ORIGINAL: wizardprang
Love that book. Any chance one of you could post a link to the online bookstore and the ISBN number for the book. Dissapointed to hear about the scale differences in the Ziroli plans as I have just ordered a set. Initially looked at the Meister version as I really want to build a long wing A6M3 ( historicly a more interesting time in the war air combat wise) but no one sells his plans over here in Europe and the zirolis sound easier to build although I know each have their followers.
I can provide the outlines I made for the 5 forward formers if you are interested. They go in the same location and use the stock Ziroli assembly crutch for alignment. I am in process of making a cowl that looks more like a Zero cowl. I have never done this before so I am not rushing into it. Don't want to do it twice. When I get it I will try to make a mold so I can make more than one. As for the rest of the Ziroli Zero it is pretty close. The canopy is good too. The wing is obviously for the A6M5. The horiz stab needs to move about 1/2" forward because the rear of the elevator should be in line with the front of the rudder. There are mods that need to be made to the control surfaces to make them more scale, but I'm sure they work quite well as designed as Nick is one of the great designers. The nose is a bit short and should be about an inch longer behind the cowl.
The ISBN number for the hardcover Maru Mechanic book is 4-7698-0635-3. The online store I got these from will only deal with Japanese. I have in-laws in Japan that they can ship to so I guess I am cheating. You may be able to find them on e-bay.
Jeff