1/35 British Tank Crusader Mk. I

The Crusader was the cruiser tank of the British Army, used mostly in North Africa with Rommel's German Panzers in 1942. This stylish tank worked hard as the backbone of the British Armored Division until the M4 Sherman was delivered from the US. The kit is the very early production model of the Mk.I appeared on 1941 with a small machine gun sub-turret on the front. This was a design feature of the 1920's, now obsolete. Most of the tooling is from Italeri's old Crusader Mk.III kit from the 1970's, but this does not interfere with the quality; some parts are from the relatively new Crusader Mk.II kit (ITA6385). The characteristic older type gun mantlet, partial sand shields, flat road wheel covers and box-type air cleaners are all new additions. Tracks are of the rubber band type. No figure included.