I am stuck on building this tank. I am not sure what this part is on the back of the hull. It's like an extension and instructions say it's optional on some tanks. I am doing this in the British markings. 22nd Brigade June 1944. Can I leave this part off ? I have reference, the Walk Arounds, etc. but I am not sure if I need to find this specific tank for the time period and unit or what.

Thanks
Dee

I believe what you're talking about is the rear stowage box:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/a_possum/IMG_1555.jpg

If so, then no, do not delete it. While it was possible to have an M3A3 (Stuart V) without it, as it was a removable fitting, it is almost unheard of to see a Stuart V without the box unless it has been ripped off in service. The stowage volume it provided recce crews was just too badly needed for them to do without it on a regular basis.

Unless you have a specific photo of a vehiclwe _without_ the box, then leave it on.

HTH

Paul

Paul,
Thank you so very much for your reply.
The other part I figured out was going below that
storage box on the 'chassie' I think that's the word.
It is right below the storage box and instructions say
that's even optional.
I will put the storage box on then but it's not exactly like your picture but very close. It just does not have the
bar that goes across the back, unless I missed it in the parts tree.Having said that, it's etched brass on that area.

Sorry, never built a tank before.

Thank you again so very much.

Dee

The term for the body of the tank is the "hull" and in the case of some tanks, like the Stuart, engine cooling air and exhaust is routed out the back of the vehicle via a piece of the hull that extends out over the back plate that protects the engine. This extension is usually called an "overhang". On the M3A3 Stuart, the stowage box is attached to this overhang.

A good photo of the back of the AFV Club M3A3 kit is here:



You can see the horizontal bar that forms the top frame of the meshed area of the stowage box and it is part of the photoetched mesh component. I would add a thin strip of plastic in that place because I think the PE part is a bit too thin, but it will do if you don't want to add anything.

Below the stowage box is another device, this is an air & exhaust deflector which deflects the blast of air from the engine that normally blows down on the ground, raising dust (which is bad), and diverts it to blow straight back, greatly reducing that dust.

While this is also technically optional, crews pretty much always kept it unless it was knocked off and had not been replaced. If you have a photos that shows it off, then delete it, otherwise, install it.



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Hi

Your last picture didn't come across. But yes
the storage box has "mesh" etched brass on it and
it's open on top. Funny you say replace with plastic,
I was going to do that, Had a hard time with the etched
brass. Figure I will put some stoage, stuff in there to
kinda hide the seam. I thought about that bottom part
that goes into the hull as some sort of exhaust.

Thank you again for all your help.

Dee