This is a day for firsts for me, my first post and my first Japanese build.
Please forgive picture quality had to use my mobile.













Thanks for any advice.

Hi Martin

Welcome aboard - it's great to have you with us!

Nice job on the Zero. I really like the subtle mottling. Advice? I'd just be tempted to knock back the gloss finish a bit with a light matte-coat (you'd need to mask the canopy) and do a little weathering - maybe some exhaust stains using pastels. That's nice and easy and gives a bit of instant "life" to a model.

All the best

Rowan

Nice work on your zero!
I agree with the matte coat, it really takes a build away from the "toy" look. I'm also a big fan of making the antennae wire from the mast to the vertical stab. Depending on the scale you can use fine wire, stretched sprue, etc.
A bit of weathering goes a long way, I'd say scour the net and find a weathered bird you like and try to duplicate it if you'd like.
Other wise be happy with the model you've built as its a nice example.

Good job on your build. I have trouble masking canopies as well so I use as fine a brush as possible and try and paint the canopy frames that way. Most of the time it is passable. I agree, you could hit the model with some dull coat to bring the shine down, otherwise great job. Russell

Thanks everyone for the advice.
Have given Zero a matte coat and some weathering and added antennae.

Looking good!

Hasegawa 1/48 kit???

Tamiya 1/48 A6M3 Hamp

Martin

That flat coat makes all the difference in the world in the appearance of the model. Good job. Russell

Welcome aborad Martin!

As was mentioned before me, the matte finish made a difference of night and day. Another item that might interest you for a final finish is Promodeller's clay wash. It is easy to apply and leaves a stunning result with little to no effort. It really makes the panel lines stand out.

Looking forward to seeing more builds in the future from you!

Hermann