This one is part of the ongoing Japanese GB, IX, I think. It is the first Jiro Horikoshi design that went into production, and was followed by the Zero. The markings are for an A5M4 on the carrier Hosho, which participated in the Battle of Midway in a secondary role.
The interior built up easily with lots of detail, although I have done better work on instrument panel decals. The rest of the model had great fit. I painted it with Alclad II ALC 101, interior is Gunze Mr Color 126 Mitsubishi Interior Green, with details done with Tamiya acrylics. Eduard seat belts.
With an A6M2 Zero in Saburo Sakai’s markings.
That’s a great job, John, on a subject not seen very often.
Looks fantastic John! I read “Samuri, the story of Saburo Sakai” earlier this year, really made me want to add a Claude to the stash.
Turned out great. Always thought a fixed gear/spats group build would be fun
You don’t see Claudes very often. Excellent work.
Thanks everyone. This kit is just a fun, painless build experience.
Chad, I am pretty sure I was still in grammar school (late 50’s) when I read the book Samurai which was a collaboration between Saburo Sakai and Martin Caidin, undoubtedly my first exposure to the Pacific air war.
Since then it has been said that Caidin was guilty of some fictions in this book and that accounts in the Japanese language differ. I suppose that could be said of most WW II memoirs, and this book is valuable, especially at the time, as the first glimpse into the life of Japanese aviators. I have always wished that Nishizawa could have survived the war, he seemed such an interesting fellow. I do wish he had been less successful as a fighter pilot.
The isolated loner, one of my favorite characters next to Sakai of course.