Is anyone aware of a kit (any media) of the Type 94 tankette? This was a diminutive little two-man vehicle with popguns, seems not much bigger than the British Universal Carrier.

I picked up Zaloga's Tank Battles of the Pacific War, and there is a picture in there of a USMC 4th Brigade M4A2 with wading trunk on the exhaust and wooden plank armor on the sides. The Sherman is CARRYING this Type 94 on the engine deck as a souvenir trophy!!! I looked at that picture and it started to scream at me, BUILD THIS, BUILD THIS, BUILD THIS!!

Greg

Greg - I believe Fine Molds is going to do one (or has already) - here's a pic:

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/wac/modelphotos/japan/Type94/P7300007.jpg

Gunnie

Yep, Gunnie, that's the papoose the mama Shermie is toting around! Fine Molds, you say. I'll have to look for that. Perhaps Squadron Shop carries those guys. Thanks for the tip!


Greg

Greg - this is a link to Jim Hensley's build-up of the Fine Molds Tankette. Looks cool to me!

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/wac/modelphotos/japan/type97teke/type97teke.htm

Gunnie

Very cool, Gunnie, but the second link is for a build of the Type 97. Different animal from the type 94, but a splendid little model nevertheless. Obviously a Type 94 is out there; just need to find a shop that carries it.
Greg

Got me workin' huh

How's about this from Hobby Link Japan - you can order one there:

http://www.hlj.com/cgi-local/hljpage.cgi?FNMFM-17

Gunnie

Done and done; little bitty tank kit coming from Japan for about $31 including shipping. Expensive little creature. Thanks, Gunnie!

Now then...Got to look at that picture again. Pretty sure it is an early/mid production 56-degree M4A2 with the protruding welded vision hoods, not the later 47-degree wet stowage type. Hmmm, need a donor Italeri USMC Sherman for the lower hull and wading trunk, a TTW resin upper hull, some basswood planks for the, um, well, planks on the sides....

Greg

Hi,

At ML gallery Jean Baptiste Verlhac as a Type 94 Tankette that can give you some ideas.

Greg,

Here is the 2nd link that Gunnie meant to give you: http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/wac/modelphotos/japan/Type94/type94.htm

If you want any information on WW2 Japanese tanks and tankettes, Jim Hensley is your man. I know him pretty well and he is a nut for them. If you go to this link:

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/wac/modelphotos/japan/japanmodel.htm

you can see links to all of the WW2 Japanese tanks he has done. He is a very friendly and helpful man so email him (just click the home icon at the top of the page and the email link will be at the bottom) with any questions and I'm sure that he will be happy to help you. It may take him a day or so to get back to you though as he travels a lot for his job. You can also find a lot of his work in MMiR as well.

Thanks Adam - 97 instead of 94....

Gunnie

Thanks a lot, Adam! That link should prove very helpful with this project.

Greg

Greg,

There is also an excellent book on Japanese armor by AJ Press if you are interested. You can find it at www.airconnection.on.ca and then looking under "Books" and then "Military". Jim Hensley brought it to one of our model club meetings and it is definately a beautiful book and a must have for Japanese armor enthusiats.

HTH

Careful there, Adam! you're going to send me into research (and budget!) overload!

I'll have to go back to this thread in the archives when the little beastie arrives and I can start work on it. Chances are the trophy will be done long before the Sherman to carry it.

Greg

Greg, I just LOVE your idea of the 'trophy' carrying PTO Sherman!!! :-)

Tread.

Good Luck!