Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha

The batch of Japanese vehicles I built some time ago and finally finished last week included a Fujimi kit of a Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha.  This version had the longer 47mm gun, the short 57mm having been identified as inadequate for dealing with enemy armour.  Or dry paper bags. 

The Fujimi kit goes together nicely and is compatible in size with the Airfix offering.  I went for a later colour scheme - current from 1942 onwards.  The commander was a metal figure I had lying around but I may well replace him if I find a better figure.  I bought this kit cheaply at a show many years ago - one reason for it's low price being the absence of any tracks.  These were quire difficult to replace as the originals are quite narrow with a single central row of teeth.  The spares box offered no obvious candidates, but then inspiration struck!  I ended up using a single track from a Matchbox Panther.  This was quite wide and had two rows of teeth, so I (carefully) cut it down the centre line, cut to the correct length and ended up with a pair of tracks which fitted my Chi-Ha!  Think of it as a belated technology transfer from the Reich.