Airfix Pearl Harbor Trio II: New tool 'Zeke'

If the Tamiya 1/72 Zero was a really, really nice kit this Airfix new tool Zero is practically as fine but considerably cheaper. Especially when built with a closed canopy both kits look like they should. Of course Tamiya has the open cockpit option and details are little crisper and a bit more delicate, not to mention it's definitely easier to build, but all these features come with a price tag. 

Out-of-the-box except replaced pitot tube and tail number decal - because I wanted a Pearl Harbor one the AI-111 was obviously the easiest to make with cut-and-paste - so this model represents the Akagi fighter piloted by F1c Shinpei Sano of the second wave attack.  

Paint shades (same as my PH 'Val') and other decisions were made with the help of these websites:

#25 - PEARL HARBOR raid - Akagi's fighters

OUT OF AMEIRO CLOUD INTO HAI-RYOKUSHOKU SKY 

 Aviation of Japan: The Zero Colour Conundrum 1

Aviation of Japan: The Zero Colour Conundrum 4

Modeling Madness: Early A6M Colors

J-aircraft.com: Pearl Harbor

J-aircraft.com: Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" Pt 4

Still, I'm afraid my model is just a best guess about many details...

Fuselage nose top panel is a good idea that works well.

Basic painting done

Airfix GR3 Harrier as a donor sheet for AI-111

After some touch-up

Ready for decaling with Johnson Pledge floor wax (The Finnish version!)

Jiro Horikoshi Design III: IJN Mitsubishi (made by Nakajima) A6M5 Model 52a Zero-Sen 'Zeke' 653-III 1/72 Tamiya

Jiro Horikoshi (Wikipedia)

This Tamiya 1/72 Zero-Sen kit (60779-1400) is possibly the best scale model kit I've ever built: no putty, no problems, no fuss. And the final result sure looks like a Zero!
Not only this model rounds up my anime-inspired 'The Wind Rises' Jiro Horikoshi project, but it nicely dovetails with my other models that were made after the photos and color profiles in the old "Aircraft in Profile" series. There is even a photo of the orignal 'Zeke' aircraft at Ohita Air Base, Japan on October 13th 1944!
Built out-of-the-box with kit decals, airbrushed Revell and Humbrol enamels. Turpentine umbra washes sealed with Revell matt varnish clearcoat.

Aircraft in Profile vol. 12 original photo caption: --Photographed on October 13, 1944 at Ohita Air Base, Japan, Zero-Sen Model 52a (A6M5a) fighters of the 653rd Naval Air Corps are being readied preparatory to embarking on the ill-fated imperial Japanese Navy carriers which took part in Operation Sho - the Battle of Leyte Gulf - two weeks later (Photo: via Takeshi Miyawaki)

Jiro Horikoshi Design (top to bottom): Mitsubishi J2M 'Raiden', A6M 'Zero', A5M

Mitsubishi 'Jack', 'Zeke', 'Claude'

Tamiya Zero 1/72 scale item 60779 1400

Tamiya 1/72 scale war bird collection 79 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter Zeke