Yeah baw 1:32 Saburo Shindo Zeke!

[KSaarni]

This is epic and still risin'. An emotional modeling drama in several acts, written by KennyX.

- Kari

[Floki]

Good save on the tail! Painted on markings always look way better than decal

[KennyX]

Thanks folks! And cheers!

I had a very busy couple of weeks, not just at home looking after my wife and the kids, but with work too.

My wife recovered from her hernia surgery just fine and she’s doing very well. She’s resuming her exercise program slowly and carefully, and as of Monday she can pick the kids up and hold them and carry them (the Doctor cleared her), which is nice because I was flying solo on morning/evening duty in that regard.

As to modeling, I have an update on the Zero! Well, actually, it’s TWO Zeros now.

I was not able to modify the 1:32’s cowling sufficiently enough to get a good fit with it closed. I attempted Carlos’ suggestion as well as Bruce’s idea to gently heat the pieces and fit them together, as well as more sanding and so forth.

I am not the least-bit disappointed though. Not at all. I’ll display the cowling half on/half off, with the port side panel aft of the engine removed, it’ll look cool that way.

That said, I did want a closed-cowling Zero.

What to do?

I bought be a 1:72 Zero and built it as a compliment to my 1:32, that’s what! And I’ll be bringing them both to the finish line together, and I’ll be displaying them together.

I added wiring and the seat bungee to the cockpit. Which, that was actually really easy. I’ll be wiring the engine and brake lines too. Here’s the cockpit:



The floorboard, seat, and rear bulkhead are so small they can fit into a damn bottle cap when assembled! Crazy!

I didn’t black base this one. I silver based it with AS-12 instead, and painted my kustom Ameiro over top of that, after lightening it just a little with XF-76 (3:1 Ameiro to XF-76). Have a look. I’ve added all the markings already:



I didn’t paint the bands or insignias or no-walkie lines on this one because it’s so small and also because I really like the blue used on the fuselage band and tail and I couldn’t match it with the paints I have on-hand. That said, for me, masking and painting that stuff is way, waaaay easier those decals take a lot of sweet-talking to get where they’re supposed to go.

Here’s the 1:72 with its big brother:



I realize that I am insane.

Anyway, the little guy is getting a Mr. Mark Softer treatment for the markings. Then a gloss coat. Then a pin wash. After that, I’ll be turning my attention back to the big one’s markings, and painting on the insignias and stuff, then doing the decals and wash. After that, it’ll be the little one’s gear and engine and canopy.

Thanks for looking!

[Duke Maddog]

First off, I'm thrilled your wife is recovering so well. It's nice seeing prayers answered. I'm sure the kids are also thrilled to be a held by her again.

Most impressive work on that little guy from my scale! I gotta quit now as mine will never measure up to this masterpiece!

Hey, just for fun you should get a 1/32 scale figure, paint him up and modify him to be holding a remote control so t looks like he's ready to fly his RC Zero! LOL!

[KennyX]

Thank you for the prayers my man! Much appreciated! Recovery was flawless. By day 3 she wasn’t taking the pain meds anymore, and the incision site healed-up beautifully. I always worry about infections post-surgery, but there were no complications whatsoever!

And bro, I see why you like 1:72 so much. It’s a great scale to build in! I ordered me a 1:72 Spitfire because I’ve been wanting to do a Spit, and I found that I really enjoy building in that scale.

As to the figure idea, that’s honestly brilliant LOL! He lands his own Zero, picks up the remote, and flies his RC Zero for a little while I love it!

[speedgraflex]

Ken,

I think these Zero projects represent an incredible achievement; a leveling up with your personal goals as well as being well researched and professionally made. I asked myself early on as I followed the project why you chose the Zero. I realized that the choice was made in part by choosing the pilot and in part by following your own drummer. I believe that music lies behind everything you do. I liken this to my own experience of listening to the tick tick of the turn signal indicator and playing counterpoint with the sounds. Music is everywhere. There is a rough musicality in structural assembly, and a refinement everywhere else. I believe there was something you heard from the start; a “siren’s call” similar to what drew sailors at sea onward to meet their fate, not necessarily their doom—transformation.

[KennyX]

Bruce,

Firstly, thank you, as always. Sincerely.

Insofar as the why? you are absolutely correct both with The “who” and the “what drives me.”

I was listening to an old Oi! compilation I remember, a year or so ago. The song “Oi! Oi! Nippon” by a Japanese band called Bulldog Samurai came on. I remember thinking “Holy cow this is great!” ... I listen to a lot of Japanese bands. And many of their songs appear constantly in the playlists I make.

But you’re talking about internal music. Or rather, the music that’s always happening. And there’s even more truth to that. There is, inside my head, a current or better put- a bluegrass banjo roll, which is playing all the time accompanying the music of everything else and that’s definitely what lead me to this particular machine. Couple that with the aesthetics of it... I never gave a Zero a second look until I read Nick Millman. After that? It all changed. Why? The color. The white or off-white wasn’t doing it for me. Tamiya’s XF-76 they say is a good color for a weathered Zero, but that doesn’t do it for me either, not for a whole airframe. But once I saw that gray-khaki-Green-brown Ameiro on one I was hooked. It all mashed together after that.

I have no idea where this is going. But all the best music is like that. You don’t know where you’ll end up. So BANZAI AND YEEEEEHAW, mother trucker!

[Stuart]

Now that is class!

I'm loving the little guy and I don't blame you for wanting those markings!

Cockpit work is outstanding - what did you use for those belts?

And very very glad to hear your lovely wife is well on the way to recovery - and kudos to you my friend for looking after your family.

[KennyX]

Thank you, Stuart!!!

The belts! I used a tip Carlos gave me. He suggested next time I use seat belt decals that I apply them on something a little thicker. So I used foil from one of Mrs. Kenny X’s Champagne bottles. I flattened it out, put some Mr. Mark Setter on there, then applied the decal, hit it with Mr. Mark Softer, and then very carefully cut it out. I liked the result in terms of malleability. It bends easily and stayed out during gluing. And the thickness looks spot on to me. Now, I’m going to lighten it up just a bit with a brush and oils when I do the finishing touches.

[Stuart]

Cool! thanks for that. The foil is a good suggestion and I might well try that on my next build (I had loads of Champagne foil ).

What do you think of Mr Mark Softer? I've never used it but have just hit the Spitfire decals with it as the Micro-sol wasn't doing it.