The large 1/24 scale gave me more room to hand-draw each individual panel on the fuselage, allowing for greater control and subtlety. This was especially important in expressing the stressed-skin effect—something characteristic of the Zero due to its famously thin aluminum construction. Through layering, tonal variation, and fine line work, I aimed to capture the tension and texture of the airframe as seen on well-worn wartime aircraft.
To add narrative depth, I included two pilot figures—neither in a joyful mood—standing beside the aircraft. Their somber stance suggests a scene from the late stage of the Pacific air war, reflecting exhaustion and the stark reality faced by pilots during that period. This small vignette helps anchor the model in its historical context, visually evoking the fading momentum of a once-dominant force.
