Tamiya 61027 - 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5C Type 52  [61027]

Total production of the kind 52 show contains 10,449 aircraft which Nakajima produced 6,570. It first entered combat in August 1943 at any given time as soon as the Japanese forces had been withdrawing from formerly held islands into the Southern Pacific. The kind 52c was the very last for the A6M5 series, additionally the most reliable against Allied aircraft because of its armament configuration three of 13mm device guns and two 20mm cannons. An overall total of 93 Type 52 and 52b zeros were industry modified to "c" tools configuration. The 7.7mm machine weapons, housed within the cowling associated with Zero since its first introduction, became less effective through the latter phases of the conflict, as a result of more substantial armor protection of allied aircraft, and their self sealing fuel tanks. The 13mm tool was greatly far better; however, because increased fat, only 1 of them could be housed in cowling and one in each wing. The 7.7 machine weapons were taken from the cowling and one 13mm gun was installed on the best hand part. This installation additionally made necessary the enlarging for the right hand projectile exit and cowling tube input, of the cowling, providing it an unbalanced appearance when viewed from top.

Code called "Zeke" by the Allies, the Type 52c had been powered by a 14 cylinder twin line NK1F Sakae 21 motor of 1,130hp, of which subsequent versions were alcohol injected. Along with the equipment weapons and cannons, the 52c may also carry four atmosphere to air rockets or four 30kg atmosphere to atmosphere bombs or two 60kg air to ground old-fashioned bombs. The atmosphere to atmosphere systems had been initiated so as to disrupt B-29 operations by firing the rockets or dropping the small bombs on formations. The bombs were timed to air-burst a particular range moments after launch from the fighters.