IBG Models – 72042 – Type 89 Kou (late) and type 95 Ha-Go Japanese Tanks (2 in 1)

Description:

The Type 89 I-Go was one of the world’s first mass-produced tanks with a diesel engine, a significant innovation at the time. Originally developed in the late 1920s, the tank featured a riveted hull, a 57 mm low-velocity gun, and two 6.5 mm machine guns. It had a crew of four and relatively thin armor (6–17 mm), making it vulnerable to anti-tank weapons by the 1930s standards.

While outdated by World War II, the Type 89 was still used in the Second Sino-Japanese War and early WWII campaigns, especially in China and the Philippines. It was slow and not suited for modern mechanized warfare, but it played an important role in Japan’s early armored development.

The Type 95 Ha-Go was a light tank developed in the 1930s and became the most widely used Japanese tank during World War II. Fast, lightweight, and mechanically simple, the Ha-Go had a crew of three, a 37 mm main gun, and one or two 7.7 mm machine guns. It was designed to support infantry, not to engage other tanks — a limitation that became painfully clear when it encountered better-armored Allied vehicles like the M3 Stuart or Sherman.

The Ha-Go saw extensive action across the Pacific and Southeast Asia — in Malaya, Burma, the Philippines, and various island battles. While effective in early campaigns against poorly equipped forces, its thin armor (maximum ~12 mm) and limited firepower made it extremely vulnerable later in the war. Nonetheless, its reliability, ease of production, and mobility made it a backbone of Japanese armored forces until the end of the conflict.

IBG has produced several variants for both tanks (see related kits, IBG – 72040 – Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank KOU (Gasoline Late) for the Type 89 and IBG – 72088 – Type 95 Ha-Go Tank for the Type 95) in the past. Now offers they both together in a single box. The Type 89 has link and length tracks, while the Type 95 features single piece tracks. In both cases suspension and wheels are well detailed. Details such pioneer tools are separated in both cases too and a small PE set is provided for the Type 89. Decal sheet include 3 markings for the Type 89 and 2 for the Type 95. As bonus it includes an sprue for a Japanese hand cart. Sadly in this release no figures has been included.