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JGSDF TYPE 10 TANK Tamiya 1/48 This kit was my project for the Britmodeller 10th Anniversary Group Build. Before starting making this kit I was not aware of this tank at all. I did a bit of checking up on the details and this is a sort of summary from various sources, including Wikipedia and Brett Green's review on missing-lynx.com: JGSDF's Type 10 is a fourth generation main battle tank designed as a replacement for the retired Type 74 and the currently serving Type 90 tanks. Work started on the Type 10 in 1996 and over 100 are currently in service. Weighing in at 44 tons, the Type 10 is six tons lighter than the Type 90 and smaller than its predecessors, but it still manages to pack a wallop thanks to its Japan Steel Works 120 mm smooth-bore cannon. The Type 10's cannon is fitted with an auto-loader which means only three crew members are needed – a Commander, driver and gunner. A coaxial machine gun is fitted, and a further external .50 cal may be fitted to the Commander’s cupola. The Type 10’s uses a nano-crystal steel and modular ceramic composite armour which has significantly improved its defensive capabilities compared to the Type 90. Power is supplied by a 1,200 hp V8 diesel engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission, delivering a top speed of 70 km/h in both directions. The Type 10 also features Hydropneumatic Active Suspension which allows it to adjust its stance and absorbs recoil when firing. The Type 10 tank is equipped with something called a C4I system (Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence). This can be incorporated into the JGSDF network to enable sharing of information among tanks, as well as connected to the infantry's outdoor computer network "Regiment Command Control System" (ReCS) to facilitate integrated military operations with the infantry troops. As usual with Tamiya 1/48 AFV kits, this was a pleasure to build. Kit: 1/48 Tamiya Kit No. 32588 Paints: Revell, Humbrol, Citadel and Railmatch acrylics all applied by paintbrush. EDIT - THERE IS A LINK IN MY SIGNATURE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY POSTS TO A VIDEO SHOWING HOW I DID SOME OF THE PAINTING ON THIS TANK Extras: Wire mesh (from a cooking spaltter guard) for inside the rear turret basket, aerials from stretched sprue and headlight guards made from scrap PE grills. WIP: Here This tank has a lot of surface detailing on the upper surfaces which I think Tamiya has captured really well: Tamiya also included a commander figure: As the light was quite nice the day before yesterday I took some photos of the Type 10 on my Spitfire display base which includes a sky background: This was my first proper larger scale modern tank build and the weathering of it was trickier than I expected. With the WW2 AFVs I usually build I feel I can usually get away with slightly heavier weathering whereas most photos of this tank online seem to show it on parade grounds or taking part in demonstrations and exercises. There are some very dusty or dirty versions but nothing really worn. I have seen a rather well worn/weathered version in a magazine but it looked like it had been in very heavy fighting for many years. So on mine I opted for some light weathering here and there. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment in my build thread and to the hosts of the GB. Kind regards, Stix PS The poll is now open in the M3/M4 Medium Tank STGB - make sure your cast you vote!