BEF 1940

[spitfire]

Once more I'm contemplating venturing over to the dark side, as far as military stuff goes my only interest is British and Commonwealth forces in WW2, as a change from aircraft I thought I would build something from the BEF 1940. But having looked around there does not seem to be much available, I have a Bronco A13, a new Tamiya Matilda and lots of other kits, but they are mainly Middle East or late war European stuff.

It would seem that the new Tamiya Matilda cannot be built as a BEF example straight from the box, there is a Tiger Model conversion kit but it is a bit too expensive for me as military models are strictly fun builds as a distraction from aircaft. I did however buy the tracks for the A13 as the kit ones are apparently a mite short.

Have I missed any other 1940 BEF related kits out there, I got quite excited about the MiniArt Daimler Dingo scout cars but it would appear that the BEF ones were of the Mk 1 variety, whereas the MiniArt ones are Mk 1a, 1b, and later, can any one tell me if the differences between the Mk 1 and Mk 1a are they that significant ?

Cheers

Den

Edited February 18, 2011 by spitfire

[Biggles]

There are a number of new Valentine variants coming out - one of which (MiniArt?) seems to show a Valentine I in a 1940 dark green early war colours.

Sorry, can't be more specific as I am not sure whether these were used in the BEF, but a possibility?

[daz greenwood]

Hi Den.

This was most certainly used by the BEF.

link

Oops should have read the post thoroughly.

And I know the Matilda Mk I, and the Vickers Mk VI both served the BEF, but I dunno if the Accurate Armour ones are still available.

Edited February 18, 2011 by daz greenwood

[ChrisITA]

Den,

Regrettably the BEF (and early desert war for that matter) is a much neglected area for models, in 1/35 certainly. The only kits I am aware of are the A13 and the Matilda (which as you say need a LOT of work or a conversion to make right)

Other tanks used by the BEF include the Matilda I and Vickers light tanks, which are availabe in resin, but not plastic

The Valentine was NOT used by the BEF. It entered service 6 or 7 weeks too late arriving in July 1940

Similarly, the universal Carriers available cannot be modelled for BEF use without considerable modification or one of the incredibly good conversions or full resin kits from Resicast

You can build Vulcan's 2pdr as a BEF gun, including the kit wheels, but it was far more common to see it with the earlier pattern wheels

You might have more luck in Braille Scale. I'm not expert in this scale but the choice does seem wider

Chris

[spitfire]

Thank you for the input guys it would seem that as usual I am chasing after lost causes, but does anyone know if the MiniArt German Daimler Dingo, LEICHTER Pz.kpfw. 202(e) w/CREW DINGO Mk.I Kit number 35082 can be built as a British Mk 1 Dingo ?

Trust MiniArt to bring out lots of Valentines after I wrestled 2 Maquette ones to a finish, but that's life.

Den

[ChrisITA]

Thank you for the input guys it would seem that as usual I am chasing after lost causes, but does anyone know if the MiniArt German Daimler Dingo, LEICHTER Pz.kpfw. 202(e) w/CREW DINGO Mk.I Kit number 35082 can be built as a British Mk 1 Dingo ?

Trust MiniArt to bring out lots of Valentines after I wrestled 2 Maquette ones to a finish, but that's life.

Den

You'll need Decals Den, but other than that I think everything you need for a British one will be in the box. I would suggest working from pictures or a picture of a BEF MkI to make sure you chose the right features and options though as Miniart are a bit lax on this (They say you can build HUNTER, an Dieppe Dingo from their MkIa but you can't, it was a MkII and had a radio and different wheels)

Chris

[Mentalguru]

I found this site when looking for Battle of Britain stuff.

If you can get out of this page there are some more Matilda pics I'm sure- scroll down for the first one

http://www.findonvillage.com/0615_1940_in_findon.htm

[spitfire]

Thanks Chris, mighty strange buying a kit of a captured Dingo to make a British one, I have ordered the Bison Decals Daimler Dingo Decals as they include just about every type of Dingo including a BEF one.

Mental, I tracked down the Matilda photos and gave them a right clicking, thanks for the link.

Cheers

Den

[Chris FFZ]

The confusion about the Valentine is probaly because it used the same lower hull arangement as the A9 Mk1 which did serve in the BEF:

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/...ser/mk-i-a9.asp

[PDH]

IMA produce a Vickers Light Tank

IMA Vickers

They have many variants, sure at least one is suitable for the BEF. You can order direct or via eBay. I've bought other IMA stuff (mainly Churchill bits) and they are very good.

[spitfire]

IMA produce a Vickers Light Tank

IMA Vickers

They have many variants, sure at least one is suitable for the BEF. You can order direct or via eBay. I've bought other IMA stuff (mainly Churchill bits) and they are very good.

Looks good but a bit out of my league !

Cheers

Den

[PDH]

Looks good but a bit out of my league !

Cheers

Den

No they are not 'cheap' but quality always costs. If you would like one at the right price have a look at eBay seller 'firefly1944' from time to time. This is IMA on eBay.

These sometimes go for a lot less than the published list price or they sometimes list slight seconds on a BIN at a low price.

Hope this helps

Peter

Edited April 5, 2011 by PDH

[spitfire]

I'll set up a search on ebay just in case then, thanks for that

Cheers

Den

[worm]

Wish Bronco would do a Vickers MK VI.

Steve

[Ivor Ramsden]

There's the Plusmodel Morris CDSW Bofors tractor. It's a lovely kit in parts - the front end's very good but the body is a bit distorted - unfortunately they made the kit a faithful replica of an inaccurately restored vehicle. There's also the Lead Sled version of the CDSW which isn't as detailed but is better in the body. LS also do a Bofors gun and some other softskins of the 1940 period - Bedford MW and Morris 15cwts.