Japan Ground Self Defense Force Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle	Tamiya, 1/35 scale
by Brett Green

Description

I have just finished Tamiya's 1/35 scale Japan Ground Self Defense Force Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle. This is another winner from Tamiya, and it must be one of the sleekest armoured car designs of all time.

The front four wheels are interconnected and may be moved from left turn to right turn to straight ahead. Hatches have working hinges and two very nice crew figures are included. After initially abandoning the crew figures, I eventually pressed on and finished them.

I was fortunate to receive an early example of DEF Models' 1/35 scale Type 16 MCV Wheel Set. Detail is exquisite, with raised lettering on the sidewalls. They are also subtly bulged and flattened. The resin wheels are cast as a single parts, ready to press into the wheel mounts with no modification required. All you need to do is cut the casting block off each wheel.

Self-adhesive masks are also provided for painting the tyres and hubs.

Four pairs of different wheels are provided - A, B, C, D - running from front to rear. 

The DEF set also includes a perforated muzzle and four wheel chocks.

I also added Tetra Model Works JGSDF Type 10 Camouflage Net. I used a proportion of this set for camouflage net wrapped around the barrel and laid on top of the mantlet.

Finally, I made a tarp and some stowage for the turret basket from Tamiya Epoxy Putty.

This was an enjoyable build. I'll be covering it in detail in Issue 150 of Model Military International magazine.

MMI is now also available as a digital magazine that you can read on your PC or Mac home computer. This means it is a lower price, and that the issues are available easily on day of publication the world over.

To subscribe or buy single issues each month just go to www.pocketmags.com and register with an email address and password.

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample.