Turn into a 3D model the Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 21, famous as an air superiority fighter representing the “Type 0 Carrier Fighter”! Feel the attention to detail poured into the new mold runner!

While there are various types of plastic models for fighter aircraft, among them, the Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 21 is an indispensable existence when talking about Japanese aviation history. In particular, the Mitsubishi-made early model took on air superiority duties in the Attack on Pearl Harbor immediately after the start of the war, leaving a major footprint in history due to its outstanding flight performance. The charm of this kit is that beyond simply assembling a Zero fighter, you can leave a single aircraft symbolizing that era as a tangible form. Looking at the completed figure, it has a presence as if turning a page of historical records into a 3D model, letting you realize the fun unique to scale models anew.

The reason why this model is interesting is the point that it reproduces aircraft belonging to the Aircraft Carrier Akagi Fighter Group that actually participated in the first wave attack of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Not only the aircraft flown by Lieutenant Commander Shigeru Itaya, who sorted as the commander of the air superiority group, but even the aircraft of Petty Officer 1st Class Shinji Iwama, who served as his wingman, are modeled, featuring content that people who know history will spontaneously stare at all the more. Ending not merely with reproducing the shape of a fighter, because you can feel even the background of the actual aircraft, the fun of displaying after completion and the fun of reflecting on events of those days expand.

In this kit, rather than reusing conventional products, numerous parts such as the main wings, front fuselage, cowling, first windshield, and vertical tail are newly designed. Therefore, the airframe shape unique to Model 21 is carefully expressed down to details, resulting in a finish where you can firmly savor the atmosphere unique to early models. Attention to detail in each part can be felt so much that you might think “Are they remaking it to this extent?”, and upon completion, persuasiveness resides even in the overall silhouette. Needless to say for people who know subtle differences, even people taking a Zero fighter Model 21 into hand for the first time will naturally be drawn into its precision. Scale models have one of their true pleasures not only after completion, but also in the time spent assembling. In this kit, because the main wing tips can be selected from folded state and deployed state, you can reproduce a figure typical of aircraft carrier-borne aircraft that you image. Also, for the canopy, because the frame and transparent parts are separate parts, you can aim for a finish with more 3D depth. Furthermore, for the rear half of the fuselage, integrated molding via slide molds is adopted, paying consideration to ease of assembly while maintaining precision. The design answering both people who want to enjoy detailed work and people who want to advance work comfortably until completion can be called a major appeal.

It cannot be overlooked that beyond simply mimicking appearance, it firmly reproduces even features unique to early models. While in actual aircraft there were differences in aileron specifications depending on the manufacturing period, this kit faithfully reproduces the protruding mass balance adopted in the Mitsubishi-made early model. Elaborate crafting into such details lets you feel value all the more when gazing thoroughly after completion, allowing you to realize that it is a “Mitsubishi-made early model” rather than a “mere Zero fighter.” Satisfaction is high even for model fans who emphasize historical verification, featuring content where you can savor even the fun of knowing subtle differences.

This Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 21 is not a model to enjoy only precise sculpting. Historical background, actual aircraft flown, degree of completion by new design, and even ease of assembly—various charms are packed into one. After completion, beyond radiating presence as a collection, every time you look at it, it will become a special single aircraft expanding your interest toward aviation technology and history of those days. Needless to say for people having model building as a hobby, even for people wanting to touch the charm of Japanese Navy aircraft, it is a highly satisfying kit where you can sufficiently feel the value of completing over thorough time.