Nick Millman, researcher, author and website webmaster of Imperial Japanese subjects, has created Painting the Early Zero-Sen, A Primer for Modellers and Artists, a detailed 26-page PDF e-publication addressing the exterior finish of the legendary early versions of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen (reisen) fighter, intended as both a primer and convenient basic resource for modellers, artists and restorers.
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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
Painting the Early Zero-SenPosted: Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 11:46 AM UTC
NormSon
North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 17, 2006
KitMaker: 181 posts
AeroScale: 18 posts
Joined: December 17, 2006
KitMaker: 181 posts
AeroScale: 18 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 12:26 PM UTC
The big question, where can I buy this?
Posted: Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 12:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The big question, where can I buy this?
You can contact the author through his site at http://www.aviationofjapan.com . Look on the right side of the page just below the list of flags, there you'll find the book with a link to his email below it.
Posted: Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 07:46 PM UTC
I think that I need this, thanks for the review Fred
Posted: Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 09:52 PM UTC
Hi Fred
It looks excellent - I'll definitely buy one. Thanks for the review.
All the best
Rowan
It looks excellent - I'll definitely buy one. Thanks for the review.
All the best
Rowan
redcap
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 12:04 AM UTC
Having an interest in 1/32 Japanese WW2 aviation I will be buying this as for the money, I am sure it will be a very informative read and modelling aid. The model paint comparisons will be especially helpful and interesting. That said, I place caution in 70+ years old colour samples found flaking from bits of oxidized metal as being an accurate or definitive indicator of how they actually looked back in the day.
Indeed, I had some paint retouching to do (from the same tin)in my conservatory the other week and the colour change was quite startling....and that was after only 5 years without exposure to the elements or metal corrosion etc.and probably produced to a much higher QC specification than wartime paint stocks.
This is not a criticism in any way - as I said I will be buying it - merely a comment that you cannot use a 70 years old paint sample and declare "this is how it looked on the a/c 70 years ago, your model is wrong" if you chose to comment on other folks models where the colours used may not match the sample exactly.
Probably be declared a heretic for expressing such a sentiment but there you are.
Gary
Indeed, I had some paint retouching to do (from the same tin)in my conservatory the other week and the colour change was quite startling....and that was after only 5 years without exposure to the elements or metal corrosion etc.and probably produced to a much higher QC specification than wartime paint stocks.
This is not a criticism in any way - as I said I will be buying it - merely a comment that you cannot use a 70 years old paint sample and declare "this is how it looked on the a/c 70 years ago, your model is wrong" if you chose to comment on other folks models where the colours used may not match the sample exactly.
Probably be declared a heretic for expressing such a sentiment but there you are.
Gary
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 01:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Probably be declared a heretic for expressing such a sentiment but there you are.
Gary
Hi Gary
Certainly not by me - that's a totally valid caveat to point out.
All the best
Rowan
Straggler
United Kingdom
Joined: July 08, 2013
KitMaker: 2 posts
AeroScale: 2 posts
Joined: July 08, 2013
KitMaker: 2 posts
AeroScale: 2 posts
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 03:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Having an interest in 1/32 Japanese WW2 aviation I will be buying this as for the money, I am sure it will be a very informative read and modelling aid. The model paint comparisons will be especially helpful and interesting. That said, I place caution in 70+ years old colour samples found flaking from bits of oxidized metal as being an accurate or definitive indicator of how they actually looked back in the day.
Indeed, I had some paint retouching to do (from the same tin)in my conservatory the other week and the colour change was quite startling....and that was after only 5 years without exposure to the elements or metal corrosion etc.and probably produced to a much higher QC specification than wartime paint stocks.
This is not a criticism in any way - as I said I will be buying it - merely a comment that you cannot use a 70 years old paint sample and declare "this is how it looked on the a/c 70 years ago, your model is wrong" if you chose to comment on other folks models where the colours used may not match the sample exactly.
Probably be declared a heretic for expressing such a sentiment but there you are.
Gary
As the author I respectfully suggest that you wait until you have read the document before jumping to conclusions about how the extant artifacts were assessed.
The current appearance of extant artifacts were not taken at their face value but the paint was objectively analysed to determine the original pigments and the cumulative effects of ageing. A model for this ageing process based on the results of the analysis is illustrated in the guide.
russamotto
Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
AeroScale: 375 posts
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
AeroScale: 375 posts
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 03:38 AM UTC
Very helpful review and resource. Now we have detailed painting guides for both aircraft and armor for Japanese subjects.
redcap
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 03:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHaving an interest in 1/32 Japanese WW2 aviation I will be buying this as for the money, I am sure it will be a very informative read and modelling aid. The model paint comparisons will be especially helpful and interesting. That said, I place caution in 70+ years old colour samples found flaking from bits of oxidized metal as being an accurate or definitive indicator of how they actually looked back in the day.
Indeed, I had some paint retouching to do (from the same tin)in my conservatory the other week and the colour change was quite startling....and that was after only 5 years without exposure to the elements or metal corrosion etc.and probably produced to a much higher QC specification than wartime paint stocks.
This is not a criticism in any way - as I said I will be buying it - merely a comment that you cannot use a 70 years old paint sample and declare "this is how it looked on the a/c 70 years ago, your model is wrong" if you chose to comment on other folks models where the colours used may not match the sample exactly.
Probably be declared a heretic for expressing such a sentiment but there you are.
Gary
As the author I respectfully suggest that you wait until you have read the document before jumping to conclusions about how the extant artifacts were assessed.
The current appearance of extant artifacts were not taken at their face value but the paint was objectively analysed to determine the original pigments and the cumulative effects of ageing. A model for this ageing process based on the results of the analysis is illustrated in the guide.
Nick, I was not seeking to challenge the work involved but rather, those in the modelling fraternity who use stuff such as this as 'gospel' of what the colour should have looked like "X " years ago. Short of someone unearthing a totally air sealed tin of original WW2 paint somewhere, I fully appreciate that a lot of the work on projects such as this is the result of best science available, subject knowledge and some logical assessment (best guess) of what was most likely.
As I said, I will be buying the product which reflects my faith in your work and value of the end result. If my comments were interpreted as unintentional criticism of the same then I am sorry they did so as that was not my intention. I wish you every success with this venture.
Cheers Nick
Gary
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 04:55 PM UTC
Hi Nick,
Clicking the link to your email address won't work for me (a technical issue on my part) can you give me it in a PM please?
I have book marked you site
Clicking the link to your email address won't work for me (a technical issue on my part) can you give me it in a PM please?
I have book marked you site
redcap
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Joined: November 06, 2005
KitMaker: 753 posts
AeroScale: 311 posts
Posted: Monday, July 08, 2013 - 11:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Nick,
Clicking the link to your email address won't work for me (a technical issue on my part) can you give me it in a PM please?
I have book marked you site
Nick, I am having the same issue as my machine also does not seem to like the 'click' email address link on your site. If you let me have your Paypal address via a PM I can send you a payment and you just send me the pdf.
Thank you.
Gary