Valentine Mk. II

Manufacturer:ESCI (ESCI Kit #8050; Aurora/ESCI Kit #6223; ESCI/Ertl Kit #8361)

I believethat there were some boxings of this kit that labeled it as a MK.III, but in reality, it only builds into an accurate Mk.II.

Onceagain, ESCI has done a fine job. (Why does it seem that the best1/72nd armor models are usually British vehicles?) Excellentdetail throughout. Rivets in all the right places, good pioneertools (separate parts), good hinges, hatches, etc. The bogiewheels and chassis detail are especially well done.

Allhatches are molded open: commander's, driver's, radio operator's,even the engine access doors can be positioned open (but noengine is included). The turret has a well-done basket extendingdown into the hull, with seats and spare shell racks; and thereis even a pretty good gun breach inside the turret. A little bitof extra detailing, and it would be great to build this with anopen turret hatch, with no figure blocking the interior view.

I builtmine pretty much straight out of the box. No additions oralterations. My kit was the ESCI/Ertl release with the hardplastic tracks. I don't know if it is the same with the vinyltracks, but the the plastic ones did not fit beneath the rearfender without substantial grinding and sanding to thin thefender. I think I also took some off the top of the track linksto get it to fit. Once complete, it's not noticeable. Other thanthat, the fit of the pieces was very good. The turret assemblyneeded some sanding, however, to eliminate some unsightly seams.Side skirts are included, but I left them off my model.

To behonest, I do not remember if any figures are included in the kit.I built mine two years ago, and none are shown in theinstructions. I painted my kit Tamiya khaki-drab and used the kitdecals, which silvered slightly. Again, many of the unit markingswere printed out of register.