1/32 scale Hasegawa Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 - built model showcase 

There are no bad builds, every one of them is a stepping stone towards better and better results. Don't be ashamed of your efforts.

Looks great Dave! Nothing to be scoffed at. A lot of my models still have seam lines on them lol. I like going back and looking at old models. I totally relate to the feeling of knowing a specific model isn’t of competition quality perfection but you have a real soft spot for them. Some of my most cherished models aren’t necessarily my “best” ones. It’s funny the way we as humans attach sentiment to things in a way that defies logic sometimes.

I think it looks great and the engine is awesome. We build Models because it's fun and Not for the museums. 😎

I Never Would've Known Any of Your Mistakes?? LOL, Had You Not Pointed Them Out . I Think She's Awesome Dave, God Bless All

I've been studying this intently recently, as I am building the same kit. The same seam lines on the top of the fuselage and behind the engine are in mine. My main focus now is masking the clear parts, and it's very time consuming. Your video is the best reference I could find. It's amazing how many pictures you can find taken from the front of the airplane, or at an angle. Not many from above and behind that show the detail. This is the best one I've found. Thank you..

Because of your video, I'm going to build this next, because of your awesome video, it's why we all keep watching. thank you for your videos and experience, best of luck with your family. NO bad builds, no bad videos, keep up the great work!

Interesting approach. It's good to see that your not afraid to point out your mistakes and do a self-critique of your own models and that you actually notice when you've advanced your skill levels. There are too many modellers that take critique as a personal attack and feel that what they're doing is top notch and don't seem to get it when other more advanced modellers give them advice. Good job Dave.

I liked it. Its not often people show their work when there are flaws they aren't proud of. This is how we show progress. Now if I can get mine to look this good.

To me it looks pretty good. We all had to start somewhere in this hobby, but we learn and every model turns out a little bit better. Some of my early car models were brush painted.

Dave, what do you think? How about an episode on how to make a replacement elevator. Carved from polystyrene or cast from epoxy or resin? I would like to see your approach.

lol wtf, that’s a sexy model. I just love the Late zeros overall. Don’t be disappointed on it. It’s flipping awesome. I just did my first model a few days ago and it didn’t turn out amazing but good.

Couple of notes. I recently opportunity bought and am currently in the process of building this kit. Even on worn aircraft Hinomaru should not be damaged, and so chipped or dirty. The symbol was revered by the IJE forces as representative of their God. It would be roughly akin but worse than the disrespect of a military man permitting the Australian flag to drag on the ground in the mud or pissing on a symbol of jesus crucifixion in the Christian society as Australia was then. The kit is a 50 year old mould and showing its age (i.e. no aileron rods or fairings, pathetic pilot figure). That said, with minor corrections it still builds into a good looking A6M5 Hei only a hardcore Zero knowledgeable afficionado would criticise. For the money (I picked it up for just AUD$27), research initiative it excites and painting practice prior to attempting the holy grail that is Tamiya's kit or Hasegawa's newer issue kit, it's worth building. That said, these days -I'm getting old and compromising on an earlier trait of perfectionism, I have a pragmatic policy of building pretty much out of the box with minor (easy) modifications rather than try to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. The instructions contain some spec & description errors. For a Hei which the wing armament, drop tank mounting & type and underwing bomb racks represent, the left (port) MG should be omitted entirely, and the MG butt cut away from the instrument panel. (easy). If you have a Dremel, the cowl's port MG recess should be opened up a little for the larger MG & drill out the starboard gun cooling vent (fuselage). The starboard MG butt moulded into the instrument panel is also a bit small for the 13.2mm MG, but hey it's good enough given the constraints of accuracy of the cockpit with this model. The 20mm wing cannon barrels are substantial enough to be drilled out a little to improve their presentation. Can't do much with the wing 13.2mm MG barrels other than replace if desired. One thing I was disappointed with. No instrument panel decal is included on the decal sheet, so its old school painting I'm afraid which is a PITA with black instruments against a Mitsubishi green panel. Also a PITA with this kit is the engine exhaust pipe assembly where every single or two into one pipe has to be configured, sight aligned and glued into position without a positional or alignment guide other than the instructions. Do this in a patient mood and couple of pipes at a time with breaks in between is my recommendation. Fortunately Hasegawa adressed this unnecessary frustration in 08884 their 2016 new tool. All A6M5 Hei production was Mitsubishi built. So that means Mitsubishi greens, grey-green, inner flap and wheel well colour & cockpit colour along with the aft fuselage demarcation lines. Ko & Otsu could be either (i.e. Nakajima build). As stated lacks the detail moulded sharpness and finesse of the later Has and Tam kits, e.g. nav lights but still looks astonishing dressed up in its warpaint.

Great video as always Dave. One suggestion if I may. Get yourself a lazy Suzan from reject shop or one of those $2 shops. Will be much easier to handle and spin the model while filming.

Brutal brutal brutal. There, I've been brutal in the comments. LOL I think of every kit as an experiment, a learning experience. I don't strive for perfection, I strive for satisfaction...mine. What's nice about this video is your ability to look back and make even an older kit a new learning experience. Well done! Just my opinion, but I think you need more light for your light box. The video comes across as grayish. Of course, that could be my monitors fault...

Hi Dave ... i like this subject :-) ...its nice to listen to your thoughts about your older builds... thanks for sharing ... greetings Make*

Looks great, well done!...Bill

That was honesty!

Very nice video, have subscribed, all the best Garry

Really nice model. Your salt chipping, you used salt? Interesting, never seen or heard of that method. Could you consider a video?

Like others have said I think it's a great build. Also as David below said what would do to fix missing part I have old model with broken parts have never realy come up with a good way to fix. THANKS

good;

Empire of the 🌞?🤔 Jman

👍👍

Sorry, but your chipping looks like unnaturally a regular alignment.