Here's a few pics of the new Academy M3 Honey I'm working on. I didn't want to buy any AM stuff, so I built some of the details myself. I replaced the thick plastic brush guards that come with the kit with some of my own made from the thin metal from used tea candles (it has properties more like PE than lead foil.) I also did a little scratchbuilding on the interior to try to accurize it as much as possible using the same metal as before, some styrene, a little wire, kleenex for the cushions, accessories from the old Tamiya 8th Army figures set, and a piece of a radiator from a 1/24 scale truck. The tracks are the indi-link variety that comes with the kit and I was able to make them workable. The left track is busted (on purpose) and I can reposition it if it doesn't look realistic, so let me know.















Thanks,

Nic

It's looking really good so far Nic. That is such a cool little vehicle and you are doing a really nice job with it. I can't wait to see the finished product. Are you going to do the crazy 3 tone British desert camo scheme?

Nice stuff Nic! Are you doing it with the track blown off?

Hi Lord Folgore,

Meep! Meep!

Your excellent skill in scratch building, and utilize what you have on hand is once again evident in this little build, Needless to say your clean building style is also superb. Can't wait to see it finished.

Meep!
(++)

Nice clean build Nic. I look forward to seeing this little beauty progress.

Very nice!

I really like the scratch building work. I am working on this kit right now as well, and I should have done what you did - build the tracks before the rest of the model.

I look forward to your paint job. I am going to do a plain all-over portland stone tank.

Scott

Cool Stuart tank, gotta love to see that small interior too later when finsihed :-)

GREAT MODEL AND EXCELLENT WORK
ROBERTO

This is one of my favorite tanks, Nic, and you are doing a terrific job on it. I can't wait to see it finished. And, thanks for that tip on the used tea candles. I have to laugh, because just yesterday I was telling my wife that a good modeler is always looking for material he can use in his projects (as I rolled up a piece of wire for future use). Why buy aftermarket when you can recycle, I say .

Mike

Nice M3, great build whitout any PE I like that.
What kind of color get you to use on this one?

Thanks for the comments, guys. I am planning on displaying it with the track broken like that, as that is how many tanks became casualties in the Western Desert. I'll probably end up doing a two- or three-tone camo scheme on it. I'll just make up a name for the tank I think. Do you think the broken track looks realistic like that? I can easily change it.

Nic

Nic, lookin' good, if you need good color references, let me know as i've just dug up an excellent article in an old MM.... I'm looking forward to seeing more pics of this, all the best, Jim

Nic,

The track that is supposed to be broken looks good. The other track though should be taut unless it is also supposed to be broken. Those tracks didn't have any sag as they were live tracks.

HTH

I see what you mean, Adam. When I was making the tracks, I found I was a little short so I added three more links and the result was that sag. I'll see if I can fix it.

I'd be interested in whatever info you have, Jim. I found a couple sites on the internet, too.

Nic

Nic nice looking Stuart! Also one of my favorites. Ever since I read the comic book version as a kid. Great interior detail. Can't wait to see it done.




Butch Cassidy Tanks46
Pig#3 (++) Head Armorer
DSB