Tamiya 35355 - 1:35 Infantry Tank Matilda Mk.III/IV Red Army

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the British Infantry Tank Matilda Mk.III/IV in Red Army service

The Matilda II — a tank famous for its exceptionally thick armour and its service in North Africa — also fought on the Eastern Front. Under the Lend-Lease programme, Britain supplied a considerable number of these vehicles to the Soviet Union, where they served in Red Army tank brigades.

Tamiya 35355 is a 2017 release based on the 2009 Matilda tooling, supplemented with new parts: side skirts, track guides and tracks built from individual snap-together links. The model reproduces the realistic cast texture of the turret and front armour, as well as the elaborate suspension with its rocking bogies, characteristic of the Matilda.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and running gear
• New side skirts and track guides
• Individual snap-together track links
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35355
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 174 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (individual track links)

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

Assembly:

The model is a pleasant build thanks to its excellent parts fit. The individual snap-together track links call for the most patience — it is worth assembling them in runs and fitting them around the road wheels to achieve a natural track line. Much of the track is hidden by the skirts, but the sections visible around the drive and idler wheels have a clear effect on the finished look.

For a Soviet finish, the protective green typical of Red Army vehicles is a good choice (e.g. Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green). The instructions give the manufacturer's paint codes for the marking options on the decal sheet. Dirt and mud on the skirts and running gear can be suggested with washes and pigments. A matt varnish suits the finished model.

Tools required:

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

About the vehicle – Infantry Tank Matilda II in Red Army service:

The Matilda II was designed in the second half of the 1930s as a British infantry support tank. Its armour, up to 78 mm thick, was among the heaviest in the world when it entered service and for a time made the tank immune to most contemporary anti-tank guns. Its armament was the 2-pounder gun of 40 mm calibre, effective against tanks but lacking an efficient high-explosive round.

From 1941 Matildas were shipped to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. Soviet crews valued their armour and solid construction, but criticised the low speed, limited firepower and the vulnerability of the running gear to freezing mud and snow. Even so, Matildas fought in Red Army tank brigades, including in the defence of Moscow and in later campaigns.

The Mk.III and Mk.IV differed from earlier versions primarily in their powerplant, being fitted with Leyland diesel engines. Vehicles delivered to the USSR were often modified locally to cope with the winter conditions of the Eastern Front.

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

• Length: approx. 6.02 m
• Combat weight: approx. 25 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 2-pounder (40 mm) gun
• Armour: up to 78 mm
• Powerplant: two Leyland diesel engines
• Top speed: approx. 24 km/h
• Service: Red Army, among others, via Lend-Lease deliveries

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden products, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came its first 1:35 scale tank — a scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for armour modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, well-thought-out kit engineering and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of releases covering vehicles, guns and figures from around the world. Tamiya instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the company's own range. Alongside model kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, putties, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.