Post by kustombuilder1 on Aug 27, 2011 20:07:30 GMT -6
Well, I have been know to do a few kits that have wings on them, and to start off a whole sub-forum is an honor. Here is my version of a Japanese Zero. Rather than beat it up an weather it, I took inspiration from a fully restored museum bird I saw.
The kit is from 21st Century Toys, which was an up and coming company which showed real promise towards making decent kits at a nice price. This one is in 1/32 scale, and I got it for $10 at Wal-Mart. A quick glance through the major retailers will show most 1/32 scale kits well over $75 bucks, and some close to $200!
Here lies the problem why 21st didn't make it.. The first major buyer they had was Wal-Mart, but then Wal-Mart kinda screwed them. Wal-Mart at that time decided to get out of the model business, and cancelled all orders from all makers. This left 21St Century in such a shape with lots of produced inventory and no buyers, that they had to file bankruptcy, and cease all operations.
Some of the "rivet counters" didn't like these kits, but overall they were worth twice the asking price easy. They were a great bargain. But enough rambling, here it is, the Mitsubishi A6M5 type 52 Zero. It was one of 7 true un-assembled and un-painted kits they released.
The museum Zero I saw had "touch-up" paint splotches on the wings and fuselage, and I tried to duplicate this as best I could.
21st Century made a pretty good name for itself in the pre-painted and pre-assembled field, as well as making very realistic military toys as well. It is really a shame we will never see any more released from them. Of course you can get them on E-bay and such places, but some folks want way high prices.
Hope you like
The kit is from 21st Century Toys, which was an up and coming company which showed real promise towards making decent kits at a nice price. This one is in 1/32 scale, and I got it for $10 at Wal-Mart. A quick glance through the major retailers will show most 1/32 scale kits well over $75 bucks, and some close to $200!
Here lies the problem why 21st didn't make it.. The first major buyer they had was Wal-Mart, but then Wal-Mart kinda screwed them. Wal-Mart at that time decided to get out of the model business, and cancelled all orders from all makers. This left 21St Century in such a shape with lots of produced inventory and no buyers, that they had to file bankruptcy, and cease all operations.
Some of the "rivet counters" didn't like these kits, but overall they were worth twice the asking price easy. They were a great bargain. But enough rambling, here it is, the Mitsubishi A6M5 type 52 Zero. It was one of 7 true un-assembled and un-painted kits they released.
The museum Zero I saw had "touch-up" paint splotches on the wings and fuselage, and I tried to duplicate this as best I could.
21st Century made a pretty good name for itself in the pre-painted and pre-assembled field, as well as making very realistic military toys as well. It is really a shame we will never see any more released from them. Of course you can get them on E-bay and such places, but some folks want way high prices.
Hope you like
