Hi Team may I feed this into the debate,up untill the A6M3 (model 32) the cowling was black, when this aircraft entered into service in the standard all-grey colour scheme like the model 21,with generally similar markings. However the model 32`s cowling was not jet black, but contained hints of blue. This colour quickly faded to a blue-grey colour after a few months in the strong equitorial sun.

Regards

Mike

A valid point jase !! Deciding to build this Zero and consequently having to do some research on the subject has taught me one thing about the colours used on WWII Japanese Aircraft and that is the fact that it is VERY difficult to be sure what is correct and what isn't as the debate seems to have been raging ever since the war !! I think the best way to approach this is to decide what we think is correct and stick with it. As long as the builder is happy with their own choice then that is all that matters - it is their own take on things and their own model, so if it works for them then that's fine !!

Personally, I will be going with the black with a very faint hint of blue (plain black is too harsh on a model) as I think it will just look better on the model and in my eyes it is correct ... even if it isn't !!

Kev

For those wishing to get the engine cowling exactly right, or as close as damnit is to swearing (and that is very close in my house) you should try

Vallejo Model air colour 71.073 - metalic black.

I have not used this colour yet, so some testing on thick card would be useful first. This could also be useful for the engine cylinders!

Alternatives are

model air black 71.057

or a mixture of black and 71.056 black grey.

don't forget though that the nosecone had a semi-gloss shine to it so a coat of satin varnish would be needed.

I can only go from my research using original paint chips. What actually went on the aircraft differed by mix and application. Also paint changes colour in the sun and air. This gives the model builder a great latitude on colours and shades, but the original colour shades to start off with give a good start.

Prior to painting and assembling this model I am coating the parts with vallejo grey primer. It says on the rattle can that it is for use on plastic and metal and so far does the job great.

Once the lifecolour aotake paint is applied through my (admittedly cheap) airbrush (still learning how to use them) at a mix of 1:1 paint/thinner the wing spars and bottom frame parts spring to life.

Note:

Lifecolour paints come "airbrush ready". I have applied the aotake with a normal paintbrush with excellent results straight from the bottle. However I reccommend that those using this paint also get matching bottles of the lifecolour thinner and mix the two together 1:1 before using in an airbrush.

THe paint is acrylic and normal paintbrush cleaning applies. see my post on the basic paint colours for original paint chip matches from which the builder can use to make their paint job unique!

James

Hi All
more links to Nakajima cockpit colour recommendations

http://www.cybermodeler.com/color/cockpit.shtml

http://www.ipmsstockholm...g_colorcharts_japan.htm
Some in depth discusions here on paint colour's for the Kate and other aircraft

http://www.pearlharborat...cgi?act=Print;f=11;t=81
More technical info on paint
http://www.aviationofjap...2008_03_01_archive.html
Another paint job the interesting point here is that early zero's of the pearl harbour attack had a red brown colour applied to the rear facings of the propeler's whilst the front was polished metal

http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jj...en/planes/a6m2zero.html
more paint recommendations
http://theminiaturespage...boards/msg.mv?id=250804

Andy