Several armoured cars were sent to India by the British in the 1920's & now MiniArt Models have released their Austin Armoured Car in the "India" pattern. Four new marking choices & altered details of this new variant. We have pictures of the real thing & the kit in our preview...
Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale Austin Armoured Car Indian Pattern. British Service. Interior Kit.
Austin Armoured Car Indian Pattern. British Service. Interior Kit
Full Interior Kit
From MiniArt
Kit No #39021
1:35th scale
The Subject: British Austin Armoured Car - 1918 Pattern
Some of produced Austin model 1918 armoured cars were issued to the British Tank Corps. 16 of them were sent to France around May 1918 as the 17th (Armoured Car) Battalion, Tank Corps. They were armed with 8mm Hotchkiss Mle.14 machine guns. Their first battle was on 11 June 1918 in support of the French troops. One of their most significant battles was the Battle of Amiens, on 8 August.
A tan Austin used by the British Raj in the 1920's
Tanks were used to tow them over the trenches and then they broke loose and operated miles behind the German lines. They attacked the German-occupied village of Framerville, chasing out the Germans (and nailing an Australian flag to the front door of the German command headquarters). At least 3 cars were destroyed during the campaign. In 1919, the Austins were used by the British in a civil war in Ireland, possibly until 1921.
The cover art version here in service in India in 1920
Service in India
At least sixteen cars were sent to India, probably in 1919. In 1921 they were used in the 8th Armoured Car Company of the Tank Corps, at least until 1923. These cars used different wheels and vickers water cooled heavy machine guns amongst other changes.
An "India Pattern" armoured car, also featured in this boxing's marking choices in Lahore in 1923
The kit from MiniArt
This new 35th scale Austin Armoured Car Indian Pattern in British Service, full Interior Kit from MiniArt features the Indian theatre additions from the earlier models, with four new colour schemes which is pretty amazing seeing how hard it is to get information about the cars in service!
This kit features:
The kit contains the model of an armoured car with full interior
Driver compartment & interior of turrets are accurately represented with Vickers machine guns
A highly detailed engine included
All hatches can be assembled in the open or closed position
The features of the kit:
The water cooled Vickers heavy machine guns were used on these empire tanks
Photo-etch and a decal sheet, of course, is included
Four marking choices are offered in this box.
That is all we know about this kit so far, See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...
