1/35 Scale Valentine tank by VM, i never heard of these guys but here it is. I wanted to try something a little different than a Tiger or Panther something not seen to often, this kit needs a lot of work to bring it up to todays standards but its getting there. First i reshaped the gun mantle because it was not even close to being correct i drilled out the machine gun barrel, replaced the vent on the turret roof and replaced many of the bolts because of sanding, i replaced the port on the right side of the turret it was backwords don't know what its called and it had to be made from scratch, replaced the mirror it was out of scale, added all the small bolts to the angle brackets on the front of the tank, added a new antena mount from lead foil and the really big item i replaced the one piece engine deck doors in the back with what you see in the photo its not finished yet so far the parts count for just the rear engine door is 65 pieces and i still have to add hinges and handles any and all comments welcome.

That's a heck of a lot of work you've put in there! This kit is a tired old thing that's been released by Azimut & Maquette as well in the past, but for all it's faults it does look like a Valentine. Take care with the tracks and they'll go together ok, just VERY fragile!

I'll coment more when it's got paint on it - easier to see the results of your labours then!

and here I was just wondering the other day if anyone made a 1/35 scale Valentine tank and here one is.

You are doing a great job of it and I must admit to having a slight liking for something that has a lot of white plastic card in it.

Cheers
Ckiff

Got one in the closet..... so I'm watching quitely what you do John....... :-) :-)

RV,

Is this the DML/VM Valentine Mk 3? Dunno if you're into PE or AM stuff, but Eduard do a PE set (Catalogue #:
35108) for this kit. "This set contains photo-etched details for replacing and/or adding oversized plastic kit parts. Most sets contain interior details such as seat belts, instrument panel and other part"
This is probably too small to see properly...




Cliff,

LuckyModel has this Valentine Mk 3 from DML listed on their site... I think it may be a older kit though, as neither DML or DML-USA have the kit listed on their sites... judging from the box art it may be a DML/VM colaboration??

1/35 BRITISH VALENTINE Mk.III INFANTRY TANK

thanks for the link. I may get one in a few weeks time to do as a Kiwi version as the Australians did not have them.

cheers
Cliff

Looking great so far! Can we get a another photo of the engine doors with less glare - its just great!

Thanks for all the comments guys, this is the old VM Kit same as the Dragon one, i rairly use PE and their won't be any on this kit either everything will be scratch built its just more fun that way. I will try to post some better shots soon of the engine deck when i finish the hinges and the handles. The kit comes with side skirts but from all of the pics i have they are always missing so i will just replace all the fender brackets and dump the fenders. more pics to come when i get the suspension on and when i turn the gun barrell that should be fun its so tiny.

It's looking fabulous so far! Keep it up, your on the right track! Oh, and keep us posted!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Looks good so far. You have alot of scratch built parts and rivets going there !

What paint scheme are you going to do ?

How are the kit tracks ? I think Friul has track links for the Valentine.

You might want to replace the kit gun tube with a JR 2pdr one. Not that expensive either. I think with all the extra work you are attempting, its well worth the effort.

Keep sending pics

Cheers !!

Alpen

I'm guessing that is the pistol port.

I'm like a few others here, I've got this one collecting dust in my stash. At least I did try to start it, once. I got to about the 2nd or 3rd step in the instructions the drawing and instructions didn't jibe with the parts. I had plenty of other things to do and I shelved it for something else.

I admire your work so far. Keep it up. I'm not good at scratch building but I admire you for not wanting to buy all the extras out there, and just do it yourself.

Robert i am not shore on the paint i guess the base coat will be dark green so any scratches will show threw the sand color and maybe that camo i see on British tanks with the blue or is it gray not shore on that, i have read that the track are bad but they seem to have good detail so will give them a try first, i will make the gun barrel my self on my unimat lathe i have done this before on my M10 Tank destroyer came out good its in my gallery. Rodger you may be wright about the pistol port, i prefer to make what ever i can when i can to me thats what modeling is all about for those who like to buy lots of PE thats cool its just not me, but i will buy lots of tools to help me build, like my Unimat Lathe. Try more scratch building its not hard just takes time.