Have an opportunity to get a 1/35 Finemolds type 97 for a very low price. Not much out there on Japanese Tank reviews. Is this kit any good? Looking for a good detail and build. I won’t get my hopes up too high. But I guess compared to Tamiya is this a better kit? Thanks for any help
Warm regards
Grumble
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Depends a little on which release it is, Finemolds has somewhat recently upgraded from rubber tracks to link-and-length tracks in their Type 97s, which gives them a good boost in looks. Overall, the detail is better than Tamiya, but the build is still easy and fits well. Can’t talk about accuracy, but I would assume they are pretty good.
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PMMS has a comparison review between the Fine Molds and Tamiya Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha kits
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I’ve only built one Fine Molds kit, their Type 3 Chi-Nu, and if you get a kit with the single-piece tracks, replace them. They were far too short to fit, even with minor stretching, and wouldn’t hang over the return rollers at all even if I had put them on. I put Friuls on instead, but I gather the newer kits with the hard plastic tracks that Tommi mentions will be much better.
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Go for it. Although the Tamiya Type 97 remains one of their best kits ever, Finemolds produces kits that are excellent in engineering, fit, and detail. I have built the Finemolds Type 97 and it is an outstanding kit. If you can get it at a good price, all the better. I assure you, you will enjoy the build and get a pleasing result out of the model. See my “How to paint an IJA tank” thread when you get to the painting stage for easy steps.
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Thanks for the tutorial. I have this same kit in my stash (actually won it in a club drawing), but haven’t gotten around to building it. Only heard good things about it any your handy guide will be a good start!
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