MiniArt 1/35 Japanese Tank Crew Kit First Look

By Cookie Sewell

Images by Michael Benolkin

First Look

It apparently has been conceded that DML has decided to corner the market on German figures from WWII, and some of the more alert companies such as MiniArt, Master Box and ICM have gone after the wide swath of figures they have either ignored or abandoned.

This set is typical of the new offerings from MiniArt, namely five Japanese tankers from WWII. But like some of the more recent DML offerings, this is essentially five single figures in one box rather than a combined set with a common theme.

Three of the tankers are wearing coveralls; one is posing outside the tank and the other two are posed to fit in hatches in a vehicle. One officer is presented in tanker's helmet with long sword but standard uniform, and the last officer is sitting cross-legged with a sword bayonet drawn up and the jungle cap with neckpiece. All five figures have goggles and pistol holsters.

Each figure is composed of the basic six parts – head, torso, arms and legs - with detail pieces as needed. The helmet crown is separate but the ear flaps and chin straps are molded in place. Molding is excellent and the expressions are all unique.

Artwork is by MiniArt's resident artist. D. Karashchuk, and is to me second to Ron Volstad for expression and quality. But like DML, the box art is used on the back with "stick here" notes for assembly of the figures.

Overall this is a great set and provides crews for some of the tanks which DML failed to do with its Type 2 Ka-Mi kits (even though they are Naval units) and gives anyone building Fine Molds or Tamiya kits another nice option.

Thanks to MRC for the review sample.

Sprue Layout:

• ‒ 29 Figures A, B and C
• ‒ 28 Figures D and E plus common parts