In Box Review of DML Dragon 1/35th Scale
IJN Type 2 (KA-MI) Amphious Tank
W/Floating Pontoon, Early Production
Smart Kit
Kit no. 6916
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $62.33 (converting yen to dollars)
Kit no. 6916
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $62.33 (converting yen to dollars)
HISTORY:
The Special Type 2 Launch Ka-Mi, (Toku-ni-shiki uchibitei kami) was the first amphibious tank of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the Imperial Japanese Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank with major modifications.
As early as 1928, the Japanese Army had been developing amphibious tanks and created several experimental models such as the Sumida Amphibious Armored Car (AMP), SR-I, SR-II Ro-Go, SR-III Ha-Go, which were produced only as one-off prototypes for concept testing in the 1930s. Each of the SR series were 3.6 to 7 tonne amphibious tanks with a 2 to 3 man crew, and armed with machine guns.
In 1940, the IJN took over development of amphibious vehicles. Mitisubishi used the knowledge gained from the SR program and the Type 95 Ha-Go as a base. The Type 1 Mi-Sha a/k/a/ "Type 1 Floating Tank Ka-Mi" was the first IJN prototype produced.
The Type 1 led to the development of the Type 2 Ka-Mi being produced in 1942. The Type 2 Ka-Mi was designed for the Navy's Special Naval Landing Forces for the amphibious invasion of Pacific Islands without adequate port facilities, and for various special operations missions.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi tanks were organized into "several amphibious tank units". Beginning in 1942, only 182 to 184 units of this tank were built.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but with an all-welded hull with rubber seals in place of the riveted armor. It was intended to be water-tight. Large, hollow pontoons made from steel plates were attached to the front glacis plate and rear decking to give the necessary buoyancy.
The front pontoon was internally divided into two "symmetrical sections" and each one was divided into three separate watertight compartments to minimize the effects of damage from flooding and shellfire. The pontoons were attached by a system of "small clips" with a release inside the tank, to be engaged once it landed for ground combat operations.
Its gun turret had a high-velocity Type 1 37 mm gun and a coaxial Type 97 light machine gun. A second Type 97 light machine gun was located in the tank's bow.
The tank was capable of attaining speeds of 10 km/h in the water with a range of 140 km through two propellers situated at the rear of the hull, powered by the tank's engine.
Steering was in the control of the tank commander, who operated a pair of rudders from the turret through cables. The crew included an onboard mechanic. It was the "best designed amphibious tank of the war".
The Type 2 Ka-Mi came into active service after the initial campaigns of World War II, and thus for the most part was too late to be used in its original design mission of amphibious landings. Many units were assigned to naval garrison detachments in the South Pacific Mandate and in the Netherlands East Indies.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was first used in combat on Guadalcanal in late 1942. Later they were encountered by the United States Marine Corps in the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands, particularly on Saipan, where they supported the Yokosuka Base Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) in its failed amphibious operation.
They were also used during the fighting on the Philippine island of Leyte in late 1944 when they supported the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf. According to Ralph Zumbro in his book "Tank Aces", several Ka-Mi were destroyed by US Army LVT-1s off the coast of Leyte during history's only amphibious tank vs. amphibious tank action; this is doubtful however, as most Ka-Mi tanks were destroyed after they came ashore.
A handful more were captured by US Army troops on Luzon in 1945, as well as several others captured by Australian and Commonwealth troops.
The Kubinka Tank Museum in Moscow, Russia has a Type 2 Ka-Mi on display, complete with its front and rear pontoons. A near complete hull is located near the airport in Babeldaob, Palau. Another specimen is located in Koror, Palau.
The latter is notable in that there is still a heavy anti aircraft machine gun mounted on the rear pontoon. These two tanks were once located in the center of Babeldaop Island in the late 1980s. They had actually been buried by the Japanese either to keep them out of American hands after their surrender, or as defensive fortifications.
After the war they were unearthed by locals. They were subsequently moved, one to the Old Communications center south of the airport, and one to Koror as part of war memorial displays.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Amphibious tank
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Navy
Designed: 1941
Produced: 1942-1943
No. built: 182-184
Weight: 12.3 tons (9.15 tons without flotation pontoons)
Length: 7.42 m (4.80 m without flotation pontoons)
Width: 2.79 m
Height: 2.34 m
Crew: 5
Armor: 6–12 mm front
Main armament: Type 1 37 mm tank gun
Secondary armament: 2× Type 97 7.7 mm machine guns
Engine: Mitsubishi A6120VDe air-cooled inline 6-cylinder diesel of 115 hp (84.6 kW)
Power/weight: 9.3 hp/tonne
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 170 km (on land), 140 km (swimming)
Speed: 37 km/h (on land), 10 km/h (swimming)
The Special Type 2 Launch Ka-Mi, (Toku-ni-shiki uchibitei kami) was the first amphibious tank of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the Imperial Japanese Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank with major modifications.
As early as 1928, the Japanese Army had been developing amphibious tanks and created several experimental models such as the Sumida Amphibious Armored Car (AMP), SR-I, SR-II Ro-Go, SR-III Ha-Go, which were produced only as one-off prototypes for concept testing in the 1930s. Each of the SR series were 3.6 to 7 tonne amphibious tanks with a 2 to 3 man crew, and armed with machine guns.
In 1940, the IJN took over development of amphibious vehicles. Mitisubishi used the knowledge gained from the SR program and the Type 95 Ha-Go as a base. The Type 1 Mi-Sha a/k/a/ "Type 1 Floating Tank Ka-Mi" was the first IJN prototype produced.
The Type 1 led to the development of the Type 2 Ka-Mi being produced in 1942. The Type 2 Ka-Mi was designed for the Navy's Special Naval Landing Forces for the amphibious invasion of Pacific Islands without adequate port facilities, and for various special operations missions.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi tanks were organized into "several amphibious tank units". Beginning in 1942, only 182 to 184 units of this tank were built.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but with an all-welded hull with rubber seals in place of the riveted armor. It was intended to be water-tight. Large, hollow pontoons made from steel plates were attached to the front glacis plate and rear decking to give the necessary buoyancy.
The front pontoon was internally divided into two "symmetrical sections" and each one was divided into three separate watertight compartments to minimize the effects of damage from flooding and shellfire. The pontoons were attached by a system of "small clips" with a release inside the tank, to be engaged once it landed for ground combat operations.
Its gun turret had a high-velocity Type 1 37 mm gun and a coaxial Type 97 light machine gun. A second Type 97 light machine gun was located in the tank's bow.
The tank was capable of attaining speeds of 10 km/h in the water with a range of 140 km through two propellers situated at the rear of the hull, powered by the tank's engine.
Steering was in the control of the tank commander, who operated a pair of rudders from the turret through cables. The crew included an onboard mechanic. It was the "best designed amphibious tank of the war".
The Type 2 Ka-Mi came into active service after the initial campaigns of World War II, and thus for the most part was too late to be used in its original design mission of amphibious landings. Many units were assigned to naval garrison detachments in the South Pacific Mandate and in the Netherlands East Indies.
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was first used in combat on Guadalcanal in late 1942. Later they were encountered by the United States Marine Corps in the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands, particularly on Saipan, where they supported the Yokosuka Base Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) in its failed amphibious operation.
They were also used during the fighting on the Philippine island of Leyte in late 1944 when they supported the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf. According to Ralph Zumbro in his book "Tank Aces", several Ka-Mi were destroyed by US Army LVT-1s off the coast of Leyte during history's only amphibious tank vs. amphibious tank action; this is doubtful however, as most Ka-Mi tanks were destroyed after they came ashore.
A handful more were captured by US Army troops on Luzon in 1945, as well as several others captured by Australian and Commonwealth troops.
The Kubinka Tank Museum in Moscow, Russia has a Type 2 Ka-Mi on display, complete with its front and rear pontoons. A near complete hull is located near the airport in Babeldaob, Palau. Another specimen is located in Koror, Palau.
The latter is notable in that there is still a heavy anti aircraft machine gun mounted on the rear pontoon. These two tanks were once located in the center of Babeldaop Island in the late 1980s. They had actually been buried by the Japanese either to keep them out of American hands after their surrender, or as defensive fortifications.
After the war they were unearthed by locals. They were subsequently moved, one to the Old Communications center south of the airport, and one to Koror as part of war memorial displays.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Amphibious tank
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Navy
Designed: 1941
Produced: 1942-1943
No. built: 182-184
Weight: 12.3 tons (9.15 tons without flotation pontoons)
Length: 7.42 m (4.80 m without flotation pontoons)
Width: 2.79 m
Height: 2.34 m
Crew: 5
Armor: 6–12 mm front
Main armament: Type 1 37 mm tank gun
Secondary armament: 2× Type 97 7.7 mm machine guns
Engine: Mitsubishi A6120VDe air-cooled inline 6-cylinder diesel of 115 hp (84.6 kW)
Power/weight: 9.3 hp/tonne
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 170 km (on land), 140 km (swimming)
Speed: 37 km/h (on land), 10 km/h (swimming)
THE KIT:
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a KA-MI coming ashore past barbed wire and with a shell explosion behind it.
It is overall pale gray with some rust beginning in between plates.
It carries a logo of a white crescent moon with a narrow red horizontal bar across it over 2 red dots and a white bar with a black section in the center.
One side panel of the box has a color 3-view of the box art scheme. This is followed by a white sticker with Platz's name, telephone and FAX number and their web address, over "Not suitable for children under 3 years because of sharp parts", in multiple languages.
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a KA-MI coming ashore past barbed wire and with a shell explosion behind it.
It is overall pale gray with some rust beginning in between plates.
It carries a logo of a white crescent moon with a narrow red horizontal bar across it over 2 red dots and a white bar with a black section in the center.
One side panel of the box has a color 3-view of the box art scheme. This is followed by a white sticker with Platz's name, telephone and FAX number and their web address, over "Not suitable for children under 3 years because of sharp parts", in multiple languages.
Copyright given is 2018. DML Dragon's address in Hong Kong, China and their web address is provided. Kit was made in China.
The other side panel of the box has a web address to go to and see the real tank, see the kit's details and read experts reviews there.
This is followed by black and white photos calling out details: IJN Type 2 (KA-MI) w/floating pontoon, early production) accurately rendered in 1'35th scale. DS tracks molded w/details on both sides. One-piece upper hull made by slide mold. One-piece lower hull made from 3-direction slide mold.
Copyright given is 2018. DML Dragon's address in Hong Kong, China and their web address is provided. Kit was made in China.
The other side panel of the box has a web address to go to and see the real tank, see the kit's details and read experts reviews there.
This is followed by black and white photos calling out details: IJN Type 2 (KA-MI) w/floating pontoon, early production) accurately rendered in 1'35th scale. DS tracks molded w/details on both sides. One-piece upper hull made by slide mold. One-piece lower hull made from 3-direction slide mold.
The bottom of the box has 21 more illustrations of details in the kit in black and white: Slide-molded hydro scope w/crystal-clear pats molded on turret. Delicate conning tower included. Slide-molded drive handle on rear pontoon. Floating pontoon (early production) represented by multiple parts. Early type pontoon represented by multiple parts. Slide-molded rear-pontoon produced. Rubber seals molded on pontoon bottom in either plastic-injection or photo-etched parts as options. Accurately detailed idler adjuster moldings. Detailed track tension adjuster. Suspension mount realistically reproduced. Photo-etched exhaust cover realistically produced. Multi-piece exhaust pipes and muffler offer easy assembly and maximum detail. Intricate Type I 3.7 mm gun and Type 97 light machine gun included. Ventilation grill hatch can be assembled open or shut. Transmission access hatches can be assembled open or shut.
WHAT'S IN THE KIT:
The kit contains 10 medium gray trees, a medium gray individual hull tub and hull top part, 2 clear trees, yellow vinyl tracks, a length of brass wire and the decal sheet in 7 clear sealed cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 1/2" x 13 1/2" page format.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. A few parts are blued out in these illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos Corp. and Model Master brands of paints.
Bottom of the page has the first assembly step on it.
Page 3 to the top of page 5 give a grand total of 13 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 5 has three 3-views of schemes:
1. The box art scheme (already described above). Tank no. 101 Kwajalein Island 1944. It further shows a white 101 on the back of the hull.
2. A KA-MI that is overall light gray with a white number 105 on the side and rear of the turret. It is a tank at Papua, New Guinea 1944.
3. A KA-MI that is also overall light gray with a white no. 601 on the sides and rear of the turret. It's number can also be 604. It is a tank also at Papua, New Guinea 1944.
At the bottom of the page is the address of Dragon's European distributor based in Graz, Austria. The copyright date of 2018 and decal application instructions.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter A trees. They hold: bogies, road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (37 parts each) One part is blued-out in the parts trees illustrations as excess.
The kit contains 10 medium gray trees, a medium gray individual hull tub and hull top part, 2 clear trees, yellow vinyl tracks, a length of brass wire and the decal sheet in 7 clear sealed cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 1/2" x 13 1/2" page format.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. A few parts are blued out in these illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos Corp. and Model Master brands of paints.
Bottom of the page has the first assembly step on it.
Page 3 to the top of page 5 give a grand total of 13 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 5 has three 3-views of schemes:
1. The box art scheme (already described above). Tank no. 101 Kwajalein Island 1944. It further shows a white 101 on the back of the hull.
2. A KA-MI that is overall light gray with a white number 105 on the side and rear of the turret. It is a tank at Papua, New Guinea 1944.
3. A KA-MI that is also overall light gray with a white no. 601 on the sides and rear of the turret. It's number can also be 604. It is a tank also at Papua, New Guinea 1944.
At the bottom of the page is the address of Dragon's European distributor based in Graz, Austria. The copyright date of 2018 and decal application instructions.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter A trees. They hold: bogies, road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (37 parts each) One part is blued-out in the parts trees illustrations as excess.
Medium-gray letter B tree holds: a machine gun, hatches, front hull wall, pontoon vents, etc. (63 parts)
Medium-gray letter C tree holds many parts for the pontoon, more hatches,propellers, etc. (50 parts) One part is excess.
Medium-gray letter D tree holds the interior parts for the turret such as the main gun, handles, hatches, etc . (49 parts)
There is no letter E tree.
There is no letter E tree.
Letter F tree is clear and holds windows (7 parts) One part is excess.
Letter R tree is another clear tree. It holds 6 more windows.
Lettering jumps to the medium-gray letter G hull bottom part.
Medium-gray letter H tree is the hull top part.
There is no letter I tree.
Medium-gray letter H tree is the hull top part.
There is no letter I tree.
Medium-gray letter J tree holds, the engine deck pontoon top, grill, raised air intake etc. (19 parts)
Medium-gray letter K tree holds: the bow pontoon top etc. (6 parts)
Letter L is the yellow DS tracks. Unusual color to mold them in and they are so narrow that they look more 1/72nd scale than 1/35th.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter M trees. They hold more parts for the pontoons such as more vents, rudder, etc. (32 parts) 3 parts are excess and the main gun turret and commander's vision extension broke off the tree.
Letter MA is the brass PE fret. It gives the modeler the option of using photo etch grill pontoon vents lifting hooks, etc. that are molded in plastic. (31 parts)
Letter MB is the length of copper wire.
There is some nice detail inside the turret, but none inside the hull. No crew figures are included in the kit.
I got my kit as a gift from a friend in Japan.
Highly recommended.
I got my kit as a gift from a friend in Japan.
Highly recommended.