Tamiya 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter (Zeke)

The Tamiya 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter (Zeke) is a plastic scale model kit of Japan’s most famous World War II naval fighter aircraft, representing the later-war A6M5 variant of the legendary Zero.

About the aircraft

The real Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero (Zeke) was the improved late-war version of Japan’s iconic carrier-based fighter.

Key characteristics of the real aircraft:

• single-engine carrier-based fighter

• powered by a Nakajima Sakae radial engine

• improved wing design for better dive performance (A6M5 upgrade)

• armed with:

  • 2 × 20mm cannons

  • 2 × 7.7mm machine guns

• excellent range and manoeuvrability

• widely used in the Pacific Theatre (1943–45)

• increasingly outclassed later in the war by newer Allied fighters

• remained a symbol of early Japanese air power

About the model kit

The Tamiya 1:72 A6M5 Zero (Zeke) is a compact and accurate aircraft kit designed for ease of assembly and display.

Typical features include:

• 1:72 scale plastic aircraft kit

• finely moulded radial engine and cowling detail

• accurate late-war Zero airframe shape

• detailed cockpit interior

• optional drop tank (depending on boxing)

• realistic landing gear

• Imperial Japanese Navy decal markings

The kit is designed for quick builds and small-scale WWII aviation collections.

Key features

✔ 1:72 scale Japanese WWII fighter aircraft
✔ Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero “Zeke”
✔ Late-war improved airframe design
✔ Detailed cockpit and engine cowling
✔ Imperial Japanese Navy markings included
✔ Classic Tamiya aircraft kit engineering

Typical build use

This kit is ideal for:

• Pacific War aircraft collections

• carrier air group dioramas

• U.S. vs Japanese air combat displays

• late-war IJN aviation themes

• 1:72 scale aircraft collections

Skill level

Beginner to Intermediate

Suitable for:

• modellers new to WWII aircraft

• hobbyists interested in Pacific aviation

• builders focused on simple construction and painting practice

Ideal for

• WWII Japanese aviation enthusiasts

• Imperial Japanese Navy collectors

• 1:72 scale aircraft modellers

• Pacific theatre diorama builders

• Tamiya aircraft kit fans

Summary

The Tamiya 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter is a detailed model of Japan’s famous late-war naval fighter, representing the improved “Zeke” variant used extensively across the Pacific during WWII.