1:35 IJN Type 2 "KA-MI" Schwimmpanzer Carson 776712 500776712

Dragon’s first ever 1/35 scale Smart Kit of the Japanese Type 2 “Ka-Mi” amphibious tank (Item No.6678) proved a blockbuster! Now comes another version with even more goodies, a Type 2 complete with a set of floating pontoons. The “Ka-Mi” was the first amphibious tank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). It was designed for Japanese landing forces performing amphibious invasions of Pacific islands that didn’t have regular port facilities. Production commenced in 1942 and a total of 184 Type 2 tanks were built. When used in water, two large pontoons were attached to the glacis plate and rear deck to give it a top waterborne speed of 10km/h. These pontoons could be shed as soon as it reached land.

This 1/35 scale kit is obviously based on the company’s earlier release, but the bonus this time around is the floating pontoons. The front pontoon is composed of two halves (Late Production) that are brand new toolings. Other parts such as the conning tower, rudder and hydroscope suitable for its amphibious role are also fully detailed. There’s widespread use of slide molds to enable crisp detail. The one-piece upper-hull and lower-hull components, for example, are both slide molded. It also features highly detailed and easy-to-assemble DS tracks. This creates many possibilities for dioramas and modelers. This Type 2 with pontoons is thus a unique item from the Pacific theater of war, making this kit invaluable for model-makers.