Tamiya 1:35 Matilda Mk.III / Mk.IV

The kit proposed by Tamiya company includes a plastic model kit of British medium tank in 1:35 scale.

In the interwar period, two types of tanks have developed in the UK - cruisers, and infantry. The purpose of the first one was to enter the rear line of the enemy after breaking his line, the second one was a direct support of infantry. Infantry tank A12 was developed in the late 30s, as the successor to Matilda I. The project initially established a modification predecessor, but in the course of work, it was decided to build it from a scratch. The main idea was to create a strong armored tank, armed with a gun and a machine gun. It was the first time that diesel engines were used, providing adequate power to move the 25 ton vehicle. Such a large mass (Matilda I weighed only 11 tonnes) was mainly due to the armor that reached up to 78 mm, which caused that at the time of entry into service, Matilda II was the best-protected tank in the world. Increase in weight was caused by the application of triple screwed, larger turret with 2 pounder cannon (40 mm). Modifications in subsequent versions of the development of vehicle-related primarily to the engine and gearbox to increase the mobility of the tank. At the initial stage of the war, Matilda II was an extremely effective vehicle and resistant to enemy fire. It worked up perfectly during the fighting in North Africa. Its twilight was however sealed with the rapid development of the German armor and anti-tank weaponry and above all modern 75 and 88 mm cannons. Matilda, however, were applied and successfully fought on the Pacific islands in the Australian Army until the end of the war.

Tamiya kit allows assembly of the British infantry tank Mk. II A12 Matilda Mk. III/IV model from the II World War period. The vehicle has two variants of the tracks, plastic or rubber. Included crew consists of commander, driver and loader. Box includes part of the hull, 6 sprues with model parts, rubber tracks and decals (allows reconstruction of tanks from 42., 49. Royal Tank Regiment or the 32. Army Tank Brigade).

Plastic parts should be cut out of frames, fit together and glued according to the assembly instruction. You should paint the whole model using modeling paints according to the proposed paint scheme in the instruction. It is important to remember that some plastic parts require painting before gluing. In the end, it is needed to apply decals according to markings or graphics in instruction.

Paints recommended by the manufacturer for best results:

Vehicle:

• Tamiya XF-1, XF-26, XF-10, XF-23, XF-59 (desert camouflage)
• Tamiya XF-1, XF-52 (European camouflage)
• Tamiya XF-56 (tracks, metal elements of sapper equipment)
• Tamiya XF-64 (wooden elements of sapper equipment)
• Tamiya XF-9 (elements of exhaust system)
• Tamiya XF-49 (cloth)
• Tamiya X-10 (MG)

Crew:

• Tamiya XF-57 (shirt)
• Tamiya XF-52 (trousers)
• Tamiya XF-1 (beret, boots)
• Tamiya XF-15 (skin)

Set contains:

• The assembly instruction.
• Frames with plastic parts.
• Decals.
• Rubber tracks.
• Plastic tracks.
• Soldiers / crew figures.

Kit does NOT contain paints and glue.

Here are the basic tools and materials you need:

• Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
• Modeling penknife.
• File or sandpaper.
• Cement for plastic models.
• Brush or airbrush.
• Modeling paints.

If you are not sure of any accessories or colors of paints you need for your model kit, please ask us, we will be glad to help you.