18) is darker and richer, more akin to US Interior Green).
All the best
Rowan
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:26 AM UTC
Hi again
Messing about, as I do so often, with short-run kits, it's all to easy to take for granted having to do a little "overtime" getting a decent fit between major parts. Building Tamiya's Zero is a reminder of just how good the "majors" can be at this game - a dry-fit of the wings and tail is almost absurdly good!
All the best
Rowan
Messing about, as I do so often, with short-run kits, it's all to easy to take for granted having to do a little "overtime" getting a decent fit between major parts. Building Tamiya's Zero is a reminder of just how good the "majors" can be at this game - a dry-fit of the wings and tail is almost absurdly good!
All the best
Rowan
lampie
#029
Joined: December 23, 2005
KitMaker: 6,249 posts
AeroScale: 3,270 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:37 AM UTC
Dont stop now Rowan!
Keep going!!!!
You'll have it primed by ten oclock, preshaded in the morning before you go to work, and decalled by Tuesday!
Seriously though,,that cockpit assembly looks stunning!
Be a worthy adversary for the Hellcat
Nige
Keep going!!!!
You'll have it primed by ten oclock, preshaded in the morning before you go to work, and decalled by Tuesday!
Seriously though,,that cockpit assembly looks stunning!
Be a worthy adversary for the Hellcat
Nige
alpha_tango
Joined: September 07, 2005
KitMaker: 5,609 posts
AeroScale: 5,231 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:41 AM UTC
Hi Rowan
very nice impressions .. still i want to finish some of my "in progress" models before I start on my Zeke .. it is tempting though
curious if you can finish it in a few days ... Jean-Luc claimed to finish the Göppingen 9 over a weekend (I still think that's not possible) .. but it seems that is really doable with this kit
keep us up to date
cheers
Steffen
very nice impressions .. still i want to finish some of my "in progress" models before I start on my Zeke .. it is tempting though
curious if you can finish it in a few days ... Jean-Luc claimed to finish the Göppingen 9 over a weekend (I still think that's not possible) .. but it seems that is really doable with this kit
keep us up to date
cheers
Steffen
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:48 AM UTC
Cheers Nige and Steffen
I know I'll never do it - but, theoretically, even I ought to be able to finish this kit this week! Andy unwittingly threw down the challenge yesterday by saying it should fall together and, to be honest, he's right!
OK - I'll try to do a bit every day this week and see how I get on. You never know...
Hope springs eternal!
Rowan
I know I'll never do it
- but, theoretically, even I ought to be able to finish this kit this week! Andy unwittingly threw down the challenge yesterday by saying it should fall together and, to be honest, he's right! OK - I'll try to do a bit every day this week and see how I get on. You never know...
Hope springs eternal!
Rowan
betheyn
Senior Editor#019
Joined: October 14, 2004
KitMaker: 4,560 posts
AeroScale: 2,225 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
couldn't help starting the kit straight after my Review... and then it sat on the workbench for a couple of weeks with no more done to it! Talking to Andy yesterday inspired me to knuckle down and just get on with it(!), so I've had a fresh tinker today:
I'm speechless. I know i said that it should go together pretty well for a Tammy kit, but I didn't realise it went together that well and that fast.
Great job Rowan, keep it up, or i will nag you again
.Andy
lampie
#029
Joined: December 23, 2005
KitMaker: 6,249 posts
AeroScale: 3,270 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 08:51 AM UTC
Shall we save a space on the stand at Medway this coming weekend for it Rowan?
Nige
Nige
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 09:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Shall we save a space on the stand at Medway this coming weekend for it Rowan?
Nige
Come off it Nige!
Work permitting, I might get about 4 hours modelling time before then!
My "week" includes a good run at it next weekend! All the best
Rowan
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:31 AM UTC
Hi again
A quick update - the wings are on:
The pegs make things look worse than they are. In fact, the fit is superb! The pegs are just a precaution to ensure the (semi-)unsupported rear edges over the flaps line up correctly. All being well, there'll be no filler needed.
If this looks OK in the morning I should really be able to crack on, with a target to finish next weekend. (I can't believe I just wrote that! )
All the best
Rowan
A quick update - the wings are on:
The pegs make things look worse than they are. In fact, the fit is superb! The pegs are just a precaution to ensure the (semi-)unsupported rear edges over the flaps line up correctly. All being well, there'll be no filler needed.
If this looks OK in the morning I should really be able to crack on, with a target to finish next weekend. (I can't believe I just wrote that!
)All the best
Rowan
TedMamere
Joined: May 15, 2005
KitMaker: 5,653 posts
AeroScale: 4,347 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:37 AM UTC
Hi Rowan!
Fantastic!
I hope you won't get distracted until you have finished this one!
Jean-Luc
Fantastic!
I hope you won't get distracted until you have finished this one!
Jean-Luc
betheyn
Senior Editor#019
Joined: October 14, 2004
KitMaker: 4,560 posts
AeroScale: 2,225 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:42 AM UTC
Looking good Rowan.
Watching your build and the ease of assembly is really tempting me to buy one. If there are any at the Medway show, I'll be bound to end up with one.
I can't wait to see this finished (oh and you will finish won't you ).
Andy
Watching your build and the ease of assembly is really tempting me to buy one. If there are any at the Medway show, I'll be bound to end up with one
.I can't wait to see this finished (oh and you will finish won't you
).Andy
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Looking good Rowan.
Watching your build and the ease of assembly is really tempting me to buy one. If there are any at the Medway show, I'll be bound to end up with one
I can't wait to see this finished (oh and you will finish won't you
Andy
Hi Andy
I can honestly echo what Steffen wrote earlier - even if Japanese WW2 aircraft kits aren't your "main thing", check out this one. You won't regret it. It's just a beautiful kit.
All the best
Rowan
lampie
#029
Joined: December 23, 2005
KitMaker: 6,249 posts
AeroScale: 3,270 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:58 AM UTC
Looking good Rowan.
I know your going to finish this,,because I get the feeling your being ganged up on
Dont get distracted
Looking great!
Nige
I know your going to finish this,,because I get the feeling your being ganged up on
Dont get distracted
Looking great!
Nige
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 11:09 AM UTC
Hi Nige
Careful - I might just give up with the end in sight! Hmmm... that's no good as a threat - I do that every time!
Darn it! I might really have to finish this b*gger!
All the best
Rowan
Careful - I might just give up with the end in sight! Hmmm... that's no good as a threat - I do that every time!
Darn it! I might really have to finish this b*gger!
All the best
Rowan
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 03:48 AM UTC
Hi there
All this "perfect fit" business had to come to an end! I finally found proof that Tamiya's Zero designers are human after all! The cannon covers wouldn't fit very well, no matter how I tried:
While I sort those out, I've made a start on the engine, adding some wiring. I'll dirty it up a bit before installing it:
All the best
Rowan
All this "perfect fit" business had to come to an end! I finally found proof that Tamiya's Zero designers are human after all! The cannon covers wouldn't fit very well, no matter how I tried:
While I sort those out, I've made a start on the engine, adding some wiring. I'll dirty it up a bit before installing it:
All the best
Rowan
alpha_tango
Joined: September 07, 2005
KitMaker: 5,609 posts
AeroScale: 5,231 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 04:17 AM UTC
Hi Rowan
nice engine! Are you sure you put the covers on the right (not starboard but correct) wing
.. that's a massive gap that is not expected from BIG T
all the best
Steffen
nice engine! Are you sure you put the covers on the right (not starboard but correct) wing
.. that's a massive gap that is not expected from BIG Tall the best
Steffen
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 04:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
... Are you sure you put the covers on the right (not starboard but correct) wing
all the best
Steffen
Hi Steffen
That was my first thought, although I had been careful not to confuse the numbers. The covers are "handed" and they won't fit at all the other way 'round. I can't see what I did wrong, but Jean-Luc is starting this kit soon and he'll be on the look-out to spot if I messed up.
All the best
Rowan
betheyn
Senior Editor#019
Joined: October 14, 2004
KitMaker: 4,560 posts
AeroScale: 2,225 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 07:11 AM UTC
Nice looking engine Rowan.
My first thought with the cannon covers was that you had put them on the wrong wing or upside down as well. As Steffen pointed out that is a big gap Tamiya have developed there, and something not at all expected of them. Hope they aren't getting lacsidasical on us.
Andy
My first thought with the cannon covers was that you had put them on the wrong wing or upside down as well
. As Steffen pointed out that is a big gap Tamiya have developed there, and something not at all expected of them. Hope they aren't getting lacsidasical on us.Andy
Emeritus
Joined: March 30, 2004
KitMaker: 2,845 posts
AeroScale: 1,564 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 08:46 AM UTC
Looks great so far. Nice work on the engine too. But is it supposed to have only one ignition wire per cylinder?
I would be lying if I said I claimed to know anything about Japanese aircraft engines, but pretty much every ww2 era radial engine seem to have two wires going into the two spark plugs (to ensure reliable operation).
I would be lying if I said I claimed to know anything about Japanese aircraft engines, but pretty much every ww2 era radial engine seem to have two wires going into the two spark plugs (to ensure reliable operation).
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