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.
13 comments:
Hi Tim,
Loved the track idea - it never ceases to amaze me what an inventive lot us wargaming/modelling types can be!
How are the C an c Napoleonics coming along?
All the best,
DC
David
One of my better rescue efforts I think!
As to C&C N - I have been away quite a bit recently, so no more activity to report as yet. Hopefully I'll manage to run another couple of games (1 solo and 1 with players) during Feb.
Everything looks natural and from the same pack. Good job!
Bartender
I got away with it again!
That's a great great effort Tim, wish Japanese stuff was more available
neat solution
Great job mate.
Al
There is actually a good range of Jap kit available - most of mine has come from Fujimi/Airfix (tanks), Irregular (guns), Hinchliffe (guns & tanks) and Frontline (tanks & lorries). Stand by for more of my Jap toys soon.
Will & Beccas
It's a very neat model - Fujimi kits seem to work that way.
Another great looking tank. I have done the idea before with the tracks from the Panther but not with the same results. Mine looked quite crap compared to yours and they broke about two months later!
The fig looks fine as well, leave him be!
Paul
Thanks. Where would we be without Panther tracks, eh?
Now that's a kit I would like to have :)
I have a couple of the Fujimi tank destroyer variants
Nice persistance with teh track
Geordie
I have one of the SP gun variants 'in stock'. Clearly this will be less of a challenge to build as the box does contain a set of tracks...
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