Introduction

The story of the Churchill 75mm NA is a fascinating one, a very British story and those interested in this particular vehicle conversion may already be aware of it, but for those unfamiliar with this development I have attached a link which gives the Full Monty, so to speak.

Churchill NA 75mm

Another useful port of call for Churchill’s can be found here:

Armour In Focus

The AFV club Churchill has already found a home for fans of this venerable old vehicle and resulted in a number of new conversion sets for their Mk III kit have been produced. This is a look at Resicast’s set No 25.1208, the conversion set to turn the AFV Club Mk III into a Churchill 75mm NA. The set was released some time ago.

The Set

The set comes packed in a standard Resicast strong cardboard box. On the top is a picture of the completed turret plus the manufactures details. The set is cast in a light grey resin and was free from any damage.

To accompany the set you get an A5 8 page instruction booklet detail the build steps in a clear and logical process. The instructions contain a parts list, photographs of the parts identified by number and 4 pages of clearly laid out build instruction to complete the assembly.

The Turret:
The cast Mk IV turret is very well done with good internal and external detail. The angles and structure of the turret match closely to the reference diagrams and pictures I have of the actual kit. The turret comes with the 75mm Sherman housing in place and the cast turret had good textured detail. There will be some film to remove from the hatch opening and a little bit of clean up required on the turret base to mate it to the top, but this appears to be a very accurate representation of the real thing.

75mm Gun and Turret Fittings:
The turret comes with a full 75mm gun and breech, interior turret details including a No 19 radio set, signals satchel, binocular case, hellesen lamp, grenade box, flare box, 2” mortar, seat and much more giving a very full and busy interior. External pistol ports, open and closed periscopes, and the appropriate mantle for the gun as well as a nice .30 cal MG are all provided. You get 2 mantels, one with 'ears' and one without, it is the one without 'ears' you need so an additional item for the spares box.

Photo Etch:
A small set of PE is provided to add the ‘cage’ top the No 19 radio and provide the external fixings for the side of the turret and complete the antenna.

Additional Items:
Additional items are provided in the form of appliqué armour plate for the tank as many of the NA 75’s had this appliqué armour fitted.

Quality and Casting:
The quality and casting of the parts are excellent. Good sharp detail on all the parts I looked at. The 75mm barrel is straight and true, nice .30 cal MG’s are provided and a dapper little No 19 radio on the appropriate type of stowage box, which is filled with appropriate items.

Conclusion

Resicast have produced what appears to be an excellent conversion set to turn your Mk III Churchill into a Churchill 75mm NA.

The turret lacks a basket, but making one if you wish should not be too difficult an operation as all other fittings are provided.
The addition of the appliqué armour to go on the kit is a plus and although no instructions are provided for this it should be fairly easy to work out.

Will AFV Club get around to producing this version in plastic? It is quite possible, but for modellers when might be the question! Here you have a very useable set if this is a route you have been awaiting going down. The set will make for an interesting conversion, has quality detail that will enhance your model and is a very welcome option for modellers to have available.
It will require the purchase of another Mk III kit as a donor, but this is a conversion I have warmed to since becoming interested in the Churchill Tank.

Normal precautions apply when working with resin.