Hey lads. For future reference, what is the quality of the AFV Club Light tank (Think there is a US and a free French version) I mean, with modelling Sherms I'm used to replacing items like brush guards etc.
But want to know if it contains the late solid road wheels and turret variations etc etc...

Bradley
It's the M3A3 from AFV Club It's a very nive kit Builds great OOB I don't believe it comes with any of the solid road wheels No real fit problems Some of the small plastic parts are a bit thin and care must be taken when removing them

Thanks Chad! Yep, a faux pas re the AFV Club kit. I now realise it's a M3A3...
Sounds good, but the US didn't use this version in the ETO right? Think they be Brit... and French...

Bradley
I don't believe the US Forces used them at all anywhere The markings that come with the kit are
French
Yugoslavian
Chinese
British
I think AFV Club has a PE set for it if you wanna go that route

Charlie, aka TUNA, has built one last year. I believe he took an OOB trophy home last fall with his. He has photos of his at http://www.ontheway.us/default.htm. I believe he was extremely pleased with the kit.

One of the best OOB builds ever in my opinion. I used some PE parts and extra stowage on mine, but it really doesn't need them.

Thanks for the feedback lads!
Dave, I have a set of those Tamiya Brit tankers. Are they from say a Cromwell? Woiuld they be suitable for inclusion with the Brit M3A3 you built?

Stephen Zaloga does a build of the AFV Club M3A3 in his book Modeling the M3/M5 Series tanks. As I recall this build was pretty much OOB, at least as much as Zaloga ever does anything OOB. From all reports it's an excellent kit.

The British crew figures from the Tamiya Cromwell & Churchill kits are fine for a Brit. Stuart V (the correct designation for an M3A3 in UK service). The figure on my model is from Dragon's 'Red Devils' set.

nope, M3A3 was not used in service by the US Army.

The kit is really good, with no actual need for aftermarket bit. Included in the kits are metal barrel and PE for rear stowage box and hull grilles. Only thing sadly lacking is a No 19 radio set. Pity, as it's needed for the British and Yugo options . Replacing the headlight guards is an option, but a simple file works just as good. Do add the missing braces on the sides and top at the combined siren/light guard.

Cheers, MartinD