I am thinking of building a 1946 what if german panzer in Japanese colours and looking for some ideas on possible paint finish.

I really like the camo on the Chi Ha's.

My Panzer will be suitably modified to to suit asian conditions and would have been built in Japan under license of course.

I got this idea from a old commando comic.

Regards
Phil

Cool this is new cant wait to see this one
dave

Nice idea, but it would have to be a smaller one (panzer) because they would face the same problem the US did when it occupied Japan; the roads and bridges were too small and could not handle the weight of even the medium sized Sherman tanks. I'd aim for a decked out PzKpfw III because I think the IV was bigger than a Sherman (but I'm not positive).

You could do a StuG, or a 251/21 or 22 variant, as Japan had similar halftrack designs. The Pz. IV was wider, but Japan was working on "Super" tank and tank destroyer designs to stop the onslaught of Shermans. Maybe a pz. IV with a Panther turret. Japan also had a tank destroyer similar to the Ferdinand, and the Ho-Ni was similar to the Marder III, and the Ho-Ru was similar to the Hetzer. Size was a factor, but desperation breeds unrealistic designs.

Camo schemes for late war tanks would have been the parched grass/ dark green/dark earth colors, but you could either stay with that (it does look nice) or use it as a base and modify. The following links all go to artist renditions of tank designs, all from WWII Drawings.com , which may help give you some ideas.

http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/02-MediumTanks/Type5/Chi-Ri.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/02-MediumTanks/Type4/Chi-To.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/02-MediumTanks/Type3/Chi-Nu.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/05-SPG/Type1-HoNi/Type3-HoNi3.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/01-LightTanks/Type5-KeHo/Type5-KeHo.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/02-MediumTanks/Type2/Ho-I.htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-Vehicles/Axis/3-Japan/05-SPG/Type2-KaTo/Type2-KaTo.htm

Indeed, something appropriate might be a Jagdpanzer IV L70. Smaller & lighter than a Panther yet with enough punch to poke holes in Sherman's at any range and Pershings at even reasonable ranges.

Of course, by 1946 the Japanese couldn't make the steel for a tank, but, what the hey, go for it.

Given that a lot of fighting in Japan would likely have been in Japanese towns & cities, you might even want to go with a Japanese version of the '60s Berlin camo.

Paul

Last night I found some 1946ish Japanese decals from a well known comic/game website.

The kits will be suitably modified Panther (ICM) which could have been used in China against the Russians and the fight for the homeland.

Paint scheme will be loosely based on the Chi Ha, it just looks good!

The idea of a German Panzer in Japanese camo is a great idea, I'd go with a Panther ! as the Japanese did have one (only one) and a Tiger (one again) that they purchased of the Germans in 1943 never got shipped but the thought was there!

Al the best with this.... next pictures please!

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I asked this question in another forum and got an answer from Steve Zaloga. He said they paid for a Tiger and Panzer III. The Tiger was never delivered and there is no record of the Panzer III, but doesn't mean it didn't make it. He also said a Panzer I was captured in China and sent to Japan for evaluation.

Still, it is an interesting idea; what if the Panzer III was duplicated in Japan and placed into service.

I am starting tonight!,

see this link for the decals
http://www.dustgame.com/products_d.php?nid=2&id=61

There's a picture of the Japanese Panther halfway down this page with a Japanese Colonel, probably wondering how to get it back home!

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-v-panther-sd-kfz-171.htm

You could even go more' what if' by mounting a different gun on a German Tank? ... the Japanese mounted a number of 120mm submarine guns on their Chi-Ha tanks now that would be pretty good in say a Stug 111

Guys I have uploaded some photo's but I dont know how to get them here? they are on my kitmaker network folder -Jap Panther

Always nice to see more what if modelers.

Sorry to chime in so late. I do like the idea. If size is an issue, you could also try a Hetzer. It's about 8.5 feet wide and weighs in at around 15 tons. Or maybe the lighter versions of the E-Series paper panzers. I know you've already started but those are other options for anyone that you might have inspired.