New A6M2b Zero kits from Fine Molds in 1/48

Fine Molds are due to release two new A6M2b Zero kits in 1/48 scale. This month IJN Carrier Fighter Zero Model 21 (Mitsubishi early production) 'Aircraft carrier Akagi', Two schemes for Lt Cdr Shigeru Itaya (A1-155) and his wingman NAP 1/c Shinaji Iwama (A1-153). 

Fine Molds write about this new kit as follows:-

While we currently sell the Zero Fighter Type 52 series, for the development of this Zero Fighter Type 21, we redesigned and developed almost the entire model, including the wings, forward fuselage, cowling, first canopy, and vertical stabilizer (rudder), using new molds. Features of the kit include the ability to choose between folded and unfolded wingtips, separate parts for the canopy frame and glass, and a slide mold for the rear fuselage, ensuring ease of assembly. Furthermore, while there are differences in the ailerons of the actual aircraft depending on the manufacturing lot, this kit reproduces the early Mitsubishi-made type (up to aircraft number 326) equipped with a protruding mass balance.

For release in August A6M2b Zero (Nakajima production) 'Air Battle Over the Solomons'. Two interesting field camouflaged schemes from the 2nd Carrier Division at Buin airfield in April 1943, 2-2-103 and 2-1-128, and X2-113 of 202 Ku at Kendari airfield, Celebes in 1943 (attacks against Darwin).

Fine Molds write about this kit as follows:-

About the Type 21 Zero Carrier-Based Fighter (Nakajima-built)

The Type 21 Zero—the early production variant of the "Zero Carrier-Based Fighter"— performed remarkably during the opening stages of the war. It also saw intense action during 'Operation I-Go,' an air campaign conducted in the Solomon and New Guinea theatres. This operation took place from 7th to 15th April 1943, involving joint sorties by land-based air units and aircraft from the carriers Zuikaku, Jun'yō  and Hiyō. Since Mitsubishi had already ceased production of the Type 21 in June 1942, it is believed that the majority of the Type 21 Zeros participating in this operation were manufactured by Nakajima.

Kit Details

Nakajima Aircraft began mass production of the Zero in November 1941. Nakajima-built units are characterized by a spinner that is more pointed than the Mitsubishi version; additionally, due to the timing of their manufacture, they lack the protruding mass balances on the ailerons. While the airframe paint scheme was initially the same as that of Mitsubishi-built aircraft, Nakajima built planes began featuring a white border around the fuselage 'hinomaru' (red circle insignia) starting around the summer of 1942.

This kit accurately reproduces these manufacturer-specific differences; the canopy frame and transparent sections are molded as separate parts, and the rear fuselage is a single piece created using a slide mold. Markings are included to replicate aircraft from the carriers Jun'yō and Hiyō, as well as an aircraft from the 202nd Air Group finished in the characteristic 'light grey-green' (ame-iro) color.

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