In Box Review of IGB Models 1/72nd Scale
Type 2 HO-I Japanese Infantry Support Tank
HISTORY:
The Type 2 Gun tank Ho-I Ni-shiki hōsensha Ho-I) Support Tank was a derivative of the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
Similar in concept to early variant of the German Panzer IV, it was designed as a self-propelled howitzer to provide the close-in fire support for standard Japanese medium tanks with additional firepower against enemy anti-tank fortifications.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Infantry support tank
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Army
Produced: 1942-1944
No. built: 31
Weight: 16.1 tons
Length: 5.73 m (18 ft 10 in)
Width: 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: 12–50 mm
Main armament: 75 mm Type 99 Gun
Secondary armament: 1 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Engine: Mitsubishi Type 100 air cooled V-12 diesel of 240 hp (179 kW)
Power/weight: 14.9 hp/tonne
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 100 km
Speed: 44 km/h (27 mph)
The Type 2 Gun tank Ho-I Ni-shiki hōsensha Ho-I) Support Tank was a derivative of the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
Similar in concept to early variant of the German Panzer IV, it was designed as a self-propelled howitzer to provide the close-in fire support for standard Japanese medium tanks with additional firepower against enemy anti-tank fortifications.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Infantry support tank
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Army
Produced: 1942-1944
No. built: 31
Weight: 16.1 tons
Length: 5.73 m (18 ft 10 in)
Width: 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: 12–50 mm
Main armament: 75 mm Type 99 Gun
Secondary armament: 1 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Engine: Mitsubishi Type 100 air cooled V-12 diesel of 240 hp (179 kW)
Power/weight: 14.9 hp/tonne
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 100 km
Speed: 44 km/h (27 mph)
THE KIT:
IBM Models is based in Warsaw, Poland. They are prolific manufacturer of armor, ship and aircraft models in the popular scales. IBG stands for International Business Group.
This kit came in a un-shrink-wrapped blousey tray and lid type box. The kit is 4" too long and 4" too wide, creating a letter "L" void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Type 2 HO-I tank parked on a grassy field next to a large tree. A snow-covered mountain is in the distance and it may be Mount Kilimanjaro ??
The tank is in a wave pattern of two greens and tan with a white Japanese symbol on the side of the turret. However, this marking is not on the decal sheet.
One corner of the box art has a white circle with a black and white illustration of the tank and the words "Includes 2 figures" below it.
Three Japanese crew-men are standing next to the tank having a conversation. They are all dressed in tan uniforms and two of them are leaning on their rifles.
One side panel begins with IBG Model's street address in Warsaw, Poland, their telephone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses.
This is followed by "Not suitable for children under 14 years, because of small parts. Plastic adhesive and paint not included. Instructions for assembly inside the box. In Polish, German and English.
Three color box arts of other 1/72nd scale tank kits IBG Models manufactures are shown:
kit no. 72057, a Type E-3 OHI-NU Japanese medium tank, that includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72041, a Type 89 Japanese medium tank OTSU, that includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72060, a 9178 Japanese tank GABI, that includes 2 figures.
IBM Models is based in Warsaw, Poland. They are prolific manufacturer of armor, ship and aircraft models in the popular scales. IBG stands for International Business Group.
This kit came in a un-shrink-wrapped blousey tray and lid type box. The kit is 4" too long and 4" too wide, creating a letter "L" void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Type 2 HO-I tank parked on a grassy field next to a large tree. A snow-covered mountain is in the distance and it may be Mount Kilimanjaro ??
The tank is in a wave pattern of two greens and tan with a white Japanese symbol on the side of the turret. However, this marking is not on the decal sheet.
One corner of the box art has a white circle with a black and white illustration of the tank and the words "Includes 2 figures" below it.
Three Japanese crew-men are standing next to the tank having a conversation. They are all dressed in tan uniforms and two of them are leaning on their rifles.
One side panel begins with IBG Model's street address in Warsaw, Poland, their telephone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses.
This is followed by "Not suitable for children under 14 years, because of small parts. Plastic adhesive and paint not included. Instructions for assembly inside the box. In Polish, German and English.
Three color box arts of other 1/72nd scale tank kits IBG Models manufactures are shown:
kit no. 72057, a Type E-3 OHI-NU Japanese medium tank, that includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72041, a Type 89 Japanese medium tank OTSU, that includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72060, a 9178 Japanese tank GABI, that includes 2 figures.
The other side panel repeats IBG Model's addresses, phone and Fax numbers, followed by 3 color walk-around type illustrations of the tank in the box art scheme.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 5 medium-gray trees and 2 loose medium-gray tracks and wheels sections in a clear sealed cello bag, a brass PE fret and decal sheet in another sealed cello bag with a stiff white card to prevent the PE fret from bending.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 8 pages in 9 1/2" x 13" page format. Printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a color repeat of the box art, over assembly symbol explanations, illustrations of the decal sheet and PE fret in color and a suggested paint color listing and IBG Model's street address in Warsaw, Poland.
The kit contains 5 medium-gray trees and 2 loose medium-gray tracks and wheels sections in a clear sealed cello bag, a brass PE fret and decal sheet in another sealed cello bag with a stiff white card to prevent the PE fret from bending.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 8 pages in 9 1/2" x 13" page format. Printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a color repeat of the box art, over assembly symbol explanations, illustrations of the decal sheet and PE fret in color and a suggested paint color listing and IBG Model's street address in Warsaw, Poland.
Page 2 to the top of page 6 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 6 has a black and white 2-view illustrations of the model made up.
Page 7 shows 5 color box arts of other 1/72nd scale Japanese tanks that IBM Models manufactures:
Kit no. 72057, a Type 3 CHI-NU Japanese Medium tank. Includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette.
Kit no. 72037, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU. Includes 2 figures.
Kit no 72046, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette with 37mm gun.
Kit no. 72040, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU.
Page 8 is the marking and painting guide, showing a 4-view of the tank in the box art scheme.
The bottom of page 6 has a black and white 2-view illustrations of the model made up.
Page 7 shows 5 color box arts of other 1/72nd scale Japanese tanks that IBM Models manufactures:
Kit no. 72057, a Type 3 CHI-NU Japanese Medium tank. Includes 2 figures.
Kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette.
Kit no. 72037, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU. Includes 2 figures.
Kit no 72046, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette with 37mm gun.
Kit no. 72040, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU.
Page 8 is the marking and painting guide, showing a 4-view of the tank in the box art scheme.
Trees are alphabetized and have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Medium-gray letter D tree holds the figures. One is seated and the other one is standing. They are full bodied with separate arms. (4 parts) This tree is not illustrated in the instructions.
Medium-gray letter D tree holds the figures. One is seated and the other one is standing. They are full bodied with separate arms. (4 parts) This tree is not illustrated in the instructions.
Lettering jumps to the medium-gray letter F tree. It holds the hull tub part (1 part)
Lettering jumps again to the medium-gray letter H trees. There are 2 identical trees. They each hold: idler wheels, road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, headlights, tow rings etc. (17 parts each)
Next are the track runs with the inside wheels molded onto them. They are not alphabetized. (2 parts)
Lettering jumps again to the medium-gray letter J tree. It holds: the turret parts and main gun etc. (6 parts)
Lettering jumps again to the medium-gray letter L tree. It holds: the hull roof, machine gun, shovel, pick, mufflers, front vision plate, hatch door, suspension arms etc. (22 parts)
The decal sheet is next.
The photo etch parts complete the model.
This is a nicely detailed kit. I really like kits that are not the constant diet of WWII German armor.
Highly recommended.
I want to thank the folks at IBG Models in Warsaw, Poland for this sample.
IBG can be reached at:
Highly recommended.
I want to thank the folks at IBG Models in Warsaw, Poland for this sample.
IBG can be reached at:
By e-mail at:
[email protected]
[email protected]