lost for words - but followed with great interest!

Really great markings, my friend @wkubacki!

Hinomaru were painted white then C385. Because of the light colour of the Zero, the white base was not required and so resulted in requiring a lot of paint to get the discs dark enough, and I think they should still be darker. I had to sand down the edges since they stood proud quite noticeably. Next time I will forego the white paint and go straight to red.

The red band and tail markings were painted a darker shade, since these were painted on the carrier and so the paint was different . I used 4 parts C385 Red to 1 part LP-65 rubber black. I think the markings may be a tad too dark, but there’s no going back now.

I did notice that I didn’t mask the tail band low enough so I had to go back and remask and paint it.

I’m pretty happy with today’s progress, I’d like this plane to not take much longer than two months to complete. I have delayed it long enough, but I need to start masking the canopy tomorrow.

Peace!

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Nice painted red fuselage band and marking, Woody @wkubacki
And for the cutting, this is really impressive, even at that size the arrow still looks great.

Great stuff! Your model looks terrific and your insight about the colours is very welcome Woody.

I am struggling with the same issues regarding AK J3 amber grey. It’s just too “pistachio” even cut with some 40%white. I guess I have also that “first” edition jar you have too…

On the other hand the Hai-Iro grey is not the shade I am looking either.

Gonna try some mixes, including yellow, to the amber grey today. If I’m not happy with the results I’m following your last mix there 😉

All looking wonderful, my friend @wkubacki!

Thanks for sharing this, my friend @wkubacki. Helps decision making indeed!

A bit more painting after taking the family boarding today. Painted the no wall lines, fuel filler caps, clear cannon view ports (beside the wing file tank caps), tiny arrow, and jack point (yellow square by tail wheel), and propeller manufacturer stencil. I need to fix the port hinomaru at the front edge, the panel line made it look squared off.

Next are the really small parts, gears, tail wheel, arrest or hook, aileron hinges, aileron balance,etc….. and of course the canopy.

Oh almost forgot, glued in the DF loop.

9 attached images. Click to enlarge.