In Box Review of Airfix 1/32nd Scale
Japanese Infantry 1941-1945
Kit no. 03584-2
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2005
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2005
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Japanese soldier was perhaps the most ruthless of all the fighting men in WWII. He was intensely loyal to his superiors, and gave and asked no quarter in combat, preferring death to surrender.
Through the early victories in Burma and Malaya, he was convinced of his invincibility, but the stubbornness of the Allied resistance at such places as Imphal and Kohima in 1944 gradually dispelled that belief.
Even in defeat, the Japanese soldier continued to fight doggedly on.
Losses were enormous and whole units were cut to pieces in suicidal attacks against numerically superior forces.
Average height of an infantryman was 5ft 3in, while age varied between 19 and 45. Staple diet consisted of rice, dried fish and fruit, augmented by captured stocks of western food.
Weapons were comprised of the 6.5mm bolt-action Arisaka rifle with a 5 shot magazine, the 8mm Type 100 submachine gun and the 6.5mm Type 96 light machine gun. Officers generally carried a sword as a symbol of authority, plus an 8mm automatic pistol.
The Airfix multipose sets provide a series of 1/32nd scale figures.
Head, torso, legs and arms are interchangeable and together with the numerous items of equipment provide an infinite variety of choice. With the purchase of further sets, the possibilities are endless.
Illustrated in the instructions are six figures. Individual poses can be done.
The Japanese soldier was perhaps the most ruthless of all the fighting men in WWII. He was intensely loyal to his superiors, and gave and asked no quarter in combat, preferring death to surrender.
Through the early victories in Burma and Malaya, he was convinced of his invincibility, but the stubbornness of the Allied resistance at such places as Imphal and Kohima in 1944 gradually dispelled that belief.
Even in defeat, the Japanese soldier continued to fight doggedly on.
Losses were enormous and whole units were cut to pieces in suicidal attacks against numerically superior forces.
Average height of an infantryman was 5ft 3in, while age varied between 19 and 45. Staple diet consisted of rice, dried fish and fruit, augmented by captured stocks of western food.
Weapons were comprised of the 6.5mm bolt-action Arisaka rifle with a 5 shot magazine, the 8mm Type 100 submachine gun and the 6.5mm Type 96 light machine gun. Officers generally carried a sword as a symbol of authority, plus an 8mm automatic pistol.
The Airfix multipose sets provide a series of 1/32nd scale figures.
Head, torso, legs and arms are interchangeable and together with the numerous items of equipment provide an infinite variety of choice. With the purchase of further sets, the possibilities are endless.
Illustrated in the instructions are six figures. Individual poses can be done.
THE KIT:
Airfix is an old prolific model company based in London, England. They manufacture many subjects.
This kit came in a taped-shut end-opening type box.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 6 Japanese infantrymen in a forest.
They all wear sand colored shirts, olive-drab trousers bloused into wrap around type puties over low black shoes. Three men wear sand yellow helmets and the other three wear and yellow cloth caps with bills and ear flaps.
Reading left to right, the 1st man is prone and manning a 6.5mm Type 96 machine gun on bipod.
The 2nd man is advancing with a 6.5mm Arisaka rifle. It has a Japanese flag attached to its strap.
The 3rd man behind the 2nd man is aiming his Arisaka rifle.
The 4th man is advancing holding his Arisaka rifle up. It has a bayonet attached.
The 5th man is an officer. He holds a samurai sword in his right hand and a automatic pistol in his left hand. He has the holster for the pistol on his belt, along with the scabbard for the sword.
The 6th man is kneeling on one knee. He is firing his 8mm Type 100 submachine gun.
One side panel of the box says the name of the kit and gives Airfix’s street address in London, England.
Airfix is an old prolific model company based in London, England. They manufacture many subjects.
This kit came in a taped-shut end-opening type box.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 6 Japanese infantrymen in a forest.
They all wear sand colored shirts, olive-drab trousers bloused into wrap around type puties over low black shoes. Three men wear sand yellow helmets and the other three wear and yellow cloth caps with bills and ear flaps.
Reading left to right, the 1st man is prone and manning a 6.5mm Type 96 machine gun on bipod.
The 2nd man is advancing with a 6.5mm Arisaka rifle. It has a Japanese flag attached to its strap.
The 3rd man behind the 2nd man is aiming his Arisaka rifle.
The 4th man is advancing holding his Arisaka rifle up. It has a bayonet attached.
The 5th man is an officer. He holds a samurai sword in his right hand and a automatic pistol in his left hand. He has the holster for the pistol on his belt, along with the scabbard for the sword.
The 6th man is kneeling on one knee. He is firing his 8mm Type 100 submachine gun.
One side panel of the box says the name of the kit and gives Airfix’s street address in London, England.
The other side panel of the box has color illustrations of the flags of England, France and Germany and says that the kit contains instructions in these countries- languages.
The box bottom shows color illustrations of the 6 figures shown in alternate poses, over the parts trees illustrations and a red badge that says the kit holds over 100 parts (that is true. I count 104).
It then says: All parts are interchangeable, giving a wide range of poses.
It then says: All parts are interchangeable, giving a wide range of poses.
Included with the kit is a full color water slide transfer of authentic badges and a strip of polystyrene sheet that may be used for making slings, belts etc.
For best results use the following Airfix paint colors.
Airfix Products reserves the right to amend the specification of this kit.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 chalk-white parts trees, a strip of white polystyrene to use to make straps, and the decal sheet in one sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 6 ¼” x 16 ¾” page format, folded 3 times to fit the box.
The face side of the instructions gives the history of the Japanese infantry, over 5 assembly steps that are alphabetized letters A to E, instead of numbered.
The reverse side of the instructions begins with the 6th assembly step letter F, over illustrations of weapons and field gear, uniform insignias and information about the insignias use and placement on uniforms. With their names in English, French and German.
The first chalk-white tree holds: 3 figures (showing their heads, lower bodies and arms) all the guns, 3 rolled tarps, 2 bayonets loose and 5 in scabbards, 5 shovels in pouches, samurai sword in scabbard, 6 canvas pouches, pistol and its holster and 2 oval base plates (51 parts)
Airfix Products reserves the right to amend the specification of this kit.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 chalk-white parts trees, a strip of white polystyrene to use to make straps, and the decal sheet in one sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 6 ¼” x 16 ¾” page format, folded 3 times to fit the box.
The face side of the instructions gives the history of the Japanese infantry, over 5 assembly steps that are alphabetized letters A to E, instead of numbered.
The reverse side of the instructions begins with the 6th assembly step letter F, over illustrations of weapons and field gear, uniform insignias and information about the insignias use and placement on uniforms. With their names in English, French and German.
The first chalk-white tree holds: 3 figures (showing their heads, lower bodies and arms) all the guns, 3 rolled tarps, 2 bayonets loose and 5 in scabbards, 5 shovels in pouches, samurai sword in scabbard, 6 canvas pouches, pistol and its holster and 2 oval base plates (51 parts)
The second chalk-white tree holds: the other 3 figures (showing their torsos, lower bodies and arms) 6 canteens, 6 respirator bags, 3 steel helmets, 3 cloth caps with bills and ear flaps, gun bipod, 3 oval base plates, 11 pouches, 3 ammo clips, samurai sword and bayonet ( 53 parts)
The chalk-white strip of polystyrene to use to make straps and the decal sheet complete the kits contents.
Detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.