JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/ammo-loading crew (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 260-4400 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/ammo-loading crew’.

JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/ammo-loading crew

History

The Type 90 tank is the current main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and was designed as a replacement for all deployed Type 61s and a portion of their Type 74 tanks, and entered service in 1990. It is slated to be complemented by the Type 10.

The Type 90 mounts a licensed copy of the German Rheinmetall L44 120mm smoothbore cannon product by Japan Steel Works Limited. This is the same gun that is mounted on the German Leopard 2, American Abrams, and the South Korean K1A1 tanks. The gun is armed and loaded through a mechanical bustle autoloader (conveyor-belt type), developed by Mitsubishi of Japan.

The Type 90 tank is the first western tank to achieve manpower savings by reducing the crew to three through the development of the turret bustle autoloader (with the exception of the turretless Strv 103). This design allows the tank crew to operate without a loader, which allows the use of a smaller turret.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Where I got it

JGSDF Type 90 Tank (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 208 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘JGSDF Type 90 Tank’.

JGSDF Type 90 Tank

History

The Type 90 tank is the current main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and was designed as a replacement for all deployed Type 61s and a portion of their Type 74 tanks, and entered service in 1990. It is slated to be complemented by the Type 10.

The Type 90 mounts a licensed copy of the German Rheinmetall L44 120mm smoothbore cannon product by Japan Steel Works Limited. This is the same gun that is mounted on the German Leopard 2, American Abrams, and the South Korean K1A1 tanks. The gun is armed and loaded through a mechanical bustle autoloader (conveyor-belt type), developed by Mitsubishi of Japan.

The Type 90 tank is the first western tank to achieve manpower savings by reducing the crew to three through the development of the turret bustle autoloader (with the exception of the turretless Strv 103). This design allows the tank crew to operate without a loader, which allows the use of a smaller turret.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

JGSDF Type 74 Tank, Winter version (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 168 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘JGSDF Type 74 Tank, Winter version’.

JGSDF Type 74 Tank, Winter version

History

The Type 74 is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a replacement for the earlier Type 61.

It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60 Patton or German Leopard 1. Like these designs, it mounts the M68 105mm gun.

The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other western forces were starting the introduction of much more capable designs.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/Mine Roller (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 236-4000 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/Mine Rolle’.

JGSDF Type 90 Tank w/Mine Rolle

History

The third generation mainstay tank for Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force, the type 90 tank entered service in August 1990. Taking more than 10 years in its development, the inside of this latest Japanese tank is fully packed with state of the art hi-tech equipment. The 120mm smoothbore main gun is combined with a precision fire control system; comprising a trajectory computer, YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser beam range finder and gun stabilizer, enabling accurate firing while moving.

The passive infrared night viewer makes nighttime operations possible. Use of the automatic canon loading system eliminated the need of a loader, reducing the crew from four men to three. A 7.62mm machine gun is mounted a the coaxial position of the main gun, and a 12.7mm machine gun on the turret roof. The tank’s distinctive angular silhouette is due to the full use of Multi-material laminate armor, which provides excellent protection for the crew.

Ammunition stowage at the rear of the turret is completely separated from the crew compartment, thus further improved survivability is obtained. The water-cooled, V-10 cylinder diesel engine is supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry. Equipped with an electronically controlled direct fuel injection, this power unit is capable of yielding 1,500 horsepower, propelling the 50 ton heavy tank up to a top speed of 70km/h they hydraulic suspension is incorporated on four road wheels out of six on either side, thus allowing the tank’s attitude to be adjusted according to the surrounding terrain.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2013