Matt Szefer shares with us a build review of the Tamiya Infantry Tank Matilda Mk. III/IV in 1/35th scale.

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While I have always liked Tamiya kits for their engineering and detail finesse I particularly like this decal variant as it shows an aspect of history that the former Soviet Union worked so hard to downplay or outright ignore: the Lend-Lease agreements that gave them the equipment to fight on until their own factories were relocated and their own -admittedly better- tanks came on line in sufficient numbers. They hated Valentines, for example, but they were better than nothing. Matildas were too slow, under-gunned and vulnerable to the nti-tank guns then coming on line to be much more than stop-gap solutions. I like reminding the Soviets and their modern descendants this over-looked aspect of their "glorious" history. Let the firefight of controversy begin!

I am also glad they are re-releasing kits with decals for unusual subjects and hope the trend continues.

Love the kit but given a lot of this kit is the same as older one, Tamiya should of added clear parts for lights!!

"only the tank with crew on the white background".... well, this is Tamyias state of the art box art. Their drawings and paintings still are some of the best.

IMHO, and being a great kit from the get to, I think Tamiya would have a better sell if they re-boxed the 1/35 Matilda by adding one sprue that contained parts for the Russian 76mm...a gun mounted and tested by the Russians. Give the builder that unique choice! Why cannot Tamiya join others that put out kits of paper panzers and/or single prototype vehicles?? My 2 cents...

There's quite a bit new in this kit, plus Tamiya's recent figures are spectacular for plastic. The new-tool Matilda as they originally did it was better suited for a Lend-Lease or homeland training tank than the Caunter scheme/desert ones they provided decals for anyway.

The Soviets actually didn't care much for any of the British tanks under Lend-Lease as they considered them too slow and unreliable. Plus, they weren't usually available with a diesel which increased logistics. Can't say that they cared much for the Shermans either calling them a "Tomb for Four Comrades". Soviet take-off on "Ronsons". But hey, anything is better than nothing. They really liked the Studebaker trucks, though.

day late and a dollar short, however...
Great kit, but Tamiya missed the mark on research.
The differences in this kit nd the original is not Soviet specific - This kit portrays a Late Mk. III, early Mk. IV Matilda.
The original release is an early Mk. III.

Tamiya even provides (in parts not used), a 3 inch Howitzer barrel, low profile copula, and non-louvered storage locker doors.

Great kits!!

Andy