JGSDF Type 74

[RichB]

Fired up "The Wayback Machine" for this one. The 1993 boxing of a kit first released in 1979.

Japan's second generation MBT designed to replace the Type 61. It incorporated features from several contemporary designs including the controllable suspension of the US-German MBT-70, the Leopard 1 hull and the Royal Ordnance L7 105mm gun. Design work started in 1962 with the first prototype being fielded in 1968. Production began in 1975 with 893 vehicles built when the line closed in 1989. The last of the Type 74's will be retired with the Type 10 entering service with JGSDF.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[ij001]

That's what I was going to build... Ahhh well, I'm sure you'll do a great job matey.

Ian.

 

[Swordsman]

Nice Choice, looks like a very interesting MBT ...

 

[Sherman 18]

I liked that kit.

Going to be fun to watch what you do

 

[jknaus]

James

 

[RichB]

Have a set of Modelkasten tracks on the way (in Chicago as of 0832 06 Dec) to replace the kit's vinyl tracks. A Meng Mark V Male jumped into the cart to keep the tracks company on the trip north.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[RichB]

Mocked up some of the larger parts to get a "feel" for the kit. It has the squat, rounded cast turret that was seen on many of its contemporaries.

Looks like there may be a seam to fill where the upper and lower turret meet. There is some cast texture to the turret so I will have to check some pictures to see if it needs anymore texturing.

There is a large space between the upper and lower hull that will need to be filled. As well, the fender underside will need some work.

There are also some large holes in the lower hull. The two large square holes have kit parts to fill them, the others will require styrene stock and some filler.

When the hull is flipped over there are the mounts that reveal its earlier life as a motorized kit and the reason for the holes.

The upper hull has "tabs" that represent the grab handles on the engine covers. Looks like I will be making some small handles to replace these and some others found on the kit.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[RichB]

The Modelkasten workable tracks have arrived.

Inside the box are assembly instructions, 82 sprues of inner and outer track pads (4 pieces per link), a bag 160+ connecting links, two idler arms and a jig to assemble 10 links at a time. There are 78 links required per side.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[moon puppy]

I've seen worse, you'll knock them out Rich.

 

[RichB]

Not to exciting, but a necessary evil. Spent some time sanding seams off the road wheels, removing the locking tabs from the suspension arms so they can be articulated (as shown in the instructions) and started assembly of the searchlight housing and main gun.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[moon puppy]

 

[lupanzer]

...nice!

Luiz.

 

[RichB]

Spent some time this week on the turret. Sliced off the tabs that represent handles and tie downs and replaced them with bent wire, added the guards around the antenna mounts and routed the searchlight cables and added the tie downs with lead foil. The heavy line comes with the kit, the lighter line is some wire. Added new handles on the hatch interiors from lead foil as well.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[moon puppy]

Nice and clean Rich. Looks sharp.

 

[wds]

Nice and clean Rich. Looks sharp.

I concur!
Nice job on those wire tie-down replacements.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[ij001]

Good to see this back on the bench.

Ian.

 

[The Zod]

Looking good Rich.

 

[135engineer]