Tamiya 35300 - 1:35 Matilda Mk.III/IV British Infantry Tank Mk.IIA

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the British Matilda Mk.III/IV (A12 Infantry Tank Mk.IIA*) infantry tank

Tamiya 35300 is a self-assembly model reproducing the British Matilda infantry tank in the Mk.III/IV version – one of the most recognisable armoured vehicles of WWII, famous for its exceptionally thick armour and its dominance in the deserts of North Africa. The kit debuted as the milestone 300th model of the famous Military Miniature Series, with all-new tooling developed from scratch.

The model's shape was developed from detailed studies of the original vehicle. The turret, gun mantlet and front hull armour have a realistic cast-steel texture characteristic of the Matilda. The complex “Japanese-type” bell-crank suspension with rocking bogies and the side mudguard skirts with their characteristic clearing slots are carefully reproduced. The model allows a choice between a high or low commander's cupola and the fitting of one of two antenna variants.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and fittings
• Two track types: individual links and vinyl belt
• String to represent the tow cable / external equipment
• Two commander's cupola variants (high and low) and two antenna variants
• Three crew figures: full commander figure and loader and driver torsos
• Waterslide decal sheet for three marking options (North African front)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35300
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 174 mm, width: approx. 72 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link tracks, complex suspension)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders, although the individual link tracks require patience and precision. It is worth taking the time to reproduce their sag along the sides of the vehicle – the effect significantly enhances its display qualities. The vinyl belt tracks are a faster alternative, all the more so as a large part of them remains hidden under the mudguard skirts.

For painting the model in desert schemes, the palette typical of British vehicles from the North African campaign is recommended: sand yellow (e.g. Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow), supplemented with dark green and brown depending on the chosen option. The instructions give Tamiya paint codes for the three schemes.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Infantry Tank Mk.II A12 Matilda:

The A12 Matilda II infantry tank is one of the most iconic British armoured vehicles of WWII. The design originated in the mid-1930s in response to the British Army's need for a heavily armoured infantry support tank. It was designed at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, with the first examples built by the Vulcan Foundry.

The Matilda's armour, up to 78 mm thick on the front and turret, was among the thickest in the world when it entered service. This made the tank practically impenetrable to German and Italian anti-tank guns of the first years of the war. In North Africa, during Operation Compass, the Matilda dominated the Italian armoured forces, earning the nickname “Queen of the Desert”. A real answer to its armour came only with the Wehrmacht's use of 88 mm anti-aircraft guns in the anti-tank role.

The Mk.III and Mk.IV versions differed from the earlier ones mainly in their powerplant – they received Leyland diesel engines. The Tamiya 35300 model lets you recreate the tank in a version from the period of fighting in North Africa.

Original specifications (A12 Matilda Mk.III/IV):

• Length: approx. 6.02 m
• Width: approx. 2.59 m
• Height: approx. 2.36 m
• Combat weight: approx. 25–27 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: Ordnance QF 2-pounder 40 mm gun
• Secondary armament: coaxial Vickers 7.7 mm machine gun (Mk.IIA* version)
• Powerplant: two Leyland diesel engines (Mk.III/IV), approx. 190 hp combined
• Maximum speed: approx. 24 km/h (road)
• Range: approx. 250 km
• Armour: up to 78 mm (hull front and turret)
• Production: 1937–1943, approx. 2987 examples in total

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.