Cornwallis Cruiser Tank Mk.III

[nev]

During the course of WW2 the Soviet Union received huge amounts of materiel from the UK and especially the US.  A variety of tanks were supplied in large numbers, and grateful as the Russians were for all equipment received, it quickly became obvious that western tanks were not the equal of the latest Russian and German tanks.  

When your own troops nickname their tank "the coffin for 7 men" (Lee/Grant) or "Ronson" ("lights first time" - Sherman), you know you have a dodgy piece of kit.

Accordingly, in 1943 the Russians asked the Americans to put their huge industrial resources behind license production of their best tank, the T-34.  In an admirably quick time, with a hitherto (and subsequently) unknown level of co-operation from Russia, American factories were churning out T-34s & shipping them across the pacific to Vladivostok- a feat of industrial prowess to rival the designing of the P-51 and the production of Victory ships.

As the Americans tested the T-34s they produced, it quickly became apparent that this was a tank that out-classed their Shermans, and was capable of taking on the fearsome Tigers the allies had recently encountered in North Africa.  Although it was too late to re-equip their armoured divisions with the T-34 before the invasion of Europe, the decision was taken to try and equip certain units with them.  As the production of T-34s in the US really ramped up in 1944, small numbers began to make their way to the British, who like the Americans knew it was too late to replace the Cromwell & Sherman as the MBT of their armies, instead choosing to re-equip 1 or 2 troops in independant armoured brigades.

In British service the T-34 was re-named the Cornwallis, and classified as a cruiser tank, though its armour & armament put it more in the infantry class of British tanks.  Early on, the British trialled the Cornwallis with the powerful 17-pounder AT using the enlarged turret of the T-34/85.  This combo proved remarkably successful, and by late 1944 the first tanks reached the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards.

One of the biggest problems with the Cornwallis (especially the long-barrelled Mk.III) was its similarity in profile to the German Panther, and as such was liberally applied with white stars to prevent attack by over-zealous allied planes or tanks.  Nevertheless, the Cornwallis was highly prized by the units that received them being better armed & better armoured than the Shermans & Cromwells they operated alongside.

[nev]

I always love shots of tanks with the barrel stretching towards you    

[nev]

This was my first use of MiG pigments for weathering - with mixed success.  I way over-did the dried mud on the tracks & especially the road wheels, and I haven't got time to go back & re-do them before the deadline in 2 days.

But a little bit of experimentation here & there (eg, mixing with Klear/Future for wet mud) has shown the potential of these pigments for future projects

[nev]

Obligatory box-shot.  

Kit is the Airfix 1/76 T-34.  17 pounder barrel came from the Revell 1/76 Sherman Firefly (ex matchbox).  2nd Bn Coldstream Guards decals are from same kit, White Stars are from Revell 1/76 17 pounder + Jeep + Morris Truck (ex Matchbox).

[nev]

We're going away tomorrow morning before the Whif SIG get-together so I haven't time to finish the wee diorama I had planned for it.  You've already seen the figures in the picture-post forum, here it is sat on the Milicast resin base.  As you can see I've started to block in the basic colours, but not anywhere near finished painting, let alone weathered.

Another week and I coulda had it done, ah well.....

I really enjoyed this kit.  The kit itself is a dog, low on detail, horrible vinyl tracks.  Basically, it is a 30yr old kit, and it shows.  But still, its reminded me (once again) how much I enjoy doing armour, and furthermore its opened my eyes as to the quality of stuff thats available out there in 1.72/1.76 such as those cool white metal AB Figures or Milicast resin tanks.  And now I really, really want to buy one of those new-tool Dragon T-34s just to see the difference between this old Airfix kit, and a modern state of the art one.

[General Zod]

I love it A 17lbr T34 Very nice

[Brian da Basher]

That's one sweet whiff tank there Nev followed up with a totally plausible backstory. I like the U.S. markings and your weathering.

Brian da Basher

[Captain Canada]

Yes...great job, Nevster ! If it weren't for the tracks, I'd swear it was a 35th scaler...especially with the figure atop. As for the mud...looks just fine to me ! I need to know more about these Mig pigments ?

I also like the barrel shot...have to try that one myself !

 

[Captain Canada]

Geez....I forgot to mention the story ! Great stuff as well. Too bad it wasn't real...could have saved an awful lot of lives if they had gone with your plan !

 

[nev]

Todd, MiG pigments.  I go the Urban Combat and Sand&Earth sets, £15 quid each.  If you hunt around the website you'll find a list of their stockists around the world.

Brian - US markings?  Nay lad, those are Allied ID starts  IRL they were unpopular as they provided a nice, ready made target for German gunners to aim at.

Sadly Todd you're right about the number of lives it could've saved, but given the level of co-operation we received from the Russians (being arrested by the NKVD was an occupational hazard for British & American military attaches) I doubt someone as mistrustful as Stalin would've let it happen  

[nev]

Oh, and what does everyone think of the name?  I thought long and the thing I'm not allowed to say a suitable British historic figure beginning with C.

[NARSES2]

Nice T34 Nev, shows what can be done with old kits.

As for Cornwallis, it has a nice ring to it - Most people only remember him for "losing the Colonies" but he was also a very effective Governor General of India and also served his country well in Ireland.

Can't think of to many C's off hand - Cardigan I suppose but wouldn't go down to well with the Russian's  

Chris who's just hit his 4,000th post !

[Mike Wren]

great idea Nev, very nicely done too      

[lancer]

Great looking Tank Nev. The 17pdr fits it just right. The name is good as well. Bloody well done old son.

[Leigh]

Kewl  I fink the weathering looks great.
Suprised they managed to fit it in that teeny tiny box And is that one of the old Matchbox doirama bases?