The 1/72 scale Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank (Item No.7397) that Dragon Armor previously released has been a very popular item. That particular model depicted a Late-Production variant, but now Dragon is adding an Early-Production model to the range. The Type 97 was Japan’s most widely produced medium tank of WWII. Boasting a 57mm main gun and two Type 97 machine guns, this tank was intended to serve as an up-scaled version of the Type 95 for infantry support. Armor protection was modest on this vehicle. A total of 2,123 tanks were produced from 1938-43, most of which had the low-velocity 57mm gun. The tank could move at a speed of 38km/h.

The new 1/72 scale model uses some components from the previously released kit, but there are a great many new parts included. The entire upper hull, for example, is a completely new tooling. It’s all new to enable the correct depiction of the altered engine deck layout. Other notable alterations include the toolbox, shovel, rear-plate brackets and distinctive flaps on the engine deck. The lower hull also had to be modified due to the changed exhaust location. This Japanese tank kit allows modelers to field a tank that was used in both tropical and temperate regions of Asia, as well as the Pacific island-hopping campaign by the USA and the Allies.