Academy 1/35 scale M3 Stuart "Honey"

[Medicman71]

You're building a tank? What the hell?

Not my first armor build, Mike. I still have Zvezda T-34 and Tamiya Panther tank in my stash. I’m still looking to do a Perishing, Tiger, and a Sherman or two. Definitely want to add a couple of half tracks too.


Mike…. Come over to the dark side and build a tank kit or two.

Funny thing is, at most every model show that I've entered, I have never placed with an aircraft. Hell, I've placed twice with armor. A friend of mine has been picking on me relentlessly about it since Model Fiesta earlier this year.

[Stuart]

Yep - build more Tanks Mike!

Looking good Tom!

[KSaarni]

Will follow this build Tom !

- Kari

[BlackSheep214]

AK Interactive Portland Stone No.64 BS381 painted on...



It seems too light. Planning on spraying AK Interactive Light Stone No.61 BS381 to bring out the a bit darker shade.

Storage bags. Painted Portland Stone the weathered it using AK Interactive Panel Liner for Brown and Green Camouflage. Wiped away excess to achieve worn sand look of canvas storage bags.




Various tools... wood handles treated using same panel liner for brown & green camouflage to give it a worn look

[BlackSheep214]

AK Interactive Portland Stone No.64 BS381 painted on...



It seems too light. Planning on spraying AK Interactive Light Stone No.61 BS381 to bring out the a bit darker shade.

Storage bags. Painted Portland Stone the weathered it using AK Interactive Panel Liner for Brown and Green Camouflage. Wiped away excess to achieve worn sand look of canvas storage bags.




Various tools... wood handles treated using same panel liner for brown & green camouflage to give it a worn look. Folding tripod(?) painted Olive Drab

[BlackSheep214]

Light Stone No.61 BSA381 painted on. Now it looks better.



You can see the differences between Portland Stone on spare wheel to Light Stone on lower hull




Now I need input from Carlos or the armor guys...
I know the idler wheels have rubber on the edges. What about these wheels? Do they have rubber on the edges? I keep telling myself no.





Track assembly help needed. Thank God, it didn't come with vinyl tracks like Tamiya does.

There are 2 sprue trees of each. Obviously, I have to assemble them on the idler wheels prior to attaching the top hull to the lower hull. How & where do I start my assembly of tracks? Top to bottom?





Please advise....

[Stikpusher]

The Portland Stone color looks good. As far as the “storage bags” go, those are US Army issue haversacks, a type of backpack/shoulder bag issued to certain types of troops in place of standard field packs. Those would not be used with a British tank, and they had their own packs issued a part of the pattern 1937 web gear.

Regarding the track assembly, I like to make a long run for the top, a shorter run for the bottom, and two short runs that angle up from the bottom road wheels to the sprockets. I’m surprised that your kit didn’t also include the single length vinyl tracksmin addition to the indy link tracks. My release of the kit came with both types of tracks.

[LyleW]

Color looks good, I like that shade. I do not envy you with those tracks!

[BlackSheep214]

The Portland Stone color looks good. As far as the “storage bags” go, those are US Army issue haversacks, a type of backpack/shoulder bag issued to certain types of troops in place of standard field packs. Those would not be used with a British tank, and they had their own packs issued a part of the pattern 1937 web gear.

Regarding the track assembly, I like to make a long run for the top, a shorter run for the bottom, and two short runs that angle up from the bottom road wheels to the sprockets. I’m surprised that your kit didn’t also include the single length vinyl tracksmin addition to the indy link tracks. My release of the kit came with both types of tracks.

Thank you for the advice, Carlos. I’m surprised mine didn’t include the vinyl track links considering the kit was sealed.

Good thing you mentioned the storage canvas bags. They’re going in my armor spares bin.

What about the small top wheels and the rear idler wheels… do they have rubber on them? Or are they’re all steel wheels?

[BlackSheep214]

Color looks good, I like that shade. I do not envy you with those tracks!

Thank you, Lyle. Lots of fiddly parts those tracks have, huh? No doubt some will zing into the nothingness if I’m not careful nipping them off the sprue trees. They will be placed on wide blue painter tape to prevent that from happening.