Subject: Re: Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Model 21, Tamiya 1/32
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Olivier BARLES - MD" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 14 May 2014 12:11:34 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again 
for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Olivier BARLES - MD" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 9:50 PM
Subject: Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Model 21, Tamiya 1/32

Bonjour,

Here are a few pictures of my 1/32 scale Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21 from 
Tamiya.

The construction phase was easy, pleasant and uneventful.
My only "extra-contribution" consisted in adding wires on the engine plugs.
Then, came the time to decide on an exciting decoration.

If most of the Zeros Model 52 were painted in IJN green and grey, a majority 
of Model 21 were all painted in greenish grey that remained a standard 
colour used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, from Pearl Harbour to mid-1943.

Nevertheless, even if obsolete at that time, some Model 21 were still in 
active duty in 1944 and even until the end of the Pacific War...
And this is where I found my inspiration...

The 261st Kokutai was created in Kagoshima in June 1943 before being 
literally "dissolved by Hellcats' fire" during "the Great Marianas Turkey 
Shot" in July 1944.

In the meantime, this Group was equipped with all types of Zeros and worn 
the  most original painting schemes, from the A6M2 veteran of the early days 
to the most recent A6M5 type - and BTW, my 1/32 Tamiya A6M5 that is already 
on ARC, wears also "a 261st Kokutai  deco".

So, I decided to paint my A6M2 with the colours of the "Tiger 110" ("Tora" 
in Japanese, the Kanji Character that is painted on its tail).
It is supposed to be the plane of the 261st Kokutai Commanding Officer and 
it seems its exact colours are still matter of speculation.
So I decided to go for an interpretation found in a recent "Aerojournal" 
monograph about the Zero edited by "Caraktere", a publisher that offers in 
French language, one of the best references in aviation history.

Hope you'll enjoy...

Merci,
Olivier

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