Hello, I am working on Tamiya's Zero Zeke late model, and I am at the point of wanting to do some weathering. However, the JN Green is so dark, I'm not sure what type of pin washes and filters will even show up. I will have an easier time on the bottom, as I used a Gull Gray acrylic there. Any suggestions for this deep green I have applied?

Much appreciated!!

David,

This pic might help answer your weathering question.



Hope this helps a little.

The top picture is fairly common and is of an A6M3 with green camo hastily applied over the grey. The bottom picture gives a better idea of how a late model zero may have weathered, but this was taken after the surrender and may reflect the a/c being left out in the elements more than operational fading and weathering.

Try lightening the green with a few drops of white and spraying in the center of the panel to "lighten" the overall colour. The effect should be a subtle change in tone. Depending on the time period being depicted, chipping may be kept to a minimum (IJN a/c tended to weather somewhat better than IJA a/c, which may look like they have been scoured by a sandstorm) Based on pictures of operational IJN a/c I have seen, there seemed to be less upkeep to keep them looking good vs. keeping them operating.

Hi David, please don't think i'm trying to hog your thread but i recently finished this one, if your interested i'll pm you on my method.

No thank you so much for the tips everyone. I'm intrigued by Japanese planes, so I plan to do several more. I know there are many techniques for the major chipping effects, but it looks like some flat black and aluminum dabbed here and there may work?

Thanks so much!

Yes Please PM-This is exactly what I would like mine to look like!! Thanks!

Cool, i'll put it together over the week end and pop it across to you.

Geoff, great looking "Zeke", good job! Russell