Mitsubishi A5M Ideas and Inspiration

[GTX_Admin]

Before the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" there was the Mitsubishi A5M "Claude".  What ideas do you have for it?

[GTX_Admin]

Here's one to get you started:  With the Zero, we had the A6M2-N floatplane…what about an equivalent A5M?



Note:  This is a twin float version with the floats in the same approx location as the fixed undercarriage on the normal version.

[Daryl J.]

Preordered this guy:  http://www.hlj.com/product/FNMFG-07/Air.   

Likely for Spanish Civil War markings along with an "early" Val variant.

[GTX_Admin]

Preordered this guy:  http://www.hlj.com/product/FNMFG-07/Air.   

Likely for Spanish Civil War markings along with an "early" Val variant.

I like your thinking! :)

[elmayerle]

Give it a suitable canopy and glassed-in spine behind it?

[GTX_Admin]

Give it a suitable canopy and glassed-in spine behind it?

A bit like the Ki-27?

[elmayerle]

Give it a suitable canopy and glassed-in spine behind it?

A bit like the Ki-27?

The sliding canopy part for certain, but the portion after that more similar to what was later done on the Ki-61 allowing the pilot to look back on either side and up.

[GTX_Admin]

Of course for that different look there was also the inline A5M3:



I wonder about one of these in RAF markings with a RR Kestral or Merlin up front?

[elmayerle]

Of course for that different look there was also the inline A5M3:



I wonder about one of these in RAF markings with a RR Kestral or Merlin up front?

Given the timelines, a Kestrel would work well, though an early Merlin might fit the timeline.  Be interesting to see in FAA markings operating from British carriers.

[GTX_Admin]

Certainly could make an interesting alternative to the Sea Gladiator.

[ysi_maniac]

Of course for that different look there was also the inline A5M3:



I wonder about one of these in RAF markings with a RR Kestral or Merlin up front?

A beauty indeed

[GTX_Admin]

Crude…but you get the idea:

[jcf]

The A5M2b Model 2-2 had an enclosed canopy, the IJN pilots hated it, so they
returned to the open cockpit on later A5M2b.

[GTX_Admin]

For some reason this just looks right to me:



CFBV

[Daryl J.]

Sure does!

[apophenia]

Thirded ... although a Kestrel transplant would really clinch the deal 

[elmayerle]

The A5M2b Model 2-2 had an enclosed canopy, the IJN pilots hated it, so they
returned to the open cockpit on later A5M2b.

SAounds similar to the Italian pilots forcing the MC.200 adn Fiat G.50 to go to open cockpits instead of enclosed one.  it would be nice to see a conversion for the enclosed cockpit.

[Old Wombat]

I seem to recall stories of RAF pilots complaining about the enclosed cockpits of the Gladiator, Hurricane & Spitfire when they were introduced, too; specifically complaining about the danger inherent in having to open the cockpit canopy when needing to bail out & the risk of the canopy slide being damaged in combat. If memory serves, they were pretty much told to put up & shut up by RAF GHQ.