thanks Tamas, this build is also in the campaign. I think I will have hull fit issues but that is probably more down to the sanding and filling I have done to close up the view ports. Not sure on paint colours apart from I am going what-if tri-tone grey and also adding extra armour (most likely slatted but perhaps ERA type).

Let me know any other fiddly bits you find

Rear doors... not the best but gives an impression... Decided there needs to be a fire extinguisher at the rear of the vehicle so that went on the door. Need to do the following to finish the interior



1) finish the second set of seats (not too far off)

2) roof "support" - ie strips & bolts that run along the roof/side joint

3) bolts - not sure how many but some round the doors - there are panels on there that need it, maybe else where too



and have glued roof & sides together (to facilitate (2) above really) but there are a few gaps but nothing horrendous



just 1 photo

Started on the turret. Orlikeron 35mm - it "Looks" the part (ie block at mantlet, then barrel then smaller block then firing mechanism. Wont put rounds in but will add a little detail to the rear. Can't really see much through the hatches so dont need to worry too much. Also made the interior part of the machine gun - again not much b=visible. Will do radio and gunner/commander vision screens (I assume in a vehicle like these they would be screens)















 

Can't really see much through the turret hatches.. .but have commander & gunner screens, radio and turret turning mechanism (start). I don't know if I will do the turret basket & seats - it seems that the hole in the hull top is small, seats wouldn't line up with the screens/hatches...

OK, you can't see ANY of this but I want to do something. So turret basket is started. Seats are 100% in the wrong place but I think thats kit design not anything else. I plan to do a floor plate (and a ring on the floor of the hull). Basket will have some level of stowage. Need more "clutter" in the turret too, not sure what else would be in there (ammo racks but not sure what they would look like for this type of armamenet)

As I close on the end of the interior build, just the 2 seats for commander/gunner to add and some straps on the spent ammo box on the turret basket floor. Have no idea hoe accurate is but as you can see ~1% of the turret then I am happy with how it looks:

Next big step - primer on.... must admit it ties it all up nicelt... next up my nemesis - white paint - trying MiG white this time... but thinned with water only....

It's gone white.... actually didn't spray "too bad"... next up detail painting (mostly grey/black for seats & controls and red for extinguishers) and then weathering...

Detail blocked in... need to gloss it then start weathering....

Boy Japanese infantry need to keep the interior of their vehicles cleaner... plus stowage that will go in the back (and adding some ration boxes if I can make them)

ok.. so hull and turret buttoned up... can't see a great deal but I know it is all there... Next on to some normal building of kit parts (and PE) and then a turret bustle (photo evidence) and then it will be time to start looking at the additional armour















I will need ot get the proper camera out with a macro lens (but then you will see all the flaws) to take better shots

and just like that it looks a little more "tank-like".... (Well IFV like). I have marked roughly where the tools go so "should" be able to get struts fro slat armour fitted

Major PE on. Now on to Bustle on the rear of the turret then it will be time to work out how to do the add-on armour!!!! eeeeeeeeeek

Turret basket complete... (and a link to the source photo).. will have stowage in so I can hide some of the mess... next up will be to work out the slat armour dimensions and start that - eeeeeeeek



source image (reference only):

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/type_89_ifv_chitose07.jpg





and my effort:

You thought indi-link tracks were mad... try drilling 100+ .5mm holes! First half done BUT I have no where near enough rod to finish this half let alone the second side. Anyway, slat armour in progress, didn't go too badly - just dont know how I will attach to the hull - think support up to the top and then maybe a "grip" on to the slats (gives a touch of flexibility when vehicle is moving)

and just notice today is my 10 year anniversary on the site!!!

I thought I would be beaten by this but no, I pushed on and 1 set of side "SRAT" (Stryker Reactive Armour system - part slat and part tile) completed (only placed of course) - I had to move away from full slat armour as the plastic rod would've cost about £35 to complete both sides. Also added smoke launchers & missiles to the turret (and example stowage in the bustle).



Next up it will be 2 more supports for the armour and then the joys of starting the other side.....

second side finished (well needs components joined together) and first rear section positioned. Not decided on the front yet, may not do anything across but will see once other side is fitted.

Huge step forward this evening, second slat/ERA complete and mounts done. I must say it isn't 100% aligned BUT think it is within my tolerance. Need to do the second rear block. Still not sure if I should do across the front (and am now toying with a couple of ERA blocks on the front of the turret. Also need to look to strengthen some of the supports (or at least make them look properly secured)

First round of building COMPLETE. Final section of slat built (decided to not do the front or anything extra on the turret). Next off will be primer but that may be 3 weeks as should be heading for a well deserved week away soon....



 

great build,love all the parts you added

thanks...

all gone black... fully primed.... now to decide if it will be green & brown or black and grey....

an afternoon with the airbrush and panzer putty... some damage to the supports for the add-on armour needs repairing plus a LOT of PE handles need to be put on then hand painted. Quite like the way the Panzer Putty worked, no lifting even though eac coat only had about 20 minutes drying time

Have now moved on to adding the detail and fiddly PE. Taking it slowly

slow progress with small PE. Just the fuel can racks on the rear door then repair all the additional armour supports (before 25 VERY small handles need to be done)....