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Thomas Lund
2 articles

1/32 Tamiya A6M3 Type 22 converted from A6M5 Type 52

November 22, 2013 · in Aviation · · 13 · 2.6K

I've always loved the late model Zero with the long cowl, but at the same time thought the camo's were kinda boring. Got my hands on 's great A6M5 kit and decided to convert it to the A6M3 Type 22 flow by Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japan's top ace.

The conversion included putting on the wings from the Tamiya A6M2 kit, which was almost a drop fit, and some minor changes to the cowl intake, cowl flaps, adding Eduard flaps, Quickboost exhausts and CMK wheels

Full build thread here:
http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=42194&hl=

Hope you like it

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome

5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


13 responses

  1. A lovely conversion job there Thomas, great weatherring paint job as well.
    That well used look, without being over the top.

  2. Really nice work here, and you have captured the "look" of that airplane from that one photo better than anyone else I have seen (and I tried three times in 1/48!). Excellent!

  3. A: You have done a really good job on that. Got the camo pretty close, even the covered up "UI" on the fin.
    B: Can you lend me some bucks? You must be a rich guy to "Kitbash" with Tamiya 1/32 Zeroes! 🙂

    • A: Thanks a bunch Bill
      B: Got the A6M5 base kit cheap, bought the A6M2 wings as Tamiya spare parts so total cost approx like one kit. I am much too cheap to buy two kits and end up with one 🙂

  4. beautifully done

  5. You've obviously got a generous and understanding Tamiya agent, and this has helped you achieve a great looking model, I just love the restrained weathering and over all look.

  6. Thomas,
    Absolutely beautiful job on this model. The Zero is a outstanding looking airplane and you have done a marvelous job to bring out all of it's beauty.

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