In Box Review of IBG 1/72nd Scale
Type 3 Chi-Nu Kai - Japanese Medium Tank
Kit no. 72058
By Ray Mehlberger
Available at 9 locations overseas for approximately $13.00, converting Euro's to dollars.
Copyright 2018
By Ray Mehlberger
Available at 9 locations overseas for approximately $13.00, converting Euro's to dollars.
Copyright 2018
HISTORY:
Type 3 Medium Tank Chi-Nu San-shiki chū-sensha Chi-nu) ("Imperial Year 2603 Medium tank Model 10") was a medium tank of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. Like the Type 1 Chi-He, this tank was an improved version of the Type 97 Chi-Ha.
It incorporated a Type 3 75 mm tank gun, one of the largest Japanese tank guns during the war.
The Chi-Nu did not see combat during the war. All produced units were retained for the defense of the Japanese Homeland in anticipation of an Allied invasion.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Designed: 1943
Produced: 1944–1945
No. built: 144 to 166
Weight: 19 tonnes (21 tons)
Length: 5.64 m (18 ft 6 in)
Width: 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: 20–50 mm
Main armament: Type 3 75 mm tank gun (L/38), (Armor penetration: 90 mm at 100 m, 65 mm at 1,000 m)
Secondary armament: 1 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Engine: Mitsubishi Type 100, 21.7 L V-12 diesel, 240 hp (179 kW) at 2,000 rpm (12.63 hp/tonne)
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 210 km (130 mi)
Speed: 39 km/h (24 mph)
Type 3 Medium Tank Chi-Nu San-shiki chū-sensha Chi-nu) ("Imperial Year 2603 Medium tank Model 10") was a medium tank of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. Like the Type 1 Chi-He, this tank was an improved version of the Type 97 Chi-Ha.
It incorporated a Type 3 75 mm tank gun, one of the largest Japanese tank guns during the war.
The Chi-Nu did not see combat during the war. All produced units were retained for the defense of the Japanese Homeland in anticipation of an Allied invasion.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Designed: 1943
Produced: 1944–1945
No. built: 144 to 166
Weight: 19 tonnes (21 tons)
Length: 5.64 m (18 ft 6 in)
Width: 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: 20–50 mm
Main armament: Type 3 75 mm tank gun (L/38), (Armor penetration: 90 mm at 100 m, 65 mm at 1,000 m)
Secondary armament: 1 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Engine: Mitsubishi Type 100, 21.7 L V-12 diesel, 240 hp (179 kW) at 2,000 rpm (12.63 hp/tonne)
Suspension: Bell crank
Operational range: 210 km (130 mi)
Speed: 39 km/h (24 mph)
THE KIT:
IBG is located in Warsaw, Poland.
This kit comes in a sturdy blousey tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The box is 4 1/2" too long and 4 1/2" too wide. Creating a letter L void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Type 3 Chi-Nu Kai tank moving through what looks like an orchard, past a cherry tree that is in full bloom.
A man is walking behind the tank garbed in traditional Japanese clothes.
In the background is a gardener, who is raking leaves.
The tank is overall IJA grass-green, with a small Japanese flag on the sides of the turret.
The tank commander is looking out of the turret hatch. He wears a green uniform, leather tank helmet with a pair of goggles strung on it.
One side panel of the box says the kit is not suitable for children under 14 years, because of small parts. Plastic adhesive and paints are not included. Instructions for assembly are inside the box.
This is followed by 3 color box arts of other IBG 1/72nd scale kits they manufacture: kit no. 72040, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU gasoline powered with 3 crewmen, kit no. 72057, a Type 3 CHI-NU Japanese Medium Tank with 2 crewmen and kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette. Kit made in Poland.
IBG is located in Warsaw, Poland.
This kit comes in a sturdy blousey tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The box is 4 1/2" too long and 4 1/2" too wide. Creating a letter L void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Type 3 Chi-Nu Kai tank moving through what looks like an orchard, past a cherry tree that is in full bloom.
A man is walking behind the tank garbed in traditional Japanese clothes.
In the background is a gardener, who is raking leaves.
The tank is overall IJA grass-green, with a small Japanese flag on the sides of the turret.
The tank commander is looking out of the turret hatch. He wears a green uniform, leather tank helmet with a pair of goggles strung on it.
One side panel of the box says the kit is not suitable for children under 14 years, because of small parts. Plastic adhesive and paints are not included. Instructions for assembly are inside the box.
This is followed by 3 color box arts of other IBG 1/72nd scale kits they manufacture: kit no. 72040, a Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU gasoline powered with 3 crewmen, kit no. 72057, a Type 3 CHI-NU Japanese Medium Tank with 2 crewmen and kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese Tankette. Kit made in Poland.
The other side panel begins with IBG's street address in Warsaw, Poland, their telephone and FAX number, e-mail and web address. Followed by side views and a front view of the Type 3 CHI-NU KAI Medium Tank.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 7 medium-grey parts trees and 2 medium grey loose running gear parts in a sealed clear cello bag. The decal sheet and a brass PE fret in a sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet, printed in color on slick-coated paper.
It is in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a small color repeat of the box art.
The kit is the 3rd design by Adam Andrzejewski and research for it was done by the IBG crew.
Below this is international assembly symbol explanations and a color illustration of the decal sheet and brass PE fret.
A color list for either Vallejo, Hataka, Life Color, Tamiya, AK Interactive or Mr. Hobby brands of paints is given.
Bottom of the page has IBG's street address in Warsaw, Poland, their telephone and Fax numbers, e-mail address and web address repeated.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 3 through 6 gives a total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 7 has 5 color box arts of other 1/72nd scale kits that IBG makes: kit 72057 which is another boxing of this TYPE 3 CHI-NU with a different box art with 2 crew figures, kit no. 72041, a Type 89 Japanese IUM Tank OTSU, kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese tankette, kit no. 72060, a 917t Japanese Truck Yokohama Cab, kit no. 72055, a Type 1 CHI-HE Japanese Medium tank.
Page 8 is the color guide. It shows a 5 view of the CHI-NU KAI tank as seen in 1945. It is overall olive-drab.
Trees are alphabetized.
There is not any letter A, B, C, or E trees.
Medium-grey letter D tree holds the 2 crewmen. They are full molded full bodied with separate arms for just the seated driver figure. The officer figure is complete and standing. He is holding a pair of binoculars.
This kit holds 7 medium-grey parts trees and 2 medium grey loose running gear parts in a sealed clear cello bag. The decal sheet and a brass PE fret in a sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet, printed in color on slick-coated paper.
It is in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a small color repeat of the box art.
The kit is the 3rd design by Adam Andrzejewski and research for it was done by the IBG crew.
Below this is international assembly symbol explanations and a color illustration of the decal sheet and brass PE fret.
A color list for either Vallejo, Hataka, Life Color, Tamiya, AK Interactive or Mr. Hobby brands of paints is given.
Bottom of the page has IBG's street address in Warsaw, Poland, their telephone and Fax numbers, e-mail address and web address repeated.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 3 through 6 gives a total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 7 has 5 color box arts of other 1/72nd scale kits that IBG makes: kit 72057 which is another boxing of this TYPE 3 CHI-NU with a different box art with 2 crew figures, kit no. 72041, a Type 89 Japanese IUM Tank OTSU, kit no. 72043, a Type 94 Japanese tankette, kit no. 72060, a 917t Japanese Truck Yokohama Cab, kit no. 72055, a Type 1 CHI-HE Japanese Medium tank.
Page 8 is the color guide. It shows a 5 view of the CHI-NU KAI tank as seen in 1945. It is overall olive-drab.
Trees are alphabetized.
There is not any letter A, B, C, or E trees.
Medium-grey letter D tree holds the 2 crewmen. They are full molded full bodied with separate arms for just the seated driver figure. The officer figure is complete and standing. He is holding a pair of binoculars.
Medium-grey letter F tree holds the hull tub part (1 part)
Medium-grey letter G holds the turret parts (6 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter H trees. They each hold: drive sprockets, road wheels, idler wheels, return rollers etc. (17 parts each)
There is no letter I or J tree.
Medium-grey letter K tree holds the main gun barrel and mantle etc. (5 parts)
Medium-grey letter K tree holds the main gun barrel and mantle etc. (5 parts)
Medium-grey letter L holds: the hull top, bogies, fenders, shovel, hatches etc. (22 parts)
There are 2 parts that are the tracks, with the outer row of wheels attached.
The brass PE fret holds the engine air intake screens etc. (8 parts)
The decal sheet and the PE fret complete the kit's contents.
The decal sheet and the PE fret complete the kit's contents.
I want to sincerely thank the folks at IBG Models in Warsaw, Poland for this review sample.
Their products can be seen at:
Their products can be seen at: