Hasegawa 1/48 A6M3 (Model 22) Zero

HASEGAWA 1:48 A6M3 (MODEL 22) ZERO

Reviewer: Geoff Goldfen (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: July 2001

Preamble:
What's this I hear you ask - decided to shrug off the Tamiya kits for a while and go with an inferior brand? Yes, just for a break, Hasegawa's Zero caught my eye and I wanted to build it up as readers of SMAKR will realise this is my first review of a non-Tamiya kit for sometime. There's a relative absence of 48th modellers out there too. It's only my kits that have been keeping the site's 48th index growing this year - so where are you quater scalers then? Share your thoughts on your own kits! Feels like I am doing this for nuthin'!! :-)

Anyway, let's get on with it shall we and see what this renowned manufacturer has produced for us....

The Kit:
Hasegawa's kit is of its usual high standards, with crisp, clean light grey parts in cellophane bags. The instruction sheet is also the standard fair listing all the information needed to make this classic gem of a kit. Mr Color/Gunze Sangyo are the paint ranges quoted and sprue diagrams, history etc are all provided.

Construction:
The cockpit really needs an aftermarket set to enhance it as what is provided by Hasegawa can be considered as the bare essentials. Eduard, Aeroclub and another one of the mainstream aftermarket companies as I understand it all make internal sets that can be used in this kit.

Construction of the model was pretty straight forward with very little attention needed or problems encountered. Joint lines need to be sanded smooth and some resultant gaps require filling, but nothing too sinister at all. The cowling was a bit stiff to put on and the undercarriage was a little fragile in parts but overall it was the typical pristine Hasegawa fit we have come to expect.

Antenna was made using the finest navy blue cotton thread about the same consistency as 0.01 mm fishing line that I have seen suggested by other modellers to use.

Versions & Decals:
Only the mainstream two versions are produced by the kit with the typical bright and healthy looking decal sheet. The decals are in excellent register and contain enough stencilling in addition to roundels to be quite satisfactory. They set nicely with Microset Sol but move around a bit before settling in the exact position you want.

Painting:
Conjecture about the accuracy of the light grey on Zeroes has been going on almost since they disappeared from the skies. So the information I have used might be argued by others to its absolute accuracy, but that's what it is all about! Colors and Marking Guide, "Camouflage and Markings of IJN Fighters" is the source used and provides for a pretty accurate grey colour chip in my opinion. This matches up to Pollyscale concrete (a model railroad brand) and is supposedly about as accurate as you can get.

Accuracy:
It's very difficult to fault Hasegawa's replica in any way, it is about as spot on as you can get it. Comparisons against scale drawings reveals it is a very convincing replica.

Overall:
A standard Hasegawa zero, accurate and well engineered and most importantly a very good build.

Related Reviews:-

Airfix 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

Related INBOX Reviews:-

web hosting • domain names • video sharing
free online games • photo sharing
free blog • short URLs