A6M2 Zero
Trumpeter's A6M2 Zero is the only other 1/24th Zero I know of. The other is the Bandai A6M5c Zero kit. The Trumpeter kit is quite accurate in outline with flush rivets and nice recessed panel lines that aren't overly wide or deep. The cockpit is well done out of the box but if you want more, Airscale and Yahu have some stuff to help you out. Trumpeter also saw fit to add movable control surfaces and the folding wing tips that were fitted to the early Zero fighters but sadly that means those miserable photo-etched hinges that I love to hate. The landing gear struts have working oleos but they felt fragile and even though they have a pin to keep the lower strut aligned, it was iffy at best. I used them to make new ones from brass tube and plastic bits. I opted to do the cockpit in Mitsubishi Green with some Nakajima Green panels and bits. I did the wheel wells, inside the gear doors and flaps with Tamiya Aluminum and sprayed a thin mixture of Clear Blue with a couple drops of Clear Green over that in an effort to imitate the look of the blue lacquer over bare metal that they used in these areas. I used the markings for the IJS Akagi at the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack. This model is going to the family of a Japanese fighter pilot who survived the war and became my friend during my time at Naval Station Yokosuka. May he rest with honor.
