This is Jiro Horikoshi's first design, the first prototype for the A5M Claude, as it turned out. A second prototype was built without the gull wing, and that wing made its way to the Claude. What a shame, the gull wing is so graceful. I've really enjoyed these newer Fine Molds kits, and I have another A5M on the way from Japan. It's the A5M2b version which had the closed canopy, a feature the pilots rejected out of hand and the A5M2b was usually flown without the sliding and aft sections. I have the Classic Airframes A5M4 and A5M4-K also, but I have a feeling those two are going to be a bit of a letdown after the Fine Molds kits.
The box art:
Eduard seatbelts, Gunze Mr Color 126 Mitsubishi interior green.
The kit gives you a flat faced instrument panel part for the decal, but I put it on the second part that had relief. The decal settled well just with MicroSol. I used Mr Color interior blue green for the magazine, much better than the acrylic I used on the A5M4. Take a good look at the pressure bottles, you'll never see them once the fuselage is assembled.
Superb fit.
The main wheels were grooved with a Dremel tool to allow installation after final painting, same as the wheels were molded in the A5M4 kit. All the engine parts were painted on the sprue. The ignition wires were painted rust before the engine was assembled. Touch up will be needed on the cowl after assembly. Masks were made for the windscreen with the Cameo vinyl cutter.
Almost a shame to put the cowl on.
The markings were all painted, including the propeller stripes. No unit markings, this one was a prototype only. Tamiya XF-14 is the overall color, X-7 Red for the Tail, X-1 Black for the wing tips, and Mr Color Cowling Color for the cowl.
Ka-14, A5M4, A6M2b.
Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
- jeaton01
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Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Last edited by jeaton01 on Sun May 10, 2020 5:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
That is a real beauty. You are right ...the gull wing add a lot.
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
- Stikpusher
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Oh that is a very graceful looking design. And also is a beautiful build John!
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
The gull wing design is very beautiful on this aircraft. You did a amazing job on it.
March as one, Don't look back
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
- jeaton01
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Thanks, fellas, it was an enjoyable build.
- Medicman71
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Those are all very nice!
Mike
Sponsored by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Saab, BAE, and Dassault
Sponsored by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Saab, BAE, and Dassault
- jeaton01
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Thanks again, Mike
Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Great looking build John. Did you mask the red tail? Really nice. Wonder why the gull wing was chosen? Forgiving dihedral. I believe the Corsair gull wing was chosen to support that monster prop and reasonable length landing gear. I appreciate the family pics BTW. I want to start doing that.
Thanks,
John
Ain't no reason to hang my head, I could wake up in the mornin' dead.
John
Ain't no reason to hang my head, I could wake up in the mornin' dead.
Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
All three of those build look fantastic John - very nicely done.
You're right, that Gull wing adds a lot to the aircraft.
You're right, that Gull wing adds a lot to the aircraft.
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
My blog: https://stuartsscalemodels.blogspot.com/
My blog: https://stuartsscalemodels.blogspot.com/
- tempestjohnny
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14
Very nice. I really like the Fine Molds kits