As an intermediate modeler and a huge Zero fan I ordered this beauty. 1/24 and only 193+ pieces? Am so excited to build this! Thank you for the video!!
Wow! 40 component cockpit! I like the engine too and well done in sorting the ignition harness, something a lot of modellers would not bother with. A nice finished engine too. As so often a lot of detail is hidden by the fuselage. A very creative use of the knifing putty. I must get some as I find the putty I have AV Vallejo always crumbles on sanding - might be a bad batch but I can't get it to provide a satisfactory finish. It is so bad I will throw it away and get the Holts putty. The cockpit finished product is very impressive with subtle weathering - as always 'a la Fearon'. Historically accurate.
To be honest, I find the Vallejo putty all but useless. The Holts putty is cellulose based so it bonds with the plastic. It gives just as fine a finish as Milliput but is easier to sand and quicker drying. It's also very cheap!
Thank you for your excellent explanations! I am constructing the old Bandai A6M5c (also 1/24 scale), and it has the same exact problem with the spark plug leads: only one lead per cylinder. You explain that, to solve the problem, you drilled a 1 mm diameter hole through each cylinder, then inserted a brass tube of 9.5 mm length through each hole, and then passed through each tube a length of round-section rubber which was then glued at both ends to the ignition harness. The thinnest hollow brass tubing that I have been able to find is 1.59 mm diameter, which is a little bit thicker than what you used, but I think it will still be OK. The cylinders in the Bandai model are just over 9 mm thick, which fits well with the idea of using a 9.5 mm length of brass tube. The inner hole of this tubing is 0.73 mm diameter, and I have 0.7 mm Crystal Tec cord that fits perfectly (snug but comfortable) through the brass tubing. It's going to be hairy, but I am hoping it will work!
This looks like an awesome kit...what you Master Modelers can do is simply incredible with modifications to the engines etc....would you recommend this over the 1/32 Tamiya Zero..I would say I am an Intermediate Modelers thx for any advice...
Hi Richard. Many thanks for your comments. I don't think I've been called a Master Modeler before! I'm not a fan of the Tamiya 1/32 Zero. It is expensive and contains gimmicks like a retractable undercarriage which you operate with a small Allen key, having removed a section from the wing to access it. The cockpit detail is good but no better than the Trumpeter, and still doesn't contain any of the pipework, which you have to add yourself. The Trumpeter is a more straightforward build and I would suggest is more what you're looking for. It doesn't cost any more than the Tamiya, either. Another option would be the Hasegawa 1/32 Zero. Much cheaper than either of the other two, it is a straightforward build but is really well produced and makes an excellent model. If I was going to build a Zero in 1/32 it's the one I'd choose, plus one or two upgrade sets which would still barely take it to the price of the Tamiya. Hope this helps!
Thank you Peter so much..will probably try the Hasegawa...they do make great kits ..I built some of their smaller scales and they all went together like butter..but also will take your advice and will go w the aftermarket parts...
As an intermediate modeler and a huge Zero fan I ordered this beauty. 1/24 and only 193+ pieces? Am so excited to build this! Thank you for the video!!
Thanks for the comments! Very pleased you found the video useful. Best of luck with the project!
Wow! 40 component cockpit! I like the engine too and well done in sorting the ignition harness, something a lot of modellers would not bother with. A nice finished engine too. As so often a lot of detail is hidden by the fuselage. A very creative use of the knifing putty. I must get some as I find the putty I have AV Vallejo always crumbles on sanding - might be a bad batch but I can't get it to provide a satisfactory finish. It is so bad I will throw it away and get the Holts putty.
The cockpit finished product is very impressive with subtle weathering - as always 'a la Fearon'. Historically accurate.
To be honest, I find the Vallejo putty all but useless. The Holts putty is cellulose based so it bonds with the plastic. It gives just as fine a finish as Milliput but is easier to sand and quicker drying. It's also very cheap!
My wife had gotten me this kit. Your video is a huge help in building and painting this kit. Im thinking about lighting it up.
Many thanks! Glad you found it useful. That lighting idea sounds interesting...!
Very well presented! Thank you, going to add this to my Christmas list!
Thanks for responding. Very pleased you found the presentation useful.
Thank you for your excellent explanations!
I am constructing the old Bandai A6M5c (also 1/24 scale), and it has the same exact problem with the spark plug leads: only one lead per cylinder. You explain that, to solve the problem, you drilled a 1 mm diameter hole through each cylinder, then inserted a brass tube of 9.5 mm length through each hole, and then passed through each tube a length of round-section rubber which was then glued at both ends to the ignition harness.
The thinnest hollow brass tubing that I have been able to find is 1.59 mm diameter, which is a little bit thicker than what you used, but I think it will still be OK. The cylinders in the Bandai model are just over 9 mm thick, which fits well with the idea of using a 9.5 mm length of brass tube. The inner hole of this tubing is 0.73 mm diameter, and I have 0.7 mm Crystal Tec cord that fits perfectly (snug but comfortable) through the brass tubing. It's going to be hairy, but I am hoping it will work!
Thanks for your comments - I'm so pleased you found the video useful!
thank you for the sharing in 2024
Hi Alex
Thanks for the message.
Hope you found the video useful.
This looks like an awesome kit...what you Master Modelers can do is simply incredible with modifications to the engines etc....would you recommend this over the 1/32 Tamiya Zero..I would say I am an Intermediate Modelers thx for any advice...
Hi Richard. Many thanks for your comments. I don't think I've been called a Master Modeler before!
I'm not a fan of the Tamiya 1/32 Zero. It is expensive and contains gimmicks like a retractable undercarriage which you operate with a small Allen key, having removed a section from the wing to access it. The cockpit detail is good but no better than the Trumpeter, and still doesn't contain any of the pipework, which you have to add yourself.
The Trumpeter is a more straightforward build and I would suggest is more what you're looking for. It doesn't cost any more than the Tamiya, either.
Another option would be the Hasegawa 1/32 Zero. Much cheaper than either of the other two, it is a straightforward build but is really well produced and makes an excellent model. If I was going to build a Zero in 1/32 it's the one I'd choose, plus one or two upgrade sets which would still barely take it to the price of the Tamiya.
Hope this helps!
Thank you Peter so much..will probably try the Hasegawa...they do make great kits ..I built some of their smaller scales and they all went together like butter..but also will take your advice and will go w the aftermarket parts...