A6M2 Color Question?

[dollar19]

Here comes the can of worms.....

I'm planning my next project, an A6M2 Zero from the Akagi on Dec 7, 1941. We all know the gray-green/ Light-gray discussion that has gone on forever, so I 'll say right off the bat, I'm going with WEM's ACJ16 Mitsubishi Zero Gray-Green. Enough said about that.

My question is: Are the wheel wells and doors the same color as the underside? Or some other color? I've read very positive arguments on both. I'm strongly leaning towards the same gray-green in the wells and doors.

Am I mistaken?
Thanks in advance!
Greg

 

[Rogi]

If I ever did more zeros id do that interior green combo, the bamboo green hideous color although most likely correct, looks hideous like some 2 year old decided to paint it :S and since no one can really prove other wise, although the gaudy greenish aqua color is usually considered correct. It just seems off for a military aircraft

 

[Wayne Little]

Greg, MITSUBISHI made zeros used the same colour in the wheel wells and covers as the overall colour.

NAKAJIMA made Zeros (None at Pearl Harbour) used the green/blue Aotake in the wheel wells and the small cover, while the main leg cover was the same inside and out as the lower surface colour.

Cowling was blueish-Black as was the internal upper decking beneath the canopy.
Cockpit colour was in the range of FS34095 to 34098

 

[dollar19]

Thanks Wayne! Great info there.

As I said I'll be using WEM paints on this and have already purchased the Mitsubishi gray-green and Mitsubishi interior green. Now what does surprise me is the blue-black under the canopy. I had "ass"umed this to be interior green. Thanks for keeping me on the right path.

I'm won't be getting to this till October, it's part of a cancer benefit build that will start in Oct.

If anyone's interested let me know and I'll link you to it.

 

[Wayne Little]

You're welcome!

I'm building a Zero in Group build 15 you will be able to review the colours there, when i get in to them!

 

[dollar19]

Thanks Wayne!! I'll be sure to follow your build.

Greg

 

[[SC] Arachnicus]

Somewhat related. I shot this Zero at the Wright Patt museum up the road from me. Everyone I talked to who was there with me looking at it, the staff, and those who have seen it. This is tan. I have also seen this pics of this specific plane outside. At what part of the war and what group flew this zero with this color? It's obviously a carrier plane with the hook on the bottom.

 

[Wayne Little]

A1-3-102 represents a shotaicho (Flight leader-White tail stripe) from the IJN Light carrier Zuiho during early 1943.

A1 means 1st Koku Sentai or Carrier Division This was a new designation for the reorganisation of the carrier Groups that occurred on 1st Nov 1942.
3 means the Third carrier in the division ( 1 was Zuikaku, 2 was Shokaku)
102 is 1 represents a fighter while 02 is the individual aircraft number.
The tan colour represents the I3 Tsuchi-iro (Earth/Mud colour) sort of a brownish Khaki, different from the Olive-Grey or alternatively titled Grey-Green colour also primarilly used on the Zero.

 

[[SC] Arachnicus]

Thanks Wayne!

 

[Wayne Little]

Thanks Wayne!

You're welcome Sir!

 

[[SC] Arachnicus]

It seems like not too many people talk about this color zero. I may make my next one this tan color.

 

[Wayne Little]

It seems like not too many people talk about this color zero. I may make my next one this tan color.

As long as it is not a Pearl Harbour zero as these were the Olive Grey colour.