The Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M3/3a Zero Fighter (Zeke) #61108 is another example of a kit that is an excellent balance between level of detail and ease of build. Kit #61108 is a 2010 release. This kit is a re-tooled version of Tamiya's earlier 1/48 A6M3 Zero Fighter kit, which is still widely available on the market today. However, if you can afford this later release, it is worth the extra money to purchase this kit. This is due to the added small fret of photo-etch parts that allow the builder to construct the model with the wing tips in the folded-up position. Another added bonus included in this kit are four additional detailed standing pilot figures two of which are posed holding samurai swords. With carefull detail painting, these standing figures could be made to look the part. An excellent seated pilot figure is also provided in this kit. The three-part clear canopy can be posed in the open or closed position. Two poly caps are also included in this model kit. One poly cap provides for a rotatable propeller blade and the other poly cap permits the underbelly fuselage fuel tank to be removable from the aircraft. As expected from Tamiya, parts fit was precise. No seam line putty filling was required for this build. The decals for this kit provided the yellow leading wing edge orange/yellow identification stripes therefore the need to mask off these areas and paint them on was eliminated. The aileron flaps on this kit can be posed in the up or down position. The same can be said for the main landing gear wheels on this model aircraft. Cock pit interior detail parts are excellent, eliminating the need to purchase aftermarket resin cockpit parts. I used Mission Models MMP-054 Dunkel Grun RLM 83 for the cockpit interior surfaces. Other cockpit gauge panels were painted using Anita's All-Purpose Acrylic 302278 Black. For added gauge dial detail fidelity, the kit includes instrument panel decals to enhance the look of these areas. A seat belt decal is provided in the kit and is acceptable for use, especially if the canopy is installed in the closed position. For my build of this aircraft, I opted to use the seated pilot figure, which eliminated having to use the seatbelt decal. For painting the seated pilot figure and the four additional standing pilot figures, I used Vallejo NATO Brown for the pilots' gloves, boots and head covers. For the jackets and pants, I used Mission Models MMP-015 Rotbraun RAL 8012. For the pilots' flotation devices, I used Apple Barrel 21390E Khaki. The pilots' faces were painted using Model Master Yellow Ocre 1/2. Although this kit provides canopy masks, they are not precut. Therefore, I used micro-scissors to cut out the individual masks. I used tweezers and a toothpick to separate the backing from the canopy masks. This has always been a tedious process for me. For my build of this aircraft, I selected paint/marking option C. Although the rivet detail is not as extensive as the Eduard 1/48 Zero kit, the rivet detail will be hidden by the IJN Deep Dark Green paint scheme called out for on the kits paint/marking guide to replicate paint option C, and the large circular national insignia decals. Option C shows the paint scheme for the aircraft flown by Major Saburo Shindo, 582nd Naval Air Group, Buin, Bougainville, June 1943. For this aircraft's propeller blade front surfaces and nose, I used Ceramcoat Metallic Silver 02603 and for the propeller blade back surfaces I used Anita's All-Purpose Acrylic 302278 Black. I undercoated the engine cowling using this same silver metallic paint and then I lightly overcoated this layer with the same black paint to simulate a stressed black paint look on this part. This kit provides the builder with a very detailed radial engine (Sakai 21). Prior to adding the top color paint coats to the aircraft model, I primed the whole airframe with Anita's Black acrylic paint using my Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush at 20 psi with a 0.30mm needle. I then used Apple Barrel 21884E Snow White paint to highlight the panel centers all over the wings and fuselage of the model. This technique is known as black basing. This base coat is then overlayed by subsequent light layers of the topcoat colors to provide a color modulation effect. For the upper surfaces of the aircraft model, I used Vallejo Model Air 71.310 IJN Deep Dark Green and for the lower surfaces of the aircraft model I used Apple Barrel 21392E Granite Gray. For the aircraft main landing gear bays, I used Ammo Aotake Blue 0267. All exterior surfaces of the aircraft were panel washed using Tamiya Brown Panel Liner. The excess panel liner was removed using Testors Enamel Thinner. The wing mounted 20 mm canon barrels were painted with FolkArt 667E Gunmetal Gray overcoated with Tamiya Black Panel Liner. The aircraft landing gear tires were painted with Apple Barrel 21490E Pavement. Due to the complicated greenhouse canopy masking process and small cockpit detail parts requiring fiddley installation, this kit is recommended for intermediate to advanced modelers with airbrushing and decal installation skills.

Another excellent kit by Tamiya. I bought this kit for the folding wing tips, and I was not disappointed. No fit problems, great detail, clear instructions, decals went on smooth. Three different squadrons with different color schemes. I went with the dark green with yellow stripes on the leading wing edge. The kit comes with PE parts for the wing fold which made it so easy and invisible. You also get masking seal for the canopy. The kit comes with 5 figures all pilots. One of the figures is a pilot sitting in the cockpit. The other 4 are standing pilots with flight gear on. Great detail on the pilots. Would not recommend for a beginner but someone with accouple of plane kits experience. Enjoy the build.