1:48 Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero

1:48 Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero - an Eduard photo-etched set

A photo-etched set from the Czech manufacturer Eduard intended for finishing off a plastic model of the A6M3 aircraft in 1:48 scale. The parts are etched from thin metal sheet and replace or add plastic features where plastic cannot hold a scale thickness. Eduard makes several different accessories for the same aircraft - a smaller pre-painted set of the Zoom line, masks for the glazing, 3D decals for the interior and this photo-etched set - so compare which type of accessory you are looking for before buying. The kit is not included in the package.

The real subject

The A6M3 was the version of the Zero with the Sakae 21 engine with a single-stage two-speed supercharger. Model 32 received clipped, squarely finished wingtips; Model 22 returned to the longer wing with folding tips and a larger fuel supply. The Zero stood out for agility and range, which was bought at the cost of a light structure and limited protection for the pilot and the tanks. In 1942 it was the main type of the Japanese fighter force in the Pacific theater.

Usage tips

Separate the photo-etched parts with a sharp scalpel on a hard support, not with pliers. Make the folds in a bending tool or between the jaws of flat pliers. Metal cannot be glued with cement for plastic; use super glue, and epoxy for stressed joints. Degrease the unpainted parts before spraying and go over them with a primer. Finish everything that belongs in the cockpit before you close the fuselage up.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want to raise the detail of a base kit
• Builders with experience of folding and gluing photo-etched metal
• Anyone interested in Japanese aviation of the Second World War
• Competition modelers for whom the contents of the box are not enough

The set is an accessory for a kit, not a model on its own. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.