Infantry Tank Mk.III Valentine Mk.II/IV

Tamiya, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialised variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production.

The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and also built under licence in Canada.

Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.*

FirstLook

Tamiya’s 1:35 scale British Infantry Tank Mk.III Valentine Mk.II/IV is a brand new kit that was announced at this year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show and released shortly after.

Tamiya’s new Valentine comprises 283 parts in dark yellow plastic, ten polythene caps and markings for three vehicles.

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The kit is broken down quite conventionally. The lower hull is made up from separate sides, front, rear and bottom, while the upper hull is split into a main section offering the turret ring and rear, plus forward hull sections and separate track guards.

The turret comprises two curved side pieces, a third piece for the rear, and separate roof and base parts.

The gun may elevate and depress thanks to the use of polythene caps.

The running gear is nicely detailed but simple to assemble with a modest number of parts.

Tracks are link-and-length, with subtly sagged upper runs and straight lower runs. Individual links are designed to be glued direct to the drive sprockets and idler wheels.

Alternate parts are offered for the British and Soviet versions, including stowage boxes and mudguards. Full length sand shields are provided for the British version too.

Clear parts are not included but they’re not really missed as there are no clear lenses and vision blocks can be painted quite convincingly.

Surface texture is everything we have come to expect from a new Tamiya release. Cast metal is beautifully depicted on the turret, and raised rivets look great.

Two British Eighth Army crew figures are included. Poses are relaxed and sculpting is very good.

Moulding quality is marvellous. There are just a few very faint circles to clean up on the inside of the big turret hatch.

Decals are included for one vehicle from an unknown British unit in North Africa, 1941-42; with the other two being Soviet Valentines in overall dark green.

I have already built this kit, which appears in Missing-Lynx's Gallery.

This is another accurate and easy to build model of an important subject. Keep 'em coming Tamiya!

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Tamiya for the sample www.tamiya.com
Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net