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1/72 ESCI Malta Matilda


Ron Bell

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This is a kit that dates from the 70's but is remarkably good, rivaling the current crop of Trumpeter and Dragon kits. I've done this scheme in 1/35th and 1/48th but needed one for my Braille Scale collection. The kit comes with no interior, which is odd as their Valentine of the same era had a driver's position, turret basket and basic interior detail. The driver's visor can be posed open or closed, but if open there's nothing there, not even a driver figure. Ditto for the loader's hatch. At least you get a commander figure to fill an open cupola. I built a box inside the driver's position and painted it black to hide the fact that there's nothing in there except the driver figure that I adapted from the spares' box. The loader is from the ESCI 25 pdr. kit with modifications to get him to sit right on the turret top. I added the wall segment to illustrate why the vehicles were painted this way. It's actually a section of a Matchbox kit's diorama base. I make no claim to fame in painting small scale figures. I just can't get the hang of it. But to be fair, the detail on figures from this era wasn't exactly "crisp". 

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I used to build the old 1/72 Esci armor kits for tabletop wargaming during the early to mid-1970s but never purchased that kit.

Used to admire the detail molded into the models and you have done a fine job on it.

My first thought upon seeing the pattern was of a British post war Berlin Chieftain Mk 10 without the color painted inside the pattern.

Out of curiosity, did you use ordinary play sand or aquarium sand?

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Actually neither. It's Woodland Scenics tan Fine Ballast. I wanted more of a 'gravely' texture than sand would provide. 

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Hard to decide which camo scheme looks better on a Matilda... this one or the Caunter scheme. Bravo to you for the excellent paint job that you pulled off here. 👍🏼👍🏼 🫡

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