ZERO type 52?

[HGE]

Could I get some oppinions please?

OH, and while I'm asking, what about the Oscar kits? I would like to add some Japaneese WWII to my collection!

Thanks, Henry

Edited March 28, 2006 by HGE

[trojansamurai]

Hasegawa's NEW-TOOL Zeros are probably your best choice. Just make sure you don't get the older ones that first appeared in the late 1970s (A-Series)

I understand Academy's A6M5 is pretty nice too, though I haven't seen one in person to compare.

As for the Hayabusa, Hasegawa's NEW TOOL is nice (again, don't confuse it with the older kit from the 80s B-Series). Fujimi also makes a nice early model Ki-43-I.

[J.C. Bahr]

I agree with trojansamurai... go for the 2nd series A6M's that Hasegawa did and seek out the Fujimi Ki-43's as well. Can't go wrong with these.

[agboak]

The Academy Zero is a 53 not a 52, so if you are fussy about variant the Hasegawa is the only choice. The Academy Zero also has accuracy issues for the Zero enthusiast, which may not be serious enough to bother you.

Fujimi is indeed the best Oscar, but is only a -I. For a -II you need the old (but decent) Hasegawa kit. For a -III there is the recent AML, but that has resin parts on a less satisfying basic kit. You could put the resin parts (that's including engine cowling!) on a Hasegawa airframe, but that's a fairly expensive route.

[LanceB]

The Academy Zero is a 53 not a 52, so if you are fussy about variant the Hasegawa is the only choice. The Academy Zero also has accuracy issues for the Zero enthusiast, which may not be serious enough to bother you.

No such beast as a Model 53 Zero. 54/64 yes, but those were quite different from the 52. The Academy is supposed to be a 52C, whereas the standard Hasegawa new-tool kit is a 52b. It has also been released in 52c form, with added 13mm wing guns, but still with many features of the b model that need correcting.

The Academy is also a hybrid, with for example twin cowl guns where there should be only one, no fairings around the base of the wing 20mm, missing trim tabs and probably a few other errors. Still the best (only) 52c out there, and I think Academy has a much better cockpit than Hasegawa.

[agboak]

Apologies for that, I was thinking A6M5b and A6M5c, and carelessly converted incorrectly. Hopefully it makes more sense with those instead.

Does the Academy also have an incorrect canopy?

[Serelle]

IIRC Academy has a better cockpit, with nice raised details in there! Hasegawa cockpit is pretty basic, as most of their 1/72 offers.

Serelle

[trojansamurai]

Wow, I could've sworn that Hasegawa did an updated-tool Hayabusa in 1/72, judging by how expensive some of the recent offerings have been ($17+) compared to how much their original kit is (approx. $7 - $9). I sure hope Hasegawa isn't more than doubling the price for just a set of new decals(!).

Since I usually build in 1/48, I apologize for any misinformation I provided on the 1/72 Ki-43.

[Shawn C.]

Here is what can be done with the Academy kit

Hyperscale Build

This gentleman did a great job with it!

[ReiShikiSenGuy]

No such beast as a Model 53 Zero. 54/64 yes, but those were quite different from the 52. The Academy is supposed to be a 52C, whereas the standard Hasegawa new-tool kit is a 52b. It has also been released in 52c form, with added 13mm wing guns, but still with many features of the b model that need correcting.

Not sure, but I think there's a little debate on this - for those seeking the most esoteric details. If I recall, the debate is over when the Sakae 31 was introduced into the Zero design. Sakae 31 Ko was the Sakae 31 with water-Methanol, and I have seen conflicting reports (not sure who is right) that the latest A6M5cs had Sakae 31s without the water-methanol injection. It's really sort of splitting hairs, so I'm just offering this as a tidbit for those who care - not trying to stir controversy. But if I recall, the one side claims it was a Model 53c.

The Academy is also a hybrid, with for example twin cowl guns where there should be only one, no fairings around the base of the wing 20mm, missing trim tabs and probably a few other errors. Still the best (only) 52c out there, and I think Academy has a much better cockpit than Hasegawa.

Academy's cockpit has nice details in the cockpit, but the control panel is wrong. IIRC, the right-side machine gun is the same as the left-side, which that's two errors (should be empty on the left, HUGE on the right). Fit of the parts on the Academy kit (wing to fuselage needs quite a bit of work) makes thick wings OOB and fabric surface details is sort of lame, so I don't like it QUITE as much as Hasegawa's kits - which are OKAY in their quality.

IMHO, the best is the series of newer Hasegawa kits, but plan on adding some interior details if desired. I, personally, would rather wait and buy a Hasegawa Zero on-sale as opposed to settling for the Academy kit. Both are decent, but I think the Hasegawa kit edges-out the Academy kit because I don't like fighting with the fit issues AND correcting the cockpit issues. That said, the Academy kit looks like a Korean copy of the Hasegawa kit, and it's not BAD. I would recommend avoiding ALL the others unless you just wanted the Airfix, Revell, Ls, AML, or other kits.

Hayabusa-wise, the Fujimi Ki-43 I is said to be sweet, and I have one, but haven't built it. It's gotten some rave reviews, though. The Hasegawa Ki-43 II is an older kit with raised panel lines, and the overall fit is decent despite its age. I just finished one, and it was a fair kit, but I had a bit of work to do to make it how I wanted it. Hasegawa really ought to make a new-mold of one of these. Maybe Fine Molds can do it?

Good luck with your project - there are a lot of schemes for the Hayabusas. I'd almost recommend an A6M3 Model 22 or A6M2 Model 21 for the collection - neater color schemes! But if you want the A6M5, that's still nice...