A6M3-3A Zero Fighter, Maj. Saburo Shindo

[KennyX]

So I’ve started applying what markings I have left after painting the insignias and ID stripes and the yellow stripes aft of the canopy. More work up-front for less headaches later, I say. Our pal John Kim is correct- paint it on wherever possible. I’ll be going this route for the duration with the rest of my projects. Fewer decals to contend with, the better.

Onto the decals I am using. Tail numbers and so forth. I got several on late yesterday and while the decals supplied with this kit do seem thinner and more supple than what I’m used to with a Tamiya kits, I immediately went nuclear with the Solvaset. Here they are after three coats. There will be more Solvaset, and a few more markings, forthcoming.











Okay, so a few more markings and a bit more Solvaset tomorrow / Sunday.

[Floki]

Looking awsome Kenny! Tamiya decals are a major pain they are always on the thick side and need kicked in shape like you're doing.

[KennyX]

Thanks! *fistbump*

[speedgraflex]

Beautiful! Everything is simply exquisite.

[Stikpusher]

Kenny, you’re pulling off a top notch job on this one.

[KennyX]

Bruce and Carlos,

Many thanks to you both, I appreciate the kind words, as well as the help you’ve given me along the way.

Oh, and here’s something! Here’s the work I’ve done so far on my 1:32 Zeke!



This bad boy is a Nakajima Sakae 12 engine.

Primed in Black Mr. Surfacer 1500

Cylinders were painted in Alclad Magnesium -holy cow that stuff sprays nice!

Push rods and dry-brushed accents were done with Model Master enamel

Tamiya Acrylics on the crank case

Burnt Umber artist oils for dirtying it up a little

[Floki]

That looks amazing Kenny alclad does spray really nice. I wish my LHS carried more than 5 colors from them.

[mostrich]

That's a great oily, metallic finish on the engine. I also like how the fuselage came out. Cool project!

[KSaarni]

Bruce and Carlos,

Many thanks to you both, I appreciate the kind words, as well as the help you’ve given me along the way.

Oh, and here’s something! Here’s the work I’ve done so far on my 1:32 Zeke!



This bad boy is a Nakajima Sakae 12 engine.

Primed in Black Mr. Surfacer 1500

Cylinders were painted in Alclad Magnesium -holy cow that stuff sprays nice!

Push rods and dry-brushed accents were done with Model Master enamel

Tamiya Acrylics on the crank case

Burnt Umber artist oils for dirtying it up a little

That is Kenny indeed a very good looking paintwork of the engine!

Your methods are roughly the same as mine, meaning I am glad to get a confirmation I am doing it also the right way! :-)


- Kari

[KennyX]

Torben,

Thank you! I was unhappy with the engine for my 1:48 Zero here in many respects and the paint on the cylinders was a big part of that. I wanted to improve in that regard for my 1:32 Zero. That’s why I attacked the engine first even though it’s step 40. And I took John’s advice and went with the Alclad. Really glad I did that. I like that Magnesium on those cylinders. I’m going to buy more Alclad colors.

Kari,

Thank you sir! Very much. I painted all of these pieces individually before I assembled them. Really glad I did that. And in 1:32 it’s not terribly difficult to do. I don’t normally like building after painting but the method worked here. I’ll be working on wiring it up this week while I work on the gear for the 1:48 Zero. LOL See here, since I’m so fond of do-overs I just kind of rolled it into this project here. That way I can have a weathered and war weary 1:48 Zero, and a well-maintained, almost pristine carrier-based 1:32 Zero!

Only thing better than having a nice 1:48 Zero is having a second Zero in 1:32!