Tamiya 35055 - 1:35 US Tank M41 Walker Bulldog

1:35 plastic model kit of the American M41 Walker Bulldog light tank

Tamiya 35055 depicts the M41 Walker Bulldog – the post-war American light tank whose 76 mm gun and excellent performance blurred the line between a reconnaissance vehicle and a light battle tank. The model is produced from 1975 tooling and measures 235 mm when assembled.

The kit captures all the distinctive features of the M41's silhouette: the streamlined turret with its long barrel, the low hull and the five pairs of road wheels. The road wheels rotate once assembled, and the vinyl band tracks considerably shorten work on the running gear. Three figures and decals for three options – two Japanese and one American – complete the package.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and fittings
• Vinyl band tracks
• Rotating road wheels
• Three figures
• Waterslide decal sheet for three marking options: JGSDF no. 106, JGSDF no. 424 and US Army no. 532
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35055
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 235 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is a straightforward build and works well as one of the first tanks in a collection. The vinyl band tracks make quick work of the running gear, and the good fit of the hull and turret, typical of Tamiya, keeps filling to a minimum. It is worth painting the turret and hull separately before bringing them together.

Olive drab is recommended for the US Army option (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), while Japanese Self-Defense Force vehicles wore dark olive shades. A wash brings out the cast texture of the turret, and pigments on the lower hull and tracks suggest dust. Decals are usually applied over a gloss coat to avoid silvering, with a matt varnish as the final finish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust effects

About the vehicle – M41 Walker Bulldog:

The M41 was developed as a successor to the M24 Chaffee light tank, answering post-war requirements for reconnaissance, rapid action on the flanks and the ability to engage the enemy's lighter vehicles. Its name honoured General Walton Walker, who was killed in Korea.

At the heart of the design were a 76 mm M32 gun in a streamlined turret and a 500 hp Continental AOS-895-3 engine, which gave excellent mobility for a vehicle of around 23.5 tonnes. The tank was produced between 1951 and 1954, and its manageable weight and performance made it a popular export.

The M41 served with the South Vietnamese army, where it clashed with North Vietnamese tanks, and with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, which used it for many years as their standard light tank. The decals in the kit allow you to reproduce vehicles from exactly these operators.

Original vehicle specifications (M41 Walker Bulldog):

• Length with gun: approx. 8.2 m
• Width: approx. 3.2 m
• Height: approx. 2.7 m
• Combat weight: approx. 23.5 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 76 mm M32 gun
• Powerplant: Continental AOS-895-3, 500 hp
• Top speed: approx. 70 km/h
• Production: 1951–1954
• Operators: US Army, South Vietnamese army and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, among others

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade, but by the late 1940s it was producing wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first plastic model kit. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this M41 belongs, runs to hundreds of items and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.