Introduction

JGSDF Tank Decals Set 1 is a set of 1/35 decals by Hobby Collective, the mail order shop of PLATZ Co.,LTD. It contains decals for Type 74, Type 90, and Type 10 tanks.

The Decals

These decals are opaque and crisply printed. Registration is precise. The carrier film is thin. Platz all but eliminated peripheral carrier film by printing the film in the same shape as the decal. Beautiful!

Six tank units are available:

Type 74, 4th Company, Tank School Unit, Fuji School Brigade (Pegasus)
Type 90, 1st Company, 5th Tank Battalion, 5th Division (stylized antlers)
Type 90, 3rd Company, Tank Unit School, Fuji School Brigade (ōsuzumebachi - Japanese giant hornet)
Type 90, 5th Company, 72nd Tank Regiment, 7th Division rearing horse
Type 10, 1st Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Division (centaur)
Type 10, Commander's Vehicle, Tank School Unit, Fuji School Brigade wreathed tank

Detail
Unit and vehicle marks aren't the only decals. Each tank is provided with several placards. Cherry blossom emblems are included for each tank.

In addition, a series of white numerals allows the modeler to create any numbered vehicle in a company.

Finally, for you fans of the Type 74, special 40th anniversary commemoration emblem decals are provided for the Type 74's ruby anniversary of 2014.

Instructions

Where do all of these excellent decals go? Platz printed a nice placement guide. One side is in color to show off the camouflage colors, and the other side is grayscale. Almost all text is in Japanese.

The illustrations are sharp and the placement directions are definite. A few individual components are illustrated separately, i.e., stowage box, a system on a turret, etc.

Performance

None of these decals are bigger than 1½ centimeters. I used one on a hull with rivets, hex bolts, a concave fitting, and raised plate. Micro Set was all it took for the decal to settle. Please look at the three photos of the decal on the model.

Conclusion

This is my first set of Platz's Hobby Collective decals. I am impressed. They boast opaque color and crisp printing, with precise registration, all printed on thin and precisely shaped carrier film. I appreciate that six tanks can be modeled from this single sheet (more if you use the individual numbers).

My only complaint is that almost all text is in Japanese. Aside from that, I think Platz's JGSDF Tank Decals Set 1 is excellent and a great buy for the price. Recommended.

Please remember to mention to Platz and retailers that you saw this product here - on ARMORAMA.