Help/ hints with a 1/72 Esci Matilda II

[phat trev]

Starting to build a 1:72 Esci Matilda II but looking to finish as a Soviet lend-lease machine. Looking for a bit of help what alterations the Esci kit will need and what improvements ‘seasoned’ Tank builders would make building this kit.  Cheers

[badger]

Not sure what modifications you would need to make (if any) but it might be worth trying to get the instructions from the 1/35 tamiya soviet Matilda.

As to improvements I would recommend swopping the barrel for a metal one - Aber do one that comes with the besa machine gun.

 

If your kit has the link and length plastic tracks these are pretty good and I'd stick with them. If you have the vinyl one piece tracks these can be a swine to get to fit as they are so stiff, so I've swopped mine for OKB resin ones.

 

Not sure if you have considered crew but AB figures do some excellent soviet tank crew and tank riders. Milicast may also be worth a look.

 

Hope this helps

Ben

 

[Yorkshire man]

Here's a link to the Tamiya instructions.

 

https://www.super-hobby.co.uk/products/Infantry-Tank-Matilda-Mk.III-IV-Red-Army.html

[phat trev]

Thanks both! 

[dogsbody]

My old kit has the vinyl tracks.

 

 

 

 

Chris

[badger]

These will sort you out then

http://shop.okbgrigorov.com/search.html?phrase=Matilda

Type 1 matches the tracks Esci / Italeri supply.

 

This is the Aber barrel I've used - makes a huge difference.

 

All the best 

Ben

[phat trev]

I have the rubber tracks too although I am looking to use them by adding some thin sheet to make them sturdier