Tamiya 35163 - 1:35 JDF Type 61 Tank

1:35 plastic model kit of the Japanese Type 61 main battle tank

The Type 61 is where the story of post-war Japanese armour begins – the first tank designed and produced domestically after the Second World War. Tamiya 35163 reproduces it in 1:35 scale, using a 1970 mould in a 1993 release.

The model captures the tank’s slim silhouette, with its long 90 mm gun and narrow hull tailored to Japan’s road and rail infrastructure. Vinyl belt tracks make the running gear quick to complete, and a length of string is supplied for the tow cable on the hull. A generous decal sheet covers five marking options.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and equipment parts
• Vinyl belt tracks
• String for the tow cable
• One tank crew figure
• Waterslide decal sheet for 5 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35163
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: 238 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: This kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is a classic, straightforward kit that works well as an early armour project. The parts count is moderate, the fit is very good, and the vinyl belt tracks remove the most time-consuming stage of the build. Painting the road wheels before fitting them is worth considering, and the small handles and tools on the hull are best left until last.

Self-Defense Force tanks were finished in a dark olive green (Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab makes a good starting point); the instructions give paint codes for each option. Applying decals over a gloss coat is recommended to reduce silvering, and a matt varnish suits the final finish. A light wash will bring out the rivets, hatches and cast texture of the turret.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Type 61:

For years after the Second World War Japan built no tanks of its own. Work on the Type 61 began in the 1950s and the vehicle entered service in 1961, which gave it its designation. It was the first tank designed and produced in post-war Japan and became a symbol of the country’s industrial recovery.

The design was shaped by Japanese conditions: the tank had to fit within the limits of local bridges, tunnels and railway wagons, so it was relatively narrow and light for a main battle tank of its era. It was armed with a 90 mm gun and powered by an air-cooled Mitsubishi diesel.

The Type 61 formed the core of the Self-Defense Forces’ armour for more than two decades before being replaced by the more modern Type 74. Although it never saw combat, it holds a permanent place in the history of Japanese military engineering.

Original vehicle specifications (Type 61):

• Length: approx. 8.19 m (gun forward)
• Width: approx. 2.95 m
• Combat weight: approx. 35 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 90 mm gun
• Powerplant: Mitsubishi diesel engine, 570 hp
• Top speed: approx. 45 km/h
• Entered service: 1961
• Operator: Japan Self-Defense Forces

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company originally traded in timber and moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s. Its first plastic model kit appeared in 1960, and two years later came its first 1:35 tank – the scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, outstanding parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases covering vehicles, artillery and figures from around the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.