Matilda I infantry tank (British)

Description

The Matilda I (Infantry Tank Mk I) was one of Britain’s earliest attempts to create a heavily armoured vehicle suited to First World War–style infantry support. Entering service in the late 1930s, it was designed with a very specific purpose: to advance at walking pace alongside infantry, absorbing small‑arms fire and destroying enemy machine‑gun positions. To achieve this, it carried exceptionally thick armour for its time—up to 60 mm on the front—but this came at the cost of speed, mobility, and firepower. Its sole armament was a .303 Vickers machine gun, which made it ineffective against enemy armour.

The Matilda I saw its only major combat during the Battle of France in 1940, where it served with the British Expeditionary Force. Although its armour proved surprisingly resilient to German anti‑tank rifles and light guns, the tank’s slow speed, limited range, and lack of an effective main gun severely restricted its usefulness. German 88 mm guns and heavier artillery could destroy it with ease, and its inability to counter enemy tanks left crews vulnerable.

Production ended in 1940, and the vehicle was quickly withdrawn from frontline service. Despite its shortcomings, the Matilda I provided valuable lessons that influenced later British infantry tanks, including the far more capable Matilda II.

• Country/Army: British and Commonwealth
• Material: UV Cured resin
• Original Designer:  Wargame3D
• All models are produced under license with the original designer.
• These models are designed for modellers and collectors. They are not toys and are not suitable for children.
• Model supplied unassembled and unpainted. Additional finishing may be required during assembly.
• Finished colour of the product may vary from images shown due to material availability and differences in batches.
• Photos show 28mm models unless noted otherwise.
• All dimensions are complete with weapons unless otherwise stated.
• Other scales and dimensions may be available upon request.
• Models supplied at scales smaller than 20mm may be an alternative design more suitable for small scale prints. These may be sourced from a different designer to the one noted above and the model may differ in details such as lacking camo netting, stowage, having a chunkier weapon barrel, tracks etc.