Starting another kit before I finish the Tamiya A6M5 is probably a bad idea, but here goes. This next model is yet another Hasegawa Zero, this time the type 22 ko with the long barrel canons. Assembly starts with my usual updates to the Hasegawa Zero: opening up the fuselage/cockpit hand grips, thinning the cockpit edges, thinning the cowl flaps, and opening up the exhaust pipes. Additionally I added a small hole on the port side of the fuselage for a compressed air fill hole, as well as under the engine accessory panel for a pre startup pre-lubrication crank hole (installed on late model A6M3 built in 1943). I also filled in the rectangles in the underside wing tank panels. These were wing vents to prevent the fuel heating up and causing vapour lock, but these were replaced with booster pumps (late model A6M3 as well). Finally holes in the spinner were added for the deicing system.

8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Next I painted the spinner (Tamiya LP-11), propeller blades (SM208), red warning stripes (MRP) using masks cut on my Cameo. Next I painted the underside colour (MRP Mitsubishi J3 SP) and topside colour (MRP D2). Like the MRP D1, the MRP D2 was fairly dark, but it looked great on the model.

Mitsubishi factory painted dark green Zeros had a straight demarcation line from the wing trailing edge to the tail, without the swoop up to the horizontal stabilizers that Nakajima Zeros had. The line was a fairly tight soft edge, that I replicated using Uhu tac rolled into sausages and spraying into/over the tac. Additionally, the lower fairing of the horizontal stabilizers was painted the underside colour, so I masked that off with a Cameo cut mask.

7 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Next was spraying the no walk lines and fuel cap doors. The Hasegawa kit has a round hatch in front of the windscreen that most take to be the fuel cap, but this is actually the oil cap, and the fule cap is missing. It is an oval shape and should be right in front of the windscreen. I made a mask and sprayed this cap, but my eyeballs were out of alignment that day as the cap is not centred...I'll have to sand and redo this when I spray the D2 dark green again to cover up all my other mistakes.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

So that brings us to a couple of days ago, painting the yellow IFF bands with MRP 419. I applied some yellow tinted grey primer to aid in coverage. Somehow a small hole appeared in the wing leading edge so I filled it with CA glue and will sand and repaint. All that is left to do is to paint the metal trim tabs J3 SP, redo the underside hinomaru, paint the landing gear load markings, redo the fuselage fuel cap, paint J# SP for the manufacturer's stencil, repaint the D2 (overspray), apply decals and polish the paint. This plane, like the 52, will only get some minor weathering and leaks and some chipping around fasteners.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Amazing work done on this Zero, Woody @wkubacki
Great paintwork, also on the markings.

Woody Kubacki (@wkubacki)
Once again you have raised the bar ! Thank you for posting such well detailed build journals. It's nice to have for future reference.

I also want to personally thank you for starting another epic build journal.

Currently I'm working on finishing up some builds that are in various stages of completion. The plan is to then get busy with the Empire of Japan projects I have already started build journals for.

I have been chomping at the bit to get a pair of 1/32 Hasegawa Ki-61's done. Then I picked up a few more of the new tool 1/48 Tamiya Hiens, one of which is "chrome plated". Lastly, I scored a 1/48 Hasegawa Ki-45 "Night Fighter", so I will build it along with the other two I have already started.

Bottom line is this: We have a lot of life left in the Empire of Japan. All of these grand ideas I have, and so little time. 🙂

Take care.

Looks really wonderful so far, my friend @wkubacki!
You can never build too many Zeros (in your case, all being true masterpieces)!

Ok, well now that the type 52 is complete, I can get back to the 22. I have made a change of course, and instead of making it shiny and polished like the photo, I am making it dusty.
It’s a chance to try some new weathering methods and to make this plane a bit more interesting.

Hopefully I will be done this kit within the week and then I can move in to
The type 52 ko (yes, I’ve been working on too many planes at once …4)

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.