The Type 1 Chi-He was a medium tank designed for the Imperial Japanese Army. It did not enter production until 1943 and only 170 were produced due to a shortage of steel. Main armament was a high-velocity 47 mm gun. The Type 1 was held in reserve to defend the Home Islands against the expected Allied invasion and therefore did not see combat.
The Type 1 is produced in 1/72 scale by IBG. This is a very nice kit featuring crisp molding and well thought out engineering. Tracks are molded as single pieces with inner bogies and return rollers attached. The modelers adds the outer bogies to these which is quite acceptable in this scale. A small PE fret supplies the muffler covers and a few additional details.
Inch High Guy 