The Type 95 was a Japanese scout car built by Tokyu Kurogane Industries and was used during the war with China and World War II in the East. Between 1936 and 1944 approximately 4,700 were built. It was the only completely Japanese designed reconnaissance car ever used by the Imperial Japanese Army, which tended to use civilian cars.
It is the world’s first four-wheel drive passenger vehicle placed into mass production[citation needed] before the Willys MB (Jeep), which was introduced in 1941, the Daimler Dingo in 1940, the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen introduced in 1942, and the GAZ-61 in 1938. Its nickname is the “Yonki” (よんき) which in Japanese means “all-wheel drive”. In the field, soldiers often called it the “Daruma”.
Only four examples remain, one built in 1941 displayed at the Motorcar Museum of Japan, one at the Retro Auto Museum in Moscow, Russia, one at the Redball Military Transport Club in Pennsylvania, USA and a 1939 model discovered in 2013 in a repair shop in Kyoto. It was extensively restored at the request of Masahiko Kobayashi, at a cost of ¥13.24 million (approximately USD $116,000) which was crowd-funded, and was added to a Japanese military museum.
[Source: Wikipedia]
★ This Japanese 4×4 Light Vehicle Type 95 Kurogane is a Plastic Model Assembly Kit.
★ Length 75mm. Has a distinct roundish individualistic style.
★ Has a 3 seat interior, large tires and with easy to assemble parts gives the model a solid feeling.
★ Comes with both open and closed convertible top.
★ The vehicle appears assembled with a metal transfer star mark on the front grill.
★ Kit # 32588
★ Comes with the standing officer and driver.
★ MSRP: $24.99 USD
★ Street Price: $19.99
Another week, another model kit finished. This time I bring you an oftentimes overlooked subject especially within this scale. This is the 1/48 Japanese 4 x 4 Light Vehicle Type 95 Kurogane from Tamiya. This model kit has the usual great quality we’ve come to expect from Tamiya Models. The Kurogane model kit is a fairly easy build and a great ‘relief’ build or perfect for the weekend modeler warriors out there.
Unlike most models from the Tamiya 1/48 Miniature Series, this one has a plastic styrene chassis instead of a metal undercarriage.
The chassis has most of its details molded on and I surely don’t complain about it. 2 figures are provided with the model kit, a driver and a Japanese commander. The instructions are very easy to follow but as usual, always double check the color calls. A metal transfer is provided to add extra detail ala Tamiya Komatsu G-40.
The model makes an excellent display either as a stand-alone model kit, a great display in your aircraft showcase next to any WW-II Japanese aircraft, and the possibilities for a diorama are endless. The kit can be built with a closed or open top. The open top comes as a clear part and to have the paint get a good grip on the surface, I suggest to wet-sand at least the outside.
Unless noted, all models shown in this website since early 2018 are painted using Mission Models Paints Colors and this one is no exception. The base color I chose for this project was RUSSIAN DK. OLIVE MMP-028 with an overspray of a lighter coat of this base, along with and random overspray of MMP-029 & MMP-030 DARK OLIVE FADED.
Highly Recommended kit!
