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Type 97 "Chi-Ha"

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  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Portland, Oregon
Type 97 "Chi-Ha"
Posted by RickLawler on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 8:29 AM

Hi guys,

This was supposed to be a "weekend" project that seemed to get sidetracked at every turn.  But, I finally got a moment to sit down at my own bench to get this one finished.  This is the FineMolds Type 97 Chi-Ha, early version with the 47mm gun. 

This is a true Out of the Box build...vinyl tracks included - not the kit's strongest point!  As much as anything I wanted an excuse to give the Kamizukuri products a try - lovely stuff these little laser cut leaves.  I used most of 3 different "jungle" packs for the foliage. They come in stiff white paper sheet (similar to photo etch frets) that you simply paint and attach. 







Thanks for looking,
Rick

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 9:25 AM

Hi Rick,

Stunning work on the tank, as usual -  the weathering is exceptional. Smile

The only thing that kind of looks "out" to me is that all the low level leaves appear to be the same uniform shade of green, despite a variety of different types of foliage. However, that may be an effect of the lighting in the pics.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Spring Hill, FL
Posted by jagdtiger1944 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 9:36 AM

Great job Rick. I like your builds, and it amazes me how fast your turn out the product. I will have to check out those leaves, they look great.

Michael

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 10:43 AM

Even an OOB build can be deceptive at times! Glad to hear you got this one across the finish line Rick, nice work all around. Beer

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 11:39 AM

Excellent build Rick.  The foliage really looks great. Gonna have to look into that stuff.

Marc  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 11:45 AM

looks great, that foilage is fantastic - does it come in different scales?

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 12:06 PM

Bow Down Everything looks superb! From the base kit, to the foliage, and weathering! Beautiful!Yes

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 12:14 PM

OH WOW RickToast

Now that trips my trigger.Big Smile  Does that company have any SPG kits from the land of the Rising Sun?

Love It for SureYes

Tony LeeSmile

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Portland, Oregon
Posted by RickLawler on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 12:46 PM

Thanks guys,

Phil, you make a very good point about the lack of variation in the colors...I'll try for a little more sparkle on the next go.

Here is a little more about the product.  As you can see they come in single sheets per pack, about the thickness of card stock.



In this photo you can see them being placed on the base...I used brass wire for the stems.  I applied the MIG Wet and Damp Effects to some of the leaves to give them a nice sheen.




here is a link to find them:
http://www.tasca-modellismo.com/english/item4.html

Rick

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1:05 PM

Your Chi-Ha made me yell:  "Yee Haw!!!"

Very nice little dio...As does everone else, I love the foilage and want to marry it---been eying some of those laser-cut plants for myself, specifically, the sunflower set...I have yet to see them look bad in a dio...

Great camo on the tank as well, and the colors are really vivid..................YesYes

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1:35 PM

Great looking tank and yeah the foliage looks terrific!

I've a few pieces of FineMolds IJA armour that I need to get built someday.....

And I'm going to have to give the paper detail sets a try someday - I love the way yours turned out.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Steilacoom, Washington
Posted by Killjoy on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:36 PM

Simply stunning!

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Portland, Oregon
Posted by RickLawler on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 3:08 PM

Thanks again guys.

Manny!  Boy, it's been quite some time since I've seen your Avatar cross the forums - I guess since the re-tool of the site?

Take care,

rick

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 5:01 PM

Rick, I speechless, thats simply stunning. Hope to see an article on this at some stage. The ground work is brilliant and the tank sitting there, well just looks so natural, like it was meant to be as it is in reality with out anybody deciding how it should be placed. Sorry I'm losing my train of thought here.

I think what I mean to say is you got a perfect balance all round.

Terry.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 6:59 PM

Rick - Fantastic.....proof that OOB does not have to look like OOB

I am going to have to look into thos leaves. Since I pretty much inhale at the ground work and spend most of my time on the model, something simple like these would be a great help.

As always.....nice stuff

Rounds Compete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Queensbury,NY
Posted by panzer88 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 7:16 PM

To put it simply, "WOW"!!!!

     

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 7:45 PM

 

Rick you've really raised the bar for an OOB build with thisYes. Well done!

You know this might be the first WWII Japanese armor build I've seen here. I'm surprised we don't see more.

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 11:26 PM

Just beauftiful Rick. I love the foliage and it really sets the scene.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Cary, North Carolina
Posted by M1Carbine on Thursday, March 4, 2010 12:32 AM

Stunning Rick.....simply stunning. 

 

You going to the show on the 13th??

 

Bob

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Portland, Oregon
Posted by RickLawler on Thursday, March 4, 2010 9:14 AM

Thanks again fellows for the very kind responses....I'm blushing a bit!

 

Bob, yep - I'll be at Pearson.  I haven't decided if I'll be showing, but I'll be there.

 

Rick

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Essex England
Posted by spacepacker on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 2:48 PM

Manny, I knew that was you!! You are the only one I know who wants to marry every thing.

Rick, the model looks great and so does the foliage...cheers....kenny

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 3:30 PM

Really great looking weathering and foliage.

I'm going to do a Tamaya Chi Ha for the 39-40 WWII GB. I'll have to rethink my setting.

Nicely done, , good form.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 9:36 AM

Beautiful work, simple base is a nice touch.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Friday, August 22, 2014 9:24 AM

Rick real nice build on that Chi Ha, the weathering and camo looks fantastic. Its especially appealing after you set it in that jungle scene. That little tank and small vignette speaks volumes.    

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Rochester, New York USA
Posted by rocker286 on Sunday, October 5, 2014 8:36 PM

Excellent build! Very realistic, I dig that foliage too!

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