1/72 Academy A6M5, 221st Kokutai, 312th Hikotai, October 1944

[wingnutz]

hey folks,

after doing my allied aircraft builds for the "Battle of Leyte Gulf", now comes the flipside and the first of my IJN aircraft builds that were used during the conflict...

it's the mitsubishi A6M5 zero, which was a better version of the legendary aircraft and was rushed to service and flew against the allied fighter F6F hellcat, but was still unfortunately outclassed...

 

[B-17engineer]

Looks interesting!!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Sweet!

 

[Screaming Eagle]

I have the exact same kit! Started it and got sick of it I will look forward to your progress!

 

[Wayne Little]

wingnutz you will need to change the kit slightly 221Ku photo's indicate A6M5a or b model not the 'c'.

 

[Matt308]

My youngest boy has been wanting to make this kit. He's looking forward to your build.

 

[wingnutz]

wingnutz you will need to change the kit slightly 221Ku photo's indicate A6M5a or b model not the 'c'.

thanx wayne...copy that...

doing my homework now...

 

[wingnutz]

My youngest boy has been wanting to make this kit. He's looking forward to your build.

hey matt,

i shall do my best for this build...

 

[Wayne Little]

thanx wayne...copy that...

doing my homework now...

...

...if I can help just ask!

 

[wingnutz]

...

...if I can help just ask!

thanks a bunch wayne...

i'm googling through IJN units that were transferred to the PIs during this timeline of the conflict...i was hoping i could do one of genda's planes but i can't seem to find a link to the IJN operations during the BOLG...

hopefully the academy kit is applicable to a certain degree for this build, with tanks and armament configurations to be confirmed somehow...

any helpful info on how to get this type correct would be much appreciated...

 

[wingnutz]

here's a beautifully rendered illustration of 221st planes showing different A6M5 variants...notice the different armament, drop tank configurations and hinomaru schemes...

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

221-18 represents a Nakajima Zero while the other 221-16, a Mitsubishi.

I don't recall the 'c' series with the white diagonal wing stripes...let alone flying at Leyte Gulf...?

forget the Yellow coloured drop tanks this is apparently a myth.

Can scan you some plan view shots of A6M5 Model 52, 52a and 52b, tomorrow night....

 

[wingnutz]

221-18 represents a Nakajima Zero while the other 221-16, a Mitsubishi.

I don't recall the 'c' series with the white diagonal wing stripes...let alone flying at Leyte Gulf...?

forget the Yellow coloured drop tanks this is apparently a myth.

Can scan you some plan view shots of A6M5 Model 52, 52a and 52b, tomorrow night....

thanks a bunch wayne...

 

[Wayne Little]

No worries mate, drop me a PM with your e-mail and I will send them to you.

 

[Wayne Little]

This might help too!!

Mitsubushi A6M5b Zero Fighter Type 52 Otsu `221st Flying Group` (Plastic model) Hasegawa 1/48 Air Plane

 

[wingnutz]

a link to A6M5 comparative table...

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M5, "Zero" - World War II Vehicles, Tanks, and Airplanes

 

[Wayne Little]

you haven't popped me your e-mail yet? got some scans for you....

 

[Ivan1GFP]

Hi Wingnutz,

The data in that comparative table is not entirely accurate. The Model 22 was a A6M3 (three), not a A6M5 and the early ones did not come with a long barrel 20 mm cannon. Another note is that the drop tank is too far aft on the aircraft in the foreground in the rendering.

Hey Wayne,

Can any of us get on your email distribution as well?
I am always interested in things about the Zero. You wouldn't happen to know what engine's cruise settings (maximum continuous) would be perhaps? I need the data for a flight model I am working on for Combat Flight Simulator.

- Ivan.
[email protected]

 

[Wayne Little]

Hi Wingnutz,

The data in that comparative table is not entirely accurate. The Model 22 was a A6M3 (three), not a A6M5 and the early ones did not come with a long barrel 20 mm cannon. Another note is that the drop tank is too far aft on the aircraft in the foreground in the rendering.

Hey Wayne,

Can any of us get on your email distribution as well?
I am always interested in things about the Zero. You wouldn't happen to know what engine's cruise settings (maximum continuous) would be perhaps? I need the data for a flight model I am working on for Combat Flight Simulator.

- Ivan.
[email protected]

Sure, Ivan, I provided scans of plans for all 4 variants of the A6M5 so Glenn could review them for his modifications of the 'c' version kit to bring it back to the 'b' model...if you want them there yours, just say the word!

sorry can't help with the cruise stuff....the model 22 also had the longer wings of the model 21.