Tonight a model as old as I am. But still a very good one.
The model was first produced by Tamiya at the beginning of the last century's seventies and is still a great value. Furthermore you can purchase this wonder for a fistful of dollars, Clint not included in the box though. I had mine online for 12 bucks!
The detail is still very good overall, the fit is excellent as we are accustomed to with Tamiya productions. Only the tracks and the empty spaces on the tanks show its age but it is very easy to fix. The tracks are not the best ones but finally when painted and covered with mud they are very acceptable. Some injected ones are available at a rather low price online if you decided a nicer sagging would be necessary. To my model I added a set of PE that would improve some of the details : nets for the engine deck by example. Also a small cover must be made on the periscope with Evergreen sheet and rod. I used the mufflers protection included in the kit, gluing a fine PE net directly on both of them. Sanding them will help, creating a flat surface necessary for a better adhesion. On the pictures we can see the engine nets which improve the look of the model.
You will easily find tons and miles of pictures and information about this tank on the net. It was the backbone of the Japanese Army and served on all fronts. It was used until Japan surrendered in 1945. It saw some improvements mainly on armaments with improved turrets and guns. I used some books I bought in Japan for the general atmosphere of the tank. In one of them you can see Chi Ha tanks, probably during the last days of the war with a very distinctive large white stripe on the turret, a large white flag at the rear and two long rods connected by a thread, an antenna extension it seems, and covered with grass. This is what I tried to reproduce here, together with a Ha Go.
I first painted the model using Gunze laquers, special set dedicated to the IJA. Don'y forget to start with the yellow stripe and cover it with Tamiya scotch tapes by example.
Then the last step...on duty!
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