Dragon’s IJN Type 2 “Ka-Mi” Amphibious Tank w/ Floating Pontoons (Late Production) - by “Art Instructor”:
There are more images in my latest page:
http://falconbbs.com/model72a.htm
Enjoy!
Looking good. I have this same model in 1/72 scale; I should build it soon.
MM: Really nice work there, love the water marks on the sides of the hull and pontoons. Art Instructor really outdid himself this time.
Why isnt “Art instructor”, posting?
That thing is cool looking.
Because he builds for Model Maniac, he doesn’t belong to the Forum.
Really nice MM! Art Instructor really has been producing some outstanding work, as nice as any I’ve seen! Thanks for the pics!
BTW, do you take the photos that you post?
Thanks for all your kind comments and compliments! I really appreciate them!
Ernest - yes I took all the photos myself since the very beginning. My 15 years old website now have 15,790 photos.
The tracks look a little too tight making the rear compensating idler wheel look like it is lifted off of the ground. Did he have a way of loosening the tracks or did Dragon make their DS tracks too tight again?
Good information to know before I start on mine!
The DS tracks’ length was predetermined. I wonder if you could extend it a little bit by dipping in hot water?. Had AI seen your photo, he might have tried to loosen the tracks. As for the idler wheel, so as not to appear lifting off the ground, I think you’ll need to add some weight to the rear of the tank. If you build Dragon’s UH-1N 1:35 you’ll find it’s tail heavy, lifting up the front. My builder knew that beforehand so he put 15 one baht coins inside the cockpit to correct the head lift.
Sometimes there is some play in the sprocket and idler wheel so that you can adjust them forward or backwards in order to loosen or tighten the tracks. But I have noticed a few of my Dragon kits have extremely tight DS tracks if you assemble the suspension as directed.
Your photos tell me I need to watch the fit of the tracks when I build my kit. I may have to cheat by moving the connecting points inwards to create some slack. After all, that’s how we adjust track tension on the real thing; we move the idler wheel forward or backwards.
Talk about saggy tracks!! Its obvious in that photo how the rear idler acts like another roadwheel, much like the Pz. I A and the M3 Stuart. It would seem to be a lot of work to get that much sag with DS tracks. Any aftermarket indy or workable tracks available?
The Ka-Mi is a seagoing version of the Ha-Go, so the tracks may be the same. I know Model Kasten and possibly Fruil make tracks for that tank.
This is really nice work! Just got this kit earlier this month and hope to start on it after I finish up a couple of other builds… MM, can you tell us the brand and color paints that the builder used?
And like Rob, I’ll be sure to take extra care when assembling the tracks to work in that sag.
Thanks!
With Regards and Aloha,
Johnny B.
Simply elegant! Nice work once again from the forums’ most talented “ghost man”!
I wasn’t worried about the sag along the top. I was more concerned with the overall tightness that appears to cause the rear idler wheel to lift off of the ground. I’ll be happy if I can work out enough slack to lessen the pressure off of the running gear. I don’t want the DS tracks snapping or one of the idler axle mounts breaking off after sitting on the shelf for years.
Rob, it seems you’re going to use the DS tracks afterall despite the alternatives you knew. I hope you can find the way to make the thing looks good at the end of the day.
Johnny, thanks for your kind comments! My builder used industrial paints (400ml spray can) but not directly. He would spray the paint out into a small bottle, just enough for use at a time, then mix it with other color(s) to get the desired color. RGB B&W are main colors that he uses. Good luck with your build!
Karl, thanks for your kind compliments and continuous support!
I haven’t decided if I will use the DS tracks or not. It all depends on whether or not I can adjust the circumference of the suspension enough to create slack and whether or not the MK Ha-Go tracks are the proper tracks (or close enough to fit). I generally stay away from Fruils because of the cost.