[roowalker]

Happy New Year to all !! I need an early Zero,(A6M2) for my 1:48 collection that focuses on the early Pacific/CBI theatres. Looking serious;y at the FM offerings after my disappointment with Marushin Oscar,RE. price,finish,detail,and fit.Could any owners of the FM offerings give me a good evaluation of their models,or point me to a good link? It need not measure up to CI or HM standards,but I do need some feedback... Best Regards, Mike

[aeroeng]

Happy New Year to you too Mike. I've got the zero (FM-B11C974) and Rufe (FM-B11E069) below. I love the Rufe. For some reason, I don't get real excited about the zero. I haven't seen the other paint schemes in person, they might be a little cooler. The Flying Mule has good photos and their prices are usually pretty competitive.


"images used with permission of The Flying Mule"

[roowalker]

Thanks,aeroeng,I've dealt w. Aikins and wasn't aware of Flying Mules'photos,they show what I wanted to know.... Mike

[Cruver Collecter]

I have their Rufe and for the most part think it looks pretty good. Only problem I have is the canopy looks to be little bit on the large size as far as height goes.

[Art LeBrun]

I always go to Flying Mule for multiple images of product; too many sellers use box art and you cannot see the color or markings scheme. Shame on them.

[skysurfer808]

I have the 1/48 Rufe, and I have to say its the only FM Zero that passes my overall accuracy test. The post about the canopy is right, but the model itself is pretty decent aside from that. The other FM Zeros have issues, with the Pearl Harbor scheme ones having the short wings of later variants, while most of the later ones are also a bit goofy looking. Still, aside from the Rufe, I'd get either the Zeke 32 Hamp square wingtip version, or maybe their green Zeke 52, which at least has an accurate engine mold that looks like a real later model Zero.

It's a pity, as the Marushin model is actually pretty decent, though putting one together is a bit more difficult than it seems. Its a shame that Marushin didn't come out with more pre-assembled models from their Pearl Harbor series, I was waiting to pull the trigger on those, but they are 100 plus each, and by the time I got around to it they had disappeared.

Skysurfer808