Popular Post Madmax Posted June 7, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 7, 2020 It is easy to get sidetracked when researching the A6M2. It will inevitably lead the enthusiastic reader to Canada, which it did in my case. I didn't know that Mitsubishi's competitor Nakajima built Zero's, or that there were subtle (and obvious) ways of knowing the difference. One of those differences, the white surround to the Hinomaru, was one of the major features I wanted to incorporate in this build, since it highlights the dark shade of the grey with which the Zero was painted. Then I discovered the concept of the Houkoku presentation number, and that became number two on the wish list! How does this research end up in Canada you may ask? In 1968 an enterprising Canadian from Manitoba went in search of wreckage on Ballale Island in the Western Solomon Islands, and he hit the Nakajima built Houkoku A6M2 motherload. Three of them! They were chopped up (along with a Val), and carried out of the jungle by local labour, put onto boats and by the most amazing feat of horse trading ended up on Friendship Field in Carman, Manitoba. Their story is pretty complicated, but ends up in a collection of artefacts owned by the Blayd Corporation, also from Carman. A name that kept surfacing around these aircraft and research about them is Ryan Toews - another Canadian. Ryan's tweak list for building both of the Tamiya Zero's is a must read for anyone attempting these kits, and he has been a veritable gold mine of information for this project. You can see his contributions in the build thread, along with all the other information about the construction and painting that I won't rehash here. Since the tails of these aircraft were not attached to the wrecks, it is pure speculation at this stage to assign any identity other than the construction number. The aircraft is pictured soon after delivery to the island, having been assembled and test flown, awaiting the painting of unit identification. A final salute... Sean BlackCanopy, williamj, TenSeven and 60 others 60 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Great model Sean. It has been a pleasure to watch this build with all your attention to detail. Well done! Nick Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogrfan Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Best build of this kit I have ever seen. Well done. Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigor Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Wow very well done just awsome Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Argudo Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 been an amazing journey on your build, very informative with a an equal outcome, congratulations! cheers Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Great job! May I post it on the website? Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Beautiful Zero Sean. Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismcc Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Absolutely amazing and what a treasure trove of information the build thread is, one day I will be attempting to build the same kit and the notes that I have taken will help me build it, so thank you and the contributors to the build thread. Cheers Dennis Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Perfect in every regard. Great effort. Great show. Thank you for the education. Sincerely, Mark Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Sean, You have created a Masterpiece! Your finish is absolutely beautiful! Barry Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmax Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 Thanks very much to all of you for your kind responses - much appreciated! 17 hours ago, LSP_Ray said: Great job! May I post it on the website? With pleasure Ray! Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunnus Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Absolutely gorgeous!!! Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepp Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 This site produces so many works of art, it is difficult to rank them in any meaningful order and easy to run out of superlatives with which to describe them ... but this really is jaw-droppingly good; oh my word, yes. The finish is just... I have no words that would do it justice. I am in awe. As dodgem says above, thank you for the education. Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiba Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hi, She is a best A6M2 I have ever seen to me for sure ! Congratulation and thank you for sharing. 乾杯 (Cheer)!! Regards, Matsu. Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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