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Tamiya 1/35 Matilda Mk.III/IV

Going to limit my benchtime to around an hour or so a day, but made a start on assembling bits today

Usual Tamiya fit :thumb2: Oddly there are hexagonal recesses in the base of the hull bottom plate, and the upper hull is to be held on by polycaps - maybe Tamiya had further plans for this model ?

All the road wheels & suspension bits assembled - most of this will be hidden by the side skirts, but I know it's there!
The box says 'Mark III/IV' - a bit of research finds that the Mk.IV had an uprated engine & lost the turret lamp, but nothing in the instructions about this................
Dave
Not sure Dave,but it's possible those hexagonal recesses are for captive nuts... If fitting a motor unit?!
 
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Not sure Dave,but it's possible those hexagonal recesses are for captive nuts... If fitting a motor unit?!
The mould dates from 2009, I thought that Tamiya had dropped the motorised stuff off their 1/35 models long ago. No other sign of bits for drive sprockets etc............
Dave
 
it's possible those hexagonal recesses are for captive nuts... If fitting a motor unit?!
I think they’re intended for fixing the model to a diorama base: open up the little round recess in the centre of the hexagonal thing, glue in a nut and you can fix the model to the base by a bolt coming up through the groundwork.
 
I think they’re intended for fixing the model to a diorama base: open up the little round recess in the centre of the hexagonal thing, glue in a nut and you can fix the model to the base by a bolt coming up through the groundwork.
Well,I was KINDA right...
... Wrong in a few ways..
... but I'll take some credit for the "Captive nut" thought :)
 
Thread owner
A really dark wet dismal day here - can't say I'll look back on 2022 with any warm memories...........
The running gear is assembled & it's time for priming & basecoat the lower hull with Hataka SCC 2 Khaki Brown ( not the best paint in the world! )
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Whilst the compressor was running, I primed the link & length track parts................which will be the task for tomorrow morning!
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Dave
 
Hataka SCC 2 Khaki Brown ( not the best paint in the world! )
I’ve gone rather off Hataka — I’ve tried a few of their airbrush-ready acrylics, with results varying between “sprays OK but not overly great” and “wouldn’t use again” so I’ve decided on the latter for the whole range to avoid frustration.

Though I must say SCC 2 doesn’t really sound like the right colour for a Matilda … or are you using it as a base for something else later?
 
Thread owner
I’ve gone rather off Hataka — I’ve tried a few of their airbrush-ready acrylics, with results varying between “sprays OK but not overly great” and “wouldn’t use again” so I’ve decided on the latter for the whole range to avoid frustration.

Though I must say SCC 2 doesn’t really sound like the right colour for a Matilda … or are you using it as a base for something else later?
Home Service tanks ( UK Mainland ) were painted with SCC 1A Dark brown over SCC 2 until 1943 - it's not a scheme you see very often - which is why I'm doing it.....................
The Hataka paints just aren't consistent enough - I'll be using mine up, but won't buy any more
Dave
 
Thread owner
That’s what I meant: I didn’t know the Matilda II was still in UK service when that scheme was current.


This is reason enough for me :smiling3:
Last Matilda delivered August 1943...........
Dave
 
Thread owner
It amazed me that there were around 70 Matilda II's in existence ( in various states ) - over 30 in Australia, since only around 3000 were made, a good survival rate
Tracks assembled on one side - nice fit - just careful removal of the bits from the sprue needed
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Not concerned about the upper run - it won't be seen!
Benchtime stopped for an odd reason - I've got hiccups! - you try applying precision drops of glue , with that! Can't remember the last time I had them!
Dave
 
Thread owner
Hiccups over - both sides of tracks finished, ready to move onto the upper hull
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The tracks are easy to assemble - the Tamiya fit is excellent, no impossible gaps left............
Dave
 
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