I'm gonna bring something over here I posted on ARC:

As I'm winding down from my triple P-47 build I've begun, maybe, spooling up for a multi A6M5 build.

I prefer/ love the later Zero and I've always studied up on it real good (SCTV paraphrase just then).

So I have both a Hasegawa and a Tamiya A6M5, both of which can also be built as an A6M5a. Both kits tell me the A6M5a version needs some filling and scribing (Hasegawa)or the choice of the proper panel (Tamiya) to represent the "a" having a revised ammo configuration. And both kits tell me to use the cannon fairing option provided to make the "a."

My conundrum is that all my personal books, and most online info searches, either do not mention the fairings or definitely state they began with the A6M5b. Yet two highly regarded model manufacturers, Japanese model manufacturers, distributing a world famous Japanese aircraft say "Fairings on the A6M5a? YES, Ken, why do you ask?"

Of course I'll build them the way I believe is right, and this is a very minor hurdle for me. But...

... anybody know any more to this?

Thank you all.


Ken