British - Matilda I - A11 Infantry Tank Mark I

The British Matilda I (A11) Infantry Tank Mk I was a small, heavily armoured infantry support tank developed in the mid-1930s to accompany foot soldiers in assaults on fortified positions. Entering service in 1938, it featured armour up to 60mm thick—exceptionally heavy for the time—making it virtually immune to most early anti-tank weapons. However, it was armed only with a .303 Vickers water-cooled machine gun, giving it no effective anti-armour capability and limiting its role to suppressing enemy infantry. Powered by a Ford V8 petrol engine, the Matilda I had a top speed of just 13 km/h (8 mph), reflecting its design as a slow-moving battlefield shield rather than a manoeuvre unit. It saw combat during the Battle of France in 1940, where its armour impressed but its lack of firepower and speed proved serious drawbacks. Production was limited to around 140 units, and the tank was withdrawn from frontline service soon after France’s fall. Despite its shortcomings, the Matilda I played an important part in Britain’s early armoured development and demonstrated the infantry tank concept that would later be refined in vehicles like the Matilda II and Churchill.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.