wingsy kits A5M4 1/48 Claude

[oz rb fan]

as some of you know a few months ago i won a Wingsy kits A5M4 Claude kit,well i though seeing as they gave it to me i should build it...so it starts.
26165182_1524725980898110_2565582278773051753_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
in the box the kit looks great
26165165_1524726020898106_516132753118265332_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
heaps of detail...that worried me a little as being a new manufacturer i though fit may have been a problem.
26167828_1525737557463619_2428747191703828442_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
happy to say....nope fit is amazing...a really well engineered kit very little putty needed.
26166824_1525782894125752_7437649892210274558_n by paul sabin, on Flickr

i thought i'd give a go at drilling out the exhausts....never done that before.
26167928_1524726057564769_8593657083828182913_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
26166134_1524726110898097_5947853492367991654_n by paul sabin, on Flickr

i started this on new years day it has so far been a really fun build parts fit has been amazing and ajust a dream to build such a nice kit.
26219387_1527534887283886_412155451224582176_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
26196372_1527535077283867_5054301513894258162_n by paul sabin, on Flickr

26171773_1527536077283767_2931370286476451807_o by paul sabin, on Flickr
other than using Eduard seat belts as they are a little bit nicer than the kit ones this is all out of box,thre is a fair amount of PE in the kit and it seems to work well.

[Adam the Akrodude]

Dude - you don't muck around do you! Great work so far!

[Graeme H]

Blimey, another new kit company name, I just can't keep up with them
So a Ukranian company, and this is the only kit they have done so far, though a Claude is a very nice looking aircraft to start with
Not my scale, but the detail looks to be very good there Paul, so following along

[Wedgetail]

I've been looking on the net for a build of this kit, before taking the leap.
You're doing it justice OZ a great build article I'll be following it closely.
I can see one of these in my stash before much longer going by your comments.
Cheers
Wayne.

[oz rb fan]

Adam,
this has been such and easy build so far...ive do about a couple of hours each day since new years day.....a brilliant kit that makes it easy.

Greame
they only started around 2 years ago,so far they have done the family of A5M's(an early A5M2 is coming...i'll be getting one)...but the next kit announced as a KI51 Sonia,also in 1/48...and long term rumors of a P1Y francis.

Wedgetail
do it...if you can get it at a decent price it's well worth it....so far it's been one of the best kits to build yet.

[Wedgetail]

I see the Wingsy kit is approx mid $60 odd dollars and the Fine Molds Soryu kit is about the low $30 odd bucks Oz.
Does anyone know if the Wingsy kit is worth double the Fine Molds kit?
Both look good IMHO.
Decisions.
Wayne.

[oz rb fan]

Wedgetail
i dont have the finemolds kit so i cant really tell you...i know people who have seen my kit in the box that have the finemolds kit and say the wingsy kit is better,but weather it's twice as good i doubt it...a shop in melbourne have Wingsy kits and they are an eye watering $105 ...i wouldnt pay that.

[oz rb fan]

well the red striping has been done and the decals started,even the decals i have used so far have been quite nice.
26221287_1531867913517250_8068857711894466076_o by paul sabin, on Flickr

[oz rb fan]

well it's finished...glamor shots to come later...i dont think i have enjoyed a build of a kit so well detailed and engineered...if this is wingsy kits first generation of kits i look forward to the next level with the KI51

so i chosse a plane from the carrier group based on the carrier Hosho in early 1942...it self historic as the first carrier build from keel up as a carrier( the HMS hermes was started first but finished after).....the A5M was also historic as the first all metal monoplane fighter in carrier service...and the precursor to the A6M reisen (zero)
the kit is the Wingsy kits 1/48 A5M4 and the build has been brilliant.
26734011_1536220323082009_5399359170402282531_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
26733784_1536220283082013_4503818089142705218_n by paul sabin, on Flickr
26814764_1536220309748677_6798411751451548170_n by paul sabin, on Flickr

[Wedgetail]

A very nice looking result Paul and a great series of build photos, especially the cockpit areas.
I'd be proud to have that one on my shelf, always was a very elegant little aircraft as well.
Decisions, decisions, so many new kits out there and so little time.

Wayne.