Matilda Mk. III/IV

In keeping with the British concepts at the time, the Matilda tank was developed for a role as infantry support. Although well armored, the relatively weak engine power and troublesome suspension severely limited the speed of the vehicle. This shortcoming, however, was not considered an issue as the vehicles intended role was to provide close support to the infantry. As shown though combat, the heavy armor of the Matilda's cast turret became legendary; and for a time in 1940-41 the Matilda earned the nickname "Queen of the Desert". 

However, in the rapid maneuver warfare often practiced in the open in the wide open spaces of North Africa, the tank's low speed and unreliable steering mechanism became major problems. Another problem was the lack of a high-explosive capability (the appropriate shell existed but was not issued). Ultimately, the lack of speed and maneuverability of the Matilda, along with the Afrika Korps deployment of the 88 mm anti-aircraft gun in the anti-tank role eventually doomed the Matilda in this theatre of war.

This is a very special project for me as I was very honored to be asked by Marcus Nicholls of Tamiya Model Magazine International to construct this pre-released version of the new Tamiya Matilda.  The photographs of this build and companion article were featured in the August 2009 issue of TMMI to coincide with the release of the kit.   In conversation with Marcus I came to understand that this kit, the Matilda, is the company’s 300 1:35 scale release. In my opinion they couldn’t have chosen a better deserved subject.

An Audience With the Queen

The construction begins with the road wheels, and yes, there are a lot of them.   Luckily, very little parts clean-up is needed and your time can be directed to the task at hand.   Although mostly hidden on the final presentation, the quality of the suspension is equally detailed. A little care to the instructions should be exercised while assembling the suspension as certain units are left or right specific. The instructions, however, are very clear and this should pose no problem.

Moving upstairs to the turret the first order of business is the business end of the vehicle; the 2 pounder main armament along with the machine gun. Once again, Tamiya has done an outstanding job of recreating in plastic the armament; the 40mm gun is a one piece affair with only the smallest trace of a seam line to be sanded, while the machine gun is also nicely detailed including a drilled barrel. Both fit into the housing in a conventional manner which allows the main armament be able to raise or lower the guns. The kit contains no interior, though the large hatches certainly would lend to some nice views if one should be so inclined to add an interior. The hatches, particularly the commander’s hatch has nice detail both inside and out and compares well against reference photographs. I added small plastic strip to the interior of the copula to represent the leather padding along with small bits of wire bent to form handles. Similar to the hull, the numerous turret accessories require the modeler to drill small locator holes. This is easily accomplished with the aid of a shallow trough in the interior wall of the turret that guides the drill to the exact point for the hole to be drilled. A final sparkle was achieve by adding a 5mm Grief lenses to the to cupola spotlight.

I came across a report which stated that sixty-four Matildas were lost during Operation Battleaxe and a dozen were subsequently repaired and put into service by the Germans. The Matildas were well regarded by their German users although their use in battle caused confusion to both sides despite displaying extra-prominent German markings. 

IN Print:  Tamiya Model Magazine International – August 2009

Materials:  Matilda Mk. III/IV, Tamiya

Figure:  Alpine

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