Two photos from vintage (pre-1945) publications feature Mitsubishi A5M "Claudes" belonging to the 13 Kokutai.
On July 7, 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occured, leading to armed conflict between Japan and China and the begining of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Immediately thereafter, the Navy decided on the 11th, merely four days after the incident, to dispatch six aviation units to the continent. The First Combined Air Group, tasked with strategic bombing, comprised the Kisarazu Kokutai and the Kanoya Kokutai. Two kokutai responsible for air superiority and two kokutai responsible for reconnaissance were organised into the "Second Combined Air Group". The 13th Kokutai was formed by selecting 31 aircraft (12 fighters, 18 carrier-based bombers, 1 transport) from the Omura Kokutai as the attack and combat unit and deployed to the Central China theatre. After air superiority was secured and enemy forces shifted inland, from February 1938 it transformed into a long-range bomber squadron primarily equipped with land-based attack aircraft.
On July 7, 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occured, leading to armed conflict between Japan and China and the begining of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Immediately thereafter, the Navy decided on the 11th, merely four days after the incident, to dispatch six aviation units to the continent. The First Combined Air Group, tasked with strategic bombing, comprised the Kisarazu Kokutai and the Kanoya Kokutai. Two kokutai responsible for air superiority and two kokutai responsible for reconnaissance were organised into the "Second Combined Air Group". The 13th Kokutai was formed by selecting 31 aircraft (12 fighters, 18 carrier-based bombers, 1 transport) from the Omura Kokutai as the attack and combat unit and deployed to the Central China theatre. After air superiority was secured and enemy forces shifted inland, from February 1938 it transformed into a long-range bomber squadron primarily equipped with land-based attack aircraft.
Another "Claude" that safely returned to base, probably Shanghai, after being hit by enemy fire. It's a Type 96 Model 1 carrier-based fighter or Mitsubishi A5M2a belonging to the 13th Kokutai as indicated by the early tail marking of the unit comprising the letter "T-". According to accounts, the "T" and even some numbers were painted over, in this case with black(?) paint, to hide the identification of the unit from spies. Note the white band not wrapping completely around the fuselage. At that time, the unit's "Claudes" would have a standard two-tone, green and brown, top camouflage and unpainted undersides.
The "AVI MODELS" kit in 1/72 offers decals for Kashimura's plane and with some decal modification, the plane in the photo above can also be built.
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