AFV Club’s Valentine Mk.I introduces competition to MiniArt’s previous release of this British infantry tank.
The kit is molded cleanly in dark olive plastic. Features include a working suspension, turned-metal gun barrel, and partial interior for the turret. Tracks are molded as single strings of vinyl. A small set of separate track links is also provided.
The hull is a complex build closely reflecting the full-size Valentine’s construction. Minor modification is required for the engine access hatches. The driver’s compartment hatches are separate and can be positioned open if desired. The kit includes the early-style muffler screen. Be careful when bending it to shape, however. It’s fragile. Though not listed for use, the kit includes parts for the more commonly seen solid-metal muffler guard.
The suspension is also a complicated build as the kit is designed to have a moving suspension. I was impressed with the molding for the main springs. When finished, you will find the suspension units have a lot of lateral movement.
The vinyl tracks have good detail. They resisted styrene liquid cement, so I wound up using super glue.
I was surprised and confused in the final stage of hull construction. The instructions did not show the large headlights. These are illustrated on the box and in the painting instructions — strange. Checking the unused parts, the headlights and their mounts appear to be included. What seems to be missing are the blackout covers with their small slits.
The turret is built from four main components: sides, top, and mantlet. Interior detail is included and covers the cannon breech, coaxial machine gun, gunsights, periscopes, and radio. The metal barrel is a nice inclusion.
Decals are included to represent four vehicles. I was surprised to find they were so fragile; I had three break apart. Once I did get two of the unit insignia in place I found they silvered, even on a gloss coat and with decal-setting solution. Not good.
The kit uses a few photoetched-metal parts for some of the complex hull and turret features. No alternative plastic parts are provided, though, which will be a challenge for less-experienced builders.
My primary reference was
Tank Power Vol. XC, No. 331: Valentine, by Janusz Ledwoch (Militaria, ISBN 978-83-7219-331-5). I also found information on the Lakeman machine gun mount at the website “Engines of the Red Army in WW2,” www.o5m6.de.
The completed model looks good compared to the photos and drawings. I completed my Valentine in 20 hours. The kit is obviously aimed at advanced modelers. I found it a bit challenging to build, due to its complexity and extensive use of photoetched metal, but the finished work is definitely worth it.
A version of this review appeared in the July 2012 FineScale Modeler.