1:35 Mk.IV Periscopes for British tanks - Early A/ Early B

SBS Model 1:35, Mk.IV periscopes for British tanks, the early form

This is a resin accessory set, not a model of a tank. It contains Mk.IV type periscopes in the early form, in two sub-variants marked A and B. Mind a frequent misunderstanding: the designation Mk.IV belongs to the periscope, not to the tank. It is a type of rotating observation device that appeared on a whole range of British and Allied armored vehicles. The set replaces the coarser parts from the box and is intended for building models in 1:35 scale.

The real subject

The Mk.IV periscope was a rotating observation device set into the roof of the turret and of the hull of British armored vehicles. It let the crew look around without opening a hatch and, thanks to its replaceable design, it could be swapped quickly once damaged. It was used across vehicle types and went through small modifications in the course of the war, so early and later pieces differ in details of the body, for example in the treatment of the cover and the grooving. On a model it is a small but markedly visible element: it sits at the top of the silhouette, and if its shape is inaccurate it is the first thing to catch the eye.

Building and painting tips

Wash the castings in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent, so that no mold release agent is left on the surface. Separate the small parts from the casting blocks with a fine saw or a fresh knife blade, and never snap them off: with parts of this size that almost always backfires. Sand wet and with respiratory protection. They are glued with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue); apply it with a pin so that it does not run onto the visible face. Apply a thin primer before painting. Deal with the optics of the periscope at the end: a dark base and a tiny drop of gloss varnish or clear glue on top of it create the impression of glass. Then bring out the surroundings of the periscope with a light wash, so that the outline of the body stands out.

Who the set is for

• Builders of British armored vehicles in 1:35 scale in the early form.
• Modelers who object to simplified periscopes molded in one piece with the turret.
• Anyone after a distinction between the early and later sub-variants of the device.
• More experienced modelers who dare to tackle very small resin parts.

This is an accessory to a model, not a kit in its own right. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted; the base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.