Fine Molds 1/48 A5M4 Claude

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.