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Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha Tank

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  • Member since
    January 2013
Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha Tank
Posted by jibber on Monday, November 18, 2013 3:47 PM

 [/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Type%2097%20Chi-Ha/IMG_0984_zps41d31772.jpg.html] [/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Type%2097%20Chi-Ha/IMG_0968_zps95181685.jpg.html] [/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Type%2097%20Chi-Ha/IMG_0977_zpsf5e2f0d0.jpg.html] [/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Type%2097%20Chi-Ha/IMG_0972_zps49857665.jpg.html] [/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/Type%2097%20Chi-Ha/IMG_0971_zps0fd6418d.jpg.html]

Here is my Type 97 Chi-Ha that I completed for the Japanese Imperial GB II. Stikpusher and I both built up the same kit and I think we seen the them in pretty much the same way. This was my first IJA tank and I'm looking forward to more of them. 

The kit went together fantastic and I used Army painter black as a primer. The base and camo paints were Tamiya acrylic and I washed it with Abteilung  brown with turpenoid and weathered with Mig and Vallejo pigments. I finished it with a fine dusting of mixed pigments then over sprayed with Vallejo matte. I was torn on how to approach the yellow line. My options were to paint it up nice and clean with an airbrush, but I took the liberty to think that these lines were hand painted in theatre, so I chose Tamiya flat yellow and after a few attempts at thinning it down, I finally got what I think is a hand painted look. I'm pretty satisfied with the weathering that gave it the appearance of a working tank thats seen action.  

The Type 97 is a vintage Tamiya kit that was an absolute joy to build, and I used every part in the box. A rarity with todays kits.    

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, November 18, 2013 4:01 PM

I was going to say that the yellow looked hand-painted, and that that is entirely appropriate for this tank's look. Nice job.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Monday, November 18, 2013 6:54 PM

Thanks Doog. I wasn't sure but from what pics I could find (other than built models), the yellow lines looked hand painted. It seemed right.  

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Posted by New Hampshire on Monday, November 18, 2013 7:21 PM

I like it!  The yellow adds a nice touch of interest to the drab colored camo scheme!

Brian

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Monday, November 18, 2013 7:52 PM

Well done!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Monday, November 18, 2013 9:10 PM

Nice work there Jibber!  That kit is really quite a fun one to build. I am pretty sure that the yellow lines were painted as you describe them in real life.

 

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

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Monday, November 18, 2013 11:06 PM

nicely done!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 12:54 AM

The yellow line was a later addition added after the tanks were in service as an identification to Japanese troops who were not familiar with tanks. Remember, Japan in WW2 was primarily a foot army.

The line were hand painted as were the camouflage pattern.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 2:44 AM

Very cool Jibber. I've often wanted to get my hands on the Tamiya late version with the 47mm. The camo scheme always seem to thwart my attempts though.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 7:40 AM

Rob thanks, I'm new to IJA armor and couldn't find as much on it where with German tanks there's actually quite a bit including factory  pics.

Thanks all.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: NW Washington
Posted by dirkpitt77 on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 8:56 AM

I was just researching the new Dragon Type 95 Ha-Go and I stumbled across some info on the Type 97 as well. Your buildup looks pretty good. Might have to add one of these to my stash.  Yes

    "Some say the alien didn't die in the crash.  It survived and drank whiskey and played poker with the locals 'til the Texas Rangers caught wind of it and shot it dead."

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 11:01 AM

Dirkpitt, try this kit. I'm finding that the old vintage Tamiya kits were really well done, timeless in fact. There are several ways to finish it off according to their theatre of operations. By the way I've read almost all of the Dirk Pitt novels, they deserve a series of movies. Thanks

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 12:31 PM

Tigerman, go get yourself the Tamiya late 47mm Chi Ha. It is another fun simple build and the pattern is not that difficult todo. If you have a favorite brand for hand brushing, like I do with Humbrol, it will go easily enough. Airbrush on the tan base color, then do a disruptive scheme in the brown and green with the colors you feel work best for that. There was no official pattern, vehicles were painted individually so you can do as you please

 

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

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • From: Puebla, Mexico
Posted by garzonh on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:55 PM

very nicem, those lines in fact look hand painted with a brush...what was the purpose of them?, not a very good cammo I would say.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Friday, November 22, 2013 8:48 AM

garzonh

very nicem, those lines in fact look hand painted with a brush...what was the purpose of them?, not a very good cammo I would say.

It was for friendly identification for Japanese troops. The troops were not all that familiar with tanks so they had to have definitive visual identifiers so they didn't attack their own tanks. One of Japan's main forms of anti-tank warfare was the suicide assault with satchel charges so you don't want your own troops killing themselves against their own tanks.

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