The moment of truth... Our
NEW project of the month -
Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine ...a total of
EIGHT variants!!
Proposed features:- Multi-sprue 1/56 scale plastic kit
- Probably 2 item codes to cover early and late war variants
- Early war variants included Mk II, III, IIICS, IV, and V
- Late war variants included Mk IX, X, and XI
- All tank hatches can be in open or closed position
- Two road-wheel & mudguard sets
- Two headlight choices
- Includes DT 7.62mm tank MG with special mount for Russian variant
- Will include both Commonwealth and Russian tank commanders
For those who are not familiar with the Valentine, 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 variant we are focused as follow:
Valentine II (Tank, Infantry, Mk III): 700 produced.
- Until the Valentine name was adopted in June 1941, known as "Tank, Infantry, Mark III".
- Used an AEC A190 131 hp 6-cylinder diesel engine.
- To increase its range in the desert, an auxiliary jettisonable external fuel tank was installed to the left of the engine compartment.
Valentine III- Modifications to the turret design — moving the front turret plate forward and a larger rear bulge, giving room for a loader to ease the duties of the commander.
- The side armour was reduced from 60mm (2.4") to 50mm (2.0") to save weight.
Valentine IIICS (Close Support)- New Zealand modification of 18 Valentine III carried out by replacing the 2 pounder with a 3" Howitzer from Matilda IVCS tanks.
- They were used in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands (Battle of the Green Islands) and remained in service into the 1950s.
Valentine IV- A Mark II using an American 138hp GMC 6004 diesel engine and US-made transmission.
- Though it had a slightly shorter range, it was quieter and highly reliable.
Valentine V- As the Valentine III but with the GMC 6004 diesel and US-made transmission.
Valentine IX- An Mk V upgraded to the 6-pounder gun as the Mk VIII.
- Similar armour reduction as on the Mk VIII.
- On late production units, an upgraded 165 hp version of the GMC 6004 diesel was installed, somewhat improving mobility.
- Many of these being sent to Russia under Lend-Lease.
Valentine X- New turret design so that a Besa coaxial machine-gun could be mounted again.
- Welded construction.
- The 165 hp engine was used in place of the 130 hp engine in some production.
Valentine XI- An Mk X upgraded with the OQF 75 mm gun and 210 hp version of the GMC 6004 diesel; welded construction.
- The Canadian cast nose introduced into British production, only used as a command tank.
Enjoy!
