Jo-Han 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero/Zeke/Rufe

JO-HAN 1:72 MITSUBISHI A6M2 ZERO/ZEKE/RUFE
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: John Lacey (rec.models.scale)

72^nd Scale Jo-Han Mitsubishi A6M2 ‘Zeke’ or Nakajima A6M2-N ‘Rufe’

History

I guess anyone with even a basic interest in military aviation will know something about the Mitsubishi A6M. Almost unstoppable during the Sino-Japanese War and quite the bugbear when first encountered in the Pacific, the ‘Zero’ or ‘Zeke’ as it was more officially known was quite a light and manoeuvrable aircraft, but suffered from a lack of armour plating or other defensive components that soon became a source of danger as the IJN encountered more and more advanced Allied fighters. Nakajima also produced the type, added a centerline float with outriggers to produce a floatplane fighter for the IJN to operate beyond the range of conventional carriers.

The Kit

Jo-Han’s kit (eBay yet again), is an earlier model that provides for either the carrier based ‘Zeke’ or float-equipped ‘Rufe’. As such, some parts of the kit are specific to either version and superfluous to the other. Given the kit’s age, it’s fairly basic in some places, but does have very fine recessed panel lines and a good overall shape. The cockpit well, isn’t with just a pilot figure perched on two bars that run across the fuselage interior. The landing gear for the ‘Zeke’ is quite basic with separate undercarriage legs and wheels for the maingear and a tailwheel moulded onto the rear fuselage. An arrestor hook is added to the lower fuselage halves that are a separate construction due to the nature of the kit. Gear doors are separate and quite thin although once again, very basic. A two-part engine is into an open cowling with a cowling ring and single piece spinner and prop to finish it off. ‘See-through’ is going to be a major problem here without any extra work. The ‘Rufe’s’ parts are quite well presented with a secure mount for the central float and two outrigger floats each with two-part bodies along with the two-part rear fuselage applicable to the type. Transparencies consist of a commendable thin and clear three part canopy and a stand for the model once completed.

Options

Options, beyond the choice of versions are limited to a centerline tank and a choice of wheels up or down for the landplane, although this last choice is mentioned only on the box and not within the instructions.

Colour Schemes

Two schemes are provided for, the ‘Zeke’ being in overall ‘light grey’ which I assume to mean the IJN’s N.10 light grey with N.1 or black cowling and spinner, along with a ‘Violet’ over ‘Blue Grey’ with Black cowling for the ‘Rufe’. Colours here would, I’d think, be N.12 for the uppers and N.9 for the lower surfaces. The spinners being noted for each as the fuselage colour.

Decals

A small decal sheet provides national markings for one aircraft with various stripes and bands along with serials for either machine. Whilst the white surround on the Hinomaru is quite apt for the camouflaged floatplane, it’s certainly not applicable to the landplane ‘Zeke’ in it’s early war scheme. The only Hinomarus without this surround are for the lower wings, quite applicable to the ‘Rufe’ or ‘Zeke’, but the only instance of the correct markings being supplied. Neither is identified by unit or base, although the ‘Zeke’ is supposedly marked as IJN ace Saburo Sakai’s machine, although the colour bands applicable to his machine aren’t supplied in the decals. Decal-wise, I’d have to suggest that the ‘Rufe’ is the more well presented scheme here. Frustratingly, the proper Hinomarus are shown on the boxart for the Zeke, this being compounded by the fact that it also makes clear mention of Sakai’s machine as a highlight.

Instructions

The instruction sheet is a double-sided page with one exploded-view construction step on the front side, with two exploded construction steps applicable to either version on the reverse along with a painting and decaling guide for each. Detail colour callouts are noted during assembly which is a nice touch.

Impressions

This is a fairly basic kit, eclipsed by the later offerings available but the option of either the land or float-plane is a nice one. That said, I can’t see it as being something that will race off the shelves. The kit would appeal to younger modelers who would possibly like the option of either configuration, but the overall feel of the kit would deter many. That said, the canopy for starters is just beautiful and the attachments for the floats on the ‘Rufe’ are nice and solid.

Conclusions

To be honest, I bought this quite cheaply, mainly for the float system of the ‘Rufe’ for another project and had no intention of using the kit supplied decals for the A6M2 that would be built out of it. This was always going to be a ‘what if’ machine of my own devising that I’d created artwork for over on the What-If modeler’s Forum (http://www.whatifmodelers.com), so I can’t say that I’m overly disappointed with the kit. If, however, I were to have bought it for the Sakai option, for instance, then I’d suggest that it would be money poorly spent. I recommend this one to collectors, younger modelers, or those with even less concern regarding details that myself and believe me, that’s saying something!

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