Well, Gentlemen...we can say that Matilda is a sub-product of the Grant CDL Project ( see here: http://armorama.com/forums/111464&page=1

and so, lets rock !!!

All starts with this:


No WWII photos exist...Only old draws:


...and contemporary drawings:


But, continuing the description of the kit

The first thing that I did : to reproduce the Verlinden´s turret, only for my use, because they are many the versions and I intend to do all.....(Churchill, Valentine...) and was very hard to find this conversion set...

The great detail is the Matilda (and Valentine) they were the first ones to use the concept CDL and they used the early turrets, without the dummie gun and with a enormous lateral hatch:


As the Verlinden turrets are of the late type, the way was to modify the copy:
Removing the details that characterize the late version:


...and, with plasticard, threads and recycled pieces of Matilda, the turret was like this:



Like this, the thing is more similar:


But returning to the recycled kit: This Matilda was bought build, as donor of organs. After several like Frankenstein surgeries , it´s began to be like this:



Scratchs, new spotlights in the frontal fenders (mini-CDL´s)...



exhausts:


Closing the holes that the Mrs. Tamiya pushed us formerly, before the competition ...heheheheheh



Repair that the exhaust were covered with a thermal ribbon, executed with paper-tape...

Here, the Matilda, in good company:


The Grant is drying...and the Matilda w´ll be primmed !!

like this:




Now, it´s looks like a respectable kit, brand new !!!:


Now, the colors:

I never that would paint my Matilda CDL with the colors of Bovington Museum!!! Awfull
I wanted to use a bi-tonal cammo, of two colors...as this picture of same Matilda, of Bovington, before being painted of that terrible green color:


Continuing: we had this green-bronze option, but I don´t like this option...


.. and just my kit is a oddball, the painting would be also...pure fun !!!
I found this, of a Matilda in France, in the end of the French Campaign, to the vespers of Dunkerke:


Resolved: light-green and dark-green ...Humbrol and Testors paints, in the house. But, before, Archer Surface Details in the turret, with casting-numbers and rivets ... it´s amazing !!!


and now, painting:




The exhaust-pipes, in dry-run:



and Matilda CDL with Grant CDL:


I took the two girls for a suntan, in the edge of my balcony:



The colors are very brights, but the weathering will solve this...

Well, Lads, there this...

Be linked that. By the way, the two tanks will be born together: Grant and Matilda!!!

regards, from Brazil...

Hi Marcos,

Another really interesting build. Excellent stuff. I am not 100% sure but I think there may have been a reflector type light on the rear of the turret. I took these down at Bovington but don't have a clear pic of the rear. However, you can see the reflector that has been protected by a glass box on the rear, at least that where I assume it is mean to be. Sorry can't help anymore, didn't read up on it when I was there.







I think both this one and the Grant are just 1st class - excellent stuff.

Al

Thanks, Alan...

This object in the glass is, really, the carbon-projector, the soul of the CDL...

This apparatus was inside the turret, on the right side.



The crewman (they were only two men in the crew of Matilda CDL) besides commanding the tank, it changed the sticks of carbon that generated the potent light (voltaic arch) similar to the old movies projectors...

Fascinating subject and build Marcos, very neat.

thanks, Bill...

and lets go:
The blend, with oils:


colors:
Yellow of Napoli
Dark green
Green earth
Green earth natural
Burning siena

Pointing the colors Matilda:


and doing the blend:



After a layer of Future, set the decals in my model. In honor of the father of the idea, my Matilda will call Grant...eheheheheh





close-up of the oils in the hull:


Now, the Matilda is driyng...Tomorrow, wash, dusting + chipping+and final...

Uffff !!

Nice work Marcos and a very interesting subject, love the use of oils for weathering i would be lost without mine, i look forward to the rest.

Ron.

Top class work so far, the step by step in pictures is excellent.

Keep up the good work,

James

Excellent photos and a fascinating build. Many thanks for sharing

Danke, Gents....

I finished my Matilda, with the Grant CDL...
http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=forums/111464&page=1#920541













I love do this projects...In fact, brothers-prjects: the Grant and Matilda CDL:


Next: Churchill CDL !!! ( another rare version for my collection )

All the best for all !!!


and regards, from Brazil !!!

Hi Marcos. Love what you done to both the Matilda and the Grant. Very complete thread also .. with in-progress, finished and reference images. Enjoyable reading about a subject that is not so well known. Thanks for sharing

Great piece of work you've got there! I didn't know there was such a version on the Mathilda as well.

Martin

Thanks, gents...

all the best !!!

Hi MArcos,

really great build. sorry i lost track of this one, excellent stuff indeed.

A;