New to me on the 3D printed model market is SSModel from China. While searching for new IJA tank kits, I happened upon this kit on AliExpress. They have about ten kits listed on AliExpress, all unique and rare variants. I decided to take a shot and am happy to report that everything is on the up and up. I received my kit in about 2 weeks. SSModel also lists on Amazon and Ebay, but I found searching for their models more difficult. This kit is large and was $84.00. I found the contents of the box to be well worth the price.
The Type 91 was an inter-war / early war heavy tank that only had one built. It has three turrets, utilizing the “land battleship” concept popular at the time. However, it was underpowered and undergunned, and soon was superseded by more modern medium tank designs.
The kit comes in a sturdy cardboard box and is very safely packed. My kit arrived with no broken parts.
Upon opening and unwrapping the hull, I was pleasantly amazed. This kit is of the highest print quality, detail, and accuracy (according to limited references). There is not a print line to be found on this kit, except for three faint lines I detected on the sloped glacis. See photo.
Easily taken care of with a sanding stick. The rest of the model is smooth as a baby’s butt and the detail is sharp. According to a modeler on Missing Lynx fit and finish are excellent - SS Model 1/35 IJA Type 91 (3D Print) - Missing-Lynx
This is leaps and bounds above other 3D printed kits I have purchased. This is a fantastic kit of a special tank. I will not hesitate to order from SSModels again.
I must agree the detail is very clean and crisp. Releasing the structure from the railings looks as though it was a daunting undertaking. What a beauty. I’m looking forward to your further postings.
Cheers, Doug.
The only criticism of SS Models is the fact that all their models have hatches printed shut. The resin used is quite brittle and could result in a ruined model if you try to cut, or saw the hatch open. Another point; if faced with a choice, choose the one with a high V1 number, ie; V1.7; V1.8. The higher the number after the decimal point denotes the most recent version, and improved, model.
Wade, this tank would have what was referred to as “Japanese Style” camouflage (which the French adapted), hard edged patches outlined in thin black lines. In the case of pre / early war Japanese armor, it was cream, green, brown, and khaki outlined in black.
Hi SSG Toms,
Thank you for the Missing-Lynx shout out.
This is a great kit and Chen at SSModel made it as a personal request, which was great of them.
I have given them feedback on the kit and the next version update will have them resolved.
If you look at the tracks the bottom half run in the oposite direction to the top, half reversed if that makes sence, I just cut them at the off at the appropriate link and turned them around.
Also they mirrored the running gear and fenders, but the hull on one side is different from the other, so the fenders don’t fit.
Chen has said that they will send new parts if you need them, I got by, but it’s a kind offer and they listen to modellers
That said it’s a brilliant kit as you have mentioned, and agree happy to buy from them with confidence. They have more products on the ebay site that the Aliexpress one.
Your pictures are a lot better than my foggy phone pics.
Looking forward to your progress.
Regatds
Lou
BTW I found it easier to remove the return rollers and fit them to the hull then add the running gear.
For those that are interested in this, SS Model is currently working on version 2.0, as noted by Lou, so it is temporarily unavailable on both Ebay and AliExpress.
