We present the Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude model kit in 1:32 scale, produced by the renowned company Special Hobby. This kit allows for the precise recreation of the Japanese fighter from the pre-war and early World War II period, representing a significant piece of aviation history.
Kit Features
The Special Hobby 1:32 Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude model kit set is an advanced product designed for modelers seeking detail and realism. The 1:32 scale ensures impressive model dimensions once assembled, allowing for the depiction of details unavailable in smaller scales.
Package Contents
The complete kit includes all necessary components for building a static aircraft model:
Detailed assembly guide, leading step-by-step through the construction process.
High-quality plastic sprues containing precisely molded model parts.
Decal sheet, allowing for the reproduction of historical markings and details.
Photo-etched parts, enhancing the level of detail, especially in the cockpit and on external surfaces.
Clear parts, such as the canopy glazing, ensuring realism.
Resin parts, offering unparalleled detail precision, often used for the engine, cockpit, or other small parts.
Assembly Process and Required Materials
Model construction requires precise cutting of parts from the sprues, fitting, and gluing according to the included instruction manual. The model should then be painted with model paints, following the suggested painting scheme provided in the manual. Some parts require painting before their final assembly. After the paint dries, apply the included decals, which will allow for the final recreation of the aircraft's authentic appearance.
The kit does not include paints or glue, which are necessary to complete the model. The model's compatibility with a wide range of commercially available acrylic, enamel, or lacquer paints, as well as standard plastic cements, allows modelers to choose their preferred materials. Recommended basic tools and materials include:
Nippers for cutting plastic parts.
Precision hobby knife.
File or sandpaper for surface preparation.
Plastic cement.
Paintbrush or airbrush for paint application.
Model paints.
Application and Technical Details
The Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude 1:32 scale model is intended for hobby, educational, and display purposes. Thanks to the use of various materials – plastic, photo-etched, and resin parts – the model achieves a high level of detail replication, both externally and within the cockpit or engine bay. This makes it an ideal choice for advanced modelers and those wishing to enrich their collection with a faithfully reproduced, historical aircraft.
Suggested Paint Colors
For painting the Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude model, the following shades are typically recommended, depending on the chosen paint scheme:
Exterior Surfaces (Upper): Japanese Navy Green (e.g., Mitsubishi Green J3), often a dark shade of green.
Exterior Surfaces (Lower): Light Gray (Japanese Navy Grey - e.g., Mitsubishi Grey J2) or natural metal color (bare metal).
Cockpit Interior: Dark gray-green, Japanese cockpit interior color, or metallic green-blue (Aotake) for some structural elements.
Engine: Black, metallic, or gray.
Propeller: Black, brown, or metallic with yellow tips.
Details: Red (markings, navigation lights), silver/aluminum (metallic parts, gun barrels), flat black (tires, cockpit).
Exact painting schemes and decal placement are always described in detail in the instruction manual included with the kit, allowing for a faithful reproduction of historical camouflage variants.