The starting A5M prototype had a much more pronounced gull wing than the aircraft that entered service. The feature addressed both propeller clearance and the need for strong landing gear. Designers found other ways to meet those requirements, so the production form needed less of the shape. The visible change marks a transitional solution rather than a permanent national style.
Notable Point · 1:49:58-1:50:24
The A5M prototype's transitional gull wing
The early A5M prototype used a pronounced gull wing for propeller and landing-gear requirements before the production fighter adopted other solutions.