COMET/AUTHENTICAST

Japanese Army Tank

#5053 Type 89B Medium Tank

WW2 Metal ID Type model 1/108 scale

This is the Comet-Authenticast Model #5053 of the Japanese Army Type 89B Tank designed in 1928 and produced from 1931 to 1936, designed to provide Medium Tank support to Japanese Combat Troops prior to and during WW2. Originally classified as a Light Tank, they were re-designated as Medium tanks due to increased  weight, and were the Main Battle tank of the Japanese Army with 404 total were built.  

The Type 89A had a Daimler 6 Cylinder Petrol engine and had more limitations, causing the superior Type 89B Diesel version to supersede it.   About 291 of those were built.  They were the first mass produced Diesel tanks in the World.

They were a conventional in appearance with the Type 89Bs armed with a 57mm Type 90 cannon in an asymmetric turret with two 6.5 Type 91 Machineguns. They were comparable to other Infantry European Infantry Tanks of the time.

The Type 89B was a prolific Japanese Medium Tank during the early part of the war, and was encountered in China, the Battle of Khalkhin Gol against Russia, and Burma, Philippines, and Dutch East Indies.  They were encountered during many of the invasions of Pacific Islands, though often as dug in static defense positions.  The Type 89B was fairly successful in China, where there was not much armoured opposition, but too lightly armored and gunned when encountering modern Allied Armor. 

They were superseded by the Type 97 Medium Tank, which improved on it in almost all categories, though the Type 89B was encountered in many places till the end of the War due to a paucity of Japanese Armor.  Postwar, some Type 89s were used by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army during the Indonesian National Revolution, and last used by the French in the early stages of the First Indochina War.

The TYPE 89B Tank weighed some 12.79 Metric tonnes, and was 18’ 10” long. It had 6-17 mm armor.  They were powered by a Mitsubishi A6120VD 6 cyl. diesel engine driving it up to 16mph on roads.  It was armed with a 57mm Type 90 cannon with two 6.5mm Type 91 Machine guns, with a crew of four.

  This model  #5053 was manufactured under the brand 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 2 1/4” long body, with a 3/8” gun barrel.  It weighs about 5 oz.   This model is in very good condition, without the original box packaging.  This models has good paint with some minor shiny spots on edges. (see pictures). It will be packed and secured safely for transit to you.

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