Not too many models of Japanese tanks out there.

This is a Type 1 75mm SPG, Ho-Ni by Tamiya. The kit is as old as I am.

This is actually the second one that I'm building. The limb on the background are figures for this tank for the small dio I'm going to make for it.

I'm depicting it in the tank battle of San Miguel or Udaneta in the Philippines.





Will post some more as it goes along.

Mondo, a fun build isn't it? What color is that red??? IIRC Japan used more of a brown color for the tanks.

I think your pointing out to the rust or the red brown. I think I just have too much flash or light and besides it's still very glossy.

Looking good sofar Mondo. It's nice to see something different. I don't know the vehicle, so can't and won't comment on the accuracy of the kit, apart from the fact that it's a tank Destroyer, not a tank. Are those tool shafts made of sate sticks? they look to much like wood..

Cheers
Henk

Looking good so far. Most of the pictures I have are of Japanese Tankettes but this Tank destroyer looks a bit bigger then them.

Do you have any other reference photos of them?

Cheers
Cliff

According to Tamiya literature. There wasn't really any rules in colors other than it was painted in a cloud pattern. Some even have an overall khaki color.






I think there are some actual specimens in the Aberdeen proving grounds.

I compared it to the PzKpfw II. 15mm narrower and about 25mm longer.

Type 1 Ho-Ni

Check this out.

good link thanks for sharing

Looks good, I've been watching one on eBay. The 75mm gun on the Type 97 chassis was a stop gap measure to defeat the Sherman. The gun eventually made it into the Type 3 Chi-Nu (Fine Molds kit #FM-11).

I've got three shots of this vehicle from the Aberdeen collection as well as four additional shots of the Type 97 Chi-Ha (same hull). If you need them, I can upload them into my Aberdeen Proving Grounds album.

That would be great. I still have the Chi-ha in the box.

The Ho-Ni was indeed a stop-gap but I don't think that it stopped any shermans being deployed in twos' threes' in each tank regiment. Probably got knocked out before it could get an opportunity.

Ciao Mondo,
It's looking really great. A coat of matt finish will take care of that gloss sheen.
You make a good point, though. That model is as old as you (or older), but I have read that the Tamiya models of Japanese equipment were far superior to their other models of the time, because they were building primarily to the "home" audience of Japan? Is that quality really that good? From the photos, the tank really looks good.
Ciao for now
Rob

Scored one at the local model show today for only $5. It was missing the decals (anyone got any leftovers?) but I got a good deal.

I can send you what I didn't use. I little warning though. It's kind of brittle being 28 y.o. I was born just before this kit was made.

I really don't know if it can still be of any use. PM me and I'll mail it to you.

P.S. You might want to do what I did to the muffler guard. That's about the only thing I can say about this kit.

I do not know whether this statement is true or not (sounds reasonable), but I will make the observation that the original Chi-Ha I built over 20 years ago was the best Tamiya kit I had built at that time (late 70s, early 80s). The only one not designed as a motorized toy, in fact, the only one without any motorization capabilities (except for small wheeled vehicles like Jeeps and the Bren carrier).

BTW anyone know of any aftermarket (mainly PE, barrel) for the kit?

[Edit] Found the Eduard PE set #35772 listed for the Type 97 medium tank. After downloading and printing out the instruction sheet, it looks like 99% of this set can be used on the SPG. Just two pieces (#14&15) go on the turret. The rest detail the hull, muffler guards, grills and stowage boxes.

The Ho-Ni is a nice little model, though the original saw very little action. IIRC it only fought in the Philippines.

Have a look at this site for more on Japanese tanks

http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/

Nice work on your Type 1 Ho-Ni SPG so far. I think once you dull-out the glossy look, and weather it a bit it will look fine.

I have always liked WWII Japanese armor anyhow

Maj G: I have plenty of both Ho-Ni and Chi-Ha decals if you need them. Check out the link below for some cool IJA armor dry-transfers. Ted Dyer products are good to go !

Gents, if you dig WWII Japanese armor and figures. Check out this link:
http://www.japanesearmorking.com/index.html

Ted has some very interesting items for sale. He has some interesting WWI figures as well.

Cheers !!

Alpen

figures for the tanks.

Mostly old tamiya issues kit-bashed with the tankers included in the tank kit. Not much Japanese in plastice out there.

I don't think I'll shell out $10 bucks for one resin figure.



Great infor BTW Alpenflage.

Drader,

Found that site before when I made my research. I'm actually basing this and another tank on the battles held in the Philippine which I got from that site. Thanks.

Some improvement on the tank. Tracks added. The flag was done with a t-shirt tranfer. Cloth sample was from the shirt I was currently wearing. I still have the tank crew to finish and tie down this flag.