Jump to content

Bandai 1/48 Matilda Mk II


Ron Bell

Recommended Posts

The old Bandai 1/48 armor kits were really gems at the time and still aren't all that bad. They all sported at least a minimal interior while other companies kits had nothing but old motorization brackets. This one is bound for Malta camouflage. I completed the interior with some extra "busying-up" parts added, like some more bins in the hull, some wiring a recoil guard for the main gun and I bodged together a sort of #19 radio set. The turret basket is not accurate and is actually in common with that in the Valentine kit. As a matter of fact, if you check the one in the ESCI 1/72 scale Valentine, you'll find it's also the same. But accuracy aside, again, at least there's something in there to see through the hatches I intend to leave open. In the end, it turned out pretty well for a kit that dates from 1975. The figure is from the Tamiya Humber a/c kit as there was no crew in the box when I got it. 

PXL_20220609_231101342.jpeg

PXL_20220609_231112014.jpeg

PXL_20220609_231133828.jpeg

PXL_20220609_231151438.jpeg

PXL_20220609_231212497.jpeg

PXL_20220609_231230275.jpeg

This is everything before exterior painting started, with the exception of the exhaust system. 

PXL_20220612_130451241.jpeg

And here's the final product. 

PXL_20220618_195226999.jpeg

PXL_20220618_195301186.jpeg

PXL_20220618_195319374.jpeg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice build and I especially like that camo scheme! Since I dabble in 1/48 armor (when I do dabble...), and have a few of those old Bandai kits, I have to agree that they were very nice for their time. I built that Valentine you mentioned and really enjoyed it! I hope to see this in Omaha next month!

 

Gil :cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That turned out very nice! The Malta camouflage is quite striking in its’ appearance. You’re also quite right on the Bandai 1/48 armor kits being quite exceptional for that era. It’s too bad that they have not brought them back to compliment Tamiya’s new 1/48 armor line. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...