Barcode: 0 89195 87397 2
Packaging: 48 Pieces per carton
Box Size: 6.4" x 10.2" x 1.9"
Brand New Tooling!!!
Features:
- Newly tooled IJA Type 97 delicately produced
- New sprocket wheels w/breathtaking details
- New idler wheels and road wheels accurately produced
- Sharply produced on-vehicle tools
- Hollow exhaust pipe w/photo-etched exhaust cover
- Intricate cooling grill included
- Upper hull w/rivet detail molded on
- Slide-molded lower hull molded w/details
- Realistic 57mm Type 97 gun and two 7.7mm Type 97 MGs included
- Cupola can be assembled open/closed
- Rear hull details accurately produced
Dragon recently came up with the first of some scintillating new subjects in
its series of 1/72 scale plastic kits. The first item was a Japanese Type 95
Ha-Go light tank, and now another Japanese subject is added to the collection.
The addition is a Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, Japan’s most widely produced medium
tank of WWII. Boasting a short-barreled 57mm main gun and two Type 97 machine
guns, this tank was intended to serve as an up-scaled version of the Type 95
for infantry support. Armor protection was modest on this vehicle built mainly
by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A total of 2,123 tanks were built from 1938-43,
although 930 of these were of the improved Type 97 Kai version featuring a higher-velocity
47mm gun. The tank could move at a speed of 38km/h.
Dragon’s 1/72 scale model shows such a Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank. Like the
preceding Ha-Go light tank (#7394), this model makes wide use of slide-mold
technology. The lower hull, for instance, is made as one piece with all details
molded on. The same goes for the intricate slide-molded turret. To ensure easy
and accurate assembly, the upper hull comes as a single piece too. The DS track
runs on idler wheels, return rollers and 1st and 6th road wheels that are all
slide-molded. Slide molds also enable the main cannon and machine gun muzzles
to be hollow. Finally, a photo-etched part is provided for the muffler. Modelers
will be delighted with Dragon’s rendition of this widely used Japanese medium
tank!
