Custom node content type template not picked up in sub themes?

You'll need to copy node.tpl.php from Zen into your subtheme, in the same directory as your node-{content-type}.tpl.php. This is an existing bug in the Drupal templating system - see http://drupal.org/node/279573 for more info. :)

Have copied the node.tpl.php file along with the page.tpl.php files since several postings and documentation articles implied that file should be copied as well.

Still doesn't work. cant get my content_type.tpl.php files to be recognized and used. For that matter my sub themes template.php file doesn't seem to get accessed either.

May be I got a bug elsewhere in my sub theme? any thoughts on where to look?

What is the exact name of your tpl file? You've mentioned node-content-type.tpl.php and content_type.tpl.php. It should be named node-[type-machine-name].tpl.php -- and hyphens or underscores matter there. So you might need to use node-content_type.tpl.php.

Also, don't forget to clear your theme registry! Clear cache, etc.

Agree with, http://drupal.org/node/858204#comment-4188520

add this you theme template.php file:

function YOURTHEMENAME_preprocess_page(&$variables) {
if ($variables['node']->type != "") {
$variables['template_files'][] = "page-node-" . $variables['node']->type;
  }
}

Change YOURTHEMENAME to your theme name!