Valeron's Airfix 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero

[Valeron]

I've struggled lately to complete a build or start builds, so I'm hoping my submission for Andy's GB will get the mojo back.

I have the paintings and I'm ready to do. It's low on pieces so seems like a good kit to get me back to the bench.

I was bought this kit by my daughter a few months ago fro my birthday.

Thanks to Andy for organising this Group Build.

Mike

 

[papa 695]

Nice.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Certainly looks like the right kit to get your mojo back I reckon .
..... Thanks,it seemed like a good idea at the time...and it just kinda "took off",(see what i did there?!!),glad you joined up,and I look forward to seeing your build.
Cheers,
Andy

 

[Jim R]

Great choice Mike. These newer Airfix kits are generally good and this is 2011? Masking that canopy should provide some fiddly fun
Maybe spend some modelling pennies HERE

 

[Geoffers]

Nice one Mike

The reviews I’ve seen of this have been pretty good so it should be a nice build.

Geoff.

 

[Ernie]

Looks like a very good kit, hopefully it will entice the mojo to return.

 

[Valeron]

So far so good. I've started with the cockpit and parts around this as per the instructions. These are now ready to be primed.

Very little cleanup was required. There are a few ejector marks in places which won't be visible so I'm no worrying about those.

 

[Geoffers]

Cracking progress Mike, sounds like a real mojo booster

Geoff.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

A nice gentle start there Mike...
..... The primer will pick out the details well

 

[adt70hk]

Cool. That newer Airfix toolings are pretty good!

 

[Valeron]

Its going together nicely with no problems as of yet. The kit has a good feel to it.


Cockpit and engine and a few associated items finished and assembled.

A bit of tidying up of the seams needed and then I'll assemble the rest of the main aircraft.

And whoops. Just noticed that the engine cover isn't lined up. I'll have to sort that out.

It's fun following the blogs for the other people making this same model.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

A good start there Mike,
..... Nice to hear that you're enjoying it too

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice start Mike. Looking good so far

 

[Valeron]

Squeezed a bit of early morning bench time in That'll be it for a few days as I'm busy on other things.


I have the main body of the aircraft together. There is some tidying up before I prime.

I prime with a rattle can but brush painted afterwards using Vallejo paints. I've just noticed the wiggly pattern where the two colours meet. That's going to be challenge and I've never done anything like that before. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[stillp]

Stick a length of masking tape on a cutting mat. With a new scalpel blade, move from left to right (or R to L) while moving up and down at the same time. Might be worth practicing with a pencil first.
Pete

 

[Valeron]

Stick a length of masking tape on a cutting mat. With a new scalpel blade, move from left to right (or R to L) while moving up and down at the same time. Might be worth practicing with a pencil first.
Pete

Excellent idea. I neve thought of that.

And I've been looking at using liquid mask which I hate or building up the curve using masking tape. You're idea is so much simpler and effective.

Thanks

 

[Tim Marlow]

Excellent idea. I neve thought of that.

And I've been looking at using liquid mask which I hate or building up the curve using masking tape. You're idea is so much simpler and effective.

Thanks

Personally I’d go one simpler if I was brush painting……just prime, paint the underside, then mark the wiggles on the body with a pencil and paint just over the lines. Any overpainting can be touched up with a second coat of underside paint.
Thin the paint a bit to get it to flow nicely and unload the brush before starting to paint. By this I mean dip the brush in the paint, then touch it onto a piece of kitchen towel to wick off the excess. This enables the paint to come off of the brush in a controlled fashion rather than flooding into the model.
If you do want to mask it, blue tack works……as does science putty.

 

[Valeron]

Personally I’d go one simpler if I was brush painting……just prime, paint the underside, then mark the wiggles on the body with a pencil and paint just over the lines. Any overpainting can be touched up with a second coat of underside paint.
Thin the paint a bit to get it to flow nicely and unload the brush before starting to paint. By this I mean dip the brush in the paint, then touch it onto a piece of kitchen towel to wick off the excess. This enables the paint to come off of the brush in a controlled fashion rather than flooding into the model.
If you do want to mask it, blue tack works……as does science putty.

Thanks. Another good idea. I think I could do with using the unloading technique in general as I do tend to flooding, sometimes.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks. Another good idea. I think I could do with using the unloading technique in general as I do tend to flooding, sometimes.

It’s very useful, especially on things like figures. That, and effectively diluting your paint (if you don’t already), will transform your painting experience

 

[Jim R]

Looking good Mike. As you're brush painting I'd go with Tim's method.