1:35 FV221 Caernarvon British Heavy Tank

1:35 FV221 Caernarvon, an Amusing Hobby heavy tank kit

An injection-molded plastic kit in 1:35 scale from the manufacturer Amusing Hobby. The subject is the British FV221 Caernarvon heavy tank, a transitional type in the development line of British heavy tanks of the postwar period.

The real subject

The FV221 Caernarvon came about in the development line of British heavy tanks that led to the FV214 Conqueror. It joined the hull and running gear of a heavy tank with a turret derived from the Centurion medium tank of the day, which made it possible to test the behavior of the heavy hull and chassis before a production heavy turret with a more powerful gun was available. The vehicles served above all for trials and for crew training and did not pass into production combat service in that form. The vehicle therefore has a characteristic look in which a large hull carries a fairly small turret.

Building and painting tips

With a vehicle whose hull is that large it pays off to give time to the running gear. Assemble and paint the wheels, the return rollers and the tracks before you close the sides of the hull up, otherwise they will be hard to reach later. Build and paint the turret and the hull separately and join them only once the varnish and the decals are on. For weathering use a dark wash into the pressings and the seams and pigments on the running gear, where most of the dust and mud collects. For an even base coat an airbrush and pre-shading of the seams are suitable.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of British postwar armor
• Modelers who build vehicles in 1:35 scale
• Anyone interested in prototype and trials types
• Builders of dioramas on a training theme

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.