Skyline Paper Models Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude (Beta)

**GreMir** · #1 01-18-2009, 10:02 PM

You probably remember this plane from the cardmodels forum where cmdrted did an excellent job of building this beautiful plane (his build report can be viewed on Zealot now) but since then Jeremiah from Skyline Paper Models updated the kit and I offered to do a beta build.
Most notable changes - new interior color and nine cylinder engine, new instructions and some cosmetic changes in the coloring that will be visible during the construction.
Build starts typically with the cockpit. Everything is build as designed and the only change I made (my choice, not needed) was to trim the levers on the left wall to make them a bit slimmer.
Stick is designed (and build) in 2D manner, but if anybody wants to, the main part can be made from wire instead of card for a 3D look.
On to the photos - as you can (or rather cannot

) see, interior is barely visible through the opening, eventhough this is an open cockpit plane...

**Don Boose** · #2 01-18-2009, 10:07 PM

So now we know what your next build is, Mike. And it IS another Japanese fighter!

You're off to a great start.

Don

**John Bowden** · #3 01-19-2009, 11:09 AM

Well it HAD to be a Japanese plane........... he was getting the shakes! :p

**GreMir** · #4 01-19-2009, 01:36 PM

You better believe it!
Two Allied planes in sequence - I will have to build at least three Japanese planes now to restore the balance :D

**Don Boose** · #5 01-19-2009, 03:32 PM

Bravo!

Ganbatte!

**dansls1** · #6 01-19-2009, 07:27 PM

Cool - I have the red and white version of this plane on the short portion of my long list of future builds. I look forward to seeing this one come together.

**shrike** · #7 01-19-2009, 07:33 PM

I built the first version myself a while back. I'm looking forward to seeing what updates there may be.

**redhorse** · #8 01-19-2009, 07:47 PM

Looking forward to this, I'm going to need some Japanese airplanes to go with my Japanese ships...

**GreMir** · #9 01-23-2009, 09:04 PM

I made a mistake in the topic line - model shows A5M4, not A5M2 :o

Next step as per instructions is to build the engine. Fit between cylinders and the ring around them is very tight so I suggest cutting cylinders on the inside of the line (top and bottom) - this should provide enough clearance to allow easy insertion and some room for adjustmets.
Firewall of the engine rests on the part F7 which is a clever way to position is correctly for the further assembly.
I will finish the engine tomorrow - this way to delicate and important assembly to rush through.

**rickstef** · #10 01-23-2009, 09:42 PM

automagically it has been changed