Source on WWII Japanese armor markings?

On a whim I picked up some 1/76 scale Japanese (and American) armor related to fighting on Luzon and Leyte during 1945. Is there a concise source on the various IJA tank units involved and their tactical markings and camouflage schemes? I have seen a number of websites and blogs dealing with this subject generally, but would like to focus on the units engaged with (and destroyed by) American Army units.

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I’m no subject matter expert, but from what I have read on Japanese armor, there were no standard tactical markings. Those were decided upon at the unit level, and usually lower level such as battalion or company level. Aside from the gold IJA star on the bow, and a license plate type registration or serial number on the rear, the rest was up to the unit. Camouflage schemes were also not standardized regarding patterns, only in colors used.

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I have dug up a few sources, mainly Zaloga, but it all seems fairly ad hoc, almost never regimental markings. Either company or markings peculiar to that crew, or maybe the CO.
Since armor was usually not employed in large formations, maybe this wasn’t a critical matter.
I’ll be sure to post my odd results once they’re done.

Aside from Saipan, Philippines, and Okinawa, IJA armor was pretty much encountered in company size elements at most during 1944-1945. And of course against the Soviet campaign into Manchuria and Korea in August of ‘45, which was more suitable terrain for armor units.
There are some Squadron, Concord, Kagero, and Osprey books covering tanks in the PTO, but nothing online that I could say is a great one stop resource on the subject. Tanks Encyclopedia is ok, but tends to have lots of errors in their artwork or captions.

Tanks Encyclopedia

I just found this website that has some decent information on IJA AFV insignia

https://takihomepage.web.fc2.com/insignia.htm

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Yes, that is a good site, thanks! Now to figure out where tankettes fit in this scheme. :sweat_smile:

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