1/35 Finnish BT-42 Tamiya 35318-D

1/35 Finnish BT-42 Tamiya 35318During WWII, Finnish forces were woefully short of adequate armoured vehicles such as tanks. Most of the tanks in their possession were obsolete models which were no match for the newer Russian tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1. However, circumstances meant the Finnish Army had to make the most of what was available, and they combined the hull from a captured Russian BT-7 light tank with a new turret armed with the World War I British 4.5-inch howitzer to create the BT-42 assault gun. 18 examples were built and they first saw action in 1943 during an attack on Russian positions near the Svir River. They proved adequate for attacking such defensive emplacements but were hopeless when sent into combat against Russian armour. Not only was the BT-42’s gun not capable of penetrating the T-34’s armour, its heavy turret also strained the suspension, making the tank mechanically unreliable. Nevertheless, the small number of BT-42s helped hold the line, participating in various actions including the defense of Vyborg during the Russian offensive in 1944, until better equipment such as the Sturmgesh√ºtz III and more captured T-34s could be procured. 1/35 scale assembly kit model of the Finnish Army Assault Gun BT-42. The distinctive form of the vehicle, including the large turret, has been accurately reproduced based on the thorough study of an actual vehicle thanks to the cooperation of the Palora Tank Museum in Finland. Crew hatches can be depicted in either open or closed state. Details including the shortened front fenders, storage boxes on side fenders, and accessories such as jacks have been realistically reproduced. Photo-etched parts to depict side plates of the mantlet and engine grilles are included. Comes with a standing crew figure and 3 types of markings.