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Imperial Japanese Navy · Carrier Fighter · Pacific War · Kokutai Markings

Mitsubishi A6M Zero

A6M2 Model 21 / A6M3 / A6M5 Model 52 · IJN · 1940–1945
IJN / IJAAF route with Kokutai, Sentai and Pacific theatre context

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was the defining Japanese naval fighter of the Pacific War: long-ranged, agile and deadly in early combat, but increasingly vulnerable as Allied tactics and aircraft improved. For modellers it means Pearl Harbor carrier codes, early grey-green finishes, later dark green over grey, field fading, chipped high-traffic areas, hinomaru markings, tail codes and careful attention to A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5 variant differences.

1
Pilot
2×20mm
Cannon
Sakae
Radial
A6M5
Late icon

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Mitsubishi A6M Zero build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: IJN / IJAAF. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
Cowling black-blueIJN cowl colourX-18 + blue71.057 + blueAK black-blue mixH2 + blue
IJN Grey / Ame-iroEarly Zero and IJN undersidesXF-7671.311AK RC303H61/H336 mix
IJN Green / IJAAF GreenUpper camouflage green by serviceXF-11 / XF-1371.322 / 71.285AK RC330 / RC332H59 / H60
Nakajima / Mitsubishi interior greenCockpit, gear bays by makerXF-71 / XF-5 mix71.010 / 71.126AK RC334H58/H312
Aotake translucent blue-greenInterior metallic protective finish where visibleX-13 over aluminiumMetallic Blue Green mixAK RC316 style mixH63 clear mix
Prop brown / blackProps, tyres and anti-glare panelsXF-10 / XF-6971.041 / 71.057AK RC035 / RC022H17 / H12
AluminiumChipping, exposed metal and landing gearLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringHeat staining, tyres, salt fading and oil dirtXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

Zero operations · 1940–1945

The A6M Zero began the Pacific War as a shock: carrier-launched, long-ranged and exceptionally manoeuvrable. It fought from Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku, then across Rabaul, the Solomons, New Guinea, the Marianas and the Home Islands. For modellers, the Zero is all about variant, date and unit: A6M2 Pearl Harbor aircraft, A6M3 Solomons machines, A6M5 late-war fighters, weathered island Kokutai subjects and surviving museum references.

1Pilot
2×20mmCannon
SakaeRadial engine
331 mphA6M2 speed
A6M Zero real reference
Real Zero photo route: check model, tail code, theatre, hinomaru style and paint condition before committing to decals or weathering.

Role & strengths

  • Long-range IJN carrier fighter and land-based naval fighter
  • Pearl Harbor, Midway, Rabaul, Solomons and Home Islands routes
  • A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5 variant differences
  • Hinomaru, carrier codes and Kokutai tail-code research
  • Subtle early grey-green or heavily worn late-war green finishes

Key theatres

  • Carrier operations from Pearl Harbor to Midway
  • Rabaul and Solomons land-based naval air war
  • New Guinea and South Pacific island bases
  • Philippines, Marianas and Home Island defence

Specification A6M2 Model 21

Crew1Length29 ft 9 inWingspan39 ft 4 inMax speedc.331 mphPowerplantNakajima Sakae radialArmament2×20 mm cannon, 2×7.7 mm MGs, bombs/drop tank

Survivors today

Zero survivor reference

Surviving Zeros are useful for cockpit framing, wheel wells, cowling, spinner, panel layout, exhaust staining and the fine lines of the airframe.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this Zero as…

Choose the operation first. Pearl Harbor A6M2s, Midway carrier aircraft, Rabaul/Solomons land-based Zeros, A6M5 late-war fighters and captured/evaluation aircraft all need different colours, codes and weathering.

Aircraft identity

●Hinomaru
艦Carrier fighter
✦Sakae radial
翼Long range
尾Tail codes
島Island wear
Colour warning

Early Zero colour is not plain white. Research ame-iro/grey-green, later dark green over grey and unit/date repainting before painting.

Variant warning

A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5 differences affect wings, cowling, exhausts and markings. Do not mix late-war weathering with early carrier codes without evidence.

Paint scheme cards

Early carrierAme-iro / grey-green A6M2

Pearl Harbor and early carrier Zeros need warm grey-green tones, not pure white.

Mid-warDark green over grey

Rabaul and Solomons subjects can show fading, touch-ups, field wear and tropical staining.

Late-warA6M5 weathered green

Late aircraft can be chipped and faded, but still need photo-led restraint and airframe logic.

CapturedEvaluation / restored routes

Captured/evaluation aircraft often carry unusual markings. Use photos rather than generic profiles.

Campaign cards

Pearl Harbor

Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku A6M2s need carrier tail codes, early finish and restrained wear.

Midway

Carrier Zero subjects combine early-war finish, combat operations and carrier-specific marking research.

Rabaul / Solomons

Land-based Kokutai Zeros can show tropical fading, heavy use, field maintenance and dirtier finishes.

Late-war A6M5

Home defence and island aircraft can show darker green, more wear, exhaust staining and hurried maintenance.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

Medium. Most kits are manageable, but the finish, cockpit framing and variant details require discipline.

Paint difficulty

High. Early Zero colour and late-war chipping are easy to overdo or misinterpret.

Marking difficulty

High. Carrier/Kokutai codes, hinomaru outlines and theatre markings must match the aircraft/date.

Paint codesIJN grey-green, dark green and hinomaru notesTechniqueZero chipping, tropical fading and exhaust stainsArticleZero kits, variants and weathering guide

A6M Zero Kokutai and carrier units

Sortable Zero unit cards covering Pearl Harbor carrier groups, Midway, Rabaul, Solomons, late-war Kokutai and captured/evaluation routes.

Route:Sort:

A6M Zero operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked Zero unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

A6M Zero build guide

Kit choice wizard

A6M Zero videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.