Emhar's 1/35th Mk V 'Hermaphrodite' WWI Tank
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Mk V 'Hermaphrodite'
As stated on the side panel of
the kit box, the 'Hermaphrodite' version of this World War I heavy battle
tank started as a 'Female' Mk V. Each had one 'Male' and one 'Female'
sponson for added versatility. 'Hermaphrodite' versions were seen in both
post-WWI Germany and Russia where they were used after being captured
from the White Army by the Red Army or were left behind by the British
Expeditionary Forces. It weighed 29 tons and was powered by a 6-cylinder
150 hp Ricardo engine with a 4-speed transmission. The length was 26.5'
and width of 13.6'.
The Kit
This kit is unique in that it
is considered a '3-in1' kit. You can build either a Mk V 'Male', 'Female'
or the 'Hermaphrodite' versions. The colorful boxart shows a British Mk
V 'Hermaphrodite' in battle plus a Russian one on the side panel. Good
reference for painting and marking such an obscure tank subject.
Inside the box you will find multiple bags containing 6 sprues molded
in medium gray plastic. Rivet and other detail is excellent and to scale
but my sample kit had some subtle sink depressions in some parts. Ejector
pin marks are on the inside of parts and would be concealed during assembly.
The styrene seems to be brittle but shouldn't be a problem as the kit
does not contain small dainty parts. There are two sprues of black vinyl
length and length tracks, two sheets of decals and a four-page instruction
sheet.
  
The instruction sheet is written in German, French, Italian and English.
Before you start, determine which version of the Mk V you wish to build
then highlight those steps to complete your version. The instruction diagrams
are quite busy looking and you may find yourself building an unnecessary
step. Otherwise, the instructions seem easy to follow and assembly straight
forward. Assembly begins with the drive and idler sprockets then you proceed
to sponson assemblies. Here you will determine 'Male', 'Female' or both
('Hermaphrodite'). The sponsons are the most time consuming assembly of
this kit with the sponson structure and gun housings. After this, you
will assemble the commander's and rear machine gun sponsons. Step 11 is
for track assembly which involves 4 pieces. Be warned the track segments
are thick and not very flexible but detail is good. Prepping them in hot
water may assist in forming them around the superstructure. Steps 12 through
14 begin 12-piece superstructure assembly. Pretty straight forward but
be sure to review these instructions first. Final assembly in steps 15
and 16 involve extraneous hull detail parts and the attachment of the
side sponsons.
  
When you are ready to paint the instructions tell you to use 'olive drab'
but mentions other base colors such as khaki brown and battleship gray
as well as a camouflage scheme. There is a federal standard color reference
for FS-16118 (Humbrol 29) and FS-10219. After you paint you can choose
from 8 Mk V tanks in British, German and Russian markings. The decals
are very nice, some of the best I have ever seen for 1/35th scale. All
are precisely registered with multiple colors and thin.
 
Conclusion
The overall quality of this kit
is very good especially the decals. I give this kit one thumbs up for
scale-affect detail of this unique tank but a thumbs down to the tracks.
The tracks appear to be the most disappointing aspect of this kit. Maybe
there is an after-market option out there. I would suggest an experience
modeler tackle this kit. I would like to thank Squadron
Mail Order for the review kit.
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