Dragon Military 1/72 IJA Type 97 Chi-Ha Late Production Tank Kit

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!

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