Figarti Tanks (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Yes the amphibious tanks were used in combat. Beginning in 1942, 184 units of the Type 2 Ka-Mi were built, based on the Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but this was too late to be used in its original design mission of amphibious landings. Many of these tanks were assigned to naval garrison detachments on islands. They fought against the Marines at the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, and Guam, but mainly from static positions.The tanks were used on Saipan, New Ireland, Rabaul and the Philippines. In October 1944 the 101st SNLF started an amphibious assault on Leyte causing confusion among the US troops after landing behind their lines.

19 or 20 Type 3 Ka-Chi's were built from 1943 to 1945 based on the Army's Type 1 Chi-He medium tank. It could be submarine launched and was used for reinforcing isolated island garrisons. Some of the Type 3 fought at the Battle of Kwajalein in 1944 and on Leyte in October 1944.

The Type 4 amphibious transport Ka-Tsu could carry 8 soldiers or be used as armoured transport, small attack vessel equipped with two Long Lance torpedoes or air defence vehicle with two type 96 25 mm aa-guns. It could be submarine launched. About 100 were built in 1944/45 and mainly used as supply vehicles transported by subs to cut-off islands.

The Type 5 amphibious tank To-Ku was only in the planning stage. No protoypes were ever built.

Terry

Thanks for the info, Terry! I would love to see Figarti make one of these Japanese Amphibious Tanks. I would have to buy it, for its unique nature as well as interesting appearance.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Thanks for the info, Terry! I would love to see Figarti make one of these Japanese Amphibious Tanks. I would have to buy it, for its unique nature as well as interesting appearance.

Get in line!

Terry

 

[Louis Badolato]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Terry,

You know Rick Wang loves to do shock and awe sets for every Chicago Show, i.e. huge impressive sets like the Leopold Railroad Gun or the E-Boat.

Did you notice the drawing of two "Ka-Tsu" amphibious tanks on the deck of the small submarine for submarine launch? How do you think a small Japanese Submarine with two Ka-Tsu tanks on the deck would do for "shock and awe" purposes? Plus the Ka-Tsu tanks could be sold individually for those collectors without the space or budget for a $1,500+ "shock and awe" set.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Terry,

You know Rick Wang loves to do shock and awe sets for every Chicago Show, i.e. huge impressive sets like the Leopold Railroad Gun or the E-Boat.

Did you notice the drawing of two "Ka-Tsu" amphibious tanks on the deck of the small submarine for submarine launch? How do you think a small Japanese Submarine with two Ka-Tsu tanks on the deck would do for "shock and awe" purposes? Plus the Ka-Tsu tanks could be sold individually for those collectors without the space or budget for a $1,500+ "shock and awe" set.

That would be a spectacular piece - especially as the tanks could be produced in larger numbers for poor people like me.

terry

 

[Harrytheheid]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Harry,

I happen to agree that K&C's Chi Ha is far from their best effort. I was not commenting about the K&C model at all, I was informing you that Figarti made an excellent version of this tank, the first armored vehicle they made, and in my opinion, one of the best. The Figarti version has well over 100 parts, including individally linked tracks, and is mostly metal with a polystone body. The turret hatches are hinged and open and close, and the gun traverses. When I saw this tank at the (I think) 2004 Chicago Show, I was really impressed, and immediately ordered one. If you can find one, I highly recommend it, it is a fantastic model.

I do apologise Louis - I also misread you and thought you were saying my K&C tank was manufactured by Figarti.

Regards
Harry

 

[Harrytheheid]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

I agree,its not their best but their Tanks have come on leaps and bounds since then and are now right up there with the best.Figarti are also making some superb Armour,both the Grants are great examples of this.I think right now its very close between Figarti and K&C as to who makes the best Tanks,i think a lot of people have this view too.

Rob

I'm sorry Rob, what do you mean by "right up there with the best"...???

There's simply no comparison between K&C AFV's and those produced by HB in the past and Figarti at present - unless you've been hypnotised. I have an old Figarti Honey wghich is far and away better than anything I can get from K&C.
In addition, I'll be able to compare Figarti's quality to K&C's even more in around 3 weeks time when I (hopefully) get my hands on 3 different Figarti tanks.
I'll be more than happy to set up a "comparative value for money" photo shoot with some K&C AFV's, if I can find them and be bothered to get them out of their boxes, that is.
And I couldn't care less if I have to get out the superglue and repair the "delicate" Figarti stuff....I'm used to having to repair any manufacturers products when I get them home anyway.

Regards
Harry

 

[Rob]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

I'm sorry Rob, what do you mean by "right up there with the best"...???

There's simply no comparison between K&C AFV's and those produced by HB in the past and Figarti at present - unless you've been hypnotised. I have an old Figarti Honey wghich is far and away better than anything I can get from K&C.
In addition, I'll be able to compare Figarti's quality to K&C's even more in around 3 weeks time when I (hopefully) get my hands on 3 different Figarti tanks.
I'll be more than happy to set up a "comparative value for money" photo shoot with some K&C AFV's, if I can find them and be bothered to get them out of their boxes, that is.
And I couldn't care less if I have to get out the superglue and repair the "delicate" Figarti stuff....I'm used to having to repair any manufacturers products when I get them home anyway.

Regards
Harry

Hypnotised by who??

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Re: Wake Island - Japanese "Special Naval Landing Forces"

Hypnotised by some sort of fairy with pixie dust or something like that Maybe, it was the tooth fairy

 

[Harrytheheid]

Hypnotised by who??

Rob

Well, I asked what I thought was a civil question Rob, and I’ll repeat it; “What do you mean right up there with the best?”

I then went on to make a general statement that there’s no comparison between K&C’s AFV’s and those manufactured by Figarti and the sadly demised Gold Series from Honor Bound. The comment referring to hypnotism was an all encompassing one and not directed at you personally.
It’s not for the likes of me to dictate what people spend their money on. You, (sorry – anyone), can go buy up old Royal Doulton Porcelain and collect that – it’s none of my business. However, I think on a public forum, which precisely because it is called a FORUM , suggests that it exists to promote discussion, then I’m perfectly entitled to express my opinion that there’s no comparison between the AFV’s manufactured by the company’s mentioned.
You pay a premium for quality of course, but I don’t have a problem with that. Sadly, I missed out on the HB Gold Series of AFV’s because I was distracted building up another section of our collection at the time they were available. The intention once that was complete, (and it now is), was always to shift sights towards obtaining one of the HB Shermans, but there you go, (sorry, there I go).

So, in my opinion, K&C AFV’s are emphatically not right up there with the best. I will however be interested in how the imminent arrival of First Legion’s debut AFV for their excellent WWII Stalingrad range will be received. I suspect it will be priced similarly to that of the HB Gold series – but I also have the feeling it’ll be even BETTER than those extremely well done scale models.
I am only surmising here of course.

As for myself, the only vehicle in the current K&C catalogue I’m even slightly interested in is the FoB French M/C Combination – which can hardly be described as an AFV in any case.

Now, I would think that you, yourself are perfectly entitled to express opinions contrary to mine on the merits of K&C AFV’s on a DISCUSSION FORUM – and that’s fine as well. But I’ll be interested in how you can reasonably back up those opinions – given that, from similar discussions I’ve seen on this board, Figarti’s AFV products seem to be generally hailed as the best that are presently available.

Regards
Harry

 

[kilted vampire]

Once again, they all make good tanks. They are all different even the same model. Figarti puts out a quality vehicle albeit a bit fragile at times. K&C puts out a generally sturdy model but not always. Usually well received and prized by their owners. Then there are the Tanks from Collectors' Showcase who have been making very nice armoured vehicles with a great amount of detail for a very fair price. And finally we have Honour Bound and NMA both of whom are out of the Tank business. What a great price point the NMA stuff was. I hope I have covered them all fairly without prejudice

 

[kingtoot]

i put this comment in the wrong thread in Figarti's forum - here it is in the right thread -
Figarti makes great vehicles and their figures are getting better in time AND they have the gonads to do Pacific sets...

 

[kilted vampire]

i put this comment in the wrong thread in Figarti's forum - here it is in the right thread Figarti makes great vehicles and their figures are getting better in time AND they have the gonads to do Pacific sets...

Not holding a lot back are we? Even Figarti is making Africa Korps.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Once again, they all make good tanks. They are all different even the same model. Figarti puts out a quality vehicle albeit a bit fragile at times. K&C puts out a generally sturdy model but not always. Usually well received and prized by their owners. Then there are the Tanks from Collectors' Showcase who have been making very nice armoured vehicles with a great amount of detail for a very fair price. And finally we have Honour Bound and NMA both of whom are out of the Tank business. What a great price point the NMA stuff was. I hope I have covered them all fairly without prejudice

Thanks for your input Michael. Like I've said, as far as I'm concerned people can buy what they want, as long as it's not illicit, ileagal or immoral. Fact is, we all have our opinions which we ought to be entitled to express.

I don't have any Collectors Showcase figures or AFV's, nor am I likely to ever buy them.
I do have a few NMA AFV's which in my opinion were far and away better than what was in the K&C catalogue at the time I bought them.
I look forward to the initial First Legion AFV with bated breath - whatever it is will most likely tip me over into collecting their Stalingrad range - if it's anything like as good as the German and Russian figures.

Looking at the present situation where I have both Figarti, (and will be picking up more in around 3 weeks time), and K&C AFV's; IN MY OPINION - Figarti are streets ahead. End of that story.

Of the K&C stuff I have, I can't think offhand of any of them that I wouldn't replace with the equivalent Figarti AFV - if they were available - with the exceptions of the SAS Jeep (K&C's is very good), LRDG Chevy's, (although the Figarti Chevy I have is more finely detailed, I do like the K&C efforts), the PzII and the AK M/C Combination.
The K&C StugIII is undersized, the Churchill is awful, the White Scout Car wasn't at the Battle of the Bulge as far as I know, the Panther is way too brightly painted and has absolutely awful running gear....need I go on????

As for Figarti being fragile, I guess it depends on how clumsy you are when you dust the things. I use a dry Caligraphy brush, so I have no problens in that respect.

Regards
Harry

 

[jazzeum]

Figarti indeed makes great vehicles. I have two of their Honey, the Monty Grant and the Tiger Tank. Now, my Tiger is a little unique. I didn't like the figures so Rick made a special one for me (without figures) and Rick's father, James Wang, delivered it to me. It's number one in the series. For those who haven't seen the inside of this tank, here are some photos. I don't think a finer tank has ever been made and considering the amount of work that went into and what it costs to make, I don't think another will be either.

 

[jazzeum]

Some more.

 

[wadepat]

Figarti indeed makes great vehicles. I have two of their Honey, the Monty Grant and the Tiger Tank. Now, my Tiger is a little unique. I didn't like the figures so Rick made a special one for me (without figures) and Rick's father, James Wang, delivered it to me. It's number one in the series. For those who haven't seen the inside of this tank, here are some photos. I don't think a finer tank has ever been made and considering the amount of work that went into and what it costs to make, I don't think another will be either.

Hi Brad,

That is one mighty nice tank! It is a real beauty! Doubtless, you have every reason to be very, very proud of it. I am glad you have it in your collection.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[kingtoot]

Now THAT is a tank!!

 

[jazzeum]

Pat and Kingtoot,

Thanks. Yes, that is an amazing tank. And, the treads move. I think it has something like 800 parts, which is why I don't think Figarti would want to make something like that again; it's just too expensive to make.

 

[kogu]

That is exceptional without a doubt.
A true collector's item, hard to beat.
Congratulations, Brad, to such a terrific piece.
Konrad

 

[Harrytheheid]

Not holding a lot back are we? Even Figarti is making Africa Korps.

Yes Figarti are making Afrika Korp figures - and the reason why I presently have the Figarti DAK figures on order is because, in my opinion, they're the best Afrika Korp figures available at the moment.

i put this comment in the wrong thread in Figarti's forum - here it is in the right thread Figarti makes great vehicles and their figures are getting better in time AND they have the gonads to do Pacific sets...

Yes Figarti/Hobbybunker did have the gonads to do Pacific sets, which is why they are also on order.

There are in fact toy soldiers in our house that depict Nazi's on parade. They were obtained, along with some SOHK figures, at the time I was introducing my wife to our wonderful hobby. A successful mission as it happens. However, even she got sick of seeing the Nazi's glorified in this way and they remain boxed up until she finds someone locally who'll give them a good home.

The entire concept of venerating the Nazi's by depicting Uncle Adolf on holiday is very, very, strange indeed.

Regards
Harry