Surrender...1/48 Mitsubishi A6M3 Type 22, IJN/RNZAF

17/2023

Besides all the US naval stuff by my dad, he decided to turn Japanese a bit.
New Eduard kit, a bit over-engineered, lots of detail but also many small plastic and PE parts. Fuselage to wing fit had some tension and needed work. Engine mount is fragile and you have to pay attention for perfect alignement. When the model was already finished, had to remove the prop and some engine parts to get it centered in the cowl opening, sat too low before.
Built it up first in Japanese livery with the kit Hinomarus and painting it with Tamiya XF-70 and -71, used Risig Decals for the rest of the markings and overpainted all with AK Real Color Flat White with the original markings still shining through lightly.

Build thread here
https://imodeler.com/groups/the-empire-of-japan-1919-1946/forum/topic/surrender-1-48-mitsubishi-a6m3-type-22-ijn/

This aircraft was captured by NZ forces on Bougainville. Had been damaged by allied bomb attacks earlier. Brought back to flying condition, painted in the white "surrender" scheme and shipped back to New Zealand. Later restored to its original livery and resides now in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Full story here
https://j-aircraft.com/walk/robert_montgomery/auckland_war_memorial_a6m3.htm

23 additional images. Click to enlarge.