Here are a few pics of my Stuart that I finished this week-end.
Comments/Critiques are welcome.

I just kearned this here, the sponson .30 calibers are in fixed positions and should be pointed straight out.
I'd drill out their barrels a bit.
If you can find some fine chain in the railroad section of your LHS, add some to hold the barrels down as shown oon the box art.
You miight want to touch up the road wheels in the last picture.
Otherwise a pretty good build.

Oops! I assumed that the were on flexible mounts as the guns had handles on them Thank you for correcting me on this oversight. I'll definitely get some chain as mentioned. The road wheels were dabbed with the Tamiya mud stick. I will also try to get a better mud on them. I'm also not to keen on my rust streaks. They seem a little too orange. Once again, thanx for the input!

Hi Sgt Shultz,

Just came across your M3A1. I always like this vehicle, it's quirky if you know what I mean.

Excuse my ignorance but what period, theatre of war are you setting the tank in?

I don't know much about the specific details of this particular tank so can't comment there but on the finishing side it looks a might too clean for me. Try using some MIG pigments to add a bit of weathering. If you like you could draw the rust down a little with paint and thinner/ white spirit.

Rubbing the edge of a surface with a lead pencil will give the effect of light wear on the edge and it's pretty cheap. Try it on a few rivets and see the effect.

If you haven't used any of the MIG pigments before they are well worth the money.

Try adding a few bits of kit around the tank in different places. Crews always hung stuff on the outside as there was so little room inside.

If you add it to a small dio then you could add a figure or two for interest.

Is one of the straps hanging loose at the back?

Just some thoughts - seems like a nice clean build but with a little added work you could make this an interesting vehicle.

Hope this helps and thanks for posting the pictures.

Cheers

Al

Hi SGT_SHULTZ!

Nice tank! I agree with some of the other comments made. Try drilling out the gun barrels. It's really not very hard to do, but looks nice. In my opinion, the rust is too red and I personally don't like so much rust on the tracks. Also, if you try to do a darker wash, it may bring out some of the details of the model. Keep up the good work!

Hi armourguy,

I'd be intereted to know what comments you don''t argee with?

Cheers

Al

Thanx for the input fellas. The tank is from the pac theater, so it is a little too clean. I only crossed over to the dark side a few months ago.(I used to only build WWII aircraft) So modelling mud,dirt, and rust is new to me. Now I'm hooked! I'm gonna trek down to my LHS and buy come mig pigs,railroad chain, and tiny drill-bits. By the way, what is white spirit? Is it like paint thinner. Anyhoo, your cooment are most welcome and appreciated. Thank you!

Hi sgt....Not a bad build especially for someone coming over from building wingy things .. :-) You'll see the weathering is half the fun with these tank kits..
One little trick if you don't want to blow your budget just on drill bits is to use the point of a new #11 exacto blade to drill out your mgs ...I do it all the time and find it easier to get the holes centered as well ...So welcome to the great world of AFV's

Rick

Alan, I'm not necessarily disagreeing with anyone's comments. It's just that some of the comments that I would have made had already been said, so no use repeating them. Sorry for the confusion.


To add to thebear's comment about using a blade to drill out the gun barrel...I have found using a straight push pin to put a little hole mark on the tip of the barrel to start the blade in works well and helps me start it off centered. Be careful though. If you push too hard with the pin, you can easily split out the side of the barrel, not to mention stab yourself in the finger. (Learned from Experience )

Hi armourguy,

Thanks for clarifying that, I was worried in case I had given him the wrong advice. LOL, LOL!!!

Cheers

Al

Sgt Schultz - white spirti is turps, not sure what you call it in the states, the stuff you use to clean paint brushes with, but you can use thinner from tamiya and that sort of stuff.

Glad you enjoyed the build.

Cheers

Al