A6M2 COLOR

[P3ARLJAM]

I build and fly WW2 radio controlled aircraft and my next plane will be a A6M2 Zero and i want to use the color scheme in the picture. I was told that the Tamiya AS 29 was the correct color but it seems totally different. I need to use rattle cans because i do not have access to and airbrush or a paint sprayer. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[fubar57]

Looks close to me.

Geo

 

[P3ARLJAM]

Iwill buy some tomorrow and give it a try i can always repaint.

 

[Airframes]

Wayne is probably the one to confirm the colour shade - no doubt he'll jump in when he sees this thread.

 

[Shinpachi]

Standard color for the A6M2 was Navy J3 - light grey.

 

[P3ARLJAM]

The Tamiya paint will have to be ordered but i found this at a local store what do you guys think?

 

[Wurger]

This may help...

Aviation of Japan 日本の航空史: Painting Into A Corner ~ Part 2 - Exploring J3

 

[P3ARLJAM]

Thank you for the link.

 

[P3ARLJAM]

Can anyone tell me why the suggested paint from Tamiya looks more like the Zero in the first picture than the second?

 

[fubar57]

As Wojteks link states, confusing. Here's some more confusion for you. You might be able to find someone here who can help...
J-aircraft.com Main Page
An article on the color
Imperial Japanese Navy Gray

Geo

 

[Wurger]

Can anyone tell me why the suggested paint from Tamiya looks more like the Zero in the first picture than the second?

First of all ... are you sure the second profile shows the correct colours?

 

[P3ARLJAM]

Here is a real restored version i cant see how this paint looks more like the first picture than the second

 

[fubar57]

Always use caution when referring to restored aircraft, a mistake I've made. One of the more knowledgeable people on things Japanese, aside from Shinpachi would be this guy... Wayne Little Maybe send off a PM to him.


Geo

 

[Wurger]

I agree with Geo. If you want you may find an equivalent for the Tamiya XF-14 J.A. Gray that should fit the early camo for IJN kites.

 

[Shinpachi]

Ground crew were asked to shine the surface with the used lubricant to reduce air resistance, so it looked slightly amber.
I have stated standard color as it is starting point for discoloration.
Photo shows J3 color scheme.

 

[Wayne Little]

The colour you want to replicate is an olive Grey with a hint of Khahi type colour for the metal surfaces and a medium grey for the fabric surfaces, this grey was referred to as the J3 colour.
The image in the first post shows the 2 colours quite well.

 

[Hiromachi]

Well, to better understand the color of early A6Ms you should read this :
http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-articles/interviews/tale-fighter-ron-cole.html
http://colesaircraft.blogspot.com/2014/01/japanese-wwii-aircraft-aotake-primer.html
http://colesaircraft.blogspot.com/2014/08/japanese-wwii-aircraft-aotake-primer.html

Matching proper color for a model might be hard though ...