A11 Matilda Mk.I Infantry Tank (Early)

A11 Matilda Mk.I Infantry Tank (Early)

The A11 Infantry Tank Mk. I "Matilda" was powered by a Ford V8 engine and armed with a single .303 MG . A total of 140 were completed by August 1940 with most being sent to France with the BEF. With a maximum of 60mm armour they proved to be almost immune to German anti-tank guns but with a maximum speed of 8mph and the lack of hitting power, there limited tactical use became obvious and they ceased to be used after the Dunkirk evacuation. They equipped both the 4th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Tank Regiment and upon the outbreak war the 4th RTR was deployed to France with the BEF being joined later, in May 1940, by the 7th RTR so forming the 1st Army Tank Brigade, which apart from the Light tanks assigned to the various infantry divisions, was the only British armoured force on the Continent at the start of the Battle of France on 10 May 1940. 58 Matilda Mk.Is along with 16 Matilda Mk.IIs spearheaded the counter-attack in the Battle of Arras on 21 May, temporarily stopping the 7th Panzer Division under Rommel. The thick armour, on both types of Matildas proved almost impervious to the German Pak36 37mm anti-tank guns and the attack was only halted by a hastily formed gun line of 105mm howitzers and 88mm anti-aircraft guns, personally directed by Rommel. Only 26 Matilda Mk.Is and 2 Matilda Mk.IIs were still serviceable following this engagement. They continued to fight throughout the remainder of the campaign seeing action at Souchez before joining the general withdrawal towards Dunkirk. A combined battalion, a composite unit of both the 4th and 7th, fought another counter-attack at La Bassée. Only two Matilda Mk.Is reached Dunkirk in the closing stages of Operation Dynamo. In the south five Matilda Mk.Is and a few other tanks were formed into the Divisional Tank Company of the Beauman Division, an improvised formation, to defend Rouen and Dieppe. On 8 June, they supported the mainly infantry force in the ultimately unsuccessful defence of the Andelle and Béthune rivers. Subsequently evacuated from Cherbourg during Operation Ariel, only 22 tanks of various types were brought back to the UK, but no Matilda Mk.Is were among them. A Matilda Mk.I was evaluated by the Germans but no deployment of the Mk.Is was thought to be made by the Wehrmacht but recent evidence suggests that Matilda Is may have seen use as internal security vehicles in Poland. The remaining Mk.Is left in the United Kingdom were withdrawn for training purposes.

  • SKU: UK001
  • £19.99
 
In stock(Available)
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  • Return Policy

    We accept returns

The A11 Infantry Tank Mk. I "Matilda" was powered by a Ford V8 engine and armed with a single .303 MG . A total of 140 were completed by August 1940 with most being sent to France with the BEF. With a maximum of 60mm armour they proved to be almost immune to German anti-tank guns but with a maximum speed of 8mph and the lack of hitting power, there limited tactical use became obvious and they ceased to be used after the Dunkirk evacuation. They equipped both the 4th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Tank Regiment and upon the outbreak war the 4th RTR was deployed to France with the BEF being joined later, in May 1940, by the 7th RTR so forming the 1st Army Tank Brigade, which apart from the Light tanks assigned to the various infantry divisions, was the only British armoured force on the Continent at the start of the Battle of France on 10 May 1940. 58 Matilda Mk.Is along with 16 Matilda Mk.IIs spearheaded the counter-attack in the Battle of Arras on 21 May, temporarily stopping the 7th Panzer Division under Rommel. The thick armour, on both types of Matildas proved almost impervious to the German Pak36 37mm anti-tank guns and the attack was only halted by a hastily formed gun line of 105mm howitzers and 88mm anti-aircraft guns, personally directed by Rommel. Only 26 Matilda Mk.Is and 2 Matilda Mk.IIs were still serviceable following this engagement. They continued to fight throughout the remainder of the campaign seeing action at Souchez before joining the general withdrawal towards Dunkirk. A combined battalion, a composite unit of both the 4th and 7th, fought another counter-attack at La Bassée. Only two Matilda Mk.Is reached Dunkirk in the closing stages of Operation Dynamo. In the south five Matilda Mk.Is and a few other tanks were formed into the Divisional Tank Company of the Beauman Division, an improvised formation, to defend Rouen and Dieppe. On 8 June, they supported the mainly infantry force in the ultimately unsuccessful defence of the Andelle and Béthune rivers. Subsequently evacuated from Cherbourg during Operation Ariel, only 22 tanks of various types were brought back to the UK, but no Matilda Mk.Is were among them. A Matilda Mk.I was evaluated by the Germans but no deployment of the Mk.Is was thought to be made by the Wehrmacht but recent evidence suggests that Matilda Is may have seen use as internal security vehicles in Poland. The remaining Mk.Is left in the United Kingdom were withdrawn for training purposes.

    • SKU
      UK001
    • Weight
      52 g
  • Manufacturer
    Milicast
  • Unit of Sale
    Single Unit
  • Assembly Status
    Unassembled Kit
  • Scale
    1:76
  • Age Level
    17 Years & Up
  • Skill Level
    3 – Intermediate
  • Theme
    Militaria

We ship to all countries World Wide. If you receive an error message "No shipping location available" or similar, please contact us directly by e-mail (info@milicast.com) and we shall assist. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Shipments outside the UK may be subject to Duty & Taxes from the government of the destination country. Payment of Duty & Taxes are the responsibility of the customer.

We accept the following payment methods:

To pay by credit or debit card, please select Stripe at checkout. 

All Goods remain the property of Milicast Model Company until paid for in full. Goods may only be returned by prior arrangement at the recipients' expense. Delivery and insurance charges are non-refundable. Claims for damaged/missing items should be made within seven days of receipt.

Any products purchased 'second hand’, (without proof of direct Milicast Model Company supply, or supply from an Milicast Model Company approved dealer, shop or agent), or any products part assembled or part worked on in any way, are not covered by this returns policy. Under these circumstances no returns will be accepted, however we may quote for the supply of parts to restore the product to full inventory.

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