M3A3 STUART U.S. ARMY LIGHT TANK AFV CLUB 1/35

It is a U.S. light tank built in March 2009.

Making of the light tank Stuart U.S. Army.

As for assembly around the chassis, parts was little but the structure was complex. I noticed to touch the ground all the wheels.

The rack is photo-etched parts like a real wire net.

The upper and lower body matched without trouble. I lost 2 tiny parts.
(2009/03/01)

Two front wire hooks were lost. Since there was no other way, I made them from the brass wire.

I thinly planed the fender with the design knife. Because of the light tank, it looks better. The machine-gun post and the barrel were aluminum parts.

There are many detailed plastic parts though the photo-etched parts are few.

Especially, a spare caterpillar on the front side and the turret side is detailed and painful. The variation without spare caterpillar is optional.

I painted basic color in olive drab.
(2009/03/07)

Before pasting decals, I sprayed clear to adhere decal sticking. I chose the marking of British, 5th Royal Tank Regiment, 22nd Amd Brigade in June 1944. Red marks are colorful and nice.
（2009/03/20）

This figure make out the tank was very small. When I bent the arm by force, it became unnatural.
（2009/03/25)

M3A3 Stuart was completed. The armor plate is changed from the riveted joint to the welding compared with M3A1, and the slope of a front armor has been changed. A British army fought bravely against the Japanese in the Pacific War.

I did silver dry-brushing too much.

I irregularly depicted rust and mud with washing. I changed the tone since it was unattractive when it was single color.

The assembly of a spare caterpillar is difficult and it seems rattled.

It seems not to have been used by the U.S. Army though M3 was supplied for Allied Forces by the Lend-Lease Acts. A Yugoslavia army, a British army, and the example of Allied Forces such as China were listed in the instruction examples.
I chose the marking of the British, 5th Royal Tank Regiment, 22nd Amd Brigade in June 1944.

The variable parts became obstructed and Ｉ abandoned to take the crew on this turret which opening all the hatches are difficult. However, I took the driver by force. The turret did not turn so much.

I did the pastel work like the powder since it had been used in Normandy.

Periscopes were painted in blue. Since it was a matte painting, I made them paint clear and shine.

It took time, though it was a small body. There is the shot looked into from the under like the real solder eye sight.

M3A3 Stuart is difficult for me, but I’m content with the completion.
（2009/03/31）