Need Help to Finalize HBG Japan Set!

Gentlemen,  The Imperial Japanese Army was developing Heavy Tanks in WWII

Here is proof. Go to this link and you will even see a picture of one. This thing looks impressive. If the Japanese had these at Guadacanal the Marines would have been in serious trouble.

Japan’s Heavy Type 4 Chi-To heavy tanks - World War II Vehicles

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/japan/tanks-heavy/type-4-chi-to.asp

•Prototypes: 6
•Type 4 Chi-To: 23, 61◦Manufacturer: Mitsubishi 3, Kobe-Seiko 3

Specifications Type 4 Chi-To Crew Unknown, 51 Physical Characteristics Weight 60,000 lb 30 tons1 Length w/gun
20.75’1 Length w/o gun Height  9.4’1 width 9.4’1 Ground clearance Ground contact length Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter Armament Main 75 mm2 75 mm Type 41,3 Secondary MG 7.7 mm MG, hull, coaxial  2: 7.7 mm MG1 2: MGs2 Side arms Quantity Main Armor Thickness (mm) 12 - 751, 753 Hull Front, Upper Hull Front, Lower Engine (Make / Model) Air cooled1 Cylinders V-121 Net HP 4001,3 Transmission Fuel type Diesel1 Octane
Capacity
Performance Speed - Road 28 mph1 Speed - Cross Country

So if we need a Japanese Heavy Tank how about this one?

WARRIOR888

Gentlemen,
Here is another Japanese WWII pro-type heavy tank.
O-I Super Heavy Tank  The picture of this one it was almost the size of a German King Tiger II or a JadgTiger.

This Japanese prototype was a multi-turreted tank equipped with a 105 and a 45mm cannon,plus three 7.7mm machine guns.The maximum thickness of the armor was said to be around 200mm

According to Japanese sources the prototype(estimated weight 120 tons) was fielded in Manchuria for operative tests.

http://www.historum.com/war-military-history/36877-super-heavy-tanks.html

Anyone have any other ideas?

WARRIOR888

Gentlemen,
Here is another one, only one pro=ytpe built, no picture found yet.

Type 95 Heavy Tank
Type Heavy Tank Place of origin Japan
Specifications
Weight 26 t Length 21.25 ft.Width 8.8 ft. Height 9.5 ft.
Crew 6
–-------------------------------------------------
Armor 12-30mm
Main armament 1x 70mm tank gun
Secondary armament 1x 37mm tank gun, 2x 6.5mm MG
Engine Aircraft Type 6 cyl liquid cooled 290hp
Suspension Leaf-Spring
Speed 13.7 mph
WARRIOR888

the problem with all 3 of those tanks is basically the same. they were prototypes. and other than the o-1 they weren’t heavy either. the chi-ho had thinner armor and smaller gun than the Sherman. the type 95 had armor almost half as thin as the stuart with again a smaller gun than the Sherman. And it was slow to top it all off.

I still feel we would be better off using a more iconic japanese tank such as the Type 97 Chi-Ha over prototype, one of a kinds, or dreams of an engineer. IF japan needs a heavy tank let it just be the tiger from '41 game and let HBG focus on iconic pieces that are missing or almost made the cut. I’m not a fan of the fact HBG is using the KV-2 or the Ju-488 because they have that missing X factor (mass production) that would have made it an iconic piece. I would have much much much rathered a KV-1.

I’ve heard they are only planning on 7 more sets total and after it’s all said and done I don’t want to look back and say why did they make this but this is still missing. Example I don’t want to say why a KV-2 but no B-29? Doing any of the tanks you meantioned would lead to why the O-1 but no V-2?

Yavid,

Understand that I am just pointing out that the Japanese were actually working on heavy tank designs.
I have even found another pro-type of a Japanese Tiger. No data but an excellent drawing.  The Germans actually were transfering several Panthers, Stug IIIs, Stukas and 88 AA guns to Japan.  The ship carrying the Panthers and 2 crated Stukas was sunk the  2 ea 88 AAs and Stug IIIs actually made it.  So there was a good chance that several Tigers could have ended up in the Japanese Army.
I am not suggesting FMG or Coach build any of them.
So if we end up using an OOB Tiger to Get a Mogami, Tony or something else actually iconic it is ok by me.

WARRIOR888

@WARRIOR888:

Gentlemen,
Here is another Japanese WWII pro-type heavy tank.
O-I Super Heavy Tank  The picture of this one it was almost the size of a German King Tiger II or a JadgTiger.

This Japanese prototype was a multi-turreted tank equipped with a 105 and a 45mm cannon,plus three 7.7mm machine guns.The maximum thickness of the armor was said to be around 200mm

According to Japanese sources the prototype(estimated weight 120 tons) was fielded in Manchuria for operative tests.

http://www.historum.com/war-military-history/36877-super-heavy-tanks.html

Anyone have any other ideas?

WARRIOR888

this kinda looks like the french heavy tank

@Lunarwolf:

@WARRIOR888:

Gentlemen,
Here is another Japanese WWII pro-type heavy tank.
O-I Super Heavy Tank  The picture of this one it was almost the size of a German King Tiger II or a JadgTiger.

This Japanese prototype was a multi-turreted tank equipped with a 105 and a 45mm cannon,plus three 7.7mm machine guns.The maximum thickness of the armor was said to be around 200mm

According to Japanese sources the prototype(estimated weight 120 tons) was fielded in Manchuria for operative tests.

http://www.historum.com/war-military-history/36877-super-heavy-tanks.html

Anyone have any other ideas?

WARRIOR888

this kinda looks like the french heavy tank

It does have similar charectristics to a French Char 2 C which actually 10 were built and used in operations.
The Germans didn’t have anything even close to it.

WARRIOR888

LOL I got played. it looked like it was because it was the french heavy -_-. after looking at it i still feel it’s not as needed as the other pieces that were mentioned. plus it looks more like a moving fortress than a tank.

Gentlemen here is another idea we can use for the Japanese.
How about using a ME-262 jet fighter for the Japanese Air Force?

U-234 on the other hand is one of the most popular examples of an aborted Yanagi mission in May 1945.[65] Amongst others, her cargo included examples of the newest electric torpedoes, one crated Me 262 jet aircraft, a Henschel Hs 293 glide bomb, and 560 kg of uranium oxide.

WARRIOR888

Variable,

I vote we give up the I-400 for something else we really need.  I have at least 100 each I-400s and there were only a small number built.  So you have my vote to add something we really need for the Japanese.

WARRIOR888

i was going to say we dont really need the sub for now for the more important pieces

@Variable:

With the now 2 different oob submarines (we get a new one in AA41), do you all think we could put off doing the I-400? I’m looking for ways to fit in some of the more popular choices for Japan without sacrificing any unit types.

Yes, I am fine with that. In fact, please!

Japanese Supplement Set:

SNLF Marine
Type  94 6-wheel Truck
Type 92 Armored Car
Type 1 Ho-Ha Mech Inf
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Medium Tank
Type 3 Ho-Ni III Tank Destroyer
Type 4 Ho-Ro SP Artillery
Ki-57 Transport Plane
Ki-43 Oscar Early War Fighter
Ki-61 Tony Army Fighter
D3A Val Dive Bomber
B5N Kate torpedo Bomber
G8N Heavy bomber
Kagero Destroyer
Nagara Light Cruiser
Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser
Chuyo Escort/Light Carrier I would prefer the Shoho but i’m 60/40 for the Shoho so if i’m out voted it’s ok
Kaga or Taiho or Unryu Fleet Carrier To me it’s 55/45 with the Unryu but the Kaga is 2nd Taiho isn’t in the race
Fuso Class Early war Battleship
Nagato Class Battleship
Yamato Class Heavy Battleship not needed but i understand

OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:
Infantry Carrying Flag I would like if this is included also so it can be a paratrooper
Shoho Light Carrier instead of Chuyo Escort Carrier
A6M Zero “Zeke” Navy Fighter
Ki-100 Late War Army Fighter

Your list from page one looks really good. The notes next to units is my vote

Variable and Coach, first thank you for the privlage you have given us in this process.  I know I can speak for just about everyone here we appreciate and the fine work you do.
Japanese Supplement Set:

SNLF Marine
Type  94 6-wheel Truck
Type 92 Armored Car
Type 1 Ho-Ha Mech Inf
Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank Go with this for the light tank _Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Medium Tank
Type 3 Ho-Ni III Tank Destroyer
Type 4 Ho-Ro SP Artillery
Ki-57 Transport Plane
Ki-43 Oscar Early War Fighter
Ki-61 Tony Army Fighter KI-100 for the Army Fighter
D3A Val Dive Bomber
B5N Kate torpedo Bomber
G8N Heavy bomber
Kagero Destroyer
Nagara Light Cruiser
Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser
Chuyo Escort/Light Carrier Shoho for a light carrier since it truly was a light carrier.
Kaga or Taiho or Unryu Fleet Carrier _Kaga for Fleet carrier since Taiho is not even in the runn_ing
Fuso Class Early war Battleship
Nagato Class Battleship
Yamato Class Heavy Battleship

Units in BOLD are not negotiable. Unit TYPES in Bold are not, but the sculpt itself is. These must be done.

OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:
Infantry Carrying Flag
Shoho Light Carrier instead of Chuyo Escort Carrier
A6M Zero “Zeke” Navy Fighter
Ki-100 Late War Army Fighter

WARRIOR888_

I forgot to ask. I’m counting 21 pieces for the set. and HBG normally does two of everything with a total set number of 28. Now by my math that means either Japanese set will be a large 42 piece set or it will have one of 14 pieces and 2 of 7 so it fits into the 28 piece set. I guess my question is what’s the thinking here? Are we getting a 28 piece set with alot of variety or are we getting a large 42 piece set at an increased price?

So if the Sub is gone is it possible to still get the Ki-100 and the newer Zero added in?

@Yavid:

I forgot to ask. I’m counting 21 pieces for the set. and HBG normally does two of everything with a total set number of 28. Now by my math that means either Japanese set will be a large 42 piece set or it will have one of 14 pieces and 2 of 7 so it fits into the 28 piece set. I guess my question is what’s the thinking here? Are we getting a 28 piece set with alot of variety or are we getting a large 42 piece set at an increased price?

Variable said earlier that the Japanese set will either be 1 large set, which of course will cost more, or perhaps 2 small sets. That hasn’t been decided just yet. Whichever way they decide to do it, HBG wants to get all the pieces made at the same time.