‘The former Infantry Tank Mk.I was a product of the 1929 financial crisis, a rather limited and compromised vehicle, badly suited to real battlefield operations. In 1936 it entered production. During the very same year, another parallel specification (A.12) asked for a larger, better-armed model, derived from the A.7 prototype.

In fact, the A.12 was completely different from its “little brother” in terms of size, weight, drivetrain, armament and crew.

Development at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich (which already designed the A.7) lasted until 1938 when war seemed highly plausible.

The final A.12 prototype trials were passed with urgency. A production order came soon after, Vulcan Foundry having to build the first batch of 140 units until mid-1938.

To late for the War in France, where the A11 served, it was in North Africa where the Matilda A12 became legendary, being nicknamed the “Queen of the desert” by its crews.

The Matilda’s armor was a powerful advantage in all tank-to-tank engagements against Italian armor and AT guns during Operation Compass, late 1940, and against the DAK with light Panzer IIs and early models of the Panzer III’s.

The model is a secondhand Airfix model that required extensive renovation , with “Green Stuff” being a good 25% of the tank! The track guard hides the fact that many wheels are missing.

More from North Africa tomorrow.