[Epapazian]

I have read that the "Claude" was used briefly operating from a small carrier, during the Japanese invasion of Mindanao in 1941. Mushroom Model Magazine's special report ( no. 6107 ) on the Mitsubishi A5M mentions this and also contends that "Claudes" were sent to the Marshall Islands where they briefly saw action on February 1,1942 when a U.S. Navy carrier task force launched attacks on Japanese bases in the area. The Claudes claimed 17 U.S. planes shot down-----probably, a very inflated figure. The carrier Ryujo, carrying Claudes, also saw action in battles with the Dutch and against the British in the Indian Ocean, but the last of these planes were withdrawn from combat duties by April 1942, their place being taken by Zeros.