In Box Review of Emhar 1/35th Scale
British "Tadpole" WWI Tank with Rear Mortar
Limited Production Run
Kit no. EM4004
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $45.59 at Kit Linx or 3 locations overseas.
I paid $32.98 at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Kit no. EM4004
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $45.59 at Kit Linx or 3 locations overseas.
I paid $32.98 at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
HISTORY:
The Germans dug wider trenches to thwart the new British Mk. V "Male" and "Female tanks (Emhar kits EM4001 & EM4002). In 1917 trial modifications to improve trench crossing ability began. The "Tadpole Tail" extended the rear of the tank by about 9 feet.
Angle iron cross-braces were fixed between the "tails" to improve rigidity. On one experimental version these provided support for a steel plate on which a forward-firing Stokes Mortar was placed.
Many "Tadpoles" were planned. Initial conversion trials were carried out in England and tail assemblies were sent to France. Problems with the conversion were not overcome by the end of the war and "Tadpoles" were not used in action. No markings are known (hence no decals are included in the kit). "Tadpoles" did not have unditching rails and the exhaust was shortened.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: (Approx) 35' 5" (10.80 m)
Overall width: 13' 5" (4.11 m)
Height: 8' 2" (2.49 m)
Engine: Daimler 6 cylinder
Max speed: 3.7 mph (approx. 6 k/ph
Fuel capacity: 318 liters
Armament: two 6 pounder guns & 3 machine guns (kit contains Lewis machine guns)
The Germans dug wider trenches to thwart the new British Mk. V "Male" and "Female tanks (Emhar kits EM4001 & EM4002). In 1917 trial modifications to improve trench crossing ability began. The "Tadpole Tail" extended the rear of the tank by about 9 feet.
Angle iron cross-braces were fixed between the "tails" to improve rigidity. On one experimental version these provided support for a steel plate on which a forward-firing Stokes Mortar was placed.
Many "Tadpoles" were planned. Initial conversion trials were carried out in England and tail assemblies were sent to France. Problems with the conversion were not overcome by the end of the war and "Tadpoles" were not used in action. No markings are known (hence no decals are included in the kit). "Tadpoles" did not have unditching rails and the exhaust was shortened.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: (Approx) 35' 5" (10.80 m)
Overall width: 13' 5" (4.11 m)
Height: 8' 2" (2.49 m)
Engine: Daimler 6 cylinder
Max speed: 3.7 mph (approx. 6 k/ph
Fuel capacity: 318 liters
Armament: two 6 pounder guns & 3 machine guns (kit contains Lewis machine guns)
THE KIT:
Emhar was a model company based in the UK. I believe they may have gone out of business.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tadpole in "No-man's Land" that is pocked with water-filled shell craters. There are 12 infantrymen in the background.
The Tadpole is overall dark-green with no markings.
One side panel of the box has a small color side profile, followed by the history of the Tadpole.
Emhar was a model company based in the UK. I believe they may have gone out of business.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tadpole in "No-man's Land" that is pocked with water-filled shell craters. There are 12 infantrymen in the background.
The Tadpole is overall dark-green with no markings.
One side panel of the box has a small color side profile, followed by the history of the Tadpole.
The other side panel has a small color repeat of the box art and the statement that the kit is intended for modelers 8 years to adult.
The bottom of the box has black and white line drawings of box arts of 9 other kits Emhar manufactured:
Kit no. EM4001, a FJ-4B Fury U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM1002, a Anatra Anasal DS WWI Russian biplane in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2002, a Mig-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2002, a LaGG-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2003, a Yak-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM3001, a F3H-2 Demon U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM3002, a F3H-2N/2M Demon U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM4001, a Mk. IV "Male" WWI British heavy battle tank in 1/35th scale.
Kit no. EM4002 (this kit), a Mk. IV "Female" WWI British heavy battle tank in 1/35th scale.
The bottom of the box has black and white line drawings of box arts of 9 other kits Emhar manufactured:
Kit no. EM4001, a FJ-4B Fury U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM1002, a Anatra Anasal DS WWI Russian biplane in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2002, a Mig-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2002, a LaGG-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM2003, a Yak-3 WWII Russian fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM3001, a F3H-2 Demon U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM3002, a F3H-2N/2M Demon U.S. Navy jet fighter in 1/72nd scale.
Kit no. EM4001, a Mk. IV "Male" WWI British heavy battle tank in 1/35th scale.
Kit no. EM4002 (this kit), a Mk. IV "Female" WWI British heavy battle tank in 1/35th scale.
Pocketbond Ltd. was the U.K. distributor for Emhar kits at the time the kit was released. Copyright date is given as 1991. Pocketbond's street address in London, England is provided and the kit was made in England.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 5 dark-gray trees, 3 black-vinyl tracks that are not cello bagged.
The first dark-gray tree holds: the rear inner and outer panels (4 parts)
The kit contains 5 dark-gray trees, 3 black-vinyl tracks that are not cello bagged.
The first dark-gray tree holds: the rear inner and outer panels (4 parts)
The second dark-gray tree holds: storage compartment walls, front inside and outside parts, fighting compartment roof, front side and and rear walls, machine guns etc. (27 parts) This tree is common to Emhar's kit no. 4001 of the Mark V Male and 2 parts are excess for making a Tadpole.
The third dark-gray tree holds: the front outside side parts, mortar and its base plate and supports (8 parts)
The fourth dark-gray tree holds: side sponsons gun shields, roof panel, exhaust etc. (37 parts) This tree is also common with Emhar's kit no. 4001, wheels on it and drive sprockets and some other parts are excess.
The fifth dark-gray tree holds: side sponson walls, hull top and bottom (6 parts) 2 parts are excess.
There are 3 black vinyl trees of treads (5 lengths per tree)
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part numbers molded into the back sides of parts that are not visible once the model is constructed, and part number tabs next to other parts on the trees.
There are no clear parts or a decal sheet in the kit. As already said the actual tank carried no markings.
The model has nice exterior raised detail. All hatches and doors are molded shut. There are no crew figures included.
There are no clear parts or a decal sheet in the kit. As already said the actual tank carried no markings.
The model has nice exterior raised detail. All hatches and doors are molded shut. There are no crew figures included.
Recommended.