Hey guys

I want to build the japanese Type97 Chi-Ha for a campaign... This is what I have:




I want to build a diorama inspired by this picture:




(picture is from: "ArmorCollection 1998 5 - Medium tank Chi-Ha"

My problem is, that a couple of the hatches are opened, but as with most Tamiya kits, the interior in the kit is ... well .. non-existing.. so I want to scratch the visible parts of the interior ... but after looking through 4-5 books about japanese armour, and googling like a maniac .. I haven't found a single picture of the Chi-Ha interior ..




Can anybody help me?

Thanks in advance!

I have the same project going on soon, but without the conversion set.

There are a series of books from AJ Press covering Japanese Armour from WWII. I haven't looked at them yet, but give Andy Spencer a call from Historica Hobbies and he'll be happy to let you know what exactly is in these books.

There is also Steven Zaloga's book, but I haven't been too happy with the New Vanguard publications as a whole. However this book could be a nice surprise..

Only a few :













HTH

Frenchy

Here are few links that may help. Taki is very helpful and an expert on IJA equipment. Here is his home page:
http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/

He also is the moderator on the Japanese message board over at missing-lynx.com http://www.network54.com/Forum/449919/ he always answers questions, but be paitente it can take him a while to answer but he almost always does and with very useful info. also search the site as well as I know interior photo requests are common. Good luck with your build I am looking forward to it. Also there seems to be some disagreement over interior color some say white while others say that it was silver. hope this was helpful. Travis

The HA-GO at Bovington is white inside or should that be was as it looksas if it has never been touched. There is a referance feature on Armorama that I sent in of it.

http://panzerfaust.ca/ArmourWorkshop/gallery/album.php?album_id=83

WOW .. thanks guys ... your help is much appreciated..

now I can finally get started on this little project