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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoweGear
More bonus cards from BD/DVD 4:
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They really do make all the girls look their best in these cards 
All right, I'll do a quick, dirty and crude on this round's Senshado topic:
Quote:
About the vehicles and parts used in Senshado
The vehicles usable in Japanese High School Senshado are, as regulated by the Japanese Senshado Federation (JSF), those that have completed design by August 15th 1945, with protoype construction having started, as well as vehicles that use only parts that are planned for installation during the same time period. Because new vehicles almost do not exist, those who wish to start Senshado generally either buy a second-hand vehicle for overhaul or restore one from scrap. Of course, schools and dojo who have started Senshado long ago may have vehicles that were bought as new and retained to the present day, and such vehicles very occasionally may make it on the market, but this does not ordinarily happen. Vehicles sold as second hand are centred around those mass produced vehicles, especially the M4 Sherman series and M3 light tank, as well as the Soviet T-34 series; and even if other vehicles enter the market, they are often already reserved or will sell out quickly. Certainly, some vehicles such as the British Covenanter cruiser tank are relatively available but are rarely bought by anyone other than a segment of the mania crowd. Further, this second hand market is part of an international one, and rare but popular types like the Tiger can attract the attention of buyers worldwide just on the rumor of their availability. Among those buyers, some are rumored to be so good they can obtain any tank requested. Similarly, repair businesses that can restore completely scrapped tanks to just-like-new condition exist and form a large market centered in Europe.
For the repair and restoration of these vehicles, as well as for parts needing regular replacement in competitive use, OEM parts from the original manufacturer and equivalents from other companies are produced and sold at shops approved by the Japanese Senshado Federation. While it is basically necessary to use such officially recognized parts, it is also permissible to use certain self-manufactured parts that do not affect performance. However, vehicular inspection will be performed upon registration and original parts with too high a performance may be rejected by it and thus it is necessary to use parts with as similar performance to WWII items as possible. As an exception, it is enouraged to replace parts such as electrical systems, since the manufacturing standards in those days were low and do not meet current standards, thus they are considered incapable of guaranteeing the crew's safety. In particular, old-type paper-wrapped electrical cable has high risk of leakage and fires and must be replaed. For the standards of such parts, lists are sold at JSF recognized shops and it is recommended to study them before retoration. For second hand vehicles that have passed the inspection, in addition to fulfilling the abovementioned safety standards, the Federation will install the carbon armor and evaluating mechanisms, and thereafter the vehicle may be used with only simple maintenance.
Further, from the viewpoint of safety, open-topped vehicles may not be used in Senshado. As an exceptional measure for schools that hold such vehicles, modification kits are produced and sold by manufacturers. Famous are mod kits that turn 38(t) based vehicles like Marder and Grilled into Hetzers, and perhaps since many schools hold such vehicles, the kits are bestsellers. Similarly, kits are available to transform Wespe into Panzer IIs and Nashorns, Hummels & Mobelwagens into Stumgeschutze, however since the Panzer II kit greatly weakens the tank, it does not sell well. Among the modifications are those that can turn tank recovery vehicles into combat capable state. All kinds of modifications are conducted and both procedures and parts are relatively available.
Further, practice Senshado rounds are available at JSF-recognized shops like "Sensha-club" or at JSF branch offices. Competition "warshots" are to be applied for in advance by quantity and type, reviewed by the Competition's Review Committee and then rationed out. Similarly, it is impermissible to use fuel other than that provided by the Committee. Since there is an upper limit for the allocation of both Fuel and Ammo, it is important to pay careful attention when selecting vehicles.
Leftover parts from repairs and modifications, as well as consumables that have fallen below the safety standard are not only disposed of, but are also sold at "Sensha-club" or auctions. Parts used by famous schools or famous players are sometimes traded at high prices. Tracks and rounds that are signed are particularly popular and are drooled at by mania.
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I wonder why they don't make replica tanks (they won't even really be replicas, since the OEM manufacturer still exists). Parts, yes? Whole vehicles, no?
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