Did every single WWll era Comet have the mantlet cover? Just want to know if I have to spend extra on the AM part.

I don't believe they did.

I'm not sure about WW2 era versions (which given the European climate ie rain would think they were de rigeur) but I do have a reliable source who informs me that post-war, in Hong Kong, the mantlet covers were ordered to be removed due to rotting in the humid climate.

I would think that by using Milliput or similar you could probably sculpt your own, just roll out thin, apply and cut to size and add the creases and folds using a rounded-off cocktail stick or say, the end of a paintbrush handle. Any fingerprints can be eased away using a wet (water) paintbrush carefully over the marks. Once hard, it can be drilled(for MGs etc) or sanded if necessary.

It will certainly save you buying an after market set; I've only used this method on a few Soviet tanks, which I fully admit is a different ballgame as they are not as complex a shape, but I found it far easier than I'd thought.

Good luck,

Brian

The Comet was used by 29th Armoured Brigade, made up of 23rd Hussars, 3 RTR and the 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry.

In all the pictures I've found of these units Comets in service in NWE every one is fitted with a mantlet cover.