For scale modelers and aviation history enthusiasts, few projects rival the ambition of DeAgostini’s Weekly Building the Zero Fighter partwork series. Spanning 100 issues and producing a stunning 1/16 scale Mitsubishi A6M Zero, this is not a casual build—it’s a long-term commitment that yields one of the most impressive aircraft display models ever offered to the consumer market. Finding a complete Vol. 1-100 set in pre-owned condition is increasingly rare, and for serious collectors, it represents an opportunity to skip the multi-year wait of weekly fascicle releases and dive straight into assembly.
Japanese scale figures and partwork models occupy a unique tier in the global collectibles market. The precision of die-cast components, the quality of accompanying documentation, and the cultural reverence for aviation heritage—especially around iconic aircraft like the Zero—elevate these kits far beyond typical hobby store offerings. Compared to international scale releases, Japanese partwork sets emphasize museum-grade authenticity, with weathering references drawn from preserved airframes and surviving wartime documentation.
About This Item
This listing covers DeAgostini Japan’s Weekly Building the Zero Fighter (週刊 ゼロ戦をつくる) Vol. 1-100 model kit, a 1/16 scale construction of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Imperial Japanese Navy’s legendary carrier-based fighter aircraft. DeAgostini Japan launched this partwork series in the 2010s, distributing it weekly via newsstands and subscription. Each issue contained metal and resin components along with a magazine detailing assembly steps, historical background, mechanical breakdowns, and combat history. When fully assembled, the completed model measures approximately 70 centimeters in wingspan and features authentic die-cast metal construction across major airframe sections, working control surfaces, a detailed cockpit interior with pilot figure, and accurate panel-line scribing reflecting the actual aircraft.
The 100-volume complete set represents the entire production run required to finish the model. This pre-owned condition example has been carefully inspected for completeness of parts and accompanying magazines, then shipped from Japan with tracking. For collectors, acquiring all 100 volumes secondhand bypasses the original two-year subscription window and avoids the considerable cost that retail accumulation would have demanded at full price.
Key Details
- Manufacturer: DeAgostini Japan
- Series/Franchise: Weekly Building the Zero Fighter (1/16 scale partwork)
- Type: Scale Figures / Die-cast Model Kit
- Condition: Pre-owned, inspected before shipping
- Origin: Japan
The DEAGOSTINI Franchise: Why Collectors Care
DeAgostini originated in Italy in 1901 as a publisher of educational reference works, and its Japanese subsidiary has become synonymous with high-end partwork model kits. Beginning in the 2000s, DeAgostini Japan built a reputation for releasing extraordinarily detailed weekly build series covering subjects ranging from the Millennium Falcon and Iron Man’s MK III armor to the Yamato battleship, classic automobiles, and the Zero Fighter. These series typically run between 70 and 110 issues, with each volume containing a small portion of the finished item—a fuselage panel here, an engine cylinder there—building anticipation as the model gradually takes shape over years.
The Zero Fighter holds a particularly meaningful place in Japanese aviation history. Designed by Jiro Horikoshi and operational from 1940, the A6M Zero achieved legendary status for its maneuverability and range during the early Pacific War. The cultural weight of the aircraft, combined with DeAgostini’s reputation for accuracy, ensured this series attracted both modelers and aviation historians. The 1/16 scale chosen for this set is unusually large, allowing for interior cockpit detailing, removable cowling sections, and visible engine components that smaller-scale kits cannot accommodate. For anyone serious about Japanese aviation modeling, this series remains a benchmark.
Rarity and Value Factors
Partwork series like this carry built-in rarity. Issues were printed in quantities matched to active subscribers, with limited overprints. Missing even a single volume can leave a build incomplete, since each issue contains unique parts not sold separately. Complete Vol. 1-100 sets in unopened or lightly handled condition command significant premiums, especially when original magazines, blister packs, and binders are preserved. Sets that include the optional display base, deluxe binder collections, or subscriber bonus items are particularly valuable. Condition factors include whether die-cast parts show oxidation, whether decals remain intact on their sheets, and whether the magazines have suffered yellowing or water damage. Pre-owned full runs that have been kept in climate-controlled storage are the gold standard.
Looking for this item? Every item at HD Toys Store Japan is:
- Shipped directly from Japan with tracking
- Carefully inspected for condition and authenticity
- Pre-owned condition documented with detailed photos
Collector’s Guide: What to Look For
Before purchasing a complete DeAgostini partwork set, careful inspection is essential. The most common issue with these sets is missing parts—small screws, decals, or specific resin components that can derail a build months later. Verify that each issue’s parts envelope is sealed or, if opened, that the contents are accounted for against the magazine’s parts manifest. Check the die-cast metal sections for any signs of corrosion, particularly on aluminum-finish parts which can develop white oxidation if stored in humid conditions. Examine the magazines for completeness as well; many builders rely on the assembly diagrams and historical articles, and replacement issues are exceptionally hard to source.
If the previous owner began assembly, request photos of any completed subassemblies. Partially built sets aren’t necessarily a problem, but you’ll want to know which volumes have been opened and how cleanly the work was done. A clean, well-documented partial build can actually be a plus. Browse more collector guides on our blog for general inspection methodology applicable across scale model categories.
Condition Checklist
- Parts Completeness: Verify all 100 volumes contain their original parts envelopes
- Metal Oxidation: Inspect die-cast surfaces for white powder or discoloration
- Decal Integrity: Check that water-slide decals haven’t yellowed or cracked
- Magazine Condition: Look for water damage, mold, or torn assembly diagrams
- Packaging: Original blister packs and binders significantly affect resale value
Price Guide
Pricing varies widely based on completeness and condition. Incomplete or heavily used sets typically trade in the $400-$700 range. Complete Vol. 1-100 sets in good pre-owned condition with all parts and magazines generally fall between $900 and $1,500. Mint, unopened complete runs with original binders, display bases, and any subscriber bonuses can reach $1,800-$2,500 or higher at specialist auctions. The biggest price drivers are completeness, magazine condition, and whether the die-cast components remain free of corrosion. Sets that include a finished display model assembled to a high standard occupy their own niche and are often priced individually based on build quality.
Similar Items Worth Exploring
Collectors drawn to this Zero Fighter set often pursue other DeAgostini Japan partwork series. The Weekly Battleship Yamato 1/250 scale series offers a comparable long-form build experience focused on Imperial Japanese Navy heritage. The Weekly Make Up the Mitsubishi A6M Zero variant series and the Hachette Build the Spitfire offer alternative aviation projects. For those interested in expanding beyond DeAgostini, Tamiya’s 1/32 scale A6M Zero plastic kit remains a respected static option, while Hasegawa’s premium 1/48 Zero variants provide accessible alternatives with excellent historical research behind them. Modelers who enjoy the documentation aspect may also appreciate Bunrindo’s Famous Airplanes of the World reference series, which complements any Zero build with primary-source photography and technical drawings sourced from Japanese aviation archives.
Why Buy Japanese Collectibles from Japan?
Japanese collectors are renowned for meticulous preservation habits. Original packaging, instruction booklets, and even shipping cartons are often kept intact for decades, which is why pre-owned items sourced from Japan tend to arrive in noticeably better condition than equivalents from other markets. DeAgostini Japan partwork series like this Zero Fighter were sold exclusively through Japanese distribution channels, making domestic Japanese sources the most reliable for finding complete runs. Specialist sellers in Japan also tend to document condition thoroughly and authenticate components before listing. Buying directly from Japan ensures you receive the original Japanese-language magazines—which contain the authoritative assembly instructions—rather than incomplete or repackaged sets that sometimes circulate in secondary international markets.
Summary
The DeAgostini Weekly Building the Zero Fighter Vol. 1-100 set is a landmark project in Japanese scale modeling—an ambitious 1/16 die-cast tribute to one of aviation history’s most significant aircraft. For collectors and serious modelers, acquiring a complete pre-owned run from Japan offers both the satisfaction of bypassing the original two-year subscription cycle and the assurance of authenticity that comes with domestic Japanese sourcing. Whether you intend to build, display, or preserve the set as-is, it remains a genuinely rewarding addition to any aviation collection.
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