Malta Matilda info needed

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

All,
I have always been fascinated by the defense of Malta during WWII. I really like the camoflage that was painted on the vehicles (and even helmets) that looked like the stone walls. I want to build one of the Matilda II tanks that was used at the airfields to tow bombs, crashed planes, etc. I know that ‘Griffon’ was one of the tanks there. Does anyone have any info of other names and any pics of them in action at an airfield (have already got some good info in the Aircraft Forum)?
Thanks,

2

heres some photos of matildas http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/unitedkingdom/matilda.html

theres this site too with photos http://afvinteriors.hobbyvista.com/matilda/matilda.html

3

Try this site for a side view colur plate of Griffon and one forward 1/4 view photo towing a bomber:
http://www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?BKL-200104

Then there is a pic of the other side of griffon here:
http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks/gb/inf/mati/03055.jpg

I believe ‘Osprey Modelling 5: Modelling the Matilda Infantry Tank’ has an article on painting the Malta Camo pattern on a Fujimi 1/76th scale kit.

Hope these help

4

Thanks guys.
Since Griffon is towing the bomber I will probably do it. Would love to find that pic I first saw of the tank towing a bunch of bomb carriers near a Wellington.

Peter
I saw the article in the Osprey book at my local shop. Now just got to decide if I want to buy it or see if the local library can special order it in.

5

Philip - depends on your budget. If the library gets it, then many more people may enjoy borrowing it, but too many might mean you never see it. I love reference material and try to get as much as I can.

I am in a club and we lend each other books often. That way we encourage people to buy something they might not otherwise get. End result is more books get bought so the publishers are encoraged to continue printing them (works in theory). We are all very careful with our references. My copy of The British soldier vol 2 has been borrowed by 4 other guys and still looks brand new (2 of those guys still went out and bought their own copy after reading mine).

6

for info about the Matilda tank and an in depth story on Malta a book was written called the Battle of Alamein. It was a really good read and discussed Malta well and in depth, also it talked about the whole North African campaing from its very beginning. Pics of the Matilda are included in its photo spreads in the center.