... Is anyone able to advise if the following PE aftermarket kit will work. Logic dictates it should, but want to avoid a mistake as not dipped my modelling toe in with aftermarket yet. I’ve checked scalemates.com and it doesn’t seem to list it against either the Airfix re-box, or the Academy precursors:

Kit:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-a1358-m3-stuart-honey--1190144

Aftermarket PE:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eduard-Accessories-35502-Model-Making-Accessory-M-3-Sturt/dp/B003A5N7JS

Any feedback on the kit itself would also be welcome. As explained I’m intending this to be a little bit of a test for learning, so if it would benefit from a bit of upgrading for example adding cast texture, this would also be something I want to try.

D1GG3R321,



I'll be watching. I have this kit in the "soon" pile.

Russ, great info! Thanks. I'm no M3 expert but have we found one (you?) on site?

The Airfix (Academy) Honey is a pretty good kit....has some warts though.... Part of those warts are actually because the kit shares parts with the later cast turret “US” M3 production kit which had a different transmission drive system and a “bull nose” rear deck. There are a few minor dimensional issues too, but these aren’t really noticeable, unless you’re an M3 expert. One of these is the presence of a turret basket, Which very early M3s didn’t have..

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The Airfix (Academy) Honey is a pretty good kit....has some warts though.... Part of those warts are actually because the kit shares parts with the later cast turret “US” M3 production kit which had a different transmission drive system and a “bull nose” rear deck. There are a few minor dimensional issues too, but these aren’t really noticeable, unless you’re an M3 expert. One of these is the presence of a turret basket, Which very early M3s didn’t have..

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I am having trouble understanding some of this. There was no cast turret M3 light tank variant....ever. All had welded turrets except the first 100 or so that were riveted.

The rear deck was the same on all M3s, except for exhaust differences for diesel vs gas versions. The M3A1 had a curved rear engine deck.

I'm not sure but I don't think any M3s had a turret basket. M3A1s did. I also think they all had the same transmission. Again I am willing to be corrected here.

I too am not a Stuart expert, however, I listen to those who are, and the dimensional issues and detail issues are not trivial on this kit. I agree its a perfectly fun kit to build (I've built a few) but we shouldn't be under the false impression that it is accurate. You rightly point out that the new Tamiya and AFV Club kits are vastly better, but they are of course different variants.

He’s asking about the “Honey” which is in that first 100 you’re speaking about.

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He’s asking about the “Honey” which is in that first 100 you’re speaking about.

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The "Honey" nickname simply refers to M3s used in North Africa. There's no difference in the hardware between what we call a "Honey" and any other early M3. Those first 100 or so with riveted turrets, as far as I know, remained in the US. But even if the british got some, the turret type doesn't make it a "Honey". The British crew does.

This is of course a separate issue from how the kits are marketed. Academy's "Honey" kit, which has a welded turret, comes with British add-ons, but if those are left off it is like any other M3 used by e.g. the US or Red armies.

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He’s asking about the “Honey” which is in that first 100 you’re speaking about.

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The "Honey" nickname simply refers to M3s used in North Africa. There's no difference in the hardware between what we call a "Honey" and any other early M3. Those first 100 or so with riveted turrets, as far as I know, remained in the US. But even if the british got some, the turret type doesn't make it a "Honey". The British crew does.

This is of course a separate issue from how the kits are marketed. Academy's "Honey" kit, which has a welded turret, comes with British add-ons, but if those are left off it is like any other M3 used by e.g. the US or Red armies.

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Ok, I’m speaking of the way Academy (And now Airfix) marketing/packaged the kit with the flat sided turret, again the kit, not the real thing. Take a look at the linked article by Cookie Sewell. He’s compared it to plans. There is some debate wether the plans are accurate, I understand. The original poster is merely asking if the kit is suitable as a quick build to experiment with the Eduard PE. I believe I’ve answered the question. I haven’t said anything about accuracy or rivet counting—just the opposite I think. But I don’t think that’s the original posters intent, I could be wrong. In any event, it’s the only kit marketed with the early “flat sided“ turret. I’m not sure what the point is beyond that.
VR, Russ