Japan had the fifth largest tank force in the world when the Second World War began. Yet I know of no other injection molded 1/35 set of Japanese tankers. Happily MiniArt has filled the void with this impressive quintet.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Fine Molds has had injection molded IJA tankers available for years. Two sets listed as FM22 and FM23.
Set #1
Set #2

Model Kasten also made a set of two figures.
Tank Crew

Thanks, Fred, for the fine review. Whether unique or not, IJA figures are still quite rare in styrene. Not many places carry a full line of Fine Molds, for example, and it's impossible to tell from the link whether the figures are any good or "Tamiya-quality."

The point is that there are other injection-molded figures of IJA crew (Fine Molds is pretty easy to find in many online stores).

These figures have been used quite extensively by IJA builders for quite some time. As for whether they're "Tamiya Quality" or not, Tamiya themselves seem to think so as they've repackaged Fine Molds' figures and tanks as their own releases.



Also, here are large scale pics, which look in line with what is posted above from Mini Art (Fine Molds is premiere manufacturer and is considered a top maker of IJA and IJN equipment).

Dade, I'm not sure your point about Tamiya appropriating the figures. Tamiya has re-released or licensed several kits with/from other manufacturers, but the quality of their figures is generally not up to current styrene standards from DML, MiniArt and Master Box among others. OK, we get it, these MiniArt IJA figures aren't the only styrene ones in the world. But they look a helluva lot better than anything I've ever seen from Tamiya.

And the photo you posted of the built versions confirms my verdict. They look like they're at the South Pole in fleece-lined parkas, LOL.

Hi Dade,

Thank you for the heads-up. I knew about the Fine Molds figures and just forgot about them. I corrected my text in the review to reflect that MiniArt are not the only injection set.

Bill, IMHO these figures are a step above Tamiya in detail, while a step below in molding. I have not built Tamiya figures in a very long time but I think the mold seams are no better than older Tamiya. I may have to break open a recent Tamiya figure set and compare. That said, except for "The Girls" Women of WW II Era, I can't think of any 'modern' injection figures I've built for a very long time.

Bill, I actually own all of the figure sets discussed-- Mini Art and Fine Molds, so I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about. Fine Molds' stuff is pretty close to Mini Art's quality. The pics aren't perfect, but I wanted something to give a feel for how they are.

As for "fleece-lined parkas", you do realize that those are the actual cold weather tanker uniforms, don't you? I'm not sure if you're trying to say these didn't exist or that they didn't look like the figures, but I can assure you, they did (please note the tanker on the right in the picture below). Remember that the IJA was also active in mainland China and Korea and it could get pretty cold there (not to mention Japan itself)!



I only wanted to let builders know there are other injected-molded options out there, so I'll check out of the conversation. You may feel that my modeling skill is below-average and that I produce horrible work-- thus you feel I'm not to be believed on issues of quality. Fair enough and to each his own.

Fred- no worries and I deeply apologize if I stepped on your toes. Being an IJN/ IJA builder can get pretty sparse compared to all of the usual German stuff. So always good to spread the word! Thanks for your time and take care.

Dade - thank you, and you didn't step on my toes. In fact, I encourage anyone to correct any substantive errors on my part.

That's a great photo of the crew standing on the PzKfw I; it almost looks like 1/35 figures on a 1/48 tank!

???? Dade, I'm not sure where you came up with that impression, but I know nothing of you, your modeling skills or your work. I meant to cast no aspersions on them in any case, and apologize if I somehow left you thinking that.

I did not realize these figures were supposed to be in cold weather gear, though I still find the Tamiya figures pictured to be below the standards of current styrene technique. I am also quite aware of Japan's presence in China, as I have studied some Chinese history, speak the language somewhat, and know the lasting antipathy that many Chinese feel towards Japan because of the war.

Let's let the figures speak for themselves. I'd love to have you review the Fine Molds figure sets for Armorama. PM me if that's something that would interest you. Sadly, IJA subject matters don't get the coverage here their numbers and importance to WW2 history deserve.