We now have the fourth set from Lifelike Decals for the A6M and this one includes 15 different markings for a variety of Zero types that covers aircraft used during the Pacific War. This includes the A6M2 Type 22, A6M3 Type 22 and Type 32, and the A6M5 Type 52. I like that on this sheet, the subvariant of the Type 52 is noted as there were differences in armament depending on the subvariant. One mustn't forget the Rufe and there is an A6M2-N included as well.

So here is what is provided in the set. To follow along, the profile sheet is divided into upper and lower sections with 1-3 on the left and 4-7 of the right side of the upper section. 8-11 are on the lower left with 12-15 on the lower right.

Without further ado, here is what you have for options:

1. Type 32 of Yokosuka Kokutail in 1943. This is a test aircraft, hence the overall orange color.

2. Type 21 of the 51st Kokutai HQ flight at Atsugi in 1944.

3. Type 21 of the 201st Kokutai based somewhere in the Central Pacific during 1943. An interesting note is that the white wing bands indicate an advanced training aircraft. When sent into combat, the water washable white is removed.

4. Type 52 hei of Lt. Com. Kiyokuma Okajima of 203 Kokutai at Kasanohara AB in the summer of 1945.

5. Type 22 of the Rabaul Kokutai based at Rabaul in late 1943.

6. Type 52 hei flown by Lt. (jg) Saburo Abe of 252 Kokutai from Koriyama AB in August 1945.

7. Type 21 of the Akagi Fighter Group flow by Lt. Saburo Shindo at Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

8. Type 21 flown by CPO Yoshiteru Uraie of 341 Kokutaiat Tateyama AB in January 1944.

9. Type 52 Otsu of 653 Kokutai. This was flown by PO2C Sadao Sanno in September 1944.

10. Type 52 ko flown by Ens Sadaaki Akamatsu of the 302 Kokutai at Atsugi AB in early 1945.

11. Type 21 of the Ryujo Fighter Group flown by PO1C Tadayoshi Koga during the Aleutians campaign of June 1942.

12. Type 21 of the Junyo Fighter Group at Buin AB in April 1943.

13. Type 21 of PO2C Yoshisuka Arita of the Tainan Kokutai at Denpasar AB, Bali in February 1942.

14. Type 21 of the Konoike Kokutai at Konoiki AB in 1944

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. This is a repeat of what was provided in the last review, but I think you will all find it of interest.

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.

Lifelike tries to find markings that have not been repeated before on other sheets or in kit decals. 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. Frankly, there are other A6Ms in this scale on which this set could be used as most if not all are dimensionally similar so if you have an old Otaki kit, then by all means use that one. Heck, you could even use the really ancient Aurora kit if you have one.

October 2024

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