I have a AT-6 kit from Top-flite, with this kit there is an option to build it as a Zero. Will this be a true scale Zero? Or are there other things that are not scale or missing because its converted from a AT-6?

Keep flying or you will fall....

What they are talking about is called Hollywood zero. These were At-6 which were painted like Zeros for movies.

Everything is included to make it as true scale as can be.

Thanks akpilot!

This was the answer i was looking after!!!

Because i really want to build the Zero version but my flying buddies keep's talking about that is not a Zero. I dont intend to build a 100 % scale of the Zero but if this kit offer a 'close as it can be done' then it will be built as Zero!

Keep flying & and thanks again!

Hold on just a minute. Your buddies are correct. The TopFlite "Hollywood Zero" doesn't even come close to being true scale for a Zero. The shape of the wing and the horizontal stabilizer is all wrong, as in verrrrrry wrong!

You have to understand what a "Hollywood Zero" really is. For the filming of the movie, Tora, Tora, Tora, aircraft that look similar to Japanese aircraft were needed. To make an aircraft that the general public would mistake for a Zero, they used AT-6s. They changed the canopy shape to resemble that of a Zero and I believe they changed the profile of the vertical stabilizer as well and painted them up in the colors of Japanese aircraft from the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and applied Japanese markings.

If what you really want is a true scale zero, The TF "Hollywood Zero" is a poor excuse. There are much better examples out there than this kit.

Thank you Steve for coming to my rescue. AKpilot For a moment made me feel I am full of it. Sorry slott59 that is not the ansewer you were looking for, but Mr. Collins is right if you want a zero get a zero

Hollywood "Zero" made from AT-6.



Actual Zero made by Mitsubishi.

No offense meant to anyone here . . . but I'll respectively stand by what I said, that this kit can be put to as close to scale as can be. I'm not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes here.

And no, I'm not picking an arguement with anyone . . .

Slott stated that he's already got the TF kit. With his effort, why not make it to scale? Without buying another, much more expensive kit, he can make this as close to scale as possible. Hence the phrase ". . . as can be". Go pick up a Squadron Signals book or other references and you'll see what I mean. The builder has control over the wing and stab shapes, TF states that upfront. If you're really desiring a "true" scale model - you're investment will be in the thousands rather than hundreds.

I respect you guys, just a difference of perspective here . . .

Thanks for the pics as well . . .

. . . in my opinion though, outside of the cowling, TFs model comes out looking more like the actual.

Even making this kit into a "true scale" model of a modified AT-6 would require considerable effort. To try and make it a scale model of an actual Zero would require throwing away 99% of the kit. I mean no offense either, this is just my view of things.

Chad is correct, you can see it right away in the length of the fuselage.

Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works

Stand by it all you want, you are still wrong. It is not a zero, it is not meant to be a zero, and it would require a complete rebuild to get it even "in the ballpark."

No offense taken, from anybody . . . we all view things different.

My point to Slott is that there were over 10 different models and variations of the Zero produced by Japan; and yes some were shorter. You can still make your Top Flite Zero, as scale "as can be" relatively inexpensive. Enjoy what you've got and don't worry about what your friends think.

If you're going to enter competition, you probably wouldn't pick any of the Top Flite line anyhow.

If other people differ, such is life . . .

akpilot,

You make a good case with your statement about not letting your friends influence you.

My father had a BEAUTIFUL fokker Dr. 1........it was dodge green.

Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works