1/48 IJN A5M1 Type 96 Fighter (Claude)

The A5M Type 96 Claude, the immediate predecessor of the Zero, was never used in combat against the Allies, which makes it a lesser-known type, but it was a spectacular aircraft which gave the Japanese complete air superiority in their operations in China. Of course the type was underpowered and underarmed by modern standards when the Zero appeared, but in initial combat trials, pilots in the Type 96 could routinely win dogfights against pilots in Zeros, even when a rookie in the Claude took on a veteran in the Zero. The Polikarpov I-16 was devastated by it in China.

This kit is the first 1/48 kit ever produced by Fine Molds, first released back in 1992. Includes metal engine, propeller, gunsight, pilot's seat and exhaust pipes. Engraved panel detail. Not quite as sharp as their current kits, but still a superb offering of a superb airplane.

FNMFA-01R is an A5M1 with the low spine, 3-panel windscreen and no large "mouse-ear" intakes on the upper decking behind the cowl. Markings are included for for four airplanes, two silver and two camouflaged. The silver aircraft are "3 173" and "3-134", with red tails and landing gear (or possibly blue in the case of "3-134"). "3 173" has 3 bands on the aft fuselage, red, red and white with a thin red border, from fore to aft. "3-134" has a red forward band and a plain white aft band around the fuselage. The camouflaged airplanes are "4-112" and "4-115", both with a white band on the aft fuselage. "4-115" is shown on the box art.