1/72 Benach M1935 Fast Tank

[Lluís of Minairons]

I'm happy to let you know that the first ever 1/72nd scale model of this widely unknown Inter-wars tank design is nearly out there, for a first production batch has just started a few days ago. While awaiting those first ultimate models to come out from workshop, please take a look at this couple of samples masterly painted by Claudia Zuminich - these belonging to its first testing batch:

We can now reasonably expect to release it within due time - that is, on next month. Decals are already printed and box design is likely to start next week, so we must just wait for the first production batch to be completed.

It will be sold by the pair on a box, with both running arrangements for each tank - so that you can choose how to build each one.

SCW fans, please have in mind this tank never got into production - not even for prototyping purposes. It was just a workbench design we've brought to life - somewhat like the German E-50, E-75 and E-100 Panzer series. This is why we haven't included it in our 20GEV999 SCW vehicle series, but have started a new, separate 20IGV999 Inter-wars range with it. So this AFV is mainly suitable for fictional settings over those purely historical ones, naturally.

I guess that 1/72 VBCW, what-if and pulp gamers will be pleased, for the decals sheet for this tank includes fictional markings only: Turkish roundels (as if the tank had been ultimately purchased by this country as planned at start), what-if WW2 Spanish Republican roundels, what-if Catalan Republican markings (as you can see on the samples above) and VBCW Liverpool Free State flags.

Best regards,
Lluís Vilalta
www.minairons.eu
minairons-news.blogspot.com

[krieghund]

That is splendid, it would be great for pulp/retro sci-fi games.

[Golgotha]

Those are lovely - they really do have a sci fi feel to them.

[fastolfrus]

My first thought was Hetzer ancestry.

What's the story behind these?

[Arlequín]

Lluís will correct me if I'm wrong, but the Benach is one of a number of vehicles which were 'proposed designs' for the Catalan Government's forces during the Civil War Era. Like some of the armoured vehicles created on truck chassis, it has the quite distinctive 'Art Deco' (or 'Buck Rogers' if you prefer) lines. 

[Lluís of Minairons]

As a matter of fact, Benach M1935 tank project was prior to Spanish Civil War.

It was designed on the first half of 1935 as a result of a commission (or the hope to be granted such) of the Turkish Government, taking advantage of the fact this country was already an established customer of their civilian tractors - also named Benach, after the factory owner surname.

(A Benach tractor preserved in Canary Islands)

Engineer Benach had somehow been in touch with Walter Christie and was a follower of his innovative tank designs, so that he decided to apply Christie's concepts to his design - adding some improvements of his own, such as the automatic retracting of tracks above wheels when transitioning to on-road running; or the also automatic lifting of the central pair of wheels, so as to leave the AFV on 4 wheels.

(Preserved blueprints of Benach's Christie-like tank)

The design was completed and patented in August 30, 1935 - but unfortunately no Turkish commission was granted to it. Apparently, Turkey decided better to acquire a large number of Russian T-26s. The innoivative Catalan design was also neglected by the Spanish Government, by that time committed to obtain an improved tank roughly based on FT-17 concept (known as Trubia A4).

(Image from www.tanks-encyclopedia.com)

When SCW finally outbroke, Benach factory was collectivized by CNT trade union and started building several improvised tanks on civilian tractors chassis (that we could properly name 'tracked tiznaos'!!) of doubtful efficacy, such as the one you can see below:

(Image from vehiculosblindadosdelaguerracivil.blogspot.com)

After some months of confusion, an agreement between CNT and mr. Benach was reached, by which his factory remained collectivized but the engineer stood as its manager. It's perhaps after such that a new armour program was started, and the IGC Sadurní series of tanks, carriers and tractors (all of them already manufactured by us at 1:72) was born. This time however, no new attempt to introduce Christie's concepts was made, and the Sadurnís were given a quite more conventional T-26 style running gear.

(Minairons Miniatures IGC Sadurní tank at 1:72 scale)

A fruitless effort once again. Sadurní AFVs were rejected too by the Spanish Ministry of War - only the tractor version was produced, even after the factory confiscation by the Spanish Goverment in May 1937.

Cheers,
Lluís