This next sheet from Lifelike Decals is their third for the A6M fan in the crowd. There are 14 markings options provided covering the entire Pacific War. You are offered both single color and the later two color options. All of these, other than the floatplane, are A6M2 type 11/21 or A6M5 type 52. One thing I would have liked to have seen was the subvariant of the A6M5 provided as there were differences in armament between these variants, something that is provided by kit makers.

However, Lifelike concentrates mostly on camouflage and markings of these aircraft and it is well worth reading the rather extensive information on this subject provided therein.

Here is what is provided:

1. Type 21 flown by PO 2/C Sakae Uchida of the 263 Kokutai based at Matsuyama AB in late 1943

2. Type 52 of 265 Kokutai based on Saipan in mid 1944. Flown by CPO Mitsuyatsu Ozaki.

3. Type 52 flown by the commander of 653 Kokutai from the Zuikaku, land based in the Philippines during October 1944.

4. Type 52 of the 721 Kokutai based on Ballale in the Solomons during 1945.

5. Type 21 flown by Lt. Moriyasu Hidaka, commander of Zuikaku fighter group, October 1942

6. Type 21 with the Tsukuba Kokutai at Tsukuba AB in 1944.

7. Type 21 also with the Tukuba Kokutail and based at Tsukuba AB in 1944.

8. Type 21 supposedly flown by Lt. Zenjiro Miyano of 3 Kokutail at Kenari AB in Feburary 1942.

9. Type 21 of 3 Kokutai flown by Lt. Tamotsu Yokoyama out of Takao AB in December 1942.

10. Type 52 from 261 Kokutai captured on Saipan in July 1944

11. Type 11 of Lt. Minoru Suzuki of 12 Kokutai based at Hankou AB in May 1941.

12. Type 11 also of 12 Kokutai based at Hankou AB in May 1941.

13. Type 21 flown by W.O. Kan-ichi Kashimura of 582 Kokutai on Russel Island, March 1943

14. Finally, our A6M2-N, this one flown by Lt (JG) Shunshi Araki of 452 Kokutail in the Aleutians during October 1943.

As always, you are provided copious information on each subject as well as treatises on several interesting subjects related to the aircraft on the sheet. Most interesting is that on early Zero colors. As was stated by Firesign Theater, 'everything you know is wrong'. Lifelike provides a representation of early A6M grey that flies in the face of what has been considered the latest info for the last 20 years. I've reproduced that below.

Decals themselves are printed by Microscale so you know you have some of the highest quality out there. In addition to the unique markings, you get one of LifeLike's hinomaru sheets that was reviewed earlier.

Now I know that some of these markings have been featured on various kits, but the quality of these surpasses the majority of kit markings. If you have a stash of A6Ms, and I know I do, this is a set for you.

Recommended kits are by Hasegawa, Tamiya, and Eduard. I'm not sure who, if anyone does a single seat A6M with the tail cone removed, though perhaps there is an aftermarket set.

October 2024

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