varanusk
Managing EditorSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Spain / España
Joined: July 04, 2013
KitMaker: 1,288 posts
Armorama: 942 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 03:50 AM UTC
Dragon has previously released superb 1/35 scale plastic kits of Japanese armored and amphibious vehicles from WWII, but the time has finally come to unveil what was the most important tank type! It is the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank as used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA).
Read the Full News StoryIf you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,169 posts
Armorama: 1,067 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 04:08 AM UTC
I'm just curious, are there real problems with the Tamiya and Fine Molds kits? I'm just wondering if there is anything that could be that much better in this new release.
North Carolina, United States
Joined: November 26, 2003
KitMaker: 568 posts
Armorama: 398 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 04:17 AM UTC
No issue with FineMolds Chi-Ha I have built several and other than what some might consider a issue is the rubber tracks.
Gyokusai-to seek death rather than dishonor,Artillery maybe the king of battle,but tankers shoot bigger loads!!!!
Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
Armorama: 2,054 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 04:32 AM UTC
This is a release I have been looking forward to. I have built several Tamiya and Fine Molds IJA armor kits. The DML kits have finer detail, include etch and were nicer overall. I think the team behind Dragon's Japanese armor kits gives them some extra special attention.
Great nations do not fall because of external aggression; they first erode and decay inwardly, so that, like rotten fruit, they fall of themselves. The strength of a country is the sum total of the moral strength of the individuals in that country.
Ezr
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,169 posts
Armorama: 1,067 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 04:37 AM UTC
Thanks guys, that's good to know. Too bad they couldn't have those guys work on their Black Label line for awhile though Russ!
North Carolina, United States
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
Armorama: 1,222 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 06:07 AM UTC
The Tamiya kit is just fine but I've built Dragons Ka-Mi and two of their Type 95' and they are very good except for the stupid DS tracks. I'll buy this new Type 97, welcome announcement.
Florida, United States
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 08:41 AM UTC
Did I miss something or did I not see a turned metal barrel?? I hope there is one. I'll go straight to AM metal tracks as well.
IPMS number 506
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JPTRR
Managing Editor 
#051
Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
Armorama: 2,447 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 05:30 PM UTC
Very happy about this announcement!
If they demand your loyalty, give them integrity; if they demand integrity, give them your loyalty.--Col John Boyd, USAF
“Any plan where you lose your hat is a bad plan.”
Michigan, United States
Joined: September 14, 2007
KitMaker: 185 posts
Armorama: 130 posts
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 09:36 PM UTC
I understand their Type 4 Ke-Nu is quite nice as well correct?
They now have:
TYPE 2 KA-MI Amphibious
TYPE 4 KE-NU Light
TYPE 95 HA-GO Light
TYPE 97 CHI-HA Medium
all in 1/35? Have I missed any?
Hordaland, Norway
Joined: October 28, 2012
KitMaker: 96 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 12:09 AM UTC
The Type 97s by Fine Molds are exellent kits btw, but the availability of the various versions can sometimes be limited.
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: March 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,169 posts
Armorama: 1,067 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 02:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The Type 97s by Fine Molds are exellent kits btw, but the availability of the various versions can sometimes be limited.
Didn't I read somewhere that they were releasing kits with interiors?
New Jersey, United States
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 06:41 PM UTC
Looks like a good kit ! I have no problem with the DS tracks !
Hordaland, Norway
Joined: October 28, 2012
KitMaker: 96 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Friday, August 04, 2017 - 05:44 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
The Type 97s by Fine Molds are exellent kits btw, but the availability of the various versions can sometimes be limited.
Didn't I read somewhere that they were releasing kits with interiors?
Correct, they are releasing the various older kits updated with some new sprues which include an interchangable interior which have parts for both the early and late Chi-Ha`s + the self-propelled guns. In addition they also include link and length tracks with sag.
Hordaland, Norway
Joined: October 28, 2012
KitMaker: 96 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Monday, September 04, 2017 - 01:17 AM UTC
1/35 scale Type-89 I-Go Kou coming from Fine Molds in november, undoubtably same kit as issued as part of the Girls & Panzer series, but with JA decals and possibly some new parts.
