I am considering a Russian Lend lease Matilda and wanted to get some feedback from some of you guys. With the release of Tamiya's Matilda III/IV I wanted to build one to do it justice. I have a couple of references and wanted to share what i think is interesting information on some things.

I have heard that the Russians used mainly the Mk IV variant but I have found many pictures of MKIII,MKIII CS, MKIV and MKIV CS. These include different nose castings (brought to us by TMD) [url=https://www.tigermodels.com/Shop/agora.cgi?cartlink=MatildaNoseCastings.html&cart_id=499.29794? I have also seen some that have additonal applique of the tops of the lower hull in front of the driver. Ive also found tall and short cupolas. It also seems that the Russians didnt receive any II that had the vickers MG. All sport the TD 5910 tracks and it doesn't look like they used the alternate desert tracks or reaer fuel can rack. They all still carried their WD numbers (on the sides and rear). Many were the 3inch howitzer armed Close support CS version.

Here are some production numbers.
2987 were produced. THeir makers were wide and varied....
Vulcan, Fowler, Ruston & Hornsby, Sottish Railway, North British Loco Co. & Harland and Wolff.

the following number of variants were produced:
Mk 1 65
mk II 146
Mk III 675
Mk III CS 118
Mk IV 1613
Mk IV CS 283

They served on fronts from Moscow to Kursk to Eastern Europe (and even beyond in captured German service)

1084 Were set to the Russians via Lend Lease and 918 were recieved (Many people do not take losses during transport - they were common and is a factor when considering just how common a tank or particular variant actually was regardless of country.)
Here the numbers received by year
1941: 145
1942: 626
1943: 147

They served in ( this list is long and incomplete.)
140th Ind Tank Batt.
136th Ind Tank Batt
131st Tank Batt
192nd Tank Brig/61st Tank Army
196th Tank Brigade
5th Mech Corp
19th Tank Corp
64th Tank Brig
37th Tank Brigade
10th Tank Corp
5th Tank Corp
20th Tank Corp

I have a set of Fruil Tracks (with sproket) for the old kit TD5910, Eduard p/e (again for the old kit - but I'll only use some of the pcs like the turret rack.
I plan on buying a one of the new TMD noses (what the hell its only $5!!!)
and model one of the Lend Lease Matilda. Also maybe aa set of the covers too!
Heres some great pictures of some in service....

[url=https://www.armchairgeneral.com/rkkaww2/galleries/Lendlease/Matilda.htm]

Is anyone else thinking of doing a Lend Lease Matilda. Im horrible about posting my work (Crap Camera and 2 small kids & Full time student) but I'll try to post some images.

Chris

Hey Chris,
This site may be of help:
Engines of the Red Army WWII
Lend Lease equipment
Matilda

Cheers

jjumbo

John,
Thanks. Yes Im aware of these sites. Im still not sure the flat tracks were used.

There is more information on units here:

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/rkkaww2/weapons/LL_Matilda.htm
HTH

Scott,
Great - I don't know how I missed that pc. Thanks.

I just saw on TMD's site that they are going to release a Mk IV update that even has the AA mg mount

I have more information on units, if you're interested. Tell me you read Russian...

http://t-34.hobby-site.com/matildas-RU-table.htm

There is a good article on the Matilda in Soviet service in Tankomaster 1999-02. Not many photos, the same ones that always turn up, but an interesting description.

You got me interested in this kit now. I have tracks on order, and will await the Voyager set #35300 with interest. I'll have to see what Joe's up to as far as parts and things...

Cheers
Scott Fraser

I'd hang fire on modding the Tamiya Matilda - there is a low cupola and 3 inch C/S gun that's not mentioned in the instructions, and you do have to question why the ventilated stowage compartment lids on the front glacis have been mouled seperately - the tracks also seem to be an essentially separate sprue.

My bet is there is a Matilda MkIV from Tamiya in the works ...

Some captured Soviet Matida's on here...
http://beute.narod.ru/Beutepanzer/uk/A12_matilda/a12ussr_matilda.htm
... might help.