Lifelike Decals 1/48 A6M Zero Fighters Pt.1 Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Lifelike Decals from Japan turns out some colorful and nicely printed subjects. In this set, we have part one of a new A6M Zero Fighters (Zeke) collection with a nice cross-section of units. The markings are presnted up three sheets of decals, two of the sheets are dedicated to this subject while the third containing hinomarus of various sizes and surrounds. All the sheets are produced by Microscale. According to the instructions, you can find examples of each variant as follows:

• Type 21: Eduard, Hasegawa, Tamiya
• Type 22: Eduard, Tamiya
• Type 32: Eduard, Tamiya
• Type 52: Hasegawa, Tamiya
• A6M2-N: Eduard, Hasegawa, Tamiya

The subjects include:

• A6M2 Type 21, AI-159, Akagi Fighter Group, 12/7/41, Pearl Harbor
• A6M5 Type 52, 03-09, 203 Kokutai/303 Hikotai, 06/45, Kagoshima AB
• A6M2 Type 22, 53-102, 253 Kokutai, 01/44, Tobura Airstrip, Rabaul
• A6M3 Type 32, 2181, 582 Kokutai, Spring 43, Lae AB
• A6M2 Type 21, K-108, Kanoya Kokutai, 11/42, Kavieng AB
• A6M2 Type 21, 1182, Oita Kokutai, 4/43, Oita AB
• A6M3 Type 32, V-190, Tainan Kokutai, 1/43, Buna AB
• A6M3 Type 32, Q-102, 2 Kokutai, 8/26/42, Buna AB
• A6M5 Type 52, 53-104, 253 Kokutai, 2/44, Tobera AB
• A6M3 Type 32, 180, Tainan Kokutai, 9/3/43, Tainan AB
• A6M2 Type 21, BI-151, Soryu Fighter Group, 12/7/41, Pearl Harbor
• A6M2 Type 22, 6-171, 201 Kokutai, 8/43, Rabaul East AB
• A6M2 Type 21, EII-102, Zuikaku Fighter Group, 12/7/41, Pearl Harbor
• A6M2-N, NI-118, 802 Fighter Group, 2/11/43, Shortland Island

This set comes complete with a full set of national markings, distinctive unit markings, and basic airframe stenciling. You can purchase these decals directly from Lifelike Decals. My sincere thanks to Lifelike Decals for this review sample!