Chi-Ha Tank Restoration (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

The first tank ever made by Figarti was the Japanese Chi-Ha tank. I recently got one that had suffered extensive battle damage. With a little help from Rick, I am going to to try and restore it.

Terry

 

[wadepat]

Hi Terry,

Good luck with your restoration project! I hope you will let us follow along as you make progress with your project. I look forward to seeing the battle damage being repaired!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The tank has an I.D. plate on the bottom.

#9001
1st Edition
July 2004
Figarti

It looks like all that has to be done is glue on a few wheels, but the wheels turn, the track rolls, and the suspension arms rotate. Gluing in the wrong place will cause a piece to lose function. Some of the wheels remaining on the tank are loose and will have to be removed and replaced properly.

Terry

 

[maddadicus]

Or you leave it as is ,for a diorama of a trashed Japanese tank after a U.S. Marine threw a rock at it or hit it with his fist..Michael

 

[jazzeum]

Good luck Terry, you have more guts than I do (and probably a heck of a lot more skill ).

 

[tdubel]

I have 3 of these tanks, one with crew, one without and one 2nd ed. All 3 had minor repairs too, these were very fragile and highly detailed metal. The repairs are worth in in my opinion, I still like these tanks!

TD

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I have 3 of these tanks, one with crew, one without and one 2nd ed. All 3 had minor repairs too, these were very fragile and highly detailed metal. The repairs are worth in in my opinion, I still like these tanks!

TD

I highlighted a part on a picture of the tank with 2 red arrows. Do you know what that part is for? There is one on each side of the tank in the picture but mine has only the one on the right side of the tank and appears to have never had one over the shovel handle. Do all 3 of your tanks have 2 of these parts on each?

Terry

 

[tdubel]

I highlighted a part on a picture of the tank with 2 red arrows. Do you know what that part is for? There is one on each side of the tank in the picture but mine has only the one on the right side of the tank and appears to have never had one over the shovel handle. Do all 3 of your tanks have 2 of these parts on each?

Terry

Terry,
yes they do, so that is a missing piece.

Tom

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry,
yes they do, so that is a missing piece.

Tom

Thanks Tom. It doen't look like it broke off - there is no mark at all - just a perfectly painted groove it might have fit in.

But I still have no idea what that part is. I have seen many pictures of Chi-Ha tanks in many areas of combat and none of those pictures show that part.

Terry

 

[Louis Badolato]

I highlighted a part on a picture of the tank with 2 red arrows. Do you know what that part is for? There is one on each side of the tank in the picture but mine has only the one on the right side of the tank and appears to have never had one over the shovel handle. Do all 3 of your tanks have 2 of these parts on each?

Terry

I just emailed Brad 4 photos of my Chi Ha with a polite request that he post them on this thread. They depict the piece missing from your model. It looks to me like some kind of lantern or light (just a guess).

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I just emailed Brad 4 photos of my Chi Ha with a polite request that he post them on this thread. They depict the piece missing from your model. It looks to me like some kind of lantern or light (just a guess).

Thanks Louis.

Terry

 

[Warbuff26]

From Louis......

 

[gk5717]

Louis I,m the one that sold Phantom Warrier the Chi Ha.
I bought mine at the 04 OTSN from Hobby Bunker after Rick displayed it. Is that when you got yours as I believe there were only 2 at the show and these were the first 2 produced.
I told PW that I was afraid to even touch it as it was that fragile. How is yours holding up?
Gary

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis I,m the one that sold Phantom Warrier the Chi Ha.
I bought mine at the 04 OTSN from Hobby Bunker after Rick displayed it. Is that when you got yours as I believe there were only 2 at the show and these were the first 2 produced.
I told PW that I was afraid to even touch it as it was that fragile. How is yours holding up?
Gary

Perfect, except for the track coming loose on one side (which would be an easy fix for a modeler - sadly I am all thumbs, so I will wait until Rick and his crew attend another symposium and have them fix it).

 

[Louis Badolato]

One of the original Chi Ha's (with a broken track) is on ebay right now (I am not the seller). Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Figarti-World-W...c0.m14&_trkparms=65:10|66:2|39:1|293:1|294:50

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I was going to do the restoration myself with technical assistance from Figarti, but instead Peter Wang suggested that I ship the tank to Shanghai where they can restore it in their shop. That is what I am going to do.

Terry

 

[HobbyBunker]

I personally repaired dozens of them. I do not miss them. But would enjoy a new version