Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Greebo on October 10, 2013, 07:14:24 AM

Title: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Greebo on October 10, 2013, 07:14:24 AM

Thanks to Lyric1 who found me some info on this A6M3 in this J-Aircaft.com forum thread (http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?topic=236.0). It is from the 251st Kokutai based in Rabaul in 1943, which was formerly the Tainan Air Group until it was renamed in late 1942. Many of the IJNAF's most famous aces flew for this group.

The original aircraft is a round wing-tipped A6M3 type 22, but this is considered an acceptable substitute for our square-tipped type 32.

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots4/251_Kokutai_A6M3_SC1.jpg)

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots4/251_Kokutai_A6M3_SC2.jpg)

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: USRanger on October 10, 2013, 02:35:30 PM

My new favorite! :O

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Dragon Tamer on October 10, 2013, 02:46:12 PM

 :aok

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: lyric1 on October 10, 2013, 10:53:35 PM

 :aok

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Karnak on October 10, 2013, 11:29:34 PM

I think the Zero is the prettiest of all radial engined fighters.  The proportions and lines it has are simply pleasing to the eye.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: SmokinLoon on October 11, 2013, 08:57:49 AM

Quote from: Karnak on October 10, 2013, 11:29:34 PM

I think the Zero is the prettiest of all radial engined fighters.  The proportions and lines it has are simply pleasing to the eye.

Are you getting all emotional on us?   ;)

Nice skin, Greebo.  Very nice.  This will be my standard skin on the '3.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Shifty on October 11, 2013, 11:53:47 AM

Very nice! :aok

Wewak Willie!  :lol

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Fulcrum on October 11, 2013, 12:24:58 PM

Quote from: Karnak on October 10, 2013, 11:29:34 PM

I think the Zero is the prettiest of all radial engined fighters.  The proportions and lines it has are simply pleasing to the eye.

 :aok this.

Excellent skin as always, Grebo. Can't wait to try it.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: nrshida on October 12, 2013, 06:15:26 AM

Where there any white A6Ms? I think I remember at least one white one before they were remodeled.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Greebo on October 12, 2013, 06:37:41 AM

A6Ms started the war in a scheme of all over light olive grey with a black cowling. However in many books and plastic kits this colour is incorrectly shown as a very pale grey and this may be what you mean by white.

Land based A6M squadrons often field-applied camo paint to their aircraft's upper surfaces as on this skin. Late war A6Ms were factory painted with green upper surfaces, the colour of which varied from factory to factory.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: nrshida on October 12, 2013, 06:45:10 AM

Quote from: Greebo on October 12, 2013, 06:37:41 AM

A6Ms started the war in a scheme of all over light olive grey with a black cowling.

Yes we had a very light one with a black cowling. It was an A6M2 I think. How olive was the grey?

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: Greebo on October 12, 2013, 07:04:16 AM

The olive grey is the colour shown above on this skin. This aircraft had the green camouflage applied in the field, but it was all-over olive grey from the factory. Very pale grey A6Ms are just based on incorrect profiles and should be olive grey.

BTW there are some interesting discussions on Japanese aircraft including camo schemes on the J-Aircraft.com website (http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/otherres.htm).

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: nrshida on October 12, 2013, 07:29:50 AM

Ah rgr. Thanks Greebo.

Title: Re: 251st Kokutai A6M3
Post by: HighTone on October 13, 2013, 10:57:59 AM

Thanks Greebo -san! Looks great.

Tainan/251st Kokutai banzai!