[lanslide]

Is anyone aware of the research that has been conducted over at j-aircraft.com? The new research states that the over-all gray scheme was actually more of a greenish gray (a glossy olive color). Marushin has painted their Zeros the traditional light gray color and I have them all. One of them I had painted the correct color based on my fathers research (Jim Lansdale). He has actual pieces of the planes to compare colors with. I will post photos later if anyone is interested.

[Epapazian]

It seems to depend on which manufacturer made the plane as well as other factors---weather conditions, the practice of slicking down the planes with a slightly brownish glossy covering to allow for greater speed at low altitudes, etc. If you look at the paints offered by Testors, Tamiya, Aeromaster, etc. they all vary as to the Zero's coloring in what is referred to as Japanese Navy Gray. Tamiya seems to have the most green in it, but then you are supposed to dilute the paint with about 15% white to duplicate the "scale effect" when painting 1:72 models. The consensus appears to hold that a light gray/green is the intended color----with Mitsubishi-built planes having a bit more green, while the more numerous Nakajima-built versions were slightly more tan in color and a bit lighter, overall. There are hints of these distinctions in some of Dragon's Zeros, but this may just be a coincidence.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by lanslide

Is anyone aware of the research that has been conducted over at j-aircraft.com? The new research states that the over-all gray scheme was actually more of a greenish gray (a glossy olive color). Marushin has painted their Zeros the traditional light gray color and I have them all. One of them I had painted the correct color based on my fathers research (Jim Lansdale). He has actual pieces of the planes to compare colors with. I will post photos later if anyone is interested.

I would be interested in seeing them as I know there has been a debate for a long time now regarding the colors of Zeros and other naval aircraft, but to be honest, I am not going to dicker over a "shade" color.. I honestly don't think that the true color is soo far off from the accepted versions that I am willing to throw away all my navy planes or repaint them..

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I would be interested in seeing them as I know there has been a debate for a long time now regarding the colors of Zeros and other naval aircraft, but to be honest, I am not going to dicker over a "shade" color.. I honestly don't think that the true color is soo far off from the accepted versions that I am willing to throw away all my navy planes or repaint them..

No...of course not! I just think camouflage colors are an interesting subject that I picked up from my father. His hobby IS this very research.

[lanslide]

Here is the link to the camouflage research:
http://j-aircraft.com/research/zeroclr.htm

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by lanslide

Here is the link to the camouflage research:
http://j-aircraft.com/research/zeroclr.htm

Nice article, saved to favorites.....

[rdenham]

Interesting article the Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero at the National Museum of the United States Air Force is painted in a greenish-gray camo.

I took a couple great pictures of the plane during my recent visit; I will post them soon.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by rdenham

Interesting article the Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero at the National Museum of the United States Air Force is painted in a greenish-gray camo.

I took a couple great pictures of the plane during my recent visit; I will post them soon.

Jim Lansdale (the author of the article and my dad) was involved in the restoration (provided color research) of that particular Zero as well as some other Zeros.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I would be interested in seeing them as I know there has been a debate for a long time now regarding the colors of Zeros and other naval aircraft, but to be honest, I am not going to dicker over a "shade" color.. I honestly don't think that the true color is soo far off from the accepted versions that I am willing to throw away all my navy planes or repaint them..

Uh...the color is more than a shade difference. The color is profoundly different.

[Ara1]

Hworth18, you own one of the largest Japanese aircraft diecast collections on this forum, and I if recall, you also repaint diecasts. If you make the decision to repaint your A6M2 then please keep us up to date.