IJN TYPE 2 (KA-MI) AMPHIBIOUS TANK COMBAT VERSION

Dragon earlier produced a simply stunning 1/35 scale Smart Kit of the Japanese Type 2 “Ka-Mi” amphibious tank, and now it has been used as a platform to create a 1/72 plastic kit. The Type 2 was the first amphibious tank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). It was designed for Japanese landing forces performing amphibious invasions of Pacific islands that didn’t have regular port facilities. Production commenced in 1942 and a total of 184 Type 2 amphibious tanks were made, although the design was too late to participate in Japan’s island-hopping campaign. When used in water, large pontoons were attached to the glacis plate and rear deck to give it a top speed of 10km/h. These pontoons could be shed as soon as it reached land. The turret featured a 3.7cm Type 1 gun and coaxial Type 97 machine gun.