Bill Cross reviews the Decalomaniacs' markings for the Type 89 Early Chi Ro Otsu modification from Cobber Bro.



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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Bill,
The decals are NOT made on a dot matrix printer. I use an Alps printer which uses a dye sublimation process to transfer the wax-like ink from the cartridge to the decal paper. The printer uses Cyan (blue), Magenta (Red), Yellow and black ribbons to create the colors on the sheet by applying different densities of the ink to make different colors. One color the printer has problems with is green. Most printers mix yellow and blue inks together to make green. However, the alps puts down a layer of blue and yellow dots in a supposedly random pattern. The pattern isn't random and gives the "dot matrix" effect. Unfortunately, there are very few ways to crrect this without massive amounts of effort, so I'm willing to live with this.
The "faint" white is due to the fact that multiple layers of white flake off very easily when color layers are applied, so for everyone's sanity, I only print one layer. Personally, I find that the thinner layer looks better and isn't as stark against the model. Just a couple of things to clear up any confusion.
Regards,
Georg

Thanks, Georg, for clarifying the technical details (and so noted in the review). I am not an expert on printers, so appreciate your clarifying this.

I CAN say that having seen the results of your decals on other kits, most modelers will be satisfied, especially after some weathering.

Sorry to say, I can't recommend these markings at all. In a day when there are quite a few non-Japanese people who speak, read and write the language, as well as websites that show you how to correctly write the various symbols,there's no real excuse for kana characters that look like they were written by a first grader, or kanji (Chinese characters) that are essentially gibberish. As fussy as the modelling community gets with small errors - such as DML releasing tires marked Continentau instead of Continental, there's really no reason to market such sketchy products. Japanese manufacturers have released marking for Type 89 tanks - better to stick with them.

Uh, actually that was done as a dodge around paying royalties for the use of a trademark. A quick slice of a hobby knife turns ContinenaU into Continental.

Can you provide some photos or other illustrations of these markings that would allow us to compare with the real thing? The Kanji are crude, markings in wartime often are. Without comparing them to the real thing, there's no way to evaluate that.

Steve,
Yes, you caught me red-handed! I don't speak, read or write kanji. Unfortunately, my decals are only as good as the references I have. In this case, I used: Wawrzyniec Markowski and Andrzej Tomczyk's "Japanese Armor 1931-45" and Steve Zaloga's "Japanese Tanks 1939-45." My artistic abilities aren't the greatest and neither are my tools in this case (I've got basic graphics programs). However, since you've been so gracious to point out the error(s), I welcome your assistance in rectifying the situation. You can contact me at: [email protected] and we can discuss it further. Perhaps you have better artistic talents and could possibly draw these up? I'd give you the credit and a sheet of decals for your time.
Regards,
Georg

Hi Georg, Sorry if my comments came across as a bit harsh. I've been interested in Japanese AFVs and aircraft for over 40 years, and have, I guess, become a bit of a zealot for correctness. I have hoped for years for a definitive English-language source on Japanese AFV camoflage and markings, but haven't found one yet (although Steve Zaloga's Osprey book is pretty good). I had high hopes for the book you mentioned, but in looking at some pages from it on the web, decided to pass on it since the markings, particularly the kana and kanji were quite a bit off. I'd be more than happy to assist you if I can, and will contact you at your personal e-mail shortly. I'd also like to have some accurate markings for my expensive Type 89 kits.
Best regards.

Hi Bill, Yeah, the 'Continentau' example was perhaps not the best, but nonetheless, it raised quite a number of comments on various websites. Over the years I've looked through hundreds of photos of Japanese AFVs, and off the top of my head can't recall any examples of hastily-applied markings. Japanese tankers seem to have been pretty meticulous when applying names or symbols to their vehicles. For that matter I also don't see much photographic evidence that Japanese tanks were actually repainted in the field. One photo that comes to mind is a bow shot of a Type 92 TK tankette that appears to have a light color sprayed around the towing hook. The rest of the tank appears to be in the early-war scheme with yellow disruptive bands - so the light patch was perhaps just a quick touch up of a rusted area. Look if you would at the photos of Type 97 Chi-ha tanks turned over to the Soviets in Mancurhia in 1945 - they all appear in the early scheme with yellow bands. When it comes to painting Japanese AFVs, I think it's best to ignore the date of the campaign in which they appeared, and consider instead the date that they were manufactured. I thinks it's rather safe to assume that most AFVs produced prior to the latter part of 1942 - or perhaps even into the early months of 1943, were painted in the eary color scheme and not the later 3-color scheme with "parched grass" as the base color.

All the best,

Steve

Steve, thank you for your informative comments. I can say that Georg is always working to upgrade his product. He's not Cartograf, and we should keep in perspective the differences between a dedicated modeler like himself and a for-profit business venture. I'm not saying that inaccuracies should be forgiven, but perhaps if you can work with Georg to improve the markings, the hobby will benefit.

Thanks Bill, I'm more than happy to help Georg out, though I'm sure there are many more knowledgable people out there. Just like you, I'd like to see the hobby benefit through greater accuracy, and that can best be achieved through sharing information.

Best regards,

Steve

First time on this site but found it very helpful.I have used the earlier set of decalmaniacs IJA set and concur about
the white markings but they are the only set available.Dealing with Decalmaniacs great service recommended.Have CobberBros conversion set and Zitader Type 89 turrets again good service.Zitader did have a problem with their website which I notified them of by mail and they have rectified the problem .All these conversions were a direct result of using this site and for a 68 yr old 56 year
modeller wish you had been around in 1956..transair

Thanks, Gerald, it's good to know we're helping modelers. Good luck and welcome back to the hobby!