Airfix Half-Track M3 ** Finished **

[Paul821]

While the rigging on my Cutty Sark continues to test my patience my thoughts turned to a more simple build. The has lurked in my stash for some time

 

Not only is it a kit I built as a kid but also in the original packaging, but before anyone says I should have sold it and purchased the current classic offering take a look at the contents.

 

 

there are a number pieces missing - mainly the chassis, despite that I considered the first stage would be a quick build 

 

so literally a few minutes later

 

 

it looks like a nought track.

 

So off the the spares box now to see if I can find a suitable donor chassis.

 

If anyone collects the header instructions for Airfix kits and wants this sheet please PM me and I will drop it into the post for you.

 

header taken

 

[modelling minion]

Well that didn't take long did it, even with a missing chassis.

I have a real soft spot for these half tracks, they had so many uses and variations and were used for a very long time after the end of WWII.

[philp]

I recently built the re-release of this kit for a review.  Did one back in my teens and until the Academy came it it was probably the best 72nd (not 76th) scale tracks.

 

The review kit built quickly but my new decal sheet only had the hood star and 1 for the side.  Had to raid my decal stash for a couple matching stars.

[Dansk]

Super, this is going to be another original and interesting build and at this rate completed in a week.

[PeterB]

Hi,

 

This is a nice kit - I built one shortly after it came out. The scale of the Airfix military vehicles was always a bit hit and miss. Some were claimed to be "OO" ie 1/76 whilst others were said to be 1/72. Should not make a big difference but in some cases is certainly does, for example the Crusader Tank. Supposedly 1/72 but seriously longer than my fairly accurate 1/76 versions. Scales out about within 0.5mm on width but a whopping 3.2mm too long for 1/72, and 7.6mm too long for 1/76. Can't remember how the half track does in that respect, but I seem to recall the Hasegawa 1/72 version with mortar was a little bigger. Most of my WWII tanks were originally either Airfix of Fujimi, but for post war I had limited choice at first, and ended up with a few Esci which were almost certainly 1/72.

 

Cheers

 

Pete

Edited July 13, 2020 by PeterB

[John]

The Airfix Crusader was otherwise a nice kit. I seem to remember reading a comment to the effect that the problem was that the wheels were slightly too large in diameter and the accumulating error led to the extra length. 

I haven't built the half track in years, so watching with interest. 

John 

[Paul821]

Just for completeness here is the finished build

 

 

 

The missing chassis was replaced by some cut down wooden coffee stirrers. Although not of the quality I wanted it will have a part to play in a diorama that I intend to build at some time. 

[Jinxman]

Nice save with the chassis!

[modelling minion]

A nice result, well done.