Gary Kato reviews the 1/35 FineMolds kit of the IJA Type 95 "Ha-Go" Light Tank.

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Thanks!

That was a good review .


Thanks Gary

Nice work Gary.

Thanks guys. Fine Molds also makes a "Manchurian" version that has a slightly different suspension and different decals. It is mostly the same kit though. The Manchurian version also comes with a different markings sheet with nice cut-away views for those wishing to scratch build an interior.

Excellent review......

A breech for the 37mm can be hijacked from the Type 97 Te Ke as can a few of the interior bits for the turret. Which is what I'll be doing once I finally get around to building mine. Don't bother with Fine Molds indy link track for the Type 95 as it just copies the deficiencies of the rubber band track.

David

Dave,
I mentioned avoiding the Fine Molds track set in the review from what you told me. Thanks! I have a set of Modelkasten on order to see how good they are. I was going to wait for that and the Fine Molds PE set for the Type 95 but lost patience. I'm still trying to make sense of some of the translations for the markings sheet that Babelfish coughed up (on top of the translation I was doing for the Tasca Firefly VC kit).

Eventually I'd love to do a review of the Fine Molds Type 97 tankette. Quite a lovely kit!

Need motivation? There is a running (original engine) Type 95 in Oregon!

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=116393

Hi Gary

I was 'lucky' with the tracks as they came as a surprise addition to a second-hand Ho Ni III.

This Militaria book is a useful reference as there are interior photos of the Type 95 on show at Kubinka among other treasures.

http://www.militaria.net.pl/strony/185.html

David

Great review Gary! The Fine Molds Type 95 is a sweet little kit. I built mine a year ago. I have all the Fine Molds kits and the old Tamiya ones. I love Japanese armor, they're such strange little things. I just finished an extensive build on the Tamiya Type 97.
The Fine Molds Type 95 was one of their first kits and is the least refined of the line. Mine had hatches that were smaller than the openings. The other Fine Molds kits are excellent. I hope they keep producing more! By the way, the Friul track for the Type 97 are excellent and will also fit the Type 1,2,3, and Ho-Ni's.
I bought the 5 volume AJ Press series on Japanese armor and they are all invaluable, excellent references.
And for rediculously low prices ( the new Type 2 is only 36 bucks!) on Fine Molds kits, I found this place - http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/ . They are legit, i ordered from them and got everything fast. Just type "Fine Molds 1/35" in the search bar and ignore all the anime stuff! (Unless you're into teenage girls in sailor suits...)

I think I have a set of Modelkasten for the Type 97 Medium. I have a partially built Tamiya Shinhoto and a barely started Type 97 (57mm). I see that Fine Molds is releasing a Type 97 (57mm) Medium in June. I haven't seen Tamiya's version on the shelves for a long time. I'd love to see an injected Ka-Mi.

I have been looking for a couple of Type 95 kits for an Iwo diorama - with no luck. WHO is the best and fastest source, without paying a fortune to ship it...does anyone in the US carry the FINEMOLDS line?

S/F

Pat

I tend to just buy Fine Molds kits from Hobby Link Japan. Some US stores might be able to order them. See if they already carry the Fine Molds aircraft or spacecraft kits. If they can order those, they probably will be able to order the tank kits as well.

Well, the Modelkasten track set for the Type 95 arrived the other day. Looks very nice. Sooo much better than the kit tracks. I might do an in-box review of them soon (not much to write about for in-box really). I'll have to order another for the Manchurian version.

I looked around and found I didn't have an Modelkasten set for the Type 97 Medium but for a JGSDF Type 61 tank. If I microwaved that Modelkasten set, it would still be better than those old Tamiya tracks.