Mitsubishi Zero Fighters
Part 3

Lifelike Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr.

I’ve loved Lifelike Decals from the first ones that I used.  They are extremely well researched decals and reproduced by Microscale, so you know they are good decals.  The instructions are little history lessons, especially with this sheet and the other Zero sheets. 

Enclosed in a zip lock baggie is a cover sheet with stencil locations.  In addition to that the full color profiles are printed on a single sided A4 sheet.  On the back cover you have instructions for stencil placement.  The next sheet treats you to 14 aircraft that cover the Zero from the Type 11 to the Type 52c.  Two Type 11s, seven Type 21s, four Type 52s and a single Rufe are offered in full color.  There are plenty of colorful aircraft to choose from.
You may think that the decals are the focus of this sheet, but I found that the eight A4 pages on the camouflage colors and markings to be a great resource.  Utilizing the research from noted Zero researchers such as Nicholas Millman, there is a great discussion on what is the correct color and designations that will provide the modeler with a wealth of information.  Everything from early war silver dope to the end of the war.  Of course, Ameiro is discussed in detail.  Especially welcome is the inclusion of a small sheet of swatches that shows the variations of Ameiro for those looking to replicate the color. 

These eight pages alone are worth the cost of the decals.  Not only is Ameiro discussed but the other colors used such as the Hinomaru red paint, Dark Green, and cowling colors.  Individual components such as landing gear, wheel wells, propellers and cockpit interiors are discussed.  Differences between Mitsubishi and Nakajima produced Zeros are discussed as well.  For those that like the trainer aircraft these are discussed, along with the markings of China based two tone aircraft. 

The rank structure of the Japanese Navy pilots is discussed.  An explanation of the Data Plate used on the rear of the fuselage and how certain aircraft were assigned to certain pilots are all touched on.  How an aerial kill was allocated, and aircraft wireless radios are mentioned as well.  An exhaustive reference of 26 references for how the information was derived is shown along with links for computer-based references. 

I can’t tell you how informative these pages are for a modeler, especially one with a limited Japanese reference library.  These pages alone are worth the price of the decals. 

But wait there is more.  I only mentioned the eight pages of references.  There are an additional SEVEN pages to describe the history of each aircraft and pilot.  So that means there are 15 sheet of just instructions.  One of the things I love about Lifelike Decals is that they provide you the reference that they used to determine colors and camouflage.  In this case, there are 46 references used to determine the camo. 

Hang on there is still more, in addition to the references and color swatch there are two masks for the rear fuselage stencils for the two aircraft that have it. 

The decals are printed by Microscale on three sheets.  They will respond well to most setting solutions, including the MicroSol and Microset.  The colors are beautifully rendered and in perfect register.  The decals themselves are very thin and opaque. The first sheet is a sheet of Hinomaru from 48-SP-01 which has plenty of Japanese markings to do multiple aircraft.  Next up is a large sheet which includes all the stripes and most of the stencils.  It is filled with white, yellow, blue, red and black markings.  It is a very colorful sheet.  The final sheet has red and white markings including the wing walk areas.  There are enough on this sheet to do two aircraft. 

Aircraft from 1942 to 1945 are included on the sheet.  Aircraft from the Midway operation to the end of the war in defense of the home islands.  Whether you like the Type 21 or later types there is something here for everyone, including a Rufe. 

With the release of the Eduard and Fine Molds Zero kits there has never been a more ideal sheet. This is exactly what you would want (and more) from a decal sheet.  This is the third sheet in a series of four dedicated to the Zero fighter in all its forms.  The decals are first rate and perfectly in register and perfectly thin.  The eight pages of references alone are worth the price of admission, plus the additional seven pages dedicated to the aircraft on the sheet makes this decal sheet indispensable to the modeler.  The inclusion of the swatches for Amerio and the masks completes this set.  This is a decal set that you NEED to have in your collection.  World class decals accompanied by in-depth research makes this a winner from every perspective. 

Thanks to Lifelike Decals for the review copy.  You can obtain yours directly from them at

ttp://www.lifelikedecals.sakura.ne.jp/

Let them know you read about it and that I sent you. 

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Lifelike Decals for these samples.

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Page Created 1 July, 2025
Last updated 1 July, 2025

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