Military Model Scene

Title: Mitsubishi A5M Claude
Author: Dariusz Paduch
Publisher: Kagero
ISBN: 978-83-66673-35-9

A new Monograph from Kagero, number 75 in their series, takes on the subject of the Japanese Mitsubishi A5M Claude. A 76-page soft-cover book which features history, archive photos, scale plans and colour profiles.
It starts with the development story, as it all began amidst the early examples of a monoplane fighter that were gradually appearing in countries around the world, and from which the Mitsubishi design of the A5M emerged. A radial engine, a fixed undercarriage, encased in distinctive spats, and an open cockpit. This is followed by the early combat experience of the Japanese war in China. The Claude went on to operate from Japanese carriers during the early war in the Pacific, and could carry some small bombs as well. There were some variants with an enclosed cockpit and as time went on of course it was outclassed by more modern designs. That move on to several pages of good line drawings all in 1/48 scale, showing a number of variants. The book is then closed out with several pages of excellent colour profiles. Tucked between the pages are 2 larger, fold out sheets with the scale plans repeated in the larger 1/32 scale.
Another fine addition to the Kagero series of monographs, and covering a subject that I knew little about beforehand, so an interesting read.
Thanks to Casemate UK, the distributor for Kagero here in the UK, for our review copy.

Robin