Stefan Halter takes a look at MiniArt’s recently released Japanese Tank Crew in 1/35 scale.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Thanks for the review, Stefan. This looks like a nice set. I really like the seated figure as he looks more like he is in the field and not on parade. It would sure be nice if MiniArt do additional sets of these.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Japanese soldiers often wore gloves in combat, so these figures might not be as limited in scope or require moding of their hands. I'm going to have to look back in my reference materials to be completely sure.

About ****ing time! You'd think the Japanese never had an army.

Glad to see the set, and a fine review.

Thanks for the comments guys. I agree it was about time for this.




That's good to know, looking forward to your result. However I can't imagine they would have worn them in their daily chores and the heavy fighting under most difficult (and hot) conditions in the Pacific? Seems like wearing the tie in combat that was part of the US uniform...

Most troops who handled heavy machinery (including artillery and armor) used gloves. These gloves are mostly of the knit garden glove variety, without today's rubber lining. They come in pretty cheap in the Far East, about $0.50 a pair.

In the infantry, while everyone was also issued gloves, my references have mostly machinegunners wearing them.

In the Concord book on the IJA there numerous pictures of troops wearing white cloth gloves in the commentary for plate5B there is also a statement that the enlisted wore white gloves while officers had leather gloves. So the figures are not as limited in scope, it would make them appropriate to use for a tank in action. Another kit for the stash.

Gentlemen, I stand corrected. Thank you for looking that up! None of the references I had at my disposal show any Japanese with white gloves in their daily chores, which of course doesn't mean it didn't happen, as you so rightly pointed out.

Cheers!
Stefan

Stephan,

I was on the fence about these until I read your review, so thank-you for doing it!