The A6M Zero Model 52A (commonly known as the Zero Fighter Model 52A) is a type with an increased ammunition capacity for the Zero Fighter Model 52 20mm machine gun. The original Model 52 was equipped with a Type 99 20mm No. 2 gun Model 3 on the wing, which could carry 100 rounds of ammunition per gun in a drum magazine, but the Model 52A was modified to a belt-fed Model 4, which could carry 125 rounds of ammunition. As the mounting position of the updated 20mm machine gun was moved forward, a trapezoidal cover was added to the base of the machine gun protrusion on the leading edge of the wing. In addition, the original Model 52 had a teardrop-shaped bulge under the wing to accommodate the drum magazine, but this bulge was eliminated in the Model 52A, which was modified to a belt-fed type. Furthermore, all Mitsubishi Model 52As have a short heat-resistant plate at the outlet of the thrust-type single exhaust pipe, a characteristic of the Mitsubishi version.
This model kit from Fine Molds carefully examines these small differences from numerous photographs and recreates them using newly molded parts; this is the first time the short heat-resistant plate has been represented in a 1/48-scale Zero Fighter plastic model kit. The decals reproduce the markings of the original 343rd and 221st Air Groups; in particular, the 343rd Air Group aircraft is still on display at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Hamamatsu Public Relations Center. Place your order today!
- [Includes]: Decals for 2 versions
