Unez_rdr's A6M3 model 32 Zero skin, 204 Kokutai, late 1943, Solomons. This skin is for the outstanding A6M3 model 32 Zero developed by Captain Kurt, whom I thank for the beautiful canvas!

One of the most famous Zero paint schemes, light grey oversprayed with patches of IJN Green, I have seen no actual pictures of a Zero painted exactly like this. It might be considered mythical, except for all the reports by Allied pilots of Zeros painted in "blotches of green." Nearly every American source written about the Zero includes some form of an aircraft painted in this manner, usually with lighter green and less angular mottling than I have used. Nevertheless, there does not seem to be a Japanese order issued to camuflage aircraft with patches of green.

There was, in July of 1943, a Japanese order to paint the upper surfaces of naval aircraft green, with the leading edge of the main wing painted yellow half-way to the wingtip. I believe that one source of Allied reports of mottled aircraft comes from the field-applied green camoflage in response to this directive.

I have the same picture in two books of (misidentified!) A6M3s flying over Rabaul, volcanoes looming over the harbor in the background. I believe that it is from the Fall of 1943, after the order to paint upper surfaces green, since there are numerous light-grey patches and streaks on the surfaces foreward of the cockpit on both the fuselage and wings; and a very uneven green behind that. The green appears to be most uniform in color on the top of the fuselage, and I would assume the wingtops as well, though they are not visable in the photographs. The leading edge of the wing is yellow half-way out; but I should mention that the picture is black and white.

Another source of Allied reports of mottled aircraft probably comes from Japanese Army aircraft, since their IJA Green paint did not stand up to the tropical conditions of the Solomons and New Guinea. It peeled off easily after it was applied, giving their aircraft a decidedly blotchy appearance. Undoubtably, Oscars were identified as Zeros!

Wherever it came from, the mottled Zero has been passed down through the decades. I don't believe that there were many Zeros deliberately painted in patches of green, but maybe some individual aircraft were. This specific scheme comes from a Tamiya 1/48 scale A6M3 model kit's instructions. The kit was manufactured in Japan, so there you go. The diagram says to paint it more-or-less exactly like what you see in the game!


A6M3 History:

A development of the Mitsubishi A6M series, the A6M3 Model 32 had the wingspan narrowed to exactly 11 meters, and this 'clipped' wing made the type easily recognizable from other variants of the Zero. This modification was carried out in an attempt to improve roll rate, and improve efficiency during carrier operations. The original Allied code name assigned to the Model 32 was 'Hap,' after General Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold, commander of the US Army Air Corps. General Arnold did not like this, and insisted that the code name be changed. Thereafter, the A6M3 Model 32 was known as the 'Hamp' in Allied circles.

The other distinctive feature of the A6M3 series was a longer cowling to house the 1,130 horsepower Sakae 21 engine. The new covering was also more streamlined and refined than the original cowling. Unlike the A6M5 and later variants, the 32s did not have the thrust-giving exhaust manifolds which are so distinctive on the later models. A total of 343 A6M3 Model 32s were produced between April of 1942 and August of 1943. Most were sent to the Solomons and New Guinea.

The original A6M3 Model 32 was disliked by Japanese pilots, who cited reduced dogfight performance and range. Their pleas were answered by the Mitsubishi design team, led by Jiro Horikoshi, who replaced the wingtip removed in the creation of the Model 32. Horikoshi also added a fuel tank to the wingtip, and this modification of the Zero was christened the A6M3 Model 22. 'A' stood for carrier-based fighter; it was the sixth fighter design accepted by the Navy; 'M' for Mitsubishi; and 3 for the third version of the original prototype. The first number of the model number was given to airframe modifications, the second to engine changes. Thus with the wingtip replaced, the Model 32 reverted to the Model 22. (Source: Eagles of Mitsubishi: The Story of the Zero Fighter by Jiro Horikoshi, translated by Shojiro Shindo and Harold N. Wantiez; University of Washington Press)

This skin is my modification of Captain Kurt's excellent skin and 3DZ model just released in May of 2004. To upgrade European Air War to it's full potential the user relies on the gifts of time and energy spent by numerous others, and all my skins are an attempt to give something back to the greater EAW community.

To use this skin, you really need one of the upgraded campaign add-ons for the improved A6M3 flight models. It should work with Dancho's New Guinea Campaign or Sandbagger's Pacific Tide 2. It will work in the FW-190a slot regardless, and the user can decide if they would prefer the A6M2 or A6M5 flight model on ECA Panel. The A6M3 Model 32 would fall between these two, possesing a more powerful engine than the A6M2; and more maneuverable than the A6M5. The '32 had the same armament as the earlier versions, but later versions of the '32 had fairings under the wing to carry more 20mm cannon rounds, increasing the number carried from sixty rounds per gun to 100.

Unez_rdr
12-04


ORIGINAL README:


EAW - New A6M3 Model 32 Zero - Second Air Group, 582 Fighter Squadron based at Buna, New Guinea, July 1942 to October 1942

The model is for the second version of the A6M3. This was the Model 32 which combined a more powerful engine, removed the folding wingtips and added a squared off fairing for the wing tip. 

The 3DZ development and skin are my work. The cockpit is by Claudio.

To use place ALL of the contents of the folders into your EAW folder. This model is intended for use with Charles Gunst's ECAPanel in the FW190 slot. The model is compatible with Pacific Tide2.

Enjoy,

Captain Kurt
May 20, 2004