Stuart... Honey I'm home.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 2:36 pm

This is the venerable M3 Stuart kit by Academy and will be my vehicle into the desert.Which I will start when I have finished the other lagging build.

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 2:48 pm

digger303 wrote: Mon Feb 01, 2021 2:36 pm This is the venerable M3 Stuart kit by Academy and will be my vehicle into the desert.Which I will start when I have finished the other lagging build.

Fresh batch stuck on stove and pillows plumped up.
DW

Post by **ElCapitan** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:35 pm

Awesome, I'm doing the Airfix boxing of this.

Post by **BigWall** » Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:26 am

Nice!

Post by **ForbesHutton** » Tue Feb 02, 2021 1:15 am

It will be interesting when the wife walks by the entrance to the cave and hears you calling the plastic "honey".

Post by **digger303** » Tue Feb 02, 2021 9:24 am

ForbesHutton wrote: Tue Feb 02, 2021 1:15 am It will be interesting when the wife walks by the entrance to the cave and hears you calling the plastic "honey".

She's used to it and me talking to myself although she tries to mimic me to shame me out of the habit.....

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:57 am

I have this one in the stash heap too - looking forward to seeing how it goes together

Post by **digger303** » Wed Feb 03, 2021 1:51 pm

This a marvelous kit it just goes together like it's a Tamiya. So much so My picture taking got left behind with the pace of the build.
The kit has a level of interior detail which one wouldn't expect from such a old mold.

This is the only bad flaw so far a big gap in the turret.

So I'm at this point fairly quickly

The kit is supplied with 2 sets of tracks one vinyl and one workable and just as well too. Because the second flaw shows up as the track being a link and a half short with the vinyl.
So I have a long job ahead to clean up and construct the track which has 2 bits per link.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:03 pm

Wow that came together really quickly!

Nice work mate - hope the tracks behave themselves

Post by **digger303** » Wed Feb 03, 2021 3:02 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:03 pm Wow that came together really quickly!

Nice work mate - hope the tracks behave themselves

They ain't

The workable ones would have you construct by pushing on end connectors. Now I'v constructed this type before and they are a pain falling apart whilst trying to install them. Once on you can glue the connectors in place and they do mostly hold together until you can complete this task. They might come apart 5 or six times, but this set is so loose the connectors just fall right off......I'm in trouble

Post by **BigWall** » Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:48 pm

Nice quick build! It's looking great. Sorry the tracks are a pain.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:50 pm

I look forward to getting to that little conundrum! Could you try a slow setting cement which will hold them in place but still give you the flexibility until they're on?

Post by **digger303** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:14 am

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:50 pm I look forward to getting to that little conundrum! Could you try a slow setting cement which will hold them in place but still give you the flexibility until they're on?

What I think I can do is assemble dry on double sided tape then apply the cement and install. That should give me some time and of course with this type of track I shouldn't have fixed the sand shields yet, but I was thinking I'd use the vinyl this time and it wouldn't be a problem. Everything was fitting together so nicely I blundered ahead....

Ps....Also might investigate my stash to check my other m3/m4 kits to see if I can do a swap slash rob maneuver.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:56 am

He's off like a ferret up a drain pipe!

Looks good, cracking surface detail for the artisan work to come

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:46 am

I just tried the vinyl tracks on mine, and they can definitely fit with a little stretch - it's holding them in place long enough to get the join with the soldering iron that'll be the hard part. A drop of fast acting CA glue may do the trick.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:20 am

ElCapitan wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:46 am I just tried the vinyl tracks on mine, and they can definitely fit with a little stretch - it's holding them in place long enough to get the join with the soldering iron that'll be the hard part. A drop of fast acting CA glue may do the trick.

Could you staple them and hide the join behind the fender?

This is the way I tackled the tracks on my Comet when they didn't want to play nicely.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:41 am

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:20 am
ElCapitan wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:46 am I just tried the vinyl tracks on mine, and they can definitely fit with a little stretch - it's holding them in place long enough to get the join with the soldering iron that'll be the hard part. A drop of fast acting CA glue may do the trick.
Could you staple them and hide the join behind the fender?

This is the way I tackled the tracks on my Comet when they didn't want to play nicely.

Not a bad idea actually. I'll definitely keep that option in mind for mine if I struggle.

Post by **Quax** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 11:58 am

The rough tracks were designed to slow speedy builders down! The gap in the turret is inconvenient but the two pushout rings on the spar in front is just irritating! Definitely looking forward to seeing how you get on

Paul

Post by **digger303** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:19 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:56 am He's off like a ferret up a drain pipe!

Looks good, cracking surface detail for the artisan work to come

But thanks to much work updating my data base I can now lay my hands on the kit/tracks I need in mere seconds and my drain pipe express is working wonderfully.

Yes the detail is very nice.

ElCapitan wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:46 am I just tried the vinyl tracks on mine, and they can definitely fit with a little stretch - it's holding them in place long enough to get the join with the soldering iron that'll be the hard part. A drop of fast acting CA glue may do the trick.

My tracks are very stiff and hard, but my short trip up the drain pipe has procured a set of AFV very soft tracks that wrap around perfectly. Saved myself much heart ache I think.

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:20 am
ElCapitan wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:46 am I just tried the vinyl tracks on mine, and they can definitely fit with a little stretch - it's holding them in place long enough to get the join with the soldering iron that'll be the hard part. A drop of fast acting CA glue may do the trick.
Could you staple them and hide the join behind the fender?

This is the way I tackled the tracks on my Comet when they didn't want to play nicely.

I could, but I don't need to now and the old tracks are very stiff as well. So it probably would have been tricky and elevated my blood pressure

Thanks all

Post by **digger303** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:40 pm

Facts about the beginnings of the M3 Stuart.
Factoid
The M3 "Stuart" Light Tank became the primary light tank vehicle for the United States Army heading into World War 2 (1939-1944). The vehicle's design was influenced by the preceding M2 Light Tank product and retaining some of its established qualities including use of a 37mm main gun, a four-man crew, and road speed. Pressed into wartime service, it fared well enough during the early-going when used as an infantry support vehicle or fast scout but was wholly outmatched by medium-class tanks in short order.
HOWEVER......."The Americans did not press their M3s into combat until the Philippines campaign of 1942 " Was a statement I read yet I believe they were used at the battle of Kasserine Pass.
As such, first combat use of Stuarts occurred with the British in November of 1941 during Operation Crusader. From these actions, the M3 was found to possess a rather weak main gun but its reliability in desert conditions was noted as was maneuverability so much so the crews nicknamed it the HONEY. Although the main gun was a total failure and obsolete by a country mile.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:54 am

I've missed this one too

Its was flying together, how's it going mate?

Post by **digger303** » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:18 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:54 am I've missed this one too

Its was flying together, how's it going mate?

Parked waiting for paint along with 2 others

Post by **digger303** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:05 pm

Been MIA for a while, but I'v done a bit of painting today.

I'v gone with the box art and not worried about following the instructions. I think this looks more interesting. Still have a heap of paint detailing to do, but I'm in gear and progressing.

Post by **Casper** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:19 pm

lovely clean build

excellent
casp

Post by **digger303** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:40 pm

Casper wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:19 pm lovely clean build excellent
casp

Thanks Casper
Ps....tracks are held together with a old school staple.

Post by **RangerNeil** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:06 pm

Looking good - very good!

I like the pattern used for the cammo - quite effective.

Post by **DRUMS01** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:49 pm

I'm ob board with Casp and Neil, nice clean build of a venerable little thin steeled recon vehicle with tracks and a small gun; I guess this is called a "light" tank? Seriously, nice job digger....

Ben

Post by **BigWall** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:45 pm

Very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:26 pm

Nice looking paint job. Lots of detail to pick out with the weathering.

Looks a bit of a rattler, can hear it from here!

Post by **digger303** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:16 am

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:06 pm Looking good - very good! I like the pattern used for the cammo - quite effective.

Thanks....It's whats on the box art yet it isn't in the painting guide...go figure....

DRUMS01 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:49 pm I'm ob board with Casp and Neil, nice clean build of a venerable little thin steeled recon vehicle with tracks and a small gun; I guess this is called a "light" tank? Seriously, nice job digger....
Ben

Thanks Ben

BigWall wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:45 pm Very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

I'm trying to keep up the momentum and get her finished.....probably just do a light dusting and a bit of sand on the flat bits.

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:26 pm Nice looking paint job. Lots of detail to pick out with the weathering.
Looks a bit of a rattler, can hear it from here!

I imagine it would be a bit noisy. Picking out the detail, doing a pin wash and adding the decals is my favorite part of the painting process. Keeping in mind that painting isn't that well liked by me.

All

Post by **Garion77** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:41 am

Can'T wait to see the finish ! Lots of details on the kit really nice. Again, I raise my hat to tank modelers. They seem lots of work !

Post by **RangerNeil** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:08 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:26 pm Nice looking paint job. Lots of detail to pick out with the weathering.

Looks a bit of a rattler, can hear it from here!

Like this?

Post by **Rugash** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 3:49 am

Looks pretty good so far Digger, I've missed the start and a few of these builds (will catch up soon!).
Paint has come out nice and neat.

The Italeri version I have (US) has the push together tracks as well. Will have to see how I go with them as well.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:03 am

Garion77 wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:41 am Can'T wait to see the finish ! Lots of details on the kit really nice. Again, I raise my hat to tank modelers. They seem lots of work !

Rugash wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 3:49 am Looks pretty good so far Digger, I've missed the start and a few of these builds (will catch up soon!).
Paint has come out nice and neat.

The Italeri version I have (US) has the push together tracks as well. Will have to see how I go with them as well.

This kit came with those too, but the fit was terrible so I swapped them out from AFV kit for some rubber ones which takes Ca glue exceptionally well. I forgot and glued the tracks up before I installed thinking I could just slip them on...Damn rookie.

. But no not enough clearance and I couldn't get them apart. I broke the track and had to resort to a staple and hide the offending ugly bit...

Not knowing what aerial I should have on I used the finest guitar string I had. Probably should have been a bit finer.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:05 am

RangerNeil wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:08 am
Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:26 pm Nice looking paint job. Lots of detail to pick out with the weathering.

Looks a bit of a rattler, can hear it from here!
Like this?

Horrible suspension system they rock back and forward like a boat in choppy sea's.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:04 pm

digger303 wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:05 am
Horrible suspension system they rock back and forward like a boat in choppy sea's.

Sounds like a rusty gate too!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 10:36 am

Superb work on the paint Digger - that looks really tidy

Looking forward to seeing how it progresses from here

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:17 pm

Somehow missed your painting update! It looks really good. Mind if I ask what colours you used?

Post by **digger303** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:51 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:17 pm Somehow missed your painting update! It looks really good. Mind if I ask what colours you used?

Well not sure if they are a rivet counters dream, but I did hear there was some revelations when it comes to the caunter scheme . So I went with Tamiya...45% xf-60 plus 45% xf55 and 10% white and the grey was xf-22 and the green xf-5.
I'm happy with it mostly the green maybe a little too green, but with some weathering it should be ok.

Post by **Quax** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:58 pm

Very nice Digger, you're getting far too good at this!

I suggest a handicap for the next one - you have to take a completed model and return all the parts to the sprue....

Paul

Post by **digger303** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:54 pm

Quax wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:58 pm Very nice Digger, you're getting far too good at this! I suggest a handicap for the next one - you have to take a completed model and return all the parts to the sprue....

Paul

Not sure if it is warranted , but thank you for your very kind words. As for putting the parts back on sprues ...no way hosay

I struggle enough as it is.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:40 am

Very clean paint work there Digger

Post by **digger303** » Tue May 25, 2021 3:08 pm

My apologies to everyone for not being more diligent.

My progress this week is alcad aqua gloss coat on plus decals tonight.

I drilled all the holes for the cooling jacket in both machine guns as I didn't like the rounded over results todays limited molding tech provided us with.

I treated the barrels to some vallejo metal color and some Mig acrylic crystal on one machine gun and the other with a gunmetal/ black mix an some silver dry brushing. I was trying 2 different ways to see what was best and now can't remember exactly what I did. I still have to add some filters and pin washes yet and of course matte coat and weathering.....sandy dust.

Ps....I need a better photographer

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Tue May 25, 2021 4:11 pm

Absolutely busting works.
I'm also starting to get very disappointed with my photography skills and they are way worse than yours.
Lovely work.
DW

Post by **BigWall** » Thu May 27, 2021 3:14 am

Very nice progress Digger!

Post by **Casper** » Thu May 27, 2021 5:53 am

Quax wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:58 pm Very nice Digger, you're getting far too good at this! I suggest a handicap for the next one - you have to take a completed model and return all the parts to the sprue....

Paul
[/quote

Post by **Casper** » Thu May 27, 2021 6:02 am

Excellent paintwork Digger, I wouldn't know where to start on Tanks. Very interesting subject historically, I think this is why I avoid military builds because its so interesting and would take up all my time researching each one. I love tanks and the engineering that goes into them, amazing machines.
What do you think of the metal color matey, I find the colours go on well with an airbrush or hand brushing but mine takes forever to dry, stays sticky for days. Probably just me

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu May 27, 2021 7:43 am

That is looking very nice. I always love it when the decals go on, its like the kit gets its character all of a sudden.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu May 27, 2021 11:59 am

Looks great - and you've also just reminded me I still need to put an aerial on mine

Post by **digger303** » Thu May 27, 2021 2:37 pm

Donkeywalloper wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 4:11 pm Absolutely busting works.
I'm also starting to get very disappointed with my photography skills and they are way worse than yours.
Lovely work.
DW

Casper wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 5:53 am
Quax wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:58 pm Very nice Digger, you're getting far too good at this! I suggest a handicap for the next one - you have to take a completed model and return all the parts to the sprue....

Paul
[/quote

Casper wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 6:02 am Excellent paintwork Digger, I wouldn't know where to start on Tanks. Very interesting subject historically, I think this is why I avoid military builds because its so interesting and would take up all my time researching each one. I love tanks and the engineering that goes into them, amazing machines.
What do you think of the metal color matey, I find the colours go on well with an airbrush or hand brushing but mine takes forever to dry, stays sticky for days. Probably just me

Stokesy44 wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 7:43 am That is looking very nice. I always love it when the decals go on, its like the kit gets its character all of a sudden.

ElCapitan wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 11:59 am Looks great - and you've also just reminded me I still need to put an aerial on mine

BigWall wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 3:14 am Very nice progress Digger!
TANKS guys your a wonderful audience and I hope you'll come again .....
Seriously thanks a lot fellas is good to hear the banter.
I really like the metal colour Casper and I don't have ant trouble with it being sticky. It dries almost immediately. Can get be a bugger with a brush if your not quick enough or not enough thinners in it as it dries so quick like Tamiya and starts sticking to the brush.