Tamiya 35380 - 1:35 A34 Comet British Cruiser Tank

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the British cruiser tank A34 Comet

The A34 Comet grew out of the lessons of Normandy, where British cruiser tanks proved under-gunned against German Panthers and Tigers. A new 77 mm HV gun, a powerful Rolls-Royce Meteor engine and solid armour made the Comet the most effective British tank of the late war. Tamiya 35380 reproduces it from tooling created in 2022.

The model faithfully captures the distinctive angular turret and the hull silhouette. The searchlight lens is supplied as a clear part, and the rear plate can be built in one of two versions. External stowage includes a shovel, a crowbar, helmets and tow cables. The two crew busts are depicted in winter uniforms — as worn during the Rhine crossing in the spring of 1945.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and equipment
• Clear part: searchlight lens
• Link-and-length tracks
• Choice of rear plate
• Stowage: shovel, crowbar, helmets, tow cables
• Two crew busts in winter uniforms
• Decal sheet for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35380
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: approx. 219 × 88 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks)

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This kit is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is a large, well-engineered kit with the excellent parts fit typical of Tamiya. The link-and-length tracks call for the most patience — it is worth taking time to lay them properly across the road wheels. The searchlight lens is best protected before painting, for example with masking tape or self-adhesive masks.

For painting we suggest the British olive tone typical of vehicles in the North-West Europe campaign (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab); the instructions give Tamiya paint codes for both schemes. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish. A wash brings out the armour and stowage detail, while pigments reproduce mud on the tracks and fenders. For even crisper detail you may wish to consider a metal barrel or other accessories available separately in our shop — they are not part of the kit.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up 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 emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – A34 Comet:

The Comet was developed from the Cromwell, but differed above all in its armament. The 77 mm HV gun was a shortened, turret-friendly derivative of the excellent 17-pounder — it gave a real chance against German tanks while still fitting into a compact, well-protected turret.

A 600 hp Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 engine powered the 32.5-tonne vehicle, which was operated by a crew of five. Two Besa machine guns completed the armament. In all, 1,186 were built.

The Comet saw its combat debut in March 1945 during the Rhine crossing, reaching the war only at the last moment. Its sound design, however, kept it in British service long after 1945 and made it a bridge to the post-war Centurion.

Original vehicle specifications (A34 Comet):

• Length: approx. 7.66 m (including gun)
• Width: approx. 3.05 m
• Height: approx. 2.68 m
• Combat weight: approx. 32.5 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 77 mm HV gun
• Secondary armament: two Besa machine guns
• Engine: Rolls-Royce Meteor V12, 600 hp
• Production: 1,186 vehicles
• Combat debut: the Rhine crossing, March 1945

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 business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.