COMET/AUTHENTICAST

Japanese Army Tankette

#5052 Type 94 Gun Tankette

WW2 Metal ID Type model 1/108 scale

With replaced gun barrelmade to spec.

This is the Comet-Authenticast Model #5052 of the Japanese Army Type 94 Tankette designed in 1932 and produced from 1935 to 1937, designed to provide Light Tank, Transport and Reconnaissance support to Japanese Infantry Combat Troops prior to and during WW2.  The Type 94 was armed with a 6.5m Type 91 machinegun gun in the turret. It provided Light Armor support and Ammo Transport with an attached trailer.  Later Type 94s were armed with a 7.7mm Type 92 Machinegun.  About 823 were built. 

They were a little unconventional in appearance with the engine mounted in front of the Crew compartment and turret, but similar to other European Tankettes of the time. Small numbers were transferred to the Japanese Navy SNLF, Wang Jingwei Regime Army and Manchuko Imperial Army

The Type 94 was the most prolific Japanese Tankette during the war, and was encountered in China, the Nomonhan Incident against Russia, and Burma, Philippines, and Dutch East Indies.  They were encountered during many of the invasions of Pacific Islands, including Timor, Java, Kwajalein Atoll, and Okinawa.  The Type 94 was fairly successful in China, where there was not much armoured opposition, but too light when encountering Allied Armor. 

They were superseded by the Type 97 Te-Ke tankette, which improved on it in almost all categories, though the Type 94 was encountered in many places to the end of the War due to a paucity of available Japanese Armor.

The TYPE 94 Tankette weighed some 3.4 tonnes, and 10’ long.  It had 8-12mm armor.  They were powered by a Mitsubishi Franklin 4 cyl. petrol  engine driving it up to 25mph on roads.  It was armed with a 6.5mm Type 91 Machine gun, with a crew of two.  

  This model  #5052 was manufactured under thebrand names of Comet or Authenticast from mid-1940’s to 1960’s.  Comet/ Authenticast was founded by the Sloman Brothers in New York prior to World War Two.  They went on to produce Metal Ship, Plane and Tank Identification Models for the American Armed Forces during the War.  Post-War, they continued producing their metal models until bought out by Superior Models in the early 1960’s.  Superior sold the Tank for a limited time.   It is painted Green Drab and comes completely assembled.  The model is a little over 1 1/4” long body, with a 1/4” gun barrel.  It weighs about 2 oz.   This model is in good condition, without the original box packaging.  The gun barrel is a replacement measured to the same dimensions as an original.  This model has very good paint with slight shiny spots on edges. (see pictures). It will be packed and secured safely for transit to you.

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