Tamiya 32565 1/48 Komatsu G40 Bulldozer - compact Japanese Navy model kit  [32565]

Komatsu G40 in wartime airfield work

Commissioned by the Japanese Navy during World War II to speed up airfield construction, the Komatsu G40 represented Japan's first homebuilt bulldozer. Production reached 148 units, but the conflict meant most never made it to their intended sites. One surviving example is preserved at the Komatsu Techo Center in Shizuka, where it was recognised as a Mechanical Engineering Heritage item by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2007.

Building the 1/48 Komatsu G40 model

Tamiya's 1/48 interpretation of the Komatsu G40 delivers fine surface detail and realistic components. The kit highlights hydraulic line shapes and a metal transfer IJN emblem on the grille, making it a satisfying project for scale military modellers who enjoy precise assembly and painting.