Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #46 - revised

Modelling 4
Vehicles. In this part, I will try to present vehicles that could possibly be used in an IJAAF or IJNAF airfield. I'm not an expert on vehicles, I only know Japanese aircraft, so, as always, feel free to contribute.

Let's begin with the 1/72 scale and the old Hasegawa Starter & Fuel Truck kits come with three and two mechanics respectively, one driver, the others in various poses. All wear puttees though and the mold is too old with relatively poor details. Of course, the two vehicles are great and most valuable for a diorama setting.

"Beaver Corporation" has released an Army starter truck with a few mechanics that, judging from the photo, look okay to me.

There are plenty of "Kurogane" kits out there. First up, are four kits from "Vast Model": Model 3 open top, Model 3 with roof, Model 4 open top and Model 4 with a roof.

"ACE" has also released an open-top "Kurogane" in the same scale (left) and another kit with the "Kurogane" truck (right) but AFAIK the kit includes exactly the same kit for the open-top (no canvas cover etc). Perhaps they have fixed that...I don't know.

"Fire Starter" has also released a set of two "Kurogane"

In 1/48, Tamiya has released a quite nice "Kurogane" that would go well with various IJAAF aircraft.

Even better is Hasegawa which has released the Isuzu TX40 truck which is most useful, especially for refueling or re-bombing dioramas. There is a rather rare kit now that includes the TX40 and a "Kurogane" in 1/48.

The other Hasegawa set "Type 97 Sidecar & Type 95 small sedan "Kurogane 4WD [Model3]".

The 2008 Hasegawa release of the Isuzu TX40 Fuel Truck is the best around with two accurate in every respect figures of ground crews. The set also includes four oil barrels, two plus one sets of different chocks, a toolbox and a fire extinguisher. All very very useful for a diorama of a "Hien", "Shoki", "Hayate" or "Toryu" unit based on the Japan mainland. If you are building a 244 Sentai "Hien" this set is absolutely essential and will enrich significantly your diorama or base.

In 1/35, Fine Molds has released an open-top "Kurogane".

Followed by Pit Road in the same scale, this time with a soft top.

And also a kit with a machine gun sticking out from the passenger's seat.

Finally, a "pickup truck with tarp".

"Type 97 Motorcycle with side car: Rikuo" also in 1/35.

For the record, AFAIK the very first company that released a "Kurogane" in 1/35, was "Arima" but its kits are VERY rare now.

DeAgostini has also released a "Kurogane" but in 1/43 and I have no idea why.

"Studio Historia" has also released a cute "Kurogane with passengers" and they market it as in the "28mm Scale" which I have no idea what it's supposed to mean. It's a downloadable 3D kit.

Another Japanese-interest downloadable release by "Studio Historia" is a TX40 truck with or without passengers also in "28mm Scale".

Talking about downloadable kits for 3D printers, "PlayMoreIt3D" has released at least three kits available in 1/30 1/35 1/48 1/56 1/72 1/76 1/87. First up is a Rikuo Type 97 motorcycle.

The same Rikuo Type 97 is also available with a sidecar.

Finally, "PlayMoreIt3D has released a "Captured Japanese steamroller on Guadalcanal in August 1942" which could be useful for an airfield diorama, although, according to modellers, it has some accuracy issues and needs modeifications.

In the same airfield construction vein, I guess the Tamiya "Komatsu G40 Bulldozer" in 1/48 could be used.

Last but not least, I'd like to mention the rather old tricycle released by M.G.M. in 1/72.

Dan Salamone sent over photos of his beautiful airfield models all in 1/48. First up, Hasegawa Kurogane.

Hasegawa TX40 converted to steel cab variant, Kumanosho airfield, 6th Air Army.

Hasegawa TX40 out of the box, although in IJN colors (302nd NAG to be exact).

Hasegawa TX40 converted to airfield tug, Hamamatsu Flying School.

Brengun fire extinguisher and oil carts, the blue fire extinguisher is from the Hasegawa TX40 set.