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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Re: Type 97 Chi-Ha colors |  |
| Date: | Apr 25, 2008 |
| From: | Steve Blankenship | |
Tom,
There are two basic color schemes for Japanese tanks, including Type 97's depending upon the time frame in which they were manufactured. During the early years of the Pacific war they would have used a 3-tone scheme of earth brown, green and mahogany, with bands of yellow painted over the vehicles roughly in a cross pattern - intersecting on or near the turret. The shade of green used, at least on vehicles like the Type 95 and Type 97 seems to have been the same green used on Mitusbishi navy aircraft. At some point, in tropical locations, the green paint used was the same as used on Japanese army aircraft.
Vehicles manufactured later on in the war were painted in a 3-tone scheme of parched grass (a sand yellow), green and mahogany. These colors are available as a set from Gunze Sangyo.
With both color schemes, the gun barrel and mantlett were usually painted in a khaki brown - a mixture of the khaki paint used on other pieces of military equpment and a red-brown primer. The gun barrels and mantlets were painted this oolor because of its rust-inhibiting qualities.
Quite a few late model Type 97 tanks, with the larger turret and 47mm gun would have been painted in the early war color scheme with yellow bands. This includes vehicles used on Saipan and in the Philippines in 1944.
Self-propelled guns like the Ho-ni, and medium tanks like the Type 1 Chi-he and Type 3 Chi-nu would have been painted in the 3-tone late war scheme. |
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