I have finally finished the production mold for the Joseph Morschauser designed model of the 20mm Carden-Loyd Tankette…
This is a vintage model that was designed by Joseph Morschauser and sold by Jack Scruby. It is not a perfect model, and is not up to modern standards of detail, but it is a piece of our war gaming history and is present as such.
In the accompanying picture we see two models. The one on the right is the Master that Scruby and HistoriFigs have used for production molds. On the left we see a current production model. In the original model Morschauser used a finishing nail for the MG, and we have done the same (each model will be supplied with a bras plated finishing nail). I thought about casting the gun, but anything I could cast would bend far too easily, so I felt that in keeping with the sprit of the model the finishing nail would be appropriate.
These models are cast on demand (well, I will always have a few in stock), so orders will not be turned around over night (please allow 5 days for processing), and sell for $2.40 each. If you would like a six pack, the price is $12.50 – need an even dozen, $24.00. For shipping calculations please figure as 10 models to the pound. Order by name: 20mm Carden-Loyd Tankette.
The Carden-Loyd Tankette is possibly one of the great success stories of the inter-war years…
British developed, reasonably reliable and weighing in at less than 2 tons, this was less a light tank and more of a tracked machine gun transport. The Carden-Loyd tankette was a classic tankette design of the inter-war period. It was license-built by several countries and became the basis of several designs produced in several different countries.
Given the lean financial climate of the time, one of the attractive features of the Carden-Loyd tankette was that is was very cheap to produce. Production ran from 1927 until 1935. A total in excess of 400 units were built during this time.
Carden-Loyd tankette was primarily intended to carry machine guns or mortars. With its modest combat abilities, the vehicle was used primarily in support roles. The British Army used at least 300 of Mark VI tankettes in several variants, mostly as machine gun carries, but also as light gun tractors, mortar carriers or smoke projector vehicles. The remainder of the production was purchased by other nations such as: France (UE series), Italy (CV series), USSR (T27), Poland (TK series), and Czechoslovakia (MU4). Dozens more nations simply had Carden-Loyd manufacture the vehicle to their own specifications.
