Got Tamiyas kit of the British matilda tank,and wanted to do different paint job and markings other than the N.Africa ones the kit offers. I have found one color plate of a matilda during the battle of Arras in 1940,does anyone know where i can find more detailed info or if anyone offers a aftermarket decal set for the matilda? Thanks.
Happy Modeling
modelmaniac

Hi mate!
Tried to respond on the other site but was havin difficulties!
Why don't you try and have a look at Eduard for there stencils or Aber!
Then try and mix and match according to the unit you are following!
Let me know, i would be very interested at the results!

If you are not fully committed to a green Matilda, there were a few sent to Malta, and these sported a "stone wall" camo scheme.

I have a couple of "armor in the desert" type references, and these have the same photo of a Matilda in Malta.

Wydawnictwo Militaria 120 Afryka 1942 has a color plate of Griffin, one of the Malta Matildas if you are interested. I'm not sure if the versions used in France and the desert were identical. That is, does the Tamiya kit represent either type?

An Arras version was built/painted by Steve Zaloga in Military Modelling. I don't have the issue, but I remember seeing it.

Please keep us updated on what you learn about the Matilda markings.

If you want a scan of the photo/drawing, let me know. I got that Wydawnictwo title from AFVHobbies in NZ. I'm not sure if they have any more.

Andy

I've got a front 3/4 view of a multi hued Matilda that was restored. Really neat camouflage pattern that would be a challenge for someone like me to replicate.

Hey, Welcome Modelmaniac!! I've been a bit AWOL lately so I've missed a bit here it seems. Man, a couple of days away from here and...eeek, I've missed so much!

Okay that's enough of me blabbing. I did come across a pretty cool camo pattern of one. Check it out:



Hope this helps you a bit. I'll see if I can find some more.

Hi there;
Ken, I think the photo you showed above is from a North Africa vehicle too! Another aprouch would be painting (or changing) the green for a middle stone or light blue, on the camo above.
Cheers!

Hey gang,
Thanks for all the help,it is very much appreciated.
herberta,i have seen that camo scheme somewhere too,forgot about that scheme,HHHMMM.
Sabot,what colors does that scheme have?if they are tan,lt.brown and blue in a zigzag pattern that is one of the desert patterns,if not i would be very interested in taking a look at it.
Kencelot,thanks for the pic,its one of their desert schemes which i already have ,matter of fact all the matildas i have are painted in some form of desert scheme.
Thanks again guy's. Happy Modeling
modelmaniac

I hand-painted a scheme like the one in the picture on a Tamiya Matilda - except I replaced the green with a light blue. It took me long time and a steady hand, but it turned out looking great. I've always loved that paint scheme.

The photo of the one in my book is sand, dark gray and light blue. Looks wild, something I would like to try someday. Same basic pattern as the one above, but the green areas are light blue and the brown areas are dark gray.

Here's a link to a nicely built Matilda: It's with a standard OD paint job.

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/britain/szmat.htm

Here's something of interest too, if you may like to convert it to a Russian from the Lend Lease program:
Matilda Mk II Infantry Tank - These, along with Valentines, were the first tanks to be sent to the USSR. Several hundred were sent in late 1941 and 1942: some Matildas arrived in time to participate in the winter battles before Moscow. Most Matildas kept the 2-pounder (40mm) gun (that fired only armor-piercing ammunition, hence the low AP value) but some were converted to carry the same 76mm gun found on the T-34c

Now if I could just find a photo of one. A matilda with the 76 would be cool.


Here's another page for you that has the specs and some B&W pics:

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishInfantryTanks.html

Here's one that has a pic of one that appears to have been captured by Germans:

http://www.inf.upol.cz/~stepanos/museum/matilda.html

Another link:

http://www.siemers.com/html/britain/matilda.html

...another:

http://www.lancers.org.au/museum/matilda.htm

...and another I found is the Matilda from Australia. This site has some very nice photos of their versions. I like the name "Devil" given to this tank with it's black on the OD paint with the red stripes.

http://www.overkill82.freeserve.co.uk/Matilda.html

Need more???

Got reference for the Russian matilda,theres an idea huh?,got Tamiyas russian infantry set
might make for an interesting vignette! am getting some good ideas,thanks for all the suggestions,and the sites,will check em out. Happy Modeling :-)

modelmaniac

I'm still looking for you, Modelmaniac...which is a cool "call-sign" BTW.

In the meantime, while I still search for a Russian Matilda, here's another that'll keep you busy for awhile. :

http://www.kithobbyist.com/AFVInteriors/matilda/matilda.html

At the bottom of the page are links to two more pages of info.

Here's a must see! Matilda II in typical Desert Camouflage.

Okay...here's the closest I've come to finding Russian Matildas.



http://members.tripod.com/~panzerlm/korsuaj.htm

So THAT's what the right-hand side of a three-tone Matilda looks like. Every picture I found, either on-line or in books were all from the left side. I had to approximate the right-hand side on the one that I painted. I also did it in a tan/dark brown/light blue scheme. Its still one of my favorite models that I've made.

Wow! Where did he get the headlights?
DJ

BEF Matilda

The link to Missing Links is the Matilda by Steve Zaloga I mentioned earlier.
I'm sure you saw this, but just in case, the article on this beastie was in Military Modelling Vol. 30, issue #11.

It looks like there are some external differences from the Tamiya kit.

Cheers
Andy

Can someone supply the complete website address for the Zaloga Matilda article?
thanks
DJ

DJ, I don't think the article is posted to any web site. You have to refer to the Military Modelling Magazine volume 30 issue #11. The link below is to the built model.

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/britain/szmat.htm

Thanks for all the help guy's,really appreciated,going to have to get two or three more matildas,lol,too many cool paint schemes,especially the malta and the battle of Arras,
but think this ones going to the Russians along with the Tamiya's russian infantry set i
have. Take care ,and Happy Modeling.

modelmaniac

19K--danke
DJ

Maniac, let us all see that one when you finish it. I'd love to see a Russian matilda!

19K---Zaloga did a typical outstanding job with the Matilda. You can see where his modification work made mince meat out of the Tamiya version. Nice work.
DJ