This is one nice kit, and an appropriately excellent offering for the iconic company's 300th release.
However, I do think back to seeing the CAD drawings of ICM's Mk4 Matilda - very nice they looked too! - and the abrupt announcement that the kit would not be released ... why was this so?
Tamiya provide all the bits to do a MkII in the desert, but there are a few bits that aren't mentioned, and the way the kit is engineered, I would say there are other versions of the Matilda coming from Tamiya.
Many of the parts for the "desert Matlida" need their location holes drilled in the hull and turret, and there are some unused holes that could be location points for turret ring splash guards:
There's also a later type low cupola that's not mentioned in the instructions and the link and length early "flat plate" track, while attached to another sprue are essentially an easily replaced attachment.
Meanwhile, those separate hinged front stowage bin covers are intriguing ... why would you bother to make them separate - with some very exacting engineering - unless you were going to offer other parts for a later version down the track?
After you fit the early version of the two-pounder barrel, you will find that there is a later version, and a 3 inch (75mm) (close support) howitzer barrel left on the sprue:
Moving right along, the overscale proportions of the old classic Tamiya Matilda are obvious when compared to the current, far more refined, offering:
To summarise, looking at the sprues, I would say that Mr Tamiya has another later version of the Matilda coming, or he has at least left himself that option.
The later MkIV versions were used in training by the Canadian and Brits and in battle with Russia and most notably by Australia (who had them in service until the late 1950s).
My guess is a Tamiya MkIV with the option of the 3-inch close support version and later "spudded" track is on the drawing board. I also predict that there will be only markings for an Australian version, as many of the tanks used by the Aussie Army in World War II had many weird and wonderful modifications that varied from troop to troop.
I think I can safely predict that Russian, Canadian and British markings will also be offered!
Watch this space!
