Queen of the Desert: The British Matilda II

The British Matilda II infantry tank depicted here represents service in the North African theater, where its heavy armor proved highly effective during the early stages of the desert war. Although slow and lightly armed by later standards, the Matilda’s protection made it exceptionally resilient against contemporary Axis anti-tank weapons.

This build is based on the Tamiya kit and was finished primarily with acrylic paints, using a deliberately restrained weathering approach. Only two weathering media were employed: VMS Black Steel pigment for subtle metallic wear and Tamiya panel liner to enhance surface detail. The result emphasizes accumulated dust, operational grime, and tonal variation appropriate to desert conditions without overwhelming the underlying paintwork.