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• www.rollmodels.net • 2009-03-24
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-24
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-24

• www.rollmodels.net • 2009-03-24
  Reviewed by Mark Smith
  
  This is a book published in 2001, and a brief perusal of its 96 pages made me think of the earlier Maru Mechanics, only expanded and in English. That's certainly not bad news for Japanese aircraft aficionados.
  
  The usual Mushroom format (about 7 by 10 inches) mitigates against any 1/48 scale drawings, but the 1/72 ones are nicely done and note the small type variations so dear to the heart of the compulsive modeler, nicely placed with complementary photos. Most of the photos in this book are of existing airframes, mostly restored aircraft, and almost all in color. The sections move through History, Versions, Color Profiles, and Details. Of course, a subject like the Zero could merit three hundred pages with the same layout, but within the parameters of a smaller book, author Artur Juszczak has done a great job of presenting a great deal of information together.
  
  I would say that this is more a book for the modeler than for the historian, as its strong points are its color "walkaround" photo presentation of details, and its superb color side views, which are drawn by the author. At two per page they are large enough scale to show details and marking well. There are a lot of open panels and partially disassembled aircraft here if you want to go to a cabin alone above the Arctic Circle and spend a year building a Zero. Cockpit, landing gear, engine, cowling, and flight controls are all well covered, although if you are detailing a cockpit in a larger scale you would probably want supplementary references. The most interesting of these might be the shots of the cockpit section of the A6M2 "BI-12" which has been preserved intact (with its paint undisturbed) at Duxford. As far as the side views, you will recognize many of them, but these are interspersed with some interesting birds that haven't seen a lot exposure. My favorite ones are the captured aircraft, including three natural metal birds flown by the USAAF, RAAF, and RAF. The latter two were highly polished and would provide a model that would really stand out among all those green and gray Zeros!
  
  Only one complaint here, and that is a general one for all of Mushroom's books: the thin card covers. The excellent material inside as well as the asking price rate better protection.
  
  A few years back AJ Press of Poland offered a book on the Zero in their Modelmania series worth having, and this one reminds me of it, though I like the Mushroom book a little better. Obviously there is a glut of reference material on the Zero, but as one who has collected everything he could on this bird since the early sixties, I can strongly recommend this title.
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-24
  Reviewed by Scott Van Aken
  
  If you have read any of the previous reviews of Mushroom Models books, then you know how well written and well researched they are. This edition carries on that tradition to the A6M Zero. Now unlike the Bf-109, the Zero did not go through the staggering number of variations of the German plane. Yet there are enough differences between the various types to make a book like this quite worth while.
  
  As in previous editions, there are diagrams showing the salient features of each sub-type so that you can easily determine which is which. What makes the book particularly valuable are the huge number of close in photographs of various Zeros in museums around the world. You wouldn't think that there would be many left, but there are. Those aircraft photographs will be of immense value to the modeler who wants to make sure that they have everything just right.
  
  In addition to the drawings and photographs, there are a goodly number of profiles of the various versions, though most of the profiles tend to be for early-mid war Zeros. Undoubtedly this is because after that they tended to become basically green over grey and all the interesting stuff was done mid-war in relation to camouflage.
  
  This is a very worthwhile book for the Zero enthusiast and modeler and is highly recommended as are all of the Mushroom Model books.
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-24
  Reviewed by Ray Mehlberger
  
  In common with other Mushroom Model magazine Special books, this too is 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" soft-cover format.
  
  Chapters are on the following:
  
  Introduction
  A6M2 Model 11
  A6M2 Model 22
  A6M3 Model 22
  A6M3 Model 32
  A6M5 Model 52
  A6M7 Model 63
  A6M8 Model 64
  
  There are 24 black and white war-time photos. Some of these show Zeros in captured U.S. markings. Line drawing profiles and scrap drawings of the different types are included, as well as 134 color photos...that are walk-around type shots of Zeros being restored...or already restored in various museums. These include cockpit interious. Finally, there are 28 color profile paintings.
  
  This book is another treasure chest of data for Zero modelers. Highly recommended.