JGSDF Type 61 camo help...

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Yup, those are definitely the Type 74 tracks on the right, alright...hmmm. That's so weird! Here's a crazy idea: would the excellent 1/76 Fujimi Type 74 link and length tracks fit, I wonder? They'd look a lot better than those rubber bands, too.

Interesting idea. they might, although they may be a little narrow for the drive sprocket. Unfortunately, I haven't got any, or the resources to buy any online (i.e. no credit card) Still, I'd like to find out. If anyone has the two kits, maybe they can test fit them to see and then let me know. That way, I can go out to my LHS and get the Fujimi kit to finish this one. Otherwise, I don't want to get the Fujimi if they don't fit.

I just don't get it. The Type 61 and the Type 90 tracks fit fine, but the Type 74 tracks do not. I am stumped as to what the manufacturers were thinking....

Yup, those are definitely the Type 74 tracks on the right, alright...hmmm. That's so weird!

Here's a crazy idea: would the excellent 1/76 Fujimi Type 74 link and length tracks fit, I wonder? They'd look a lot better than those rubber bands, too.

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Duke, those may be Type 90 tracks on your Type 74. I can't really see the pattern, but both the length and the width seem off.

Well, I was using the correct tracks. Here are the two tracks side by side:



The ones on the right are the Type 74 tracks, and the ones that are too big. The left side shows the Type 90 tracks. I built the roadwheels and all for the Type 90 and loosely test fit the Type 90 tracks on them:



As you can see, they will be a perfect fit. I guess I'd better get to cutting and resizing the Type 74 tracks. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Now, I'm going to post all this in a new thread and stop hijacking Domi's thread!

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Duke, those may be Type 90 tracks on your Type 74. I can't really see the pattern, but both the length and the width seem off.

Thanks J-Hulk! I may have inadvertantly switched the tracks when I opened the boxes to look at the kits. I'll check that out.

Thanks for your kind words, Dan. It's nice to be back, even if I do not spend as much time here as I used to...

Welcome back Dominique, glad you found your way back here. Man are you really gonna do that scheme ???
Anyway, personally I wouldn't have the guts to do it, but IF I would do I would use those WWI decals on maskingtape as a guide to cut the hexagonals.

Duke, those may be Type 90 tracks on your Type 74. I can't really see the pattern, but both the length and the width seem off.

That is an awesome camo pattern, I'm sure you'll be able to replicate it

Thanks also for the tip on my tracks. I'll have to give that a shot.

Cool looking camo you found there, Brian. It may well be my 'plan B' in case the hex scheme is too difficult to replicate... Thanks for searching!

Incredible J-hulk! That almost makes me dizzy lookiing at that tank! Man, what a crazy pattern!

No Domi, I hadn't built the S-tank yet. I'm still waiting for the chance to get it. That one is definitely on my list of tanks to get!

Hey, guys!

I couldn't find ANY pix of the actual hex camo vehicles, but I did come across this interesting experimental camo in a 1978 issue of Panzer magazine:





Kind of reminds of those new "digital camo" uniforms that I think the Marines are thinking about using...and wasn't there a similar camo job on an old Hughes 500 Cayuse years ago? Or was that a Kiowa?

Anyhoo, thought ya'll would like to see it!

No problem, Duke. Your Type 61 looks great, certainly one of your best models I've seen here! The tracks thingy on the 74 is so weird! As you said, the 61 tracks were just perfect. I'd cut off a bit and staple the tracks back together. That's how I attached the 61 tracks and the bent parts of the staples are hidden by the wheels, at the bottom.

My kit is takingshape; the hull, wheels, tracks and turret are ready for painting. I'll start with the white (which will serve as primer) then I'll try to print a hexagonal pattern onto masking tape; each little hexagon will then need to be cut apart and located onto the white for the next coat, and so on, until the 4 colours are on... Then I'll add all the tools and other bits and touch up. Can't see any other way to do it...

I've just received the 1/72 Trumpeter S-Tank... Have you built that one too?

Okay Domi, here it is:





I had to tilt the tank commander in the hatch because the .50 caliber wouldn't let him stand straight. He kept reclining in the hatch. Looked bad.


I also startedx my Type 74 tank. Much better molding on the turret pieces, they aren't as thin as the Type 61 turret. Here's the lower hull completed:



More good news about this Type 74 tank: The vinyl tracks do go together by flaring the pins as suggested in the instructions. The BAD news is this:




AAAARGH!





Why, when they made the Type 61 tracks fit SO PERFECTLY, did they screw up SO BADLY on this next tank?!! I am stumped!

If anyone has any ideas on how to fix this, I'd love to know. I already have both tracks put together. If I cut and remove a section, I have no idea on how to put it back together again without having a massive mess. I may just try to tie down the tracks so they rest on top of the roadwheels, but even then, they stick out too far off the idler and drive sprocket wheels.

Anyway, Domi, I apologize for hijacking your thread. I got carries away. I'll go look for pics of that Type 61 in hex pattern now so we can get this Thread back on track.

Yes I'd be really interested to see it completed! Post away!

Hey Domi! Thanks for the compliment. I found the resin to be an interesting and challenging change to my usual building. I'm certainly glad I have my Dremel! Now I have to try one of the ones that have the white metal on them to see how that works out.

I'm looking for pics of the real Type 61 that has the hex pattern on it. It's a tough thing to track down!

Meanwhile, my Type 61 is finished so far. Still have problems with all the small parts staying on it though. It seems that everytime I pick it up to check for completeness or move it to the shelf, then something else breaks or falls off. I'll post pics later if you want to see it.

Nice work, Duke. I like the AC too! How did you find the resin?

So, in any case, has anyone found pics of the real Type 61 with this weird camo? I've started the kit. Very soft plastic which causes me lots of pain because it tears away when I try to cut off the molded handrail and the off molded on tool. Need real sharp blades to work with this plastic! I'm trying to build the kit as 'clean' as possible to help with the future masking of the beast! Therefore, all handrails and tools and lights and all other bits will be added on and painted after I've painted the camo on the basic hul and turret. Well, that's the plan! The problem with the drawings above is that it is hard to say if the stores and tools are painted... Real pics would come in handy!

QUOTE: Originally posted by djmodels1999 Nice to hear from you again, Duke. Not (really) surprised you've almost completed your Type 61. Have you bought the Type 74 and 90 yet? Did you ever get that parcel of mine? Thanks for the tips. I'll be starting mine tonight!

Hey Domi! Yes, I bought the Type 74 and Type 90 at the same time as the Type 61. They are next on my list to start. You're welcome for the tips, good luck on your build!

Yes, I got your parcel. I already built one of the kits inside it, here it is:



And as promised, I have the pics of my Type 61 here too.

Here she is, ready for clearcoat, decals, wash and drybrush:





Can't wait to see your Type 61 come along. I'll try to post pics of mine when I can.

Not a bad idea, Barrovian.. WWI German night bombers and some seaplanes had regular hexagonal pattern camouflages, but were normally rather dark and close to blue and purple... Still, I'll have a look at what is available. Other than that, I think it will have to be done with masks.

Are there any Aftermarket WW1 German Aircraft Lozenge Decals that could be used?

Nice to hear from you again, Duke. Not (really) surprised you've almost completed your Type 61. Have you bought the Type 74 and 90 yet? Did you ever get that parcel of mine? Thanks for the tips. I'll be starting mine tonight!

Welcome back Domi!

You are a braver man than I am Gunga Din, if you plan on doing that lozenge pattern on your model! Have you started yours yet? If not, here are a few things to watch out for:

->The turret is molded so thinly, it is almost vacuform. Be extra careful doing any sanding.

->Speaking of sanding, you need to sand a little on the sides and top of the opening on the turret where the main gun is mounted. Otherwise, your main gun wants to 'snap' into a fully raised, or fully lowered position.

->The vinyl tracks do not stay together using the method offered in the instruction sheet. The pins on the tracks are also too small to flare. CA glue doesn't work either; it won't stick to this vinyl. I finally used a glue I got at Home Depot. It is called Elmer's Ultimate Glue, and has a blue man-bull on the front of the bottle. It claims to bond anything, and in this case, it worked. I put a little on the pin end, then dipped the other side in water, and held the two ends together overnight with alligator clips. Just be careful peeling them off the alligator clipss the next morning.


I am almost finished with my Type 61. I went with a grey over green camo pattern like one I saw online some time back. Much more simple that the hex pattern you are planning! Good luck with that, I can't wait to see how it turns out. I'll try to post pics of mine soon.

once you finish painting it like that, i'd love to see how it turns out.

Brian, I'd love to see pics of the real thing! I wonder how close to the drawings they were able to get, because painting little hexagons all over a 1/72 kit could be rather tricky...

Nice to be back, by the way!

Damn, that's a strange one. Would love to see what it looks like on an actual vehicle/model.

That is a cool one! I may have some photos of the actual vehicle in an old issue of Panzer.

Domi, nice to see you!!

Thanks a lot, Barrovian. Exactly what I was after!

And for those who didn't know:



Cool, huh???!

Try this website address http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=156324&messageid=1117455933. I knew I had seen it somewhere.