In production from 1936 to 1940, the MkVI light tank actually made up the
bulk of British tank strength in 1940. It saw action in France and the Western
Desert. The MkVIC shown here was armed with a Besa 15mm Machine Gun.
RAFM produced this simple 1/72 metal model. The colors are those of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France (mid green/bronze green). This vehicle has long been a favorite of the resin/metal manufacturers, and JB Models now makes a plastic kit, but it has less accurate detailing than previous kits.
This 1/76 resin kit is produced by CROMWELL MODELS, and is shown sporting the bronze green/green camouflage pattern which was the fashion for the BEF.
The A9 was the first Cruiser tank, seeing action in France, Greece, and Africa. Armament consists of a 2 pdr gun and Vickers MG in the main turret, and two MGs in auxiliary turrets (reminiscent of WWI designs).
The 1/76 metal model is made by HINCHLIFFE/SKYTREX. A bit rough and requiring a bit of flash clean-up, but a nice addition to the collection. Also painted in BEF colors of 1940.
A further development of the A9, the A10 Cruiser Tank Mk II was the first British tank which featured up-armoring in the form of additional Armour plates bolted onto the turret and hull. The A10 saw action in France in 1940 and in the Western Desert until late 1941.
This metal model is made by HINCHLIFFE/SKYTREX in 1/76 scale, and consists of four parts; hull, turret, and two track assemblies. The turret bolts are a bit oversized, but overall the model is very nice.
The next Medium Cruiser tank in British service was the A13 Mk I (Aka Cruiser Tank Mk III). It also served in the France 1940 battles with the 1st Armoured Division and in North Africa with the 7th. This tank featured the Christie-style suspension later seen in Soviet T34 tanks. It was another design that proved under-armed and -armored when compared to German tanks.
The A13 Mk II was slightly better armoured, carrying additional metal plates that altered the turret shape to creat a more angles surface.
This is a simple wargaming model made by OSTMODELS. Decals are from Skytrex/Hinchliffe sets, and the aerial and figure were added by myself.
The hull of this FUJIMI 1/76 plastic kit has been married to a metal turret from SKYTREX to make the Mk III/V version of the Valentine Infantry Tank. Several of these saw action in Tunisia during the final months of the Africa Campaign. The turret is a new three-man version, but carries the same 2 pdr gun and co-axial MG as earlier marks. The only difference between the Mk III and V was the engine.
Skytrex actually sells a complete vehicle, but I opted to use a spare kit hull, as metal kits often have less detail and a lot of flash to clean up. I had to remove the side skirts, but otherwise the hull is unmodified. The turret has separate hatch covers. Decals are scrounged from the spares box or hand-painted, and the antenna is a section of stretched sprue.
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