JGSDF Type 61 Tank 1:72 Model Kit by Trumpeter

Model Features

• 1:72 scale plastic model kit
• Accurately represents the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Type 61 Main Battle Tank
• Finely detailed hull and turret
• Realistic 90mm Type 61 rifled main gun
• Detailed suspension and running gear
• Authentic Japanese armoured vehicle features and equipment
• Detailed engine deck, storage fittings, and external components
• Precision-moulded plastic parts
• Waterslide decal sheet included
• Illustrated assembly instructions
• Ideal for display or Cold War military diorama projects

Specifications

• Brand: Trumpeter
• Scale: 1:72
• Subject: JGSDF Type 61 Tank
• Material: Injection-moulded plastic
• Skill Level: Suitable for intermediate modellers
• Paint & Glue Required: Yes (sold separately)
• Recommended Age: 14+

What's in the Box

• Plastic sprues
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

History of the Original Vehicle

The Type 61 Main Battle Tank was the first domestically designed and produced tank developed by Japan after the Second World War. Created by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), it was developed during the early years of the Cold War to provide Japan with a modern armoured capability suited to its defensive requirements and terrain.

Entering service in 1961, the Type 61 was designed around a conventional layout influenced by contemporary Western tank designs. It featured a cast turret, a rear-mounted engine compartment, and a powerful 90mm rifled gun capable of engaging armoured threats of the period. The tank was deliberately designed to remain relatively compact and lightweight, allowing it to operate effectively across Japan's mountainous landscape, narrow roads, and limited bridge infrastructure.

Powered by a Mitsubishi diesel engine, the Type 61 provided a balance between mobility, protection, and firepower. Although it was not intended to match the heaviest tanks of the era, it represented a significant improvement over Japan's post-war reliance on imported armoured vehicles and marked the beginning of a new generation of Japanese military engineering.

The Type 61 served as the backbone of Japan's armoured forces for over three decades, supporting the JGSDF's defensive mission throughout the Cold War. It was gradually replaced by the more advanced Type 74 Main Battle Tank from the mid-1970s onwards, with the final examples withdrawn from service in 2000. Today, the Type 61 remains an important milestone in Japanese armoured vehicle development and a symbol of Japan's post-war industrial recovery.

Historical Snapshot

• Country: Japan
• Entered Service: 1961
• Role: Main Battle Tank
• Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Crew: 4
• Primary Armament: 90mm Type 61 rifled gun
• Secondary Armament: 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun and 7.62mm Type 74 coaxial machine gun
• Engine: Mitsubishi HM21 WT V12 diesel engine
• Top Speed: Approximately 45 km/h (28 mph)

Please Note

This is an unassembled plastic model kit. Paint, glue, and modelling tools are not included. Recommended for ages 14 and over.