It’s an Imperial Army tank crew. Now that I’ve started this tank soldier, I want to build some Imperial Japanese tanks soon. I have two Finemolds kits; this time, I chose set #2.
These figures are all tiny. Probably less than 160 cm. I guess the Japanese were all small in size during World War II, so the set considered that.
The expression on the head is Japanese. After much hesitation, I decided to replace it with a head with a different company’s head. I think this has good taste because it is the original form of the famous Yoshitaka Hirano. Let’s keep it safe.
The neck is difficult to work. The neck joint is somewhat unique, so it’s hard to match other heads. Add the neck with round plastic slices and serve the patties. This kind of work is difficult.
Before painting, I bought several of them in bulk long ago, so I decided to use them in various ways, including Mr. Take’s head. Some parts were quite handsome. I used to like the head that came with the 1/32 Raiden because it was the original model of Mr. Take.
（2018/02/02）
Finemolds explains that the clothing worn by the tank crew of the Imperial Army was generally work clothes, considering the ease of movement and the environment for maintenance and boarding. It is said that he sometimes used work gloves when maneuvering or fighting. In this production, I painted everything with bare hands.
He is a tank officer in Type 98 military uniform. He has a military sword and a pair of binoculars in one hand. I can’t fit into the turret’s hatch because he has a military sword.
I tried my best to paint his face, but the shape of his white eyes was a bit… I tried to put the reflected light in his eyes, but it was useless.
A tank soldier in work clothes rests with a water bottle in one hand. I only had a stand like this, but if I made a tank, I might him sit it on the edge of the fender.
The eyeliner was too strong, but sometimes people look like this. Kabuki actors.
I like the pose, the look, the finish, and the overall balance of this figure. The neck area is also natural.
I like this figure because it has a relatively simple look.
It was helpful to have a lot of decals. Class insignia is not such a complicated pattern, but decals are easier.
I feel like his fingers are too thick.
A noncommissioned officer gave the order to attack. He has one knee on the platform, so it’s a little hard to decorate, but it’s like this.
I used Vallejo Model Colors such as khaki gray, flat brown, and khaki. White and black are mixed here and there to create shades.
I didn’t know much about mold, so that I couldn’t draw a military sword in detail, but I drew a bit of metal by imagination.
I’m not very used to painting khaki uniforms, but I think they were finished to look like Imperial Army soldiers.
It was challenging to work on the base of the neck, so I changed the head, but it didn’t affect it, which was a bit disappointing. I rather like the color of the military uniform. Having only tank soldiers is not bad, but I’ll put them alongside tanks. I think some Imperial Japanese tank kits were in the back of the cardboard.
(2018/02/04)
Now that I’ve completed a Finemolds Type 4 medium tank, I’ve paired it with an Imperial Army tank crew I’ve made before.
Sitting figures are surprisingly easier to fit anywhere. The assault captain-like figure is hard to hold in place.
（2018/03/10）
I am interested in models of tanks, airplanes, ships, military figures, I build them little by little when I feel like it. I am also interested in the history of war. My starting is Tamiya’s Military Miniature series in elementary school.
From elementary school through university students repeatedly suspend and restart my modeling, it’s about 25 years of this hobby’s history.
From February 2007 I was quietly doing a site called “Miniature-Arcadia”. It is being transferred to this blog with the same name from December 2016. My update pace is uneven, but please come to see me here occasionally.
