In this Photo-Report, we present the first images of AFV Club's Churchill III complete with the crew set from Hobby Fan. The photo-report can be seen:

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi Jim,

These look pretty good figs. Looking forward to this kit a lot. Thanks for the heads up.

Al

I agree the model and figures do look great but was the Churchill III present at El-Alamein ?
-keith

Hi Keith,

Six Mk IIIs were shipped to Egypt in time for the 2nd Battle of El Alamein. The unit was known as Kingforce and the mission was to porve or disprove whether or not the cooling system could cope with the conditions.

They took part in 2 engagements, the first at Kidney Ridge on 27 october 1942 and the second in a major tank battle at Tel el Aqqaqir on 3rd November 1942.

The first Churchill formation to serve in North Africa was 25th Tank Brigade consisting of the North Irish Horse, 51 RTR and 142 (Suffolk) Regiment RAC. They were deployed in Tunisia.

Al

Nice figures though as was mentioned over on Missing Lynx they do look a bit beefy compared to contemporary photos.
I notice there are not buckles on the back of the web belts.

Thanks for the info Alan, that would fit nicely into my 'North Africa' theme.
I might have to start saving! Do you know if they were modified for the Desert?

Thanks again
-keith

They were painted in a sand yellow and dark grey camouflage and there was a fabric pleated apron was hung between the front track guards to reduce the dust from coming up and impairing the driver's vision.

Pick up Osprey's "Churchill Infantry Tank 1941-1951"......good description of the actions in Africa....B&W images....and a colour plate.

Here are some images of KingForce personnel:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/message/1218634302/Here+is+more+%26quot%3BThe+Real+Thing%26quot%3B+desert+soldiers

Thanks Jim.

Al

Hi Guys,

I was just over on the Resicast site and noticed this

Churchill ARK Mk I & Mk II
& "drop in" engine for
AFV CLUB Churchill



Al