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

Jiro Horikoshi Design II: IJN Mitsubishi Raiden 'Jack', Genzan Flying Group ケ-1107 (Ke-1107) 1/72 Nichimo

Jiro Horikoshi (Wikipedia)

This is my 2nd Japanese anime-inspired old-school model of a plane designed by Jiro Horikoshi, Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden, American name 'Jack'. This kit was a bit more difficult to build than the A5M4 Claude, parts fit was poor sometimes and the fuselage halves were warped out of alignment too. That's why I had to augment this kit with scratch-built items like a new tailwheel and guns, although tried to follow the out-of-the-box principle as long as possible. Original decals - coated with Micro Decal Film - were used, except the yellow leading edge stripes. These decals needed a very long soaking time in water before the backing glue let go. The three-part canopy was hazy and ill-fitting to the fuselage, so that's why this kit is perhaps more suited for a collector's item. The finished model isn't too bad overall, but obviously modern kits are preferable.

And yes, I've no idea what the real historical Ke-1107 Raiden looked like, but for this project the box art was quite adequate source for decal placement information. Here is another, perhaps more accurate Nichimo Raiden model in the Arawesi-Wild Eagles blog. Two Mitsubishi models ready now, Tamiya Zero 'Zeke' still to go!