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First Look Review
135
Mk.I Male
WWI Heavy Battle Tank Mk.I Male
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by: Stefan Halter [ DANGEROO ]

Introduction

This is another review sample I was given by Armorama and it is both my first WWI kit and my first Takom kit. This review article is meant only as a first impression and to give you an overview of what’s in the box before I dive into the build and cover it with a build log.

Presentation

As mentioned, my first Takom kit and I am impressed with the presentation. The box is sturdy and well printed and while it’s packed with parts, it’s not so full that one has to wonder how to get the parts back in or even fear that parts got broken when packing.

The individual sprues are packaged separately (or rather, when there are two of the same, they are in the same bag) in plastic bags which are re-sealable in most cases, a nice touch I think.

The instructions are a nicely printed booklet and seem reasonably clear. The painting instructions are printed in full color with colors indicated in MIG Ammo colors, unfortunately not one I have in my inventory. No other paint color brands are indicated, which I find a bit unfortunate – but then also manufacturers like Tamiya and Revell only indicate their own brands.

While these points may not necessarily reflect on the quality or accuracy of the kit, they are still worth mentioning.

Contents

The box contains 17 sprues in light grey plastic, a bag of track links, a PE fret, a sprue of poly caps, metal chain and the decal sheet.

The parts are well molded with no sink marks, little flash or any other blemishes noted.

Some sprues are obviously the same as in previous releases (i.e. Mk. IV) with at least 3 sprues being completely new. The most obvious and it seems most important improvement over previous releases is the tracks. These are very well molded single link tracks that only require you to snap them together. A quick pass with the file over the molding attachment and then you simply snap them together. I quickly tested a few and it really is easy. It probably won’t take you any more than 15 minutes to assemble one whole track, which is clearly a great improvement over the previous releases.

The box contains parts for two versions of the Mk.I, one being applicable for two marking options for the Somme in 1916, including the steering wheels at the back. The second build option is applicable for a Mk.I in service in Palestine in 1917. This one has elaborate crane assemblies on the roof but lacks the steering wheels. For this version there is also a cart onto which you can place one of the gun sponsons. While this is a nice touch to present the interior in a Dio… there is no interior apart from the sponson. So if you really want to choose this option, you need to source a complete interior for the hull somewhere.

Conclusion

Takom have really done their homework on the track and the rest of the kit looks great too. I find it a bit strange that they give you such a great option to present the interior when there is no interior. If I were their marketing guy I would have made a separate interior kit and included the cart in that, but maybe there’s a reason why I don’t work in marketing…

Looks like a great kit, let’s dive into it!

Takom Mk.I Male Build Log
SUMMARY
Highs: Tracks! Looks like a great kit to build.
Lows: Great idea to present the interior, but no interior…
Verdict: Highly recommended, let’s build it!
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 2031
  Suggested Retail: 47 - 75 US$
  PUBLISHED: Jan 03, 2016
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.62%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.67%

Our Thanks to Takom!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Stefan Halter (Dangeroo)
FROM: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

I'll build just about anything military related that gets my interest, though most of it is 1/35 scale WWII Allied.

Copyright ©2021 text by Stefan Halter [ DANGEROO ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Stefan and Darren, Thanks for the update! Can anybody explain the functioning of the steering wheels, please? Thanks in advance, P.
JAN 02, 2016 - 10:34 PM
The two wheels had linked track-rods, that could be steered to left or right, moving like the front wheels of a car. The track-rod was turned by cables passing round a bobbin on the driver's steering-wheel. It was hoped these wheels would help in normal steering - minor corrections to left or right when the tank was moving forward with both tracks turning. "In the field" it was discovered that minor turns could be achieved simply by using the brakes and this is why the wheels were abandoned in later models. The wheel also had a hydraulic jack that could be used to raise the turning wheel during 180 turns.
JAN 03, 2016 - 07:44 AM
Darren thanks for getting this up so quickly and Brenton, thanks for answering that. Cheers! Stefan
JAN 03, 2016 - 12:34 PM
Thanks Brenton!
JAN 03, 2016 - 12:38 PM
Just noticed on the thread on the female Mk. I that there seems to be a mistake in the width of the driver's cab. Pity, but I'll live with it... Cheers! Stefan
JAN 03, 2016 - 12:39 PM
Here's the link to the build log to see how it all comes together. Maybe an editor can add it to the review text? Thanks!
JAN 04, 2016 - 12:28 AM
   
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