"Chi-He" – the Japanese medium tank

In the mid-1930s the Imperial Japanese Army saw the need for new medium tanks. In 1936 two such tanks were designed - "Chi-Ni" (medium type 4), submitted by the Osaka Arsenal and "Chi-Ha" (medium type 3), manufactured by the Mitsubishi factory. In 1937 both prototypes were sent to the comparative testing ground, where "Chi-Ha" (Typ 97) won and was sent to serial production. A total of 1,220 examples of this tank were produced between 1938 and 1944, and it became the main Japanese medium tank during World War II. The relatively mobile, well-armored and well-armed “Chi-Ha” was mainly used as an infantry support tank, which did not allow its combat capabilities to be fully utilized. This tactic changed after clashes with the Red Army's armored forces in the summer of 1939. As a result of these clashes, a new turret with a long-barreled 47 mm anti-tank cannon and other improvements were made to the “Chi-Ha”. The modified tank was designated the “Shinhoto Chi-Ha”. The first tanks of this type began to be supplied to the Japanese armored forces in 1939. Soon they began to participate in battles, first in China, then in Malaya, Singapore and the Pacific Islands. In 1941 a regular, improved version of the “Chi-Ha” appeared, with a simplified hull design and thickened frontal armor. They were equipped with towers from the “Shinhoto Chi-Ha” and a radio station was installed as standard. The modernized machine began to be designated Typ 1 "Chi-He" (Medium Sixth Type) and was produced from 1941 until the end of the war. In total, about 600 of these tanks were produced until 1945, which saw limited combat use. After the war, the “Chi-Ha” and “Chi-He” tanks were transferred to communist China, which used them in its armament until the late 60s.

A medium-size tank, of medium complexity, well-designed and well-detailed model without internal equipment for medium-experienced and experienced modelers. However, the model is not so complicated, that it cannot be assembled by an advanced beginner modeler, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, only the chassis and tracks will have to be worked on, and the whole model requires a considerable amount of care, patience and attention. There is a considerable supply of colors, the textual instruction is quite large and informative, the graphical, like "Maly Modelarz", is quite large, informative and easy to read. But after all, this is a project by Pawel Mistewicz, and even his most complex models become "biting" even for beginner modelers. The model recreates the appearance of the 5th Regiment Command Tank from the end of the war (Japanese Islands, Saitama Prefecture) in 1945.  Antiquarian publication.