1:35 Cromwell Mk.IV

Cromwell Mk.IV (1:35, Airfix)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the British cruiser tank Cruiser Tank Mk.VIII A27M Cromwell Mk.IV in 1:35 scale from Airfix. It is a recently designed tooling; in the box you will find several sprues of plastic parts, a small photo-etched fret, poly caps and rubber band tracks. On many of the parts the hatches and vents can be built open or closed. The model is rated as moderately advanced in difficulty.

The real subject

The Cromwell Mk.IV was the most widely used version of the Cromwell cruiser tank. It combined a hull with the powerful Rolls-Royce Meteor engine, thanks to which it reached high speeds for its day, and it carried the quick-firing 75 mm gun derived from the British 6-pounder, able to fire armor-piercing as well as high-explosive shells. Although it was introduced as early as the end of 1943, the Cromwell Mk.IV went into action only after the Normandy landings in June 1944.

Building and painting tips

First assemble the running gear and the lower hull, and only then close the hull. Fit the rubber band tracks after the running gear has been painted; join the ends with a glue suitable for this type of track. Glue the plastic with liquid cement and the photo-etched parts with cyanoacrylate. Use a primer and an airbrush; build up the British khaki and olive in layers. Complete the weathering with a dark wash in the recesses, drybrushing of the edges and dust or mud pigments on the running gear and the fenders.

Who the model is for

• For anyone interested in British armor of the Second World War.
• For modelers with the experience to match a moderately advanced difficulty.
• For builders of dioramas from Normandy in 1944.
• For collectors of cruiser tanks in 1:35.

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