1/48 Tamiya A6M2 Zero

1/48 Tamiya A6M2-N Rufe

Gallery Article by Mark L. Rossmann on Oct 16 2015

 

      

History:
As 1940 continued with the war in China, Japan didn’t figure to win the vast countryside, but to hang on to the major cities in the interior and ports. The stalemate continued, then in September the Zero was introduced, pilots were not impressed, and wanted to keep their “Claude’s”. In one on one mock combat the “Claude” out maneuvered the Zero and won every duel. However the first combat with CAF aircraft proved the Zero was overall superior to the “Claude”, claiming 27 fighters shot down. Lt. Cdr Fujita stated the “Zero was better than the “Claude” in performance and firepower. So I liked the Zero”.

Combat experience of the Zero pilots in China would provide great confidence to them, heading into 1941 these pilots were dangerous opponents and would prove that in the opening months of the Pacific war. 

The A6M2 was the mainstay JNAF as they were committed to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. Japanese carriers positioned themselves 200 miles north of Pearl, at 0130 hours Tokyo time the bombers started climbing off the flight decks. The Zero (code named Zeke by the allies) pilots played a key role in the attack, protecting the bombers and torpedo bombers, strafing parked aircraft and shooting down those that did get off the ground… but not all of them. The Japanese pilots were surprised at the aggressiveness of the American pilots flying P-40B’s, 2nd Lt's Taylor and Welch were two of them. 55 officers and men were lost in the Pearl raid, which included 9 zeroes lost to all causes, 3 in the first wave and 6 in the second. Those crews that survived grieved their lost brethren. 

Coinciding with the Pearl raid, Japan hit the Philippines, Hong Kong and Dutch East Indies. The lightning strikes were successful catching many allied aircraft on the ground and leaving them smoldering piles, continuing the story line that the Zero was invincible. 

The Battle of Midway would turn the tide in the Pacific for the allies; the battle broke out in the early morning of June 4th. The Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu steamed to Midway with over 250 aircraft. American cryptographers however had broken the Japanese code and were lying in wait with the Hornet, Enterprise and Yorktown along with the Midway contingent of aircraft. The loss of 4 fleet carriers stunned the Japanese, losing many valuable veteran pilots and aircraft crew. In order to replace the lost pilots, veteran land based pilots were recalled to train the new ones. The entrance requirements were lowered, training syllabus shortened, only to produce pilots ill equipped to do front line battle. 

The A6M2 carried on as a land based and float plane, after the Midway invasion a more improved A6M3 appeared with more powerful engine and firepower. 

A total of 10,449 Zero’s were produced, it is the icon of the Japanese fighter planes, like the RAF Spitfire, Luftwaffe BF109, the USAF Mustang.

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Aircraft:
A6M2 came on line in September of 1940, manufactured by Mitsubishi.
Engine: Nakajima NK1C Sakae 12, 14 cylinder radial, air cooled, providing 950 hp.
Weight: 6,164 lbs loaded
Max speed: 332 mph
Ceiling: 32,810 ft
Range: 1930 nautical miles
Armament: 2x20 mm cannons, 2 machine guns and 264 lbs of bombs.

Zero float A6M2-N (allied code name “Rufe”) was a last ditch effort to provide a fighter float plane for forward island bases which landing fields were impossible to build in the southern and northern reaches of Empire. The 15-Shi floatplane fighter was still under development and wouldn’t be ready till 1943. The project was accepted and Nakajima began the project with chief engineer Shinobu Mitsutake. 

Three used Model 11 Zero’s were the starting point, changes included, A) Deck landing gear removed, main float, right and left auxiliary floats were added. B) The fin was strengthened and the rudder area was increased to make up for directional stability and rudder efficiency affected by the floats C) Sealing of the floats and body to prevent them from leaking and corroding. The plane was slightly slower than its wheeled version, but it retained its maneuverability and superiority over the early war allied aircraft. It was accepted for mass production under the “Type 2” Float Plane Fighter. A total of 327 were manufactured between 1941 and 1943. 

The allies were cautious as the plane was as dangerous as its wheeled brother as it fought against bombers and fighters. On the 10th of October, 1942 Sergeant Kawai and Maruyama engaged over 20 Wildcats in the Shortland Islands, both were killed in the ensuing battle, but they in turn destroyed 4 Wildcats, one by ramming. In the end all front line unit float planes were destroyed.

Aircraft:
A6M2-N was manufactured by Nakajima Hikoki K.K..
Engine: Nakajima NK1C Sakae 12, 14 cylinder radial, air cooled, providing 940 hp.
Weight: 5,423 lbs loaded
Max speed: 270 mph
Ceiling: 32,810 ft
Range: 1107 nautical miles
Armament: 2x20 mm cannons, 2 machine guns and 264 lbs of bombs.

Model:
I built these 20 years ago and through a couple of moves they saw their wear and tear. I thought about building new ones, but decided I had a reclamation project instead. All small pieces, antenna, canopy, Pitot tube etc were removed. I used oven spray on it to strip paint and decals off. It started out like the picture of the A6M3. This process took about six times to complete, spray (well ventilated area), let sit for 12 hours, take an old tooth brush into a bucket of water to brush it off. Once done a thorough rinse and set aside to dry. From there it was like any other model that you would paint and decal. 

The Tamiya 1/48 A6M2 I used Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black Spray for the cowling, then the new and very well done AS-29 IJN Gray Green for the body. According to the instruction sheet, the aircraft markings were for Lt. Commander Shigeru Itaya, Flying Corps Commander for the carrier AKAGI, Pearl Harbor attack. The Grey Green color was used for a very short time from about October of “41” through to about May of “42”. 

The A6M2-N type 2 is another 1/48 Tamiya kit. Used TS-29 Semi Gloss Black spray for cowling, undersides used AS-2 IJN Light Gray and upper surfaces AS-1 IJN Dark Green. The instruction sheet says the markings are from November “42” to January “45” at the Aquatic Base of Shumushu Island, North Kuril.

Overall one plane took maybe about the same time to build brand new, because of the stripping job. But I am satisfied with results.

References:

  1. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22 – IJN Navy Aces 

  2. Tamiya Instruction Sheet 

  3. World War II Airplanes volume 2, by Enzo Angelucci and Paolo Matricardi, a Rand McNally book. 

Thanks to Steve for his great site….

Mark L. Rossmann

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Photos and text © by Mark L. Rossmann