M3 Stuart (Initial Production)

[Stef N.]

A quick update to show you the details. There's a few ejector marks I am hoping will be covered up or the filler comes. Soft plastic which I like (some don't) and the fit is ok.

 

[modelling minion]

That does look to be nicely detailed Stef.

[PlaStix]

Hi Stef. It does look very well detailed!

Kind regards,

Stix

[Stef N.]

Cheers Craig and Stix. You're not wrong about it being detailed but it is very slow going. Fit is good although locating holes need enlarging on parts. Here are a few interior sub-assemblies ready for paint. The few I've seen online suggest an all white interior, although Miniart suggests white but a green floor. I think I will go with all-white unless someone knows better.

 

 

For anyone doing this there is a bar (red arrow) going in between the two sticks. It is too big so needs chopping down a bit or it pushes everything out of shape.

 

 

Cheers.👍👍

[modelling minion]

Thats good progress Stef and really shows the details of the kit very well. Pointing out any problems along the way is always appreciated by those of us considering the same kit.

[Stef N.]

9 hours ago, modelling minion said:

Thats good progress Stef and really shows the details of the kit very well. Pointing out any problems along the way is always appreciated by those of us considering the same kit.

I'll try and update on any serious issues but so far, so good. Apart from that little bar everything else fits together really well, just a bit time consuming. A well produced kit.👍

[PlaStix]

Great to see the sub-assemblies are going together well, with only the one issue so far. And, as Craig mentioned, it is always useful for other modelers to know about any concerns there may be about these newer kits. Plus the details on yours are really building up well!

Kind regards,

Stix

[Stef N.]

Thanks lads. As mentioned there haven't been many issues at all. Any problems can be sorted with dry fitting and normal modelling skills. I'll add the following as a heads up though. It's not a massive problem but pointing it out now will save a few minutes head scratching from any future builder.

The little bit of tube/rod gets in the way of adding the back wall, so detach and glue on the opposing part (red circle) and the blue circled part needs a sliver taken away to get the wall to sit comfortably. (All rather simple.)

 

 

Here is the innards with a coat of white paint. All ready for some light weathering, detail painting and the like.

 

 

 

Cheers all and I'll be back next when it is all together.👍👍

[modelling minion]

Oh yes Stef, very nice indeed and it will look even better when you weather it. 

[Stef N.]

28 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

Oh yes Stef, very nice indeed and it will look even better when you weather it. 

Cheers Craig. The weathering should make the great details pop hopefully. 👍👍

[Bullbasket]

You're certainly selling this kit to me Stef. I like the way it looks and what you've done to it. Nice work.

 

John.

[IanC]

I never knew they had seat belts! Makes sense though... 🙂

 

Nice work. 👍

[PlaStix]

That really is looking impressive Stef!

Kind regards,

Stix

[Stef N.]

1 hour ago, IanC said:

I never knew they had seat belts! Makes sense though... 🙂

 

Nice work. 👍

I didn't actually check just stuck them on. I'll blame Miniart for any inaccuracies. 😁👍

 

Cheers all. 

[Stef N.]

4 hours ago, IanC said:

I never knew they had seat belts! Makes sense though... 🙂

 

Nice work. 👍

I can only find one piece of evidence that they did have them and even that photo isn't really conclusive. I'll leave mine in but it may not be correct?!

http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/pics/m3stuart/m3a1stuartturretint2.jpg

 

[IanC]

11 minutes ago, Stef N. said:

I can only find one piece of evidence that they did have them and even that photo isn't really conclusive. I'll leave mine in but it may not be correct?!

http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/pics/m3stuart/m3a1stuartturretint2.jpg

 

 

No, I'm sure it's correct. I just didn't realise such things existed. But if you think about how quickly these light tanks/TDs could move, especially the later Hellcat, it's obvious, really. Interesting!

[Ray_W]

Nice work Stef and useful as I build the same kit slightly behind you. On the subject of belts. I am going to include them but drape them down the side as if rarely worn. Possibly used for high speed cross-country. At slow speed, keeping pace with ground troops, like my Buna build, I think unlikely they were worn with the added incentive to not use them when you may need to get out quick. 

 

Ray

[Stef N.]

2 hours ago, Ray_W said:

Nice work Stef and useful as I build the same kit slightly behind you. On the subject of belts. I am going to include them but drape them down the side as if rarely worn. Possibly used for high speed cross-country. At slow speed, keeping pace with ground troops, like my Buna build, I think unlikely they were worn with the added incentive to not use them when you may need to get out quick. 

 

Ray

That is a very good idea Ray and makes a lot of sense. One tip is to watch the buckles, they can bend out of shape rather easily.👍

[Ray_W]

29 minutes ago, Stef N. said:

One tip is to watch the buckles, they can bend out of shape rather easily.

 

Thanks for the advice Stef.

[Ray_W]

Stef,

 

I found this image in the 2002 Jonathan Forty title Tanks in Detail on the M3. You may find it of value:

 

 

Ray

[Stef N.]

20 minutes ago, Ray_W said:

Stef,

 

I found this image in the 2002 Jonathan Forty title Tanks in Detail on the M3. You may find it of value:

 

 

Ray

That's brilliant Ray. A very handy photo. Miniart's effort is near enough bang on. 👍👍

[Stef N.]

My first update for a while as I got bogged down with another project. Anyway, I got the engine made and painted. It goes together very well with only one breakage of a tiny part. It needs a bit of weathering but it is good to go. Most ejector marks are on parts that get covered up but there are a couple that I didn't notice until after painting (red arrows). I managed to get at them but should have done them earlier.

 

 

Cheers all.👍

[Keeff]

Good grief Stef .... you show a picture of a stack of bits, chat about the colour, go off and do something else and then return with a load of parts together and painted!  I really need to keep up! 

 

Nice work, but then I wouldn't expect anything less, and all looking great.  The Sherman I built had a white floor, so I think your going the right way with this ... 👍

 

Keith ☺️ 

[Stef N.]

58 minutes ago, Keeff said:

Good grief Stef .... you show a picture of a stack of bits, chat about the colour, go off and do something else and then return with a load of parts together and painted!  I really need to keep up! 

 

Nice work, but then I wouldn't expect anything less, and all looking great.  The Sherman I built had a white floor, so I think your going the right way with this ... 👍

 

Keith ☺️ 

Cheers mate. I couldn't see why they would paint the floor a different colour so white it is. 👍👍

[modelling minion]

Very neat work on the engine Stef, it has turned out really nicely. there is a lot of detail in there and your painting has brought them out well.