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Forums - Site / Build Logs

Messages in this Build Logs forum are automatically posted when new Build Logs or Chapters are added. Other modellers can then comment on them. Refer to the Build Logs section for more information.

Topics  81
Messages  3070
 Subject:  [BLOG] Japanese Type 97 Shi-KiList thread.  
  
 Date:  Jun 22, 2003
 From:  Michael Bedard 
Japanese Type 97 Shi-Ki

As many who visit this site may know I do a lot of WW II Japanese armor. Within the last 5 years therer have been a lot of WW II Japanese armor pieces introduced by Fine Molds. Still compared to other nations there are few plastic kits on the subject.

There were a wide variety of Japanese tanks used during WW II and this model represents one of the lesser know variants of the Type 97 medium. This is a conversion consisting of Tamiya's Type 97 Chi-Ha, MR Models Shi-Ki resin converion, Eduard Type 97 P.E. set, Fruilmodel Type 97 tracks and Fine Molds Type 94 37mm gun barrel.

The Type 97 Shi-Ki was a command tank. Differences over the standard Type 97 were the replacement of the turret with a smaller turret, 57mm main gun was removed to the hull and replaced with a 37mm gun, upper glacious plat flattened to a single piece and dual headlights. Most information that I have states that they were used for training in Japan but I plan to make mine a veteran vehicle of the Phillipines ( a bit of fantasy)

There is some cutting to the upper hull of the Tamiya kit involved to adapt the resin conversion. Even after careful cutting and sanding there were gaps that needed to be filled that was accomplished by using A+B epxoy putty. Many handles were replaced with brass wire. Grantline Conical bolts were used to replace any bolts that were sanded off during construction along with detailing where they were absent.

The Eduard P.E. kit is great especially where the muffler is concerned. Not only do they give a screen that replaces the kit part but also the muffler itself. After bending I soldered the muffler together placing the seam on the down side. Detail Master muffler flanges and Grantline bolts were also used to detail the mufflers.

Look careful on the detail shots and you will notice on the roadwheels chips taken out of the rubber. This was accomplished using a rasp file. Another detail shot shows the MR Models 37mm gun barrel (could have used Viagra) and why it was replaced with the Fine Molds barrel.

Right now the model is ready to paint once the metal parts have been primed using Floquil Figure Primer. I use an acrylic paint to finish my models and it is imperative to prime the metal parts or otherwise the paint just will not adhere properly.
 
Thread Listing 
  [BLOG] Japanese Type 97 Shi-Ki - Michael Bedard - Jun 22, 2003
. . . [Chapter] mufflers - Michael Bedard - Jun 22, 2003
. . . [Chapter] barrel replacement - Michael Bedard - Jun 23, 2003
. . . . . . Re: [Chapter] barrel replacement - Warrink - Jun 23, 2003
. . . . . . . . . Re: [Chapter] barrel replacement - Michael Bedard - Jun 24, 2003
. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: [Chapter] barrel replacement - Warrink - Jun 27, 2003
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: [Chapter] barrel replacement [IMG] - Mike Bedard - Jun 28, 2003
. . . [Chapter] details on rear - Michael Bedard - Jun 24, 2003
. . . [Chapter] tool mounts - Michael Bedard - Jun 25, 2003
. . . . . . Re:Other Changes - David Harper - Jun 26, 2003
. . . . . . . . . Re:Other Changes - Michael Bedard - Jun 26, 2003
. . . [Chapter] underside - Michael Bedard - Jun 26, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Ready to paint - Michael Bedard - Jun 27, 2003
. . . [Chapter] primed - Michael Bedard - Jun 28, 2003
. . . [Chapter] added detail - Michael Bedard - Jul 17, 2003
. . . [Chapter] worn rubber - Michael Bedard - Jul 19, 2003
. . . [Chapter] corrected detail - Michael Bedard - Jul 21, 2003
. . . [Chapter] camouflage painting - Michael Bedard - Jul 22, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Wash, drybrush plus - Michael Bedard - Aug 18, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Finishing the Tools - Michael Bedard - Nov 9, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Finishing the Mufflers - Michael Bedard - Nov 11, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Tracks - Michael Bedard - Nov 12, 2003
. . . [Chapter] Wear Areas - Michael Bedard - Nov 14, 2003
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