Sweet 1/144 - Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero Fighter - "202nd Flying Group" -

The best 1/144 scale kit ive yet built, the detail is amazing for something so small.

Canopy took me quite sometime to get right, amazing that a pilot could win a dogfight with so many obstacles in your line of sight.

Toned down the panel line with this build, wanted to be able to see the panels but not for them to stand out too much.



This photo seems somewhat wrong, i think it needs to be pointed the opposite direction like in aircraft profiles.



"X2-172" Pilot by Lt. Toshio Shiozuru, March 1943, Timor island, Koepang.



Ian

Sweet 1/144 - Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero Fighter - Painted and decaled -

Working very fast on the little model, just as i hoped,reckon i could have ti complete by next week.

Looking good so far im thinking, once the decaled where applied it really came to life. Next to be gloss coat then given a dark wash to bring out the panels lines.

Below is the Zero all built and ready to be primed from Friday. Best fit ive ever had on a model, as can be seen only a few drops of putty on the seam lines only where i over cut the sprue.



Accidentally stood on the propeller which is a pain, going to have to try and fix that as best i can. Droped it, looked at it, went to pick it up and for some reason i stood on it, strangely funny when you think of it.
Ian

Sweet 1/144 - Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero Fighter - WIP 1- Cockpit

Got the cockpit done in one week, the Sweet kit is quite plain but the rest is suberb, decided to add a little detail to the cockpit.

Added a instrument panel, cut out the shape in plasticard then to make the gauges i drilled holes to make them, added the pedels even  though they cant be seen, a joystick and finally used masking tape to make the belt for the seat.



Ian

[Kit Review] - Sweet 1/144 - Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero Fighter -

If your going to build a Sweet 1/144 kit you've got to build one of there Zero Fighter, Sweet love em and it shows by how many variation they've released.

Amazing detail for something so small, checked it against the 1/48 hasegawa kit.



 Ive decided that i need to start building the many many kit ive stashed, i plan to start building and finish a model every 2 weeks. Hope i can do that.

Ian

[Kit Review] - Sweet 1/144 - Zero Fighter and Flight Deck "TORA TORA TORA" -

Very cool little kit this one for Sweet kit of the week. A Zero fighter with a excellent Flight Deck with elevator from the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi during the Pearl Harbour attack.

Back of the box shows the constructions of the flight deck which i quite big compared to the little Zero.



Easy to follow instructions as expected, cool how you can can the end of the wings in different positions, going to go with the vertical storage option.



Painting and decal instructions are 1/1 with the size of the fighter when built, think i'll go with the design on the front of the box.



Excellent detail on the plastic and decals for the flight deck as well as the Zero, the flight deck decals should look better than if i tried to paint the white lines on.



Got to look up some paint for the Zero and how to paint would before i start this one. Seen some excellant little Japanese Navy crew which i coul make a little dio with for this.

ian

[Kit Review] - Sweet 1/144 - Mitsubishi A6M3 Model22 Zero Fighter -

New Sweet kit of the week and it one of Sweets favorite subjects a Zero, which would make sense since there a Japanese company.



5 different desplay option with the decals, going to have one the creme colour and the other green.


Excellant intructions are usually from Sweet, got to find out what the little bits of advice are in Japanese.


Like how the plastic is the clour i want the Zero painted in, like a undercoat.

Ian