Anybody happen to know what version of the Type 74 the "winter version " represents. I know Asuka has a "G Kai" out but from what I understand that upgrade never really got off the ground. (diverted funding from the Type 10?) Also, anybody know if 2nd Tank Regt. still has 74s? Info I found said 4 squadrons of mixed Type 90s and 74s and a squadron of Type 10s. (other Hokkaido armored units (7th armor and 11th Brigade have 90s and 10s.) but I suspect that data is dated.

To me it is a standard Type 74. Tamiya only added new type smoke grenade dischargers, gunfire simulator system and a crew in winter suit.

Olivier

and skis ...
/ Robin

Don't forget the 105mm gun with a thermal sleeve (the old gun was still included on the original sprues) and the shields for the headlamp clusters.

The kit included all the original Type 74 parts, with the 'new' parts supplied on a separate sprue.

Not sure the smoke dischargers were new items?

A check through some of my JGSDF images suggests that the thermal sleeve is pretty standard on Type 74s in recent years.

John

What model does the kit represent? I'm guessing "C" or "D" maybe. What time frame?

The Type 74 'Winterised' version was released by Tamiya in 1993. I don't know how that relates to the real tank's development timeline but you are looking at a spec that is at least 26 years old.

It really depends on how much the tank has changed externally since the early 1990s. I doubt the kit has the laser rangefinder in the cupola since I'm sure that part wasn't upgraded from the original release.

Having looked at recent images of the Type 74 in service there doesn't look to be much in the way of external changes and what little there might be should be easily modified or scratchbuilt.

John