A progression of Jiro Horikoshi's designs.

[jeaton01]

I've been working my way up from the beginning of this man's works, every one a winner in my book.  It's too bad for his abilities that the Zero used up all the industrial  and design capability he had available, but of course good for us.  I have to fill in the middle of the Zeros but have all the kits to do so in 1/48, mostly Hasegawa but some Tamiya.  A clipped wing A6M3 is waiting for space on the bench. 

There was an animated film about Horikoshi called "The Wind Rises", the first model here is by Fine Molds and is of an airplane Horikoshi dreamed of building and flying as a young lad.

This one is also Fine Molds, the first version of the Mitsubishi Ka-14, Horikoshi's first design, which became the prototype for the A5M series.

Again, Fine Molds, an A5M4s Claude.  There is an A5M2b and and also A5M4K trainer variant waiting in the stash, also Fine Molds kits.

The next one is the first Zero, an A6M1 by Hasegawa.   Horikoshi described the color as Ash Green in his book "The Eagles of Mitsubishi".

Next, a Hasegawa A6M2b, a participant in the Pearl Harbor adventure flown by Lt. Takumi Hoashi, Shokaku Fighter Group, part of the first strike.

No Zero collection of mine is complete without a model of one of Saburo Sakai's airplane, this is the one in which he was badly shot up and made an epic return flight to Rabaul while barely conscious.

Next up is a sort of placeholder.  I don't know how many of these I have built over the years,  the Monogram A6M5.  This one was a collaboration with my Granddaughter Yasemin some years ago.

I have kits by Hasegawa and Tamiya in 1/48 for the  A6M2-K, A6M2-N (Rufe), A6M3 model 22 and 32, several A6M5 variants, the A6M7, and the A6M8.  None built yet but I will get to them.

Next is the J2M6 Raiden by Hasegawa.  J2M3 and J2M5 variants wait in the stash.

Lastly, an airplane that was the best but too late to make a mark, the A7M1 Reppu, from a Fine Molds kit.  All of the Fine Molds kits shown here were great kits to work with.

[lowlife]

Wow these are great, a real history of a great designer, well done !

I think i remember reading about Saburo Sakai, was he the guy that passed out on the flight home and came too with his head throbbing, turns out he was flying upside down, and close to the water, but still managed to make it home !

A great collection so far, look forward to seeing them all complete !

[TJ]

John these are all great looking builds.

[406 Silverado]

Saw this early this morning just before I headed out the door to go to work. These are all very well built models John. I've heard alot of good things about Fine Molds kits and actually do have a Revell Millenium Falcon that is from the FM lineup and have to say that the details are very crisply replicated. If these IJN kits are even half of the quality that the Falcon kit is then they should be mind blowing in every aspect.

Thank you for sharing these beauties with us bud.

[chromdome35]

Great Post! I always enjoy learning something new and you gave me that gift today. I'm not really an airplane guy and had never heard about Jiro Horikoshi before.

You have some beautiful builds.

[Steve Zuleski]

Good lookin Birdies!

[stikpusher]

John, that is an excellent presentation of Mr Hiro’s designs in 1/48!

Do you have similar line ups for Sydney Camm, Ed Heinemann or Kelly Johnson? 😉

[jeaton01]

Thanks all for the nice comments.

May 16, 2023 12:48:53 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

John, that is an excellent presentation of Mr Hiro’s designs in 1/48!

Do you have similar line ups for Sydney Camm, Ed Heinemann or Kelly Johnson? 😉

Carlos, this sort of thing is more the focus of my modeling, the three you name have some representation in finished models but for the most part they are only in the stash as yet.  There are three Hurricanes done, a Tempest and a Hunter, and 3 AD's and an F4D and of course the SBD.  Kelly Johnson has a P-80 and some P-38's, and a snap SR-71 I built with a granddaughter, and of course a U-2.

[stikpusher]

May 16, 2023 13:18:56 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Thanks all for the nice comments.

May 16, 2023 12:48:53 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

John, that is an excellent presentation of Mr Hiro’s designs in 1/48!

Do you have similar line ups for Sydney Camm, Ed Heinemann or Kelly Johnson? 😉

Carlos, this sort of thing is more the focus of my modeling, the three you name have some representation in finished models but for the most part they are only in the stash as yet.  There are three Hurricanes done, a Tempest and a Hunter, and 3 AD's and an F4D and of course the SBD.  Kelly Johnson has a P-80 and some P-38's, and a snap SR-71 I built with a granddaughter, and of course a U-2.

Sounds like your need Heinemann’s Hot Rod, the Skyhawk.

[jeaton01]

Nope, just need to build them. Everything from the A4D-1 to the OA-4M, not much into foreign users, though. And there are some A3D's and B-66's in the stash as well.

[moparmadness]

These are all impressive John! Personally, I feel the Raider is underrated. A small bird attached to a large motor.

[keavdog]

Great theme build John. Nice work on them all.

[Medicman71]

Very nice John!

[jeaton01]

More Zeros and an interloper, this time the Tamiya A6M3 is nearly done and the Hasegawa A6M2K which is done. The Zvezda Bf 109F also reached the finish line this morning.

[kyledehart5]

Excellent thread John. Nice work

[jeaton01]

I forgot to add the Rufe, not fully designed by Horikoshi but based on his design of course.

[handiabled]

Excellent collection of builds John!