The tank, infantry, mk iii, valentine was an infantry tank produced in the. What concerns its reliability and durability lets refer to one example. The figures provide an officer tank commander and four other ranks as tank riders also offered separately as miniart kit no. Miniart manufacture of highly detailed plastic model kits. Miniart models 5 pzkpfw mk iii 749e valentine iii tank w. Since then miniart models started to launch various models of afv, tanks. Imperial japanese army main battle tank type 97 chiha improved hull with 57mm fm25 1. The valentine never earned a particular surname, perhaps because it was so commonly seen by troopers. Miniart did a nice job of representing this weapon. With over 8,000 produced of the type, the valentine was a direct result of a british need to field an infantry tank based on the a10 design preceding it and to replace the aging matilda. Thus i skipped sections 1 through 4 on the instruction sheet. During a battles corps lost 78 of t34s and 17 valentines tanks and all tanks were used with identical intensity.
British and canadian production totalled 8275, making the valentine the most produced british tank design of the war. The valentine would prove its effectiveness as an infantry tank throughout africa and in the jungles of burma as well, showing up japanese armor in the process. I will try not to be unnecessarily long and keep your interest up. It was a rare example of a private venture tank design that was accepted for mass production, and thus didnt have an. The valentine ii is a soviet tier 4 premium light tank. With each successive valentine release miniart adds that little something extra and overall detail seems to improve. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialised variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime british tank production. They were originally called infantry tank mk iii and reached service in may 1940, with production finally ending in early 1944. The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a. Miniart did make a good marketing move with the release of two videos on this model and truly it was not for.
Miniart plastic scale model kits wonderland models. Quality beyond the ardinary in creating tanks, vehicles and artillery, we cut no corners. Iv miniart convincingly captured the valentines complex suspension including the unique threewheel bogies. The valentine tank had an interesting suspension, with coilsprung threewheel bogies. All in all, this is a very complete history on the valentine tank. Oct 25, 2012 photo gallery of a valentine tank, the tank, infantry, mk iii, valentine was an infantry tank produced in the united kingdom during the second world war. The valentine was better armed and faster than the cruiser mk. The first ones were ordered from vickers in july 1939. Here we have the miniart models british infantry tank mk. Ii lana turner, late production version, with the new roadwheels and 2pdr mk. With more than 8,200 produced during world war ii, it was manufactured in higher numbers than any other british afv. It was similar to the mk x, which was the first version to be built from new with the 6pounder anti tank gun. It was a rare example of a private venture tank design that was accepted for mass production, and thus didnt have an a number like most british tanks. British and canadian production totalled 8275, making the valentine the most produced british tank design of.
The tank first served in operation crusader in the north african desert with the 8th royal tank regiment. The valentine tank was submitted for approval to the war office on 14th february 1938, hence the code name. Bna model world online hobby shop, offers plastic model kits including cars, trucks, tanks, military vehicles, plane, figures. The valentine tank was privately developed in the late 1930s by vickers. With the recent release of new valentine tanks by miniart, the search for references is on. Despite of the similarities, they are intriguing steps in the evolution of wwii armor into the well known t5455, and later postwar soviet tanks. We also stock a large range of modelling tools, paints, airbrushes and compressors. Valentine in north africa carrying infantry from a scottish regiment.
Harvey low president amps fort york toronto for personal use only and not for profit. Miniart valentine v mk iii british infantry tank w2 crew. Whichever make you purchase, the vehicle it depicts is the valentine infantry tank. Building the soviet ball tank sharotank miniart 5 scale model. The tank, infantry, mk iii, valentine was an infantry tank produced in the united kingdom during the second world war. The valentinepage contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this vehicle. With more than 8,200 produced during world war ii, it was manufactured in higher numbers than. Iii 749e valentine iii with crew from the wwii military miniatures series by miniart. It should be mentioned here that while the kit is sold as with crew they are in fact a set of four tank riders and a commander figure which has also has just been released as set 35071 british soldiers tank riders. Wwii allied armor, michael rinaldi, rinaldi studio press, 20, 0988336324, 9780988336322. Beautifully done model of this widely used commonwealth vehicle. There are a hundred different valentine s day boxes for boys and girls to choose from. Iii valentine was a british infantry tank produced during world war ii. Miniart models 5 antitank obstacles 36 details for.
Miniart correctly shows this in their booklet, and also shows the green as background to its name, culloden. Shop tamiya models tm35352 british infantry tank mk. Early barrels for british infantry tanks valentine mk. British tanks and crews line up on tripolis waterfront after capturing the city, 1942. Sections 5 through 17 cover the construction of the tank models running gear. The valentine ii as seen in the kubinka tank museum valentine mark ii soviet.
The valentine page contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this vehicle. The infantry tank mk iii, valentine, was the most numerous britishbuilt tank of the second world war, with over 8,000 built between 1940 and 1944. Iii valentine v from the wwii military miniatures series by miniart. In section 8, i removed one of the hull mounting slats for the attachment of the. The tank had many variants, and over 8000 vehicles of this type were produced. Valentine v mk iii british infantry tank w2 crew this is the 5 scale british infantry tank mk. Miniart has issued both the t44 and t44m in plastic.
V, from an unidentified unit, tripoli, january 1943. At wonderland models our miniart range of 5 scale military vehicles and figure models consists of all kinds including british tank riders, dingo mk. Glue is needed to put together this model kit, and you should use paint to get that finished look. There is a little play in the fit, so pay attention during assembly. In stock miniart models ma35579 5 antitank obstacles 36 details for 12 models worldwide shipping in 24hrs. Trough all this years we have expanded our assortment with five series. The article states that its armour was weaker than the infantry tank ii matilda but, due to a weaker engine, the lighter tank had the same top speed. Production for the valentine started in 1939 with an initial order for 250 tanks. Mar 14, 2016 miniart has issued both the t44 and t44m in plastic. To those not familiar with british ww2 armour or its nomenclature, an infantry tank was designed to accompany infantry in the assault and as such was better armoured but slower than the medium cruiser tank although its armament was not much different. Miniart models 5 antitank obstacles 36 details for 12. Scale models, football helmets, tanks, weapons, fantasy, vehicles, sentences.
Introduction the valentine tank was designed by vickersarmstrong as a private venture and was offered to the british war department in 1938. A total of 3,782 vehicles were sent to the soviet union, with some lost at sea during transport to murmansk. Miniart was established in 2001 and the first kit was released in 2003. Most of all, it had the mainstream 2pounder qf 40 mm1. There are also drawings and sketches from official government documents, as well as scale drawings and color profile illustrations.
At wonderland models our miniart range of model kits consists of all kinds from all leading categories including 5 scale buildings, dioramas, figures and military vehicles as well as historical figure models at 116 and 172 scales. Alexbuildits guide to the valentine mark ii soviet. Photo gallery of a valentine tank, the tank, infantry, mk iii, valentine was an infantry tank produced in the united kingdom during the second world war. This model kit comes with easy to follow instructions guiding you through the build. Alexbuildits guide to the valentine mark ii posted in soviet tanks. The valentine is odd in british tank doctrine as it didnt fit properly into either a cruiser or infantry tank concept but it was liked by its crews as it was easy to drive and more importantly was extremely reliable, something that couldnt be said for other british tanks of the period, its very low profile was also used to great advantage.