1/48 Fine Molds A5M2b Claude
Just some photos from my recent build of a Fine Molds A5M2b Claude. Very easy kit to build and no major issues. I really enjoyed building this one. I’ll write a full article soon (too busy.)
To get the slight gold/yellow tone of the protective coat, I sprayed on a mix of 15-20 drops of Vallejo Gloss Clear with 1 large drop of Tamiya Clear Yellow.
NMF is Vallejo Metal Color White Aluminum.
4 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Andrew H said on September 11, 2021
Great looking finish Dan, and a fantastic looking Claude overall!
Dan Lee said on September 11, 2021
Thank very much. I’m glad you liked it.
George Schembri said on September 11, 2021
Nice to see a fully canopy Claude, beautiful work!
I know I would have messed up that clear coat mixture – I run out of fingers after ten.
Dan Lee said on September 11, 2021
LOL. Thanks, I took a best guess.
John vd Biggelaar said on September 11, 2021
Very nice build, Dan @dbdlee
Great background for the photoshoot. If you could make that propellor spinning, it would look like it is really flying.
Dan Lee said on September 12, 2021
Thanks. FYI, I got that poster board from a Michaels Arts and Craft Store. It is my main background for taking plane photos.
Felix said on September 11, 2021
What a beautiful build! Also, just an awesome looking plane, really.
Dan Lee said on September 12, 2021
Thanks very much. I’m pretty happy how this one turned out.
Tom Cleaver said on September 11, 2021
Getting that finish is hard, since it has to be subtle. You managed it very well.
Great result with this little-known version.
Dan Lee said on September 12, 2021
Thanks. I read your build Claude articles to get a better understanding of what the color should be. I was pretty apprehensive trying to paint the protective coating almost to the point of leaving it in white aluminum, but I took that small leap. Trying to keep the yellow subtle was the hard part.
Haslam Yeoman said on September 12, 2021
That’s one fine looking Claude.
Dan Lee said on September 12, 2021
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.
John Healy said on September 12, 2021
Nice work, Dan. I love those Fine Molds Claudes!
Dan Lee said on September 12, 2021
Thank you! These are pretty easy builds all things considered especially when it is a NMF paint job.
Bernard Bedeur said on September 12, 2021
Nice Dan. Working on applying Metalic paints that are Not too Silvery looking is not easy. Your Model looks very good.
Trying this out myself on my next build. A Detail of a Belgian CF-100.
Dan Lee said on September 13, 2021
Thanks. Hope it works out. I’d love to see a Clunk (the both Hobbycraft 1/72 and 1/48 model kits aren’t great but they’re all we got) as it is a pretty rare sight to see on the model shelves.
Robert Royes said on September 12, 2021
Looks great!
Dan Lee said on September 13, 2021
Thanks! I’m glad you like it.
Paul Mahoney said on September 13, 2021
Very nice job – don’t see those full-canopy Claudes built up very often. One of my favorite a/c, and you did it justice!
Dan Lee said on September 13, 2021
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
George R Blair Jr said on September 13, 2021
Awesome paintwork, Dan (@dbdlee). I have built several Fine Molds kits, and they are always fun to build.
Dan Lee said on September 13, 2021
Thanks George. I agree that they are fun to build. Underrated outside of their Japan market.
Phillip Friddell said on September 14, 2021
Dan, I really like the Claude—you’ve done an outstanding job with an excellent little kit!
phil
Dan Lee said on September 15, 2021
Thanks! It is a fun kit.
Greg Kittinger said on September 14, 2021
Looks great! I didn’t realize they had that yellow-tinted overcoat.
Dan Lee said on September 15, 2021
Thank you. I didn’t know till I saw a few golden Claudes at a model show a few years back. From my limited knowledge they were supposed to be a subtle color.