In Box Review of VM 1/35th Scale British “Valentine” IV Mk. III Tank
Kit no. 359503
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1995
I paid $20.98 for my kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Out of production. $17.99 on E-bay.
I got this kit as a gift from John Kelley, back on 10-2-2011.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1995
I paid $20.98 for my kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Out of production. $17.99 on E-bay.
I got this kit as a gift from John Kelley, back on 10-2-2011.
HISTORY:
The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialized variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production.
The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under license in Canada. It was used extensively by the British in the North African campaign. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Infantry tank
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1940–1960
Used by: British Army, Red Army, New Zealand Army
Wars: World War II, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Cyprus crisis of 1963–64
Designer: Vickers-Armstrong
Designed: 1938
Manufacturer: Vickers-Armstrong and others
Produced: 1940–1944
No. built: 8,275 (6,855 built in UK and 1,420 in Canada)
Mass: about 16 long tons (16 t)
Length: hull: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Width: 8 ft 7.5 in (2.629 m)
Height: 7 ft 5.5 in (2.273 m)
Crew: Mk I, II, IV, VI–XI: 3 (Commander, gunner, driver), Mk III, V: 4 (+ loader)
Armour: 0.31–2.56 in (8–65 mm)
Main armament: Mk I–VII: QF 2-pounder (40 mm), Mk VIII–X: QF 6-pounder (57 mm), Mk XI: QF 75 mm, Mk IIICS QF 3-inch (76 mm)
Secondary armament: Mk I–VII, X, XI: 7.92 mm BESA machine-gun with 3,150 rounds
Engine: Mk I: AEC A189 9.6 liters petrol, Mk II, III, VI: AEC A190 diesel, Mk IV, V, VII–XI: GMC 6004 diesel of 131–210 hp (97–157 kW)
Power/weight: 12.4 hp (9.2 kW) / tonne
Transmission: Meadows Type 22 (5 speed and reverse)
Suspension: modified three-wheel Horstmann suspension "Slow Motion"
Fuel capacity: 36 gallons internal
Operational range: 90 mi (140 km) on roads
Maximum speed: 15 mph (24 km/h) on roads
Steering system: clutch and brake
The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialized variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production.
The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under license in Canada. It was used extensively by the British in the North African campaign. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Infantry tank
Place of origin: United Kingdom
In service: 1940–1960
Used by: British Army, Red Army, New Zealand Army
Wars: World War II, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Cyprus crisis of 1963–64
Designer: Vickers-Armstrong
Designed: 1938
Manufacturer: Vickers-Armstrong and others
Produced: 1940–1944
No. built: 8,275 (6,855 built in UK and 1,420 in Canada)
Mass: about 16 long tons (16 t)
Length: hull: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Width: 8 ft 7.5 in (2.629 m)
Height: 7 ft 5.5 in (2.273 m)
Crew: Mk I, II, IV, VI–XI: 3 (Commander, gunner, driver), Mk III, V: 4 (+ loader)
Armour: 0.31–2.56 in (8–65 mm)
Main armament: Mk I–VII: QF 2-pounder (40 mm), Mk VIII–X: QF 6-pounder (57 mm), Mk XI: QF 75 mm, Mk IIICS QF 3-inch (76 mm)
Secondary armament: Mk I–VII, X, XI: 7.92 mm BESA machine-gun with 3,150 rounds
Engine: Mk I: AEC A189 9.6 liters petrol, Mk II, III, VI: AEC A190 diesel, Mk IV, V, VII–XI: GMC 6004 diesel of 131–210 hp (97–157 kW)
Power/weight: 12.4 hp (9.2 kW) / tonne
Transmission: Meadows Type 22 (5 speed and reverse)
Suspension: modified three-wheel Horstmann suspension "Slow Motion"
Fuel capacity: 36 gallons internal
Operational range: 90 mi (140 km) on roads
Maximum speed: 15 mph (24 km/h) on roads
Steering system: clutch and brake
THE KIT:
VM is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Warsaw, Poland. Kit was made in Russia.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a “Valentine” on a dirt field, that is passing a destroyed German Pz.Kpfw. III.
The “Valentine” is overall sand color. It has a black circle with a no. 10 in it, on the sides of the turret. On its nose is a white COLLUDEN, followed by a red circle with a white no. 40 on it.
The destroyed German tank is overall earth-yellow.
Both side panels of the box are identical. They begin with a small color repeat of the box art. Followed by: Model is suitable for ages 6 to adult.
Contains decals and instructions for assembly. Paint and cement are not included.
This is said in German, English and Polish. With each language labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
Kit was made in Russia. A V’s street address in Warsaw, Poland is supplied.
VM is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Warsaw, Poland. Kit was made in Russia.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a “Valentine” on a dirt field, that is passing a destroyed German Pz.Kpfw. III.
The “Valentine” is overall sand color. It has a black circle with a no. 10 in it, on the sides of the turret. On its nose is a white COLLUDEN, followed by a red circle with a white no. 40 on it.
The destroyed German tank is overall earth-yellow.
Both side panels of the box are identical. They begin with a small color repeat of the box art. Followed by: Model is suitable for ages 6 to adult.
Contains decals and instructions for assembly. Paint and cement are not included.
This is said in German, English and Polish. With each language labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
Kit was made in Russia. A V’s street address in Warsaw, Poland is supplied.
WHAT’ S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds four medium-grey trees and two jet black ones, the decal sheet in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides on poor quality tan paper, in 8 ¼” x 11 ½” page format.
The face side begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the “Valentine” and marking instructions in Polish.
The bottom of the face side and the back side of the instructions adds up to a grand total of 8 assembly steps, numbered by Roman-numerals.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. Bad move VM !
The 1st large medium-grey tree holds: the top, sides and rear parts etc. (19 parts)
This kit holds four medium-grey trees and two jet black ones, the decal sheet in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides on poor quality tan paper, in 8 ¼” x 11 ½” page format.
The face side begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the “Valentine” and marking instructions in Polish.
The bottom of the face side and the back side of the instructions adds up to a grand total of 8 assembly steps, numbered by Roman-numerals.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. Bad move VM !
The 1st large medium-grey tree holds: the top, sides and rear parts etc. (19 parts)
The 2nd large medium-grey tree holds: bogies, springs, shovel, main gun barrel etc. (71 parts)
The 1st medium-sized, medium-grey tree holds: road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, idler wheels etc. ( 32 parts)
The 2nd medium-sized, medium-grey tree holds: turret parts. etc. (16 parts)
There are two identical jet-black parts trees. They hold the individual track links. (120 parts ea.)
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
There are no clear parts or crew figures included.
The detail is quite nice.
Recommended.
The detail is quite nice.
Recommended.