History

The Nakajima B5N torpedo and attack bomber was developed during the late thirties to replace the 1936 Yokosuka B4N biplane carrier-based torpedo bomber. Roughly comparable to, but also decidedly superior to, the U.S. Navy’s Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber, the B5N was code named Kate by the Allies when the name-codes came into use during 1942. Beating out the Mitsubishi B5M, which had an elliptical wing and a fixed landing gear, the B5N featured manually folding wings and a retractable landing gear. Strongly influenced by the Northrop A-17A attack bomber then in service with the U.S. Army, the B5N was produced in two basic models, differing mainly in powerplant. The B5N1 was equipped with an 840 hp. Nakajima Hikari 2 radial engine, while the later version, designated B5N2, had the upgraded 1000 hp. Nakajima Sakae twin-row radial engine, which was housed in a more streamlined cowling.

Every time I open a Moebius Models box, I am more amazed than the last time. Frank Winspur and Moebius’ latest offering is a first for the figure industry, a two-figure diorama taken from the James Whale 1935 classic The Bride of Frankenstein, depicting the scene where the Frankenstein Monster is attempting to holds his Bride’s hand. This is one of those rare cases in the movies where the sequel is as good or better than the original, and that is saying a lot. The monster was played by Boris Karloff (born William Henry Pratt) and the Bride by Elsa Lanchester (wife of Charles Laughton – she also plays Mary Shelly, writer of the original novel, in the movie’s opening scene).

• A-6E Intruder kit – Stock No. K48023, $49.99
• A-6E Intruder photo etch – Stock No. K5015, $12.99

A much anticipated new-tool kit from Kinetic supplied to IPMS by Lucky Model – this is a great day. Add to that the excellent colored PE set designed for the kit (also from Kinetic but produced by Eduard) and I am in plastic heaven.