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9. Matilda II
Great Britain - 1938

The British Matilda tank achieved fame in the North African desert in late 1940, helping British forces push the Italian Army out of Egypt and into Libya.  Earning the nickname "The Queen of the Desert", the Matilda was practically invulnerable to everything it came across until the Afrika Korps arrived with the vaunted 8.8cm Flak gun in February 1941.

(Build notes down at the bottom)

Tamiya #35300, 1/35 Matilda Mk. III/IV

1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II
1/35 Tamiya Matilda II

Kit #:  1/35 Tamiya #35300, Matilda Mk. III/IV

Decals:  Echelon Decals #352011, Matilda in North Africa, Malta & Crete

Aftermarket Accessories:  Tiger Model Designs #2028, Matilda POW Stowage Rack

 

Build Notes: 

The model was built out of the box with the following modifications:

  • Welds added to either side of the driver’s hatch using thin plastic rod, liquid cement, and scoring with a knife.

  • Small wires added to the rear light panel.

  • Small wire added from turret to underside of antenna mount.

  • Antenna with rolled pennants added.

  • Added Tiger Model Designs’ photo-etch POW (Petrol-or-Water) stowage rack to the rear of the tank with some “flimsies”.

 

Painting:

  • Basecoat: AK Real Colors RC033 “Khaki Green No.3”

  • Hairspray

  • Caunter Scheme colors mixed according to Mike Starmer’s custom mixes for Tamiya paints found online:

    • Portland Stone No. 64 = XF57:1 + XF2:6 + XF3:1

    • Silver Grey No. 28 = XF21:7 + XF4:1 + XF19:1

    • Slate No. 34 = XF24:1 + XF4:1

​

References:

-  Osprey Publications, New Vanguard #8, “Matilda Infantry Tank 1938-45”

-  Wikipedia, the online Encyclopedia

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