Japan

Japanese paratroopers – Teishin Shudan (raiding group) – proved highly effective in the early years of the war. German successes with paratroops during 1940 encouraged the Japanese to develop their airborne arm as a constituent part of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF). They were initially deployed in the Dutch East Indies during the Battle of Palambang in February 1942. A regiment of paratroopers dropped onto Palambang airfield, whilst another captured the town and its oil refinery. High casualties amongst the paratroopers discouraged further deployment by air, and the Teishin Shudan subsequently fought as elite infantry formations – much as their German counterparts did.

The Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF) were the marine troops of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Due to the deep distrust the Japanese Army and Navy had for each other, joint operations were all but out of the question and the Navy created the Special Naval Landing Forces as a result. First seeing action in 1932 during the 'Shanghai Incident' of the Sino-Japanese War, the SNLF were highly trained, high quality troops with excellent morale. Each SNLF formation was named after the base in which it as formed. This plastic and metal set contains parts to make 32 SNLF. It includes plastic Japanese Infantry sprues plus metal parts with new heads for every model (including an officers tropical hat and a sailor's cap). The set also includes equipment packs including their distinctive gas-masks. There are also two new metal bodies as well as arms firing a pistol and wielding a ceremonial sword. The set is rounded off nicely with the full-colour sheets of flags and devotional banners - great to hang from weapons as they take Emperor's word to the enemy... Box contains 32 metal and plastic figures.

Even the emperor is pleased with what this box contains:

• Enough plastic components to make 1 Chi-Ha or the up gunned Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha
• Damage markers
• Full colour waterslide decal sheet
• A Bolt Action stat card
• A detailed booklet describing how to build and paint your Chi-Ha

With over 2,100 units made, the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank was the second most produced Japanese medium tank of World War II, after the smaller Type 95 Ha-Go. It saw extensive action in the Second Sino Japanese War, the Battles of Khalkhin Gol against the Soviet Union, and throughout World War II. It was Japan's standard medium tank - although with a weight of only 15 tones, excellent speed and mobility, and no more than 33mm of turret armour and 26mm on the hull, it would be considered a light tank in any other contemporary army. The Type 97-Kia Shinhoto Chi-Ha in Bolt Action With 2 options in the plastic kit you're spoiled for choice, although we suspect many might opt for the up-gunned variant - the Type 97-Kia Shinhoto with the high velocity 47mm anti-tank gun in a new and larger turret from 1942.