Hey Folks!
I have an update on the Finemolds A5M4, "Claude". Not much on the B5N2, "Kate".
I got paint and decals on the "Claude". Now it's just the weathering and final assembly, and she's finished. Here are some of the pictures, AND an explanation as to how I arrived at the finish I chose for my model.
The kit is finished as I believe an A5M4 aboard IJN Shoho would have appeared on 7 May, 1942. After reading many accounts and ACA Reports from USN Pilots who fought the battle, I took a common profile of an alleged Shoho A5M, and tweaked it to where it made sense.
First, Shoho carried two types of fighter aircraft for Operation MO, The invasion of Port Moresby. She carried both A5M4's and A6M2's. Since both were built by the same manufacturer,Mitsubishi, I believe they would have been painted similarly. The color I used, was a Testors Model Master Enamel, SAC Bomber Tan, FS 34201, which is a pretty good match to Japanese naval aircraft, based on photographs showing them to be more of a tanish/grey color rather than light grey, as was previously thought. Unfortunately there are no known surviving pictures of Shoho, or her aircraft, during her one sorte into the Pacific.
Another tell tale piece of evidence was the After Combat Action report, filed by Lcdr James Flatley, who shot down two A5M's during the attack on Shoho. In the report he describes the enemy aircraft as being a "Dessert Tan, with red balls on the wings..."
I eliminated the red tail normally associated with the A5M, because at this stage of the war, an aircraft with a red tail in a forward combat area would attract unwanted attention. I know in China, they DID sport the red tail origonally, but I believe that was phased out as the war began to get really hot, and the newer A6M2 began replacing them.
The two yellow fuselage bands were painted on, and were carried by the Fourth Carrier Division. Tail numbers were red. Cowl is painted "Cowling Color", which is sort of a blue/black.
Shoho was attacked and sunk, on 7 May, 1942 by US Navy carrier aircraft from the USS Yorktown and USS Lexington.
I hope you enjoy the pictures, and any questions, feel free to ask!
Regards,
Freddie from LI