The history of the A6M Zero-Sen has been well documented in other reviews. The floatplane fighter version, Allied code-named 'Rufe' was developed by Nakajima in response to a request by the Japanese Navy for a float fighter based on the A6M2. This was mainly due to the Japanese inability to quickly build runways. There was no Japanese equivalent of the Seabees to do this. Therefore the need for defending fighters that could take off from and land on the water to defend any newly acquired ocean-front property. Like their seaplane buddies, many 'Rufe' units operated from a tender.

While a new fighter specifically designed for this purpose, the Kawanishi N1K1 'Rex' was being developed, it would be years before it was operational. Undertaking the job of converting the A6M2, Nakajima had a prototype flying in less than a year from initial development, first flying on 7 December 1941. There were  327 'Rufes' built and they saw action in nearly all theaters of the war in the Pacific, being used right up until the end of the war. The first deployment of the type was to a sleepy little bug-infested island in the Southwest Pacific called Tulagi, across a strait from a larger, even more inhospitable place that no one ever heard of called Guadalcanal.

Where enemy fighter opposition was light or weak, the 'Rufe' did well. Even against more advanced types, 'Rufe' pilots were able to score well and a few 'Rufe' pilots became aces.

 This is one of Eduard's dual combos which includes two full profipack kit. As with other profipack kits, this one includes color photo etch frets and canopy/wheel masks for both kits. The wheel masks are for the beaching trolleys. While some sprues common to other A6Ms are included, there are quite a few that are unique to the floatplane. While not actually part of the kit, I should mention that my kit arrived with the inner bags pierced and torn by the parts within. For the clear sprues, most of the parts in there had detached for the sprue. Not sure how this happened, but the box itself was totally unscathed.

As is usual with the profipack kits, one can use the supplied decals in place of some of the photo etch parts in the cockpit. In other cases the molded in detail needs to be removed to be replaced with the p.e. The kit can be built without using any of the photo etch if so desired, but that sort of negates the purpose of getting this boxing. The first three pages of the instruction booklet are dedicated to building up the interior module.

Then the fuselage halves are assembled along with the tail pieces and the upper forward fuselage section. Then the interior is inserted from the underside. Even though there are no main gear wells, a wing spar/brace is provided for the lower wings. Before attaching the upper wing, if you wish to install the bomb racks, a hole must be drilled for them. Ailerons are separate as are the wing tip formation lights, which I'd leave off until the end of the build even though masks are provided for them.

Tailplanes are then attached along with the wing. Next comes the engine which is qhite well done with both cylinder rows provided. Next the cowling is built up from seven pieces using a form that Eduard provides for this purpose. Then the main float is assembled. This is where you will want to put in weight (amount not stated) to keep it properly balanced on the beaching dolly. This is followed by the outrigger floats, prop assembly and the clear bits. Finally, the beaching dolly is assembled. The kit instructions have you permanently install the tall boarding ladder, though I'm pretty sure that unless being used, it was not installed. Throughout the build, there are notes on items to fill or remove. For instance, the floatplane has no head rest nor does it have folding wings so those features need to be filled in. 

The instruction book is excellent with clearly drawing construction steps and detail images where needed. There are eight markings options, most of which have been repeated either in Hasegawa kits or on LifeLike decal sheets. Three of them are overall light grey while the others are upper dark green over light grey. Most of them have the yellow wing ID markings and these will need to be painted by the modeler. The most flambouyant of the markings has a lightning bolt on either side of the fuselage. This popular scheme has been done by both kit and aftermarket decals. However, Eduard chooses to do this in white while all the others have it in yellow. Even Eduard states that it was 'most likely' white, so they are not sure. This may well have been done to reduce the cost of printing the decals as decal makers charge by how many shades are on the sheet. The sheet itself is superbly printed and in register. Two small data sheets are also provided.

If you want a nice kit for the Rufe and you don't already have them from Hasegawa or even Tamiya, then this would be a good choice. All the detail is there and in addition to lots of options, you don't have to spend extra on aftermarket as it is all there.

Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War, by Rene J Francillon

Camouflage and Markings of IJN Fighters, Model Art #510

March 2026

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or in whole without express permission.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Previews Index Page