I am looking to build a Japanese tank. As far as subject goes, I want something that was actually used, not an experimental tank or one that never left the home islands. Other than that, I don’t care which. I do want 1/35.
My priorities in a kit are, in order: Accuracy, Detail, fit/instructions. Availability is a concern but not the driving one. Cost is the lowest priority for this project. Not a resin kit.
Any suggestions?
Get the Tamiya Type 97 Chi Ha. Although old, it was designed by a special team and is very accurate. It’s a great kit and fit is excellent.
100% agree there. It meets all of your parameters.
Almost any of the Fine Molds kits would probably do, too. I’ve only built one, but it fit well. The main snag was that I had one with soft plastic tracks, which were too short, so I got a Friul set instead. However, more recent releases have link-and-length track with built-in sag.
Fine Molds kits should be your first choice, alternatly the ones from Dragon (Type 95 & Type 97) but they are not always available. The most recent Type 95 Ha-Go sets from Fine Molds (FM48, FM58, MR01 & 36501) come with link and length tracks aswell and are very nice to builds as they are retooled, brand new and accurate. The instructions are quite easy to follow aswell.
I second the Fruil track. There was quite amount of slack and the metal track represents it well.