This will be MiniArt's tenth Valentine release. This time it's the Mark VI (six) and a Soviet lend-lease, Canadian-built, early production version of the tank. MiniArt is obviously capitalizing on their pioneering this mainstream release of the beloved Valentine British tank, but we can't complain. While many of the parts used in this release will be familiar to you, we still photographed the kit in it's entirety to give you the complete picture.
What's New on this Release?
There is a modified right side turret in this version. The correct road wheels are also included with this release. There is a second brass photo-etch with what appears to be a large vent cover and a rounded hood. Since we received no instructions (or decals) it's a bit hard to comment further on this. And since this is primarily a photo preview please stay tuned for a more in-depth follow up review once the kit is released in its full production version.
Included Figures/Wrong Ammo
The kit includes a previous available Soviet tank crew (35034). The four man crew is in dressed in black coveralls and is pictured loading 76mm and 85mm ammo (also included). This obviously is in conflict with the tank's 40mm / 2 pounder main gun. Of course with a little work (and the right aftermarket ammo) you can likely fix this little issue.
SUMMARY
MiniArt has been kind enough to send us an early look at their newest Valentine subject, the Canadian-built Mark VI (six).
Our Thanks to MiniArt! 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.
About Jim Starkweather (staff_Jim) FROM: NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES
I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...
Well... All but the first thirty Montreal built Valentines had a cast nose rather than the rivetted one. The first thirty were sent to Camp Borden in Ontario, therefore to represent a lend-lease Soviet vehicle this would need the cast front end.
oops, Roy
Hi Roy,
Thanks for supplying that info. Of course technically speaking I am the one assuming this is meant to depict a lend-lease Valentine (considering the inclusion of the Soviet crew). But if you are correct than this either would work for the 30 (early) tanks produced or MiniArt could opt to fix this situation by replacing it with a cast nose version.
I will alert them to this and see what they dig up. Likely they will want to corroborate your info with photo evidence so if someone has a photo of one of these cast nose versions (or knows where one is) that would be really helpful.
Thanks,
Jim
Hi Jim,
I'll look for photos when I get a little time. What I do have is this from "The Museum Ordnance Special #10 Valentine Infantry Tank" by Paul Roberts (who hangs out at Missing Lynx a lot).
"The most notable of these changes (in Canadian produced Valentines) was the replacement of the bolted front plates with a single casting. This is the main identification feature of these vehicles. The cast nose was subsequently introduced on the British made Mk. XI, however their larger turret and long 75mm gun make for positive identification." Paul goes on to say, "Of the 1.420 Canadian built vehicles 1,388 were supplied to the USSR."
In "Making Tracks-Tank Production in Canada" Clive M. Law says,
"(T)hroughout production of the Valentine, Canadian-designed development, as opposed to to minor changes requested by the United Kingdom for tactical improvement, was concentrated on projects which made for easier and better production. Notable among these were the elimination of the fabricated turret and hull nose in favour of armoured steel castings."
Hmmm, not sure where Mr. Law's going with the cast turret business but I'll look at other resources when I can.
For now-HTH,
Roy
Chamberlain and Ellis' "British and American tanks of WWII" has a lovely photo of five of the cast nosed Montreal Valentines lined up in front of a locomotive. It's on p. 177 in my edition. I have some photos of the one in Ottawa which was recovered from a Ukrainian bog but I can't seem to locate the camera card they're on. I'll keep looking.
Cheers,
Roy
Here's the definitive book on Valentines produced in Canada. The Miniart kit as mentioned above needs the Cast nose for the Lend Lease version.
SPB019 - #6 Making Tracks - Tank Production in Canada, $24.95 Clive M. Law.
The first ever examination of this unknown story. Based on official reports and coupled with many recently uncovered photographs. 56 pages and 51 illustrations.
The book is availble through the Service Publications website. No association with them.
HTH
Sean
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