| Date of Review |
March 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
Quarter Master's Depot |
| Subject |
35088, British Tanks Training in the UK #1 (Matilda Mark IIICS,
Valentine Mark I (2), Churchill Mark I)
35091, British Tanks Training in the UK #2 (Matilda Mark II, Valentine Mark I, Churchill
Mark II, Churchill Mark III) |
| Scale |
1/35 |
| Pros |
Interesting choice of vehicles and time frame; bright choice of schemes
and markings offset nominally drab subjects |
| Cons |
Every subject listed will require modification, conversion or scratchbuilding of existing kits |
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
Approx $10.00 each |
After the disastrous withdrawal from France at Dunkirk
in June 1940, the British Army proceeded to rebuild itself
and conduct vigorous training of its main forces at home in
view of their eventual deployment to various theaters of war
and the "big push" for the Second Front in western
Europe. During that period – most of 1941 and early 1942 – new
tanks were built to replace losses as well as field new formations,
new concepts were tried, and new tactics adopted. ]
That training period is one virtually completely ignored
by model companies, as it appears to be dull and of no interest.
This is a shame, as some of the more interesting marking schemes
were tried out and either adopted or ignored at that time.
Quartermaster's Depot now has started a new series of decal
sheets in its very nice waterslide family, and these cover
that "home front" training period. Each of the sheets
has been researched by Barry Beldam and provides complete markings
for four separate vehicles. Each sheet is accompanied by two
large 11 x 14 sheets of instructions, explaining how to use
the markings and where they go. The directions call for what
many of us use as "standard procedure:" coat the
model with a gloss coat (e.g. Future in the US), cut the markings
apart close to the subjects as the sheets are one big sheet
and not separate subjects, apply, use a setting agent, and
then top-coat with a flat varnish or coating to hide them and
kill the shine.
The decals are excellent and cover the subjects at hand,
and any omissions are covered in the directions and reasons
cited (e.g. markings were not visible due to obstruction).
But one thing not given is a color match for the period; all
of the vehicles in this sheet series are shown in a khaki drab
color (e.g. brownish tint, not green) and I have no idea if
that is correct or not. I would assume so given the background
Barry has on Commonwealth armor, but have no idea what the
match would be. (Barry once noted that the greenish color was
a dead match to the old Pactra Artillery Olive shade.)
Nearly all of the vehicles covered, however, will require
either conversion of existing kits or scratchbuilding major
components to match. Some are available in resin as well, so
at least the modeler will have a made-to-order set of markings
for those kits. Also, no comments are provided as to any specific
modifications or changes that would be required to match that
vehicle at that specific point in time.
Thanks to Quartermaster's
Depot for the review samples.
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