1:72 Mitsubishi A5M2b 'Claude' resin exhaust and cooling fins

The real subject

The Mitsubishi A5M was a Japanese carrier-based fighter monoplane of the 1930s with fixed landing gear and a radial engine; the Allies later gave it the code name Claude. The A5M2b version belongs to the early part of the series. On aircraft with a radial engine the exhausts and the cylinder fins are clearly visible under the cowling and are among the places where a plastic part from a kit gives itself away fastest by the thickness of its walls.

What the set contains

The set brings resin exhausts and engine cooling fins in 1:72 scale. The parts are not polystyrene, so ordinary plastic cement does not work on them; they are bonded with super glue. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little away from the part and carefully sand the remainder flat; the manufacturer's instructions give the exact preparation procedure.

Building and painting tips

Wash and degrease the parts before painting, as paint does not hold on a greasy surface. Keep the exhaust openings dark and flat, and add the transition to the smoke stain on the fuselage only after the part is in place, so that the two follow on from each other. The fins come to life if you run a wash over the base coat and carefully pick out the edges with a dry brush. Always check that the part fits the opening in the engine cowling before you apply any glue.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who build Japanese aviation and want to take the most closely watched area of the nose beyond the level of the kit parts. The package contains resin parts only, unless stated otherwise; the aircraft model, paints and glue are not included.