In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
British Crusader Mk. I Tank
Kit no. 6432
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2001
I paid $18.99 when this kit was marked down at the local Toy Fair store at $22.00.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2001
I paid $18.99 when this kit was marked down at the local Toy Fair store at $22.00.
HISTORY:
The A.15 Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI or “Crusader” was one of the primary British cruiser tanks during the early part of the Second World War. Over 5,000 tanks were manufactured and they made important contributions to the British victories during the North African Campaign.
The “Crusader” tank would not see active service beyond Africa, but the chassis of the tank was modified to create anti-aircraft, fire support, observation, communication, bulldozer and recovery vehicle variants.
The first variation “Crusader I” tank entered service in 1941, and, though manoeuvrable, it was relatively lightly armoured and under-armed. Improved armour thickness to 49mm marked out the "Crusader II' variant. The main armament for the Crusader Mark I and II's was an Ordnance QF 2 pounder (40mm) main gun, but the “Crusader III” was fitted with an Ordnance QF 6 pounder (57mm) main gun.
This variant was more than a match for the mid-generation German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks that it faced in combat. As part of the 1st Armoured Brigade, the “Crusader” was to prove vital during the Battle of El Alamein, at Tobruk and in Tunisia.
Retained in service because of delays with its replacement, by late 1942, the lack of armament upgrades, plus reliability problems due to the harsh desert conditions and the appearance of Tiger I heavy tanks among the German Afrika Korps, saw the “Crusader” replaced by US-supplied M3 Grant and then by the Sherman medium tanks.
This tank was built for the British Army and was extensively used during the North African campaign in WWII. The “Crusader” was ideally suited for desert terrain and thanks to its speed it was the ideal vehicle for fast advances in this type of conflict.
Because of its light armor and moderate armament, “Crusaders” were not able to adequately match the German anti-tank guns and were vulnerable to the vast mine fields which inflicted substantial losses on the Allied forces.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Cruiser tank
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1939-1948
Wars: World War II
Designer: Nuffield
Designed: 1939/1940
Manufacturer: Nuffield Mechanizations and Aero Ltd
Produced: 1940–1943
No. built: 5,300
Mass: 18.8 to 19.7 long tons (19.1 to 20.0 t)
Length: 20 ft 8.5 in[1] (5.97 m)[a]
Width: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)[b]
Height: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
Crew: Mk III: 3 (Commander, gunner, driver) in the Mk I, II: 4 or 5 (+ Loader, hull gunner)
Armour: Mk I: 40 mm in the Mk II: 49 mm in the Mk III: 51 mm
Main armament: Mk I, II: QF 2 pdr (40 mm) 110 rounds in the Mk III: QF 6 pdr (57 mm) 65 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 or 2 × Besa machine guns with 4,950 rounds
Engine: Nuffield Liberty Mark II, III, or IV, 27-litre V-12 petrol engine of 340 bhp (254 kW) at 1,500 rpm
Power/weight: 17 hp (12.7 kW) / tonne
Transmission: Nuffield constant mesh 4-speed-and-reverse
Suspension: Christie helical spring
Ground clearance: 1 ft 4 in (0.41 m)
Fuel capacity: 110 Imperial gallons in 3 fuel tanks (+30 auxiliary)
Operational
Range: 200 mi (322 km) on roads, 146 mi (235 km) cross country
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h) (road), 15 mph (24 km/h) (off-road)
Steering system: Wilson epicyclic steering
The A.15 Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI or “Crusader” was one of the primary British cruiser tanks during the early part of the Second World War. Over 5,000 tanks were manufactured and they made important contributions to the British victories during the North African Campaign.
The “Crusader” tank would not see active service beyond Africa, but the chassis of the tank was modified to create anti-aircraft, fire support, observation, communication, bulldozer and recovery vehicle variants.
The first variation “Crusader I” tank entered service in 1941, and, though manoeuvrable, it was relatively lightly armoured and under-armed. Improved armour thickness to 49mm marked out the "Crusader II' variant. The main armament for the Crusader Mark I and II's was an Ordnance QF 2 pounder (40mm) main gun, but the “Crusader III” was fitted with an Ordnance QF 6 pounder (57mm) main gun.
This variant was more than a match for the mid-generation German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks that it faced in combat. As part of the 1st Armoured Brigade, the “Crusader” was to prove vital during the Battle of El Alamein, at Tobruk and in Tunisia.
Retained in service because of delays with its replacement, by late 1942, the lack of armament upgrades, plus reliability problems due to the harsh desert conditions and the appearance of Tiger I heavy tanks among the German Afrika Korps, saw the “Crusader” replaced by US-supplied M3 Grant and then by the Sherman medium tanks.
This tank was built for the British Army and was extensively used during the North African campaign in WWII. The “Crusader” was ideally suited for desert terrain and thanks to its speed it was the ideal vehicle for fast advances in this type of conflict.
Because of its light armor and moderate armament, “Crusaders” were not able to adequately match the German anti-tank guns and were vulnerable to the vast mine fields which inflicted substantial losses on the Allied forces.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Cruiser tank
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1939-1948
Wars: World War II
Designer: Nuffield
Designed: 1939/1940
Manufacturer: Nuffield Mechanizations and Aero Ltd
Produced: 1940–1943
No. built: 5,300
Mass: 18.8 to 19.7 long tons (19.1 to 20.0 t)
Length: 20 ft 8.5 in[1] (5.97 m)[a]
Width: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)[b]
Height: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
Crew: Mk III: 3 (Commander, gunner, driver) in the Mk I, II: 4 or 5 (+ Loader, hull gunner)
Armour: Mk I: 40 mm in the Mk II: 49 mm in the Mk III: 51 mm
Main armament: Mk I, II: QF 2 pdr (40 mm) 110 rounds in the Mk III: QF 6 pdr (57 mm) 65 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 or 2 × Besa machine guns with 4,950 rounds
Engine: Nuffield Liberty Mark II, III, or IV, 27-litre V-12 petrol engine of 340 bhp (254 kW) at 1,500 rpm
Power/weight: 17 hp (12.7 kW) / tonne
Transmission: Nuffield constant mesh 4-speed-and-reverse
Suspension: Christie helical spring
Ground clearance: 1 ft 4 in (0.41 m)
Fuel capacity: 110 Imperial gallons in 3 fuel tanks (+30 auxiliary)
Operational
Range: 200 mi (322 km) on roads, 146 mi (235 km) cross country
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h) (road), 15 mph (24 km/h) (off-road)
Steering system: Wilson epicyclic steering
THE KIT:
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a “Crusader Mk.I” moving across the desert with a burning tank and an explosion in the background.
It is overall sand. With a white serial no. T33169, followed by black serial no. T43617 on the sides of its turret.
On its nose it has white 67 T43617 and a white rhino.
One side panel has one-paragraph histories of the “Crusader” in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Finish. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language. The length of the assembled model is 171mm (just under 7 inches).
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a “Crusader Mk.I” moving across the desert with a burning tank and an explosion in the background.
It is overall sand. With a white serial no. T33169, followed by black serial no. T43617 on the sides of its turret.
On its nose it has white 67 T43617 and a white rhino.
One side panel has one-paragraph histories of the “Crusader” in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Finish. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language. The length of the assembled model is 171mm (just under 7 inches).
The other side panel continues the one-paragraph histories in Portuguese, Russian and Japanese, with the accompanean flags.
Italari's street address in Italy and their web address are provided. Some Model Master brand paints are suggested. Kit is designated for modelers over the age of 10 and is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. In multiple languages, including English.
Italari's street address in Italy and their web address are provided. Some Model Master brand paints are suggested. Kit is designated for modelers over the age of 10 and is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. In multiple languages, including English.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 3 tan trees, a black vinyl tree, the small decal sheet and the instructions.
Trees are not cello bagged.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 13” page format.
Page 1 has the history of the “Crusader” in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over after marketing service coupons, in the multiple languages.
Page 3 has the parts trees illustrations above a suggested paint color listing of Model Master brand of hobby paints. Two international assembly symbols are shown. Some parts are shaded out on these trees. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 4 through 8 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
Page 9 is a painting and marking guide. It shows a 5-view of a “Crusader II” in the box art scheme, However, there are more markings shown.
On the sides of the turret, in the center, there is a red triangle with a black I on it and above the serial no. T43617 on the turret sides is a stick-character of “THE SAINT” in black. The 67 is white on a red square and on the left front and rear fender front, The white rhino is on a black oval on the front of the right front and rear fender. Tank is with the British Army, North Africa, 1940-41. No unit is given.
At the bottom of the page is the decal application instructions. In 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the kit on it. In 20 languages, including English.
Tan letter A tree holds: road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, bogies, tow cables, hatch doors etc.(150 parts) 19 parts are excess.
The kit holds 3 tan trees, a black vinyl tree, the small decal sheet and the instructions.
Trees are not cello bagged.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 13” page format.
Page 1 has the history of the “Crusader” in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over after marketing service coupons, in the multiple languages.
Page 3 has the parts trees illustrations above a suggested paint color listing of Model Master brand of hobby paints. Two international assembly symbols are shown. Some parts are shaded out on these trees. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 4 through 8 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
Page 9 is a painting and marking guide. It shows a 5-view of a “Crusader II” in the box art scheme, However, there are more markings shown.
On the sides of the turret, in the center, there is a red triangle with a black I on it and above the serial no. T43617 on the turret sides is a stick-character of “THE SAINT” in black. The 67 is white on a red square and on the left front and rear fender front, The white rhino is on a black oval on the front of the right front and rear fender. Tank is with the British Army, North Africa, 1940-41. No unit is given.
At the bottom of the page is the decal application instructions. In 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the kit on it. In 20 languages, including English.
Tan letter A tree holds: road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, bogies, tow cables, hatch doors etc.(150 parts) 19 parts are excess.
Tan letter B tree holds: the hull floor and roof, turret parts, hull rear wall etc. (18 parts) 1 part is excess,
Tan letter C tree holds: the hull sides, mantle, main gun barrel, seat, tools, exhausts etc. (50 parts)
Tree letter D is the black vinyl rubber band type treads. There are two long runs and 4 short ones. The two longer ones of the short runs are excess.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
There are no crew figures, clear parts or any interior details included in the kit.
Externally, the detail is good.
Externally, the detail is good.
Recommended.