[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron]

5 hours ago, Rocat said:

I really like it

I’m glad! Thank you.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

1 hour ago, Martinnfb said:

Stunning, crispy clean detail. What not to love, Bravo! 

Cheers

Martin

Thank you Martin! Once I added the paint and markings the build took on a real momentum. I could have weathered more but wanted to really capture the form of this aircraft, which at the time it first existed was phenomenal.

 

Cheers,  Tom

 

 

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

7 hours ago, Thunnus said:

That's a beautiful Zero, Tom!

Thank you John! I appreciate it. It was certainly a fun build (the multiple times I revisited it ).

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron]

1 hour ago, John1 said:

Very impressive build, I’ve enjoyed following along.    

Thank you John! Your support and encouragement have really helped me along.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Tamiya A6M2 Zero - 1/32]

The finish, weathering, and photography are all excellent! Well done Tristan!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Border 1/35 Akagi Flight Deck and Kate Torpedo Bomber Preview]

16 minutes ago, denders said:

I think closer to 26'-9". Would definitely be a show piece in your house. 

Not if you’re married! 

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron]

9 minutes ago, Rampenfest said:

Stunning build! Great work! 

Thank you! I appreciate it.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

4 hours ago, nmayhew said:

Fantastic!

Thank you Nick!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

11 hours ago, Out2gtcha said:

Lovely stuff Tom!

 

Great work indeed 

Thank you Brian! Your encouragement means a lot.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

11 hours ago, Rod Bettencourt said:

That came out fantastic!! All these zeros's are making me want to one. Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

Thank you Rod! You wouldn’t be sorry, and you would really bring this kit to life.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

13 hours ago, Furie said:

Great work Tom: it's beautiful, it's clean, there are no flaws so it makes you want to build it too!
A big bravo to you!

Thank you so much Denis!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Happy Birthday Chukw]

Thank you so much for the inspiration you provide the modeling community, and I wish you a resplendent Birthday!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Kawanishi N1K2-J Shinden-kai, 1:32, Hasegawa]

Very nice! It’s especially difficult to rivet curved tapered surfaces like the cowling but yours look excellent.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

42 minutes ago, George said:

Professionally done!  It is a museum masterpiece.

Thank you George! That is an amazing compliment.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

3 hours ago, dennismcc said:

Superb, makes me want to build one.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Thank you Dennis! It’s a really fun build I am just easily distracted, hence the seven year timeline.

 

52 minutes ago, Greif8 said:

Excellent work Tom!  You paid attention to detail with such things as the foot step below the cockpit sill and the different shade of color for the fabric control surfaces that make the build that much more nice and accurate.  I think you got the overall color pretty accurate as well.  How did you like working with the decals?  I found them and the somewhat toylike undercarriage to be the only two weak points of the kit when I built it a few years ago.

 

Ernest 

 

Thank you Ernest! Short of oilcanning the airframe I wanted to add a distinctive touch. I agree about the undercarriage; the working springs aren’t necessary. I stay away from Tamiya decals entirely, so I used the really nice Eduard stencil set and my own masks for the markings.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron]

3 hours ago, dennismcc said:

Likes it, well done

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Thanks Dennis!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

26 minutes ago, TankBuster said:

Awesome work, i like it nice an clean. Cheers.

Thank you!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Building the Border 1/35 Kate. Got paint!]

Go Quang go! Nice start.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

2 hours ago, Shoggz said:

Gorgeous - worth waiting for Tom!

Thank you! I’ve appreciated your support along the way.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Zoukei Mura FW-190A-4 JG 54]

35 minutes ago, PEYSSON Gilles said:

Hi Tom

 

I agree with Denis ( Furie ) :

 

" Very nice construction Tom.
You’re doing a great job.
It’s a nice model but complicated.
Very complicated.
Too complicated. "

 

 

Gilles

 

 

 

Thank you Gilles! It has been a fun build so far. Very fun. Too fun!

 

24 minutes ago, monthebiff said:

You've done a fine job getting all those cowls to fit so nicely Tom! This is going to look so good with your chosen scheme applied.

 

Regards. Andy 

 

Thank you Andy! That was definitely the trickiest part of the build so far. But now that it's done, and my Reisen build is complete, I can return to this Wurger!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron, RFI]

I started this build early in 2017, stopped, started again, stopped again, and this time the third time did the trick:

This is the wonderful Tamiya A6M2 kit which I modified according to Ryan Toew's tweak list, adding the Quinta cockpit set, my own custom masks, Eduard's stencils, and MRP paints (except for the cockpit where I used AK Real Colors). Since no smooth tread tires are available I used the Eduard offerings sanded to remove the tread. I lightly finished with a pastel wash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, PO1C Tetsuzo Iwamoto, Zuikaku Fighter Squadron]

And after seven years it's finished!

 

 

 

Just need to add a light pastel wash and the tail tip light. Thanks to all of you who commented, asked questions, and shared advice!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Zoukei Mura FW-190A-4 JG 54]

16 minutes ago, Duncan Doenitz said:

I have managed to track down a kit in the UK as they are now extremely rare. At the start of the thread, there was mention of aftermarket cockpit detail, did you get it and if so, where can I find it ?

 

The build diary is fantastic and I will use this as a guide. I see OneManArmy have a 1:32 FW190 stencil set, I may give that a try.

 

Cheers

 

DD

Thank you Duncan! I have really enjoyed this build and am glad it has been useful. I purchased the ZM cockpit 3-D set, SWS 21 -M05. These sets tend to disappear fast so I would suggest looking right away. Here’s the ZM link: https://hobby.ec.volks.co.jp/item/4518992231914.html?__lang=en

To be honest however, you don’t really need the set to get a great looking cockpit. I used a 1ManArmy set on my most recent build and they are a gamechanger!

 

Cheers,  Tm

 

[A-20G 43-10224 640BS 409BG 9th Airforce Help please]

According to this: http://www.joebaugher.com/usattack/a20_17.html

 

43-10224 was a Block 35 A-20G. This mean you will have to modify/replace the exhaust system:

 

 

 

 

 

It can be done, and the last three photos show my modifications. Note the left and right cowl configurations are asymmetrical.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,  Tom

 

[Happy Birthday Montebiff!]

Happy Birthday Andy! I hope your day is filled with modeling bliss.

 

Cheers,  Tom