Type 97 Medium Tank “Chi-Ha”

The Type 97 was the Japanese Army's standard medium tank during World War Two.  The Type 97, like it's predecessors, was intended primarily for an infantry support role.  In 1939, skirmishes with Soviet forces along the Manchurian border proved that the Chi-Ha's short barreled 57mm cannon was not effective against enemy armor.

To remedy the situation a new version of the type Type 97 was ordered which was equipped with a new turret mounting a more powerful high-velocity 47mm gun with good penetrating power.   However, the i9mporved Type 97 did not enter service until 1942 due, in part, to complacency in the army after early victories in China and Manchuria, as well as later victories in Malaya, Burma, and the Dutch East Indies.  As the Pacific War progressed the Type 97 soon found itself outclassed by the better Allied tanks, such as the M4 Sherman.  This resulted to an increased use of the Type 97 deployed as bunkers and pillbox fortifications.

 

Perhaps not as many fancy features are contained the box as some of the marquee brand kits, never-the-less this kit certainly lends itself to a very fine rendition of the important Japanese tank.   My only fit issue with the kit came when trying to mate the upper and lower halves of the hull.   Try as I might to get these parts to match, it appears (at least in my case) that the top is a couple of millimeters too short in length.  The solution was simple; only requiring a small section of Evergreen strip to fill the gap in the front.

 

Painting & Weathering

Japanese armor can be a very colorful lot.  Tanks were generally painted in hard edged camouflage patches of Mahogany Brown and Dark, or Olive Green over a dull brown base color.  Once of the unique features of f Japanese armor was the frequent use of a bright yellow disruptive stripe which made a cross pattern over the vehicle.  This was going to be fun.  I decided to apply my base colors using a mix of Vallejo Stone Grey and Beige and Chocolate Brown.  Once dried I masked areas for the camouflage colors – this time using Tamiya paints.  The weathering of this vehicle follows my usual routines of light chips and scratches applied using Vallejo acrylic paints, followed by filters and artist's oils.  A final dusting of pigments complete the process.

Fun with Paper

 

When I begin a project I am also thinking of how I might be able to place the kit into a scene or setting.   For some time I had been looking for an opportunity to try the laser cut paper foliage from Kamizukuri and now the the Chi-Ha I had the perfect excuse.  The base itself could not have been simpler being made from a cut piece of foam, styrene sides topped with Magic Sculpt two part putty.  For the groundwork I looked no further than my backyard picking up a handful of materieal from under the trees which I glued over the top of the Magic Sculpt shell.  This tangle of compost was perfect for simulating the dense undergrowth near the ground.

 

I used 3 sets of the Kamizukuri products for the base.  T prepare, I simply airbrushed varying shades of greens and yellow on to the paper and left them to dry.  On some of the leave I took a little time to add some variegation and veins for added interest.  In the mean time I cut small sections of brass wire and place them into pre-drilled holes in the base and then painted these "stems" similar shades of green as the leaves.   An additional layer of growth was added using Silfor products tufts of grass.   Next, I carefully cut the paper foliage from the carrier paper and attached them to the stems using super glue.  The small tree was made from a twig and then adorned with the Banyan Leaves.  As a final touch to the foliage I lightly brushed MIG Productions Wet and Damp Earth Effects to the leaves to give them a nice sheen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Print:  Military Modelcraft International – May 2010

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