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Mitsubishi A5M Claude

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Step back in time with the Mitsubishi A5M Claude, the world’s first carrier-based monoplane fighter to enter active service. Developed in the 1930s, the A5M marked a turning point in aviation history by replacing the era of biplane fighters with unprecedented speed, range, and maneuverability.

Nicknamed “Claude” by the Allies, this aircraft saw extensive combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War and served as the direct predecessor to the legendary A6M Zero. Its lightweight design, open cockpit, and fixed landing gear highlight the transition from the classic era of aviation into the dawn of modern aerial warfare.

Highlights of the A5M Claude:

First carrier-based monoplane fighter in the world to enter active service.

Achieved speeds of over 440 km/h, a remarkable performance for the 1930s.

Renowned for its exceptional maneuverability, making it a formidable adversary against contemporary biplanes.

Played a crucial role in the Second Sino-Japanese War, paving the way for the development of the iconic Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

A symbol of Japan’s rapid aeronautical evolution leading up to World War II.

Whether recreating historic missions or simply enjoying free flight, the A5M Claude delivers an authentic experience and a glimpse into the Golden Age of aviation history.

The A5M “Claude” was a Japanese single-seat, single engine, carrier-capable combat aircraft operated prior to and during world War II. It took its maiden flight on February 4, 1935 and entered service in 1936 with the Imperial Japanese Navy. Nearly 1,100 were built, and many flew in combat in the Second Sino-Japanese War and during World War II. Allied forces bestowed the reporting name “Claude” to the aircraft. During the latter part of World War II, the Japanese used the A5M as a kamikaze attack aircraft. None remained in existence after World War II.

The A5M was developed based on a 1934 Imperial Japanese Navy request for a next-generation fighter that was fast, highly maneuverable, and had a high climb rate. After several designs, the A5M emerged, satisfying the navy’s request. One of the aircraft’s more important enduring legacies is that it served as the basis for the legendary A6M “Zero” fighter.

The A5M “Claude” featured a low-mounted elliptical main wing, a fixed conventional undercarriage, and a standard empennage. It measured 24 feet, 10 inches in length, stood 10 feet, 9 inches tall, and had a wingspan of 36 feet, 1 inch. It was powered by a single 9-cylinder radial piston engine that delivered up to 710 horsepower and turned a 3-blade metal propeller. It had a range of 750 miles, a service ceiling of 32,200 feet above sea level, a maximum climb rate of 2,800 feet per minute, and a top speed of 270 miles per hour.