The most noticeable design feature of the Type 32 Zero was its clipped wings. This was intended to improve roll rate, facilitate quicker handling on aircraft carriers and to take advantage of the uprated Sakae 21 engine. In the event most Hamps saw their deployment from land based airstrips in the southern island chains of New Guinea and the Philippines.

My model's paint scheme is the result of another one of those bemusing cases of the instruction sheet paint plan not matching the box top artwork exactly. I followed the simplified splotchy pattern directed by the instructions but these days after paying more attention to specialist photo reference publications I would copy the closely knit and murky green camouflage pattern seen painted on the kit's box art.