Description
The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 Valentines were produced in eleven marks, plus specialised variants, accounting for about a quarter of wartime British tank production.
The most significant upgrade in the Valentine Mk. IX was the replacement of the original 2-pounder (40 mm) gun with the much more powerful 6-pounder (57 mm) gun. This dramatically improved its anti-tank capabilities, allowing it to effectively engage a wider range of Axis armored vehicles. To compensate for the added weight and to keep the tank’s overall performance acceptable, the designers made a slight reduction in the thickness of the side armor.
The Mk. IX also featured an improved, more powerful diesel engine, which helped to maintain the tank’s mobility despite the heavier armament. However, the larger gun and its ammunition took up more space, which meant the turret crew was reduced from three to two (a commander/gunner and a loader).
This variant was widely used by British and Commonwealth forces, and a significant number were also supplied to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program. The Soviets found the Valentine to be a reliable and easy-to-maintain tank, and the Mk. IX’s improved firepower made it a valuable asset on the Eastern Front.
Set consists of 15 fine metal 1:600th/3mm scale miniatures.
Producer: ‘Oddział Ósmy’ sc Marcin Kaźmierczak i Tomasz Kołuda, ul. Piotrkowska 107, 90-425 Łódź, Poland
