Bernard's 1/72 A6M3 Model 32 Zeros

Bernard from Poland returned to modelling during the Covid lockdown after a 20 year absence and completed two 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32 'Hamp' models from the excellent Tamiya kit, the images of which he has kindly shared with AoJ.

Q-102, a Houkoku presentation aircraft of 2 Ku at Buna, was painted overall with Tamiya XF-76 Gray Green (IJN). The kit decals were used but Bernard found them rather thick and believes he had over-weathered the finish. 

Bernard's second A6M3 model represents T2-190 an aircraft of 204 Ku at Rabaul in 1943. For this model Bernard used the ROP o.s. decal sheet MNFD 72012 and followed its painting suggestions in good faith. ROP interpreted the field-applied 'marbled' camouflage as solid dark green and the rudder as painted red. He found the decals were thinner than the kit decals and produced a better result. The model was painted with Tamiya XF-70 Dark Green 2 on the upper surface with XF-76 beneath. 

Bernard has continued his building models of Japanese subjects with excellent results, some of which will also be shown here in due course.

With very special thanks to Bernard for his kindness in sharing these and for his patience in waiting for them to be show.