Waltzing RAM Matilda - 1/35 Tamiya

Old Wombat · January 16, 2018, 07:01:53 AM

Finally got my work-space set up again today, having had to pack it up about a week before Christmas.

After much deliberation I decided I'd build one of my Matildas as my mojo-boosting first task for the year, leaving half-a-dozen part completed builds waiting on the side-lines.

I'll be building her pretty much OoB, with a few minor mod's for Royal Australian Marines operations in the Asia/Pacific region - not the Australian Army mod's.

The kit comes with 3 different gun barrels, including a 3" howitzer that I'm going to use instead of either of the 2-pounder barrels.

Enough waffling! I've only cleaned up about 6 pieces & glued 3 bits together but it's a start!

zenrat · January 16, 2018, 02:44:47 PM

Always good to see more Wombat Armour.

I really must build some of my small tank stash this year.

Old Wombat · January 16, 2018, 10:15:29 PM

Thanks, Fred!

Hopefully it lives up to expectations - all the reviews I've read were very positive - & she goes together nice & easy!

Mossie · January 16, 2018, 11:49:58 PM

I do like a Matilda, and a Wombat armour build too.

rickshaw · January 17, 2018, 12:16:46 AM

The Tilly was just the right amount of armour and had a reasonable gun (particularly after the Australian Army development of a HE round for the 2 Pdr) in a small enough package that could be easily moved between and around the islands.

I look forward to seeing what you do, Guy. Your builds are always interesting. I expect, as it is a RAM vehicle it will come equipped with wading trunks and an exhaust extension?

Old Wombat · January 17, 2018, 01:33:12 AM

Thanks, gents!

B: I don't really want to do too much to her but some kind of wading gear may be a possibility. Guess I'll have to do some research & have a think.

NARSES2 · January 17, 2018, 03:35:25 AM

Looking forward to this. For the intended operational area it's got reasonable armour protection and a decent close support weapon with the 3"C.S. gun.

Old Wombat · January 17, 2018, 05:43:55 AM

Having done some research, including watching the "Inside the Cheiftain's Hatch" episode on the Matilda, I've concluded that the Queen of the Desert is not the Queen of the Beach.

Basically, the set-up at the rear of the Matilda doesn't lend itself to fitting wading gear without a serious re-design. The exhaust re-arrangement is do-able, not easy but it can be done, but those big cast panels on the engine deck have vents cast into them for air to come in & go out, & there's next-to-no room anywhere to fit a base for the the air inlet duct to connect to.

So, I'm insane, I have an idea & I'm going to run with it ... but I'll be doing it in such a way that the wading gear can be displayed fitted or disassembled, so the base can be seen for what it is & it can be seen how the assembled ducting works.

Did I mention I'm insane?

Rheged · January 17, 2018, 06:47:43 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 17, 2018, 05:43:55 AM

Did I mention I'm insane?

Insane? No. Imaginative? Most definitely YES!!

Old Wombat · January 17, 2018, 10:44:04 PM

DAMN! I forgot to take into account the bloody turret!

Sorry, guys, no wading gear on this build.

It can be done but it needs a complete re-design of the engine deck ... all of it.

I have another Matilda, but I have plans for her, so I'll need to buy another before I can do the wading option. I'll have to remove the engine deck & replace it with lighter plate-steel armour, rather than the massive cast armour used. Install vents & grills in a more consolidated arrangement. Then design the wading gear around that.

(Actually, I'll probably design the ventilation set-up & the wading ducts simultaneously as an integrated system.)

So, Matilda II CS with minimal mod's for RAM service it will have to be.

NARSES2 · January 18, 2018, 01:22:41 AM

I'm impressed by your attention to the practicalities, and knowledge

Old Wombat · January 18, 2018, 06:00:02 AM

"Knowledge" is from a millennium ago, when I first fell in love with the Matilda II as a youngster, & some extremely recent blitz-data-mining across the interwebnet.

Practicalities? Well, I guess I like my builds to be slightly sensible.

zenrat · January 19, 2018, 03:52:36 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 18, 2018, 06:00:02 AM
...I guess I like my builds to be slightly sensible.

You mad fool you...

NARSES2 · January 19, 2018, 07:13:13 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 18, 2018, 06:00:02 AM

Practicalities? Well, I guess I like my builds to be slightly sensible.

And that way lies madness ? See my Blog re the Attacker

I've always had a liking for the Matilda II as well, indeed a lot of the early War period British tanks. Just found a Wargames company that produces all the Crusader variants in 28mm(1/56) scale. Quite a nice size he thinks to himself

Old Wombat · February 16, 2018, 05:33:47 AM

About half way through piecing together the Bronco individual link tracks.