Russ,
Just read through your entire build. I had to laugh when Terri said it's pretty well detailed for a 1/72 scale model. More likely the most detailed 1/72 injected molded model to date. Even in it's 1/32 scale state, it's nicely detailed.

Your build is certainly solid and well done. I had sympathy pains for you with all the painting issues. Truth be told, I've had them all. Kudos for solving every single painting issue

Your decaling looks superb.

I'd go for a dowel on a base.

Joel

Thank you, Joel. I am working on how to set up the base right now. Hopefully not too much longer and it will be all wrapped up.

Hi Russ,

You did the uber-Zeke proud!

Decals and painting problems - sorry you had to mess with those bugaboos.

Sweet model. I look forward to it on its stand!

Russ, I am glad tat you did not remove the seams along the exhaust stacks. They are not mold seams as this image of a real Sakae engine shows: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teetwo/14308235680

Thank you, Fred. The seams were one thing I had seen in a photograph and then read about in a build of an A6M5.

Nice job on the Zero Russ, and kudos for soldiering through the paint issues. That build might have ended up in the waste can if I had been the one building it and suffering the issues you did.

Ernest

Thank you, Ernest.

I was able to do a little more. I added the formation lights on the wings, did some light exhaust staining with pastels, added the spare fuel tanks and propeller and the bomb. I am hoping the bomb and tanks are substantial enough to not get knocked off with simple handling. I am holding off on the guns and antenna until it is ready to mount.

IMG_9414 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9415 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9416 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9417 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9418 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9419 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9420 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9421 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9422 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9424 by russell amott, on Flickr

The weathering was minimal. I used a base of white/blue pastel mix followed by a brown mix over that.

After a few interruptions with real life, I have finally been able to get back to the build. I set the model on a base, drilling a hole up through the fuselage and inserting a piece of 5/16" plastic tubing which was carefully glued into place. I then inserted a 1/4" steel rod which was secured to a simple wooden base. All that was needed as then to add the guns, antenna and a wire strand pulled from a scrap bundle. The hardest part was finding a place with enough lighting and space to get decent photos of the finished kit.

IMG_9425 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9426 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9428 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9429 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9430 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9432 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9433 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9434 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9435 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9436 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9439 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9440 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9441 by russell amott, on Flickr
IMG_9442 by russell amott, on Flickr


I opted to go without the bomb, first because there was no verified use of the aircraft in combat as a dive bomber or kamikaze, and also because as my daughter pointed out, the figure looks like he is smiling and relaxed. I figured I would put him flying just to fly, enjoying a moment of tranquility up in the air. We have a Japanese exchange student who was surprised to see the completed model and was very pleased. He commented that in Japan, outside of modeling or comics, people don't know about the aircraft and pilots of WWII. For my daughter this build has been good for teaching and overall a very nice project. Thank you for watching and sharing.

Russ , outstanding job on your Zero



Terri

Nice job Russ ! Love the gear up / in flight attitude- don't see that very much .
Nice to see more red circles on Aeroscale .

Thanks for sharing- Richard

Terri and Richard, thank you. My daughter is already asking for me to do another build mounted like this.

Excellent work on the Zero Russ, I think it looks pretty neat in the air!

Ernest