Woody, @wkubacki
I like how you have painted layers upon which you will be chipping. I have done that several times in the past, once with a Tamiya F4U-1, and another time on a Tamiya Ki-84 "Frank", both being in 1/48 scale. The Ki-84 is probably more like a 1/50 scale, but it was good enough to make it into a Fine Scale Modelling magazine many years ago.
I think it brings extra realism to the table when you are trying to weather the finish on your build. Real paint wears off from the outer layer downwards, or if it chips away for any reason, you will always find a different color underneath the top coat, or bare metal will be present if it completely chips off.
I really like what you have done here. I have been thinking about keeping the Empire of Japan up and running, without having a set end date in sight.
Like many of us here on Imodeler, we have more Japanese kits to build, and not enough time to build them in.
This becomes a stress to some when the deadline is getting close. If I do leave it as is without an ending, it will allow others to keep on building.
Thanks for posting the latest updates. Your A6M is looking very good.