Type 97 Tank

Orion 1/72nd scale Japanese WWII tank crews with a Filament Fighters Japanese Type 97 tank.

Tanks require a lot of maintenance and constant attention to stay running.

These tanks were quite the terror in China where the Chinese almost never had armor or anti-armor weapons.

Some troops rest while others work.

Three supervise while only one has a shovel.
 

Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank

 

Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank used by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War Two.

More than 1,100 of them were made between 1938 and 1943.

They participated in combat in China, Philippines, Corregidor, Saipan, Guam, and Okinawa.

This 3D printed model in HO 1/87 scale comes unassembled in gray plastic.

It is sold by Filament Fighers from Fidelis Models.

I painted it green without first using primer paint.

I will get a few more and some will be camouflaged.

The tank was intended primarily for infantry support and the gun suffered from short range and poor armor penetration.

The leaning here is caused by the angle of the photo, not the tank!

Crew was four with a bow machine gun and a rear turret machine gun.  This kit is easy to assemble and will be a great wargame model.

Japanese Tankers

The uniforms are very Japanese looking.

But tankers of all nations have to lug heavy Jerry cans.

Note the goggles, very nice.  Flags used to communicate without radio.

Even with a radio the flag is instant and not subject to jamming or interception like radio.

Casual moments.

Both are looking, one of the left is leaning on the tank fender.

More action poses, running towards the tank.

Firing the pistol at the enemy.

Seated on the tank, and getting a drink of water.

Seated figures are nice because you can use them on the tank, or in the back of trucks, or in offices, or as vehicle crews.
 

Japanese Tank Crew

1/72nd scale soft plastic Japanese WWII tank crews.

Figures made by Orion in Ukraine.

You get four sprues like this one.

Figures are crisply molded and no flash.

Nice poses and great detail, note the guy on the right with a samurai sword.

The private gets a shovel.  Tanks often have to be dug out of holes and mud.