Outside of the engine it reminds me of the Tamiya kit.

Ok, I guess I’m not seeing what you guys are referring to. The Mark VII was the “late war” version, and differed from the earlier versions. The Crocodile saw action as early as June 1944 as one of Hobarts “Funnies”. The standard Mark VII was a late war vehicle. There are several photos of this type of air cleaner operating in Germany circa late 44 and 45. The earlier Mark III versions were also still around. But I don’t see anything “out of shape” in this kit. AFV club Churchill’s (early versions) are pretty nice kits I think. Hope this one is the same. I’d like a Crocodile with interior— the Tamiya version is OK, but pretty simplified. By the way, both types of tire tread are shown on WWII in action photos of Crocodile fuel trailers. VR, Russ

I hope that this kit means that later we will get a Crocodile with a trailer that is the correct dimensions. Ive been after several after market friends to make a proper dimension trailer but to no avail! If a AFV Club comes out, I am sure my friends will come out with a trailer to "correct" the AFV. Joe, Im talking about you my brother. (Joe is my brother). To be fair, just as I was beginning to talk to those guys who make aftermarket stuff, Tamiya leaked news that it was going to abandon the Churchill Crocodile.

Hopefully this works, (having trouble uploading a photo) The rear section of the side armour is not flush with forward section but set back.

I could be wrong but if you look at images 4 and 5, there appears to be a recessed area matching the image you posted. Hard to be certain with the lighting but it looks to be inset.

Just had a look at the photo looking down onto the rear deck and you're right.

Personally I was thinking "Yippie" an update for the nice but long-of-tooth Tamiya kit. The inclusion of the engine is a nice touch, and hey, a trailer wouldn't be too much to ask in the not-too-distant future, I'd hope. I'll worry more about detail accuracy closer to the time that I consider getting one.

I believe the plan by RAC was to have it so all the Mk VII and Mk VIII can be fitted out as Crocodiles. Fletcher commented such in Mister Churchill's tank. Also of note the Australian Army had a Crocodile on a Mk VIII, and the Crocdile at The Tank Museum was the last Churchill off the assembly line and is just fitted with the trailer.

Normally I'd assume they would, as they have no compunctions about liberal re-use of sprues, and that sprue has a lot of greeblies that will be re-used, like hull top hatches and fittings. However, there's also a lot on there that would be extraneous now, like the hull side hatches and bolt heads. Simplest solution all around would be to make the add-on armor plates... well, add-on.