A6M2 type O model 21 Zero-Sen ('Zeke')
Aircraft: Mitsubishi A6M2 type 0 model 21 Zero-sen (Allied code name 'Zeke'), aircraft "DI-108", pilot Petty Officer Tadayoshi Koga, Imperial Japanese Navy, aircraft carrier Ryujo ('Prancing Dragon'), attack on Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, June 3-4, 1942.
''...rounds had punctured the upper and lower surfaces of the Zero. One passed through the fuselage tail cone, tail wheel bracket and solid rubber tire. Another hit the plywood belly tank from below. The round that did the [crucial] damage had gone through the underside of the cowling near the oil cooler, severing the oil return line.' (Cloe 1992)
References: Cloe, J.H. 1992. The Aleutian Warriors: A History of the 11th Air Force & Fleet Air Wing 4. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co. and Anchorage Chapter, Air Force Association.
Kit: Tamiya #60317 1/32.
Accessories/modifications: antenna cable made from Uschi standard rigging line (USH4005).
Paint: Tamiya spray lacquer AS29, Tamiya acrylics, Alclad Aluminum II, weathering by oil wash and silver Prismacolor pencil, Testor's Dullcoat from spray can.
Decals: tail code, stencils and propellor warning stripes from the kit decals, tail code and data stencil from Yellowhammer YHD32014, all other markings painted with masks.
