JGSDF Type 61 Tank Finemolds 1/35

I’ll make the first Japanese-made tank of Ground Self-Defense Force, Type 61.

First, the chassis box assembly. I thought this kind of process is rare in Finemolds. If I look at the blog of Finemolds tank which I made in the past, it is skipped around here, so the other WWII tank kit might be a part of the box from the beginning.

Is it to reproduce the shape that the rim of the wheel part protrudes inward? It is a separate part.

This is the best part this time. It is a partial connection type track part.

I cut out only one side to see if I could assemble it well.
(2021/01/30)

I think it is much better than the belt type, as the parts fit tightly and it is easy to assemble.

I’ve almost finished assembling the tank body.

The photo-etched parts on the left are included in the kit. It’s only a muffler cover, so I bought the photo-etched parts sold separately this time. Usually, I don’t use separately sold parts. Ah, but I often used it for the ship model.

It got a little dirty, but it mostly stuck. It somehow looks good with a mesh cover.

The slight curve of the muffler cover has a jig, so I could fit it easily.
(2021/02/01)

It is difficult to assemble the light guard. We can see the detailed appearance before painting, and this is how photo-etched parts are assembled. Even if I look at the plastic parts, they have a sense of precision, so I don’t think photo-etched parts are essential.

Is the shield cover made of canvas? I prefer the mold. However, there was no mold for the shield cover to be attached to the turret, so I added photo-etched parts from the past kits remaining. The round screw-like thing is added with photo-curing putty.

Since the separately sold photo-etched parts were well made, it would have been better if the stopper of the shield cover had been molded or etched parts. I think it’s better to include these photo-etched parts from the beginning even if the price is a little higher. Some people prefer simple work, so it’s hard to say etched parts are essential, but I recommend this kit.

I had an impression that the Type 61 tank was very cool. It looks strong.
(2021/02/03)

I leaned the antenna a little. The etched parts of the antenna guard are thin and delicate and fragile.

I took a lot of pictures because I was excited after assembling. They were all in the same picture. My impressions so far and the assembly manual of the Finemolds are very easy to understand. They understand modelers’ feelings in detail.

For the time being, I am going to use the black and white airbrush which is the source of gradation first. Black makes it hard to see what is leftover in the small areas.

The color of Creos C518, Olivedrab color #2314 is the color of the Ground Self-Defense Force tank. I used this one this time. I don’t see SDF vehicles in direct view very often, but I think the colors are quite well reproduced compared to what I sometimes see on the Internet or TV news. No, I don’t know much about the vehicles of the Ground Self-Defense Force, but when I painted them, I felt very good.

What? I’m finally finished with the basic paint and I’m getting excited to put on a Type 61 tank decal, but the whole decal sheet is nowhere to be found. That’s strange, but when I think back, I don’t remember seeing it when I was assembling it. I bought it with photo-etched parts at a mass retailer by mail order, so unlike second-hand kits, it doesn’t seem to have been lost on the way. Either it was not in from the beginning or I lost it by myself during the assembly. I wonder if it was lost due to my carelessness. I’ve been making plastic models for quite a long time and I’ve never lost a whole decal sheet.
I’m shocked. I haven’t checked the contents of the stacking kit. Some parts may be missing. I am looking for something that can be used from a Type 60 armored car that has not been assembled.
(2021/02/05)

Finemolds’ Type 61 tank is completed. I ended up borrowing the Hinomaru Japanese flag from another kit because the decal was lost. Now you know that it is at least a Japanese tank.

The vehicle number was cut and pasted from the surplus of the Self-Defense Force vehicle of Tamiya which was made a long time ago. It may not make sense that it is a fictitious number. I thought I wouldn’t be able to see the number when I weathered, but I could see it clearly.

According to the manual of Finemolds, the height of the Type 61 tank was required as low as possible at the beginning of development, but in the end, it was slightly higher than the initial plan considering the operability of the tank. Looking from the side, I think it is well-balanced and cool.

The crew consists of four people: the driver, the loader, the gunner, and the captain. A total of 560 vehicles were produced.

It is a detail that makes me feel good to use them separately sold etched parts.

Since there was no decal with the white mark of the Ground Self-Defense Force, I applied the American star mark and trimmed the sharp part with a brush. It didn’t turn out very well. It is very difficult to paint the same color with a brush, especially lacquer paint when I blow with an airbrush. I wish I could fix a little more with enamel when I weathered… But it might have been better to cut the American Star Decal with a design knife first.

I heard that the exterior accessories are often painted in the same color as the vehicle body, but considering the model appearance, the handle parts such as shovels and axes are always made of wood and the metal parts are painted black.

The base of the antenna is made of very fine etched parts. It feels quite precise.

I am painting a tank crew of the Ground Self-Defense Force, so when it is completed, I will combine the members who fit this tank.

According to the explanation of the Finemolds, the former Sherman tanks and the Chaffee tanks used by the Ground Self-Defense Force were too big for the Japanese body size. It is easier to move in a more compact tank inside. But that might have made it harder for a small Asian or Hispanic soldier in the U.S. Army to move in a tank. Well, I think it’s better than the inside of the tank being too small…

I’ve heard that a very large person cannot join the Navy, especially if he is a submarine crew. Smaller people are more comfortable.

If I have another chance, I would like to make a tank of Ground Self-Defense Force. But before that, I think I will make a Type 60 armored car first, with a part of the decal already cut off.
(2021/02/10)