I didn't want to post these on my build thread, but I think that you should see these!

Big sucker isn't she!

I did a trial assembly and realised that the holes at the bottom of the cockpit area are where the wings (once they are screwed together to gide the correct cant) are fixed. Now once all the cockpit components etc are in place, these holes are more or less inaccesable. Therefore, as I did these photos BEFORE fixing any cockpit components I left the microscrews in place.

They were fiddly enough to get in with nearly enough space, and for all those who have not yet but the two cockpit halves together, put the screws in first and then the components and finally put the thing together. It is MUCH easier. Also it allows you to add any extra wiring etc that you wish to add. Unless you have microscrews pinging all over the place and the bench gremlin scuttling about and hoarding them where you can't see them you should have 4 spare to do this.

Now the photos





















There you go. I still have a long way to go, and a lot of work to do, and paintwork to fix but slowly, ever so slowly the Zero takes shape!

Admin, Deag etc. I WANT A P-51D TOO!!!!!

James

Hi All
From what references I have read aotake paint was used more liberaly at the start of aircraft production, basicley most internal ribs in wings and fuselage an any surface's that were exposed to air were coated with the stuff but not where any surfaces would meet when assembled and as the war progressed and materials for paint manufacture became more rare the area's painted where wheel wells, internal flap area's, and the folding wing tip area and any continuously exposed areas to the salt air.
The aircraft was first flown in 1937 and had several changes made up until the A6 version of 1941 which then remained more or less unchanged until the end of hostilitys in 1945.
The reality of what im trying to say about the use of Aotake paint would be thus an 8 year production run from 1937 to 1945 would make our 1941 A6 Zero's early mid production types which would have the start of the Aotake paint reductions, so the use of the paint would be reduced to say ribs only and not the internal surfaces of wing/fuselage skins as in early models.
As Kev has previously mentioned WW11 Japanese aircraft and anything military can be a nightmare to investigate [ try getting the correct deck colour for the Yamato] the basic outer colours are well documented but its the internals that are still a cause of consternation today
Andy