Monday, February 24

Preview: 1/35th scale Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. w/Sun Shields from MiniArt.

MiniArt's 1/35th scale Stuart series continues with the Mk.I “Honey”. This one is an early production (w/ added sun shields). See the real tanks in the box plus sprue layout, etch, decals & profiles in our preview...


Preview: 1/35th scale Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. w/Sun Shields from MiniArt.

Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. w/Sun Shields
From MiniArt
1/35th scale
Kit No. 35423
Five marking choices are included in the box.
The Subject: The M3 Stuart Light Tank in British Service:
The US Army began development of a light tank in the early 1930s. After a number of models that progressively increased armour and firepower, the M3 series was initiated in July 1940. Provided to British forces as part of the Lend-Lease Act, the M3 first saw combat with British forces in North Africa in November 1941. The British found the M3 to be under-gunned but were so pleased with its mechanical performance & reliability that they nicknamed it “Honey.”

A star of this kit is the Stuart 'Bellman,' an M3 Stuart tank of the 8th Hussars, 7th Armoured Division, knocked out near Tobruk, 15 December 1941.
The British Army was the first to use the Light Tank M3 as the “General Stuart” in combat. From mid-November 1941 to the end of the year, about 170 Stuarts (in a total force of over 700 tanks) took part in Operation Crusader during the North Africa Campaign, with poor results. Although the high losses suffered by Stuart-equipped units during the operation had more to do with better tactics and training of the Afrika Korps than the apparent superiority of German armoured fighting vehicles used in the North African campaign, the operation revealed that the M3 had several technical faults. Mentioned in the British complaints were the 37mm M5 gun and poor internal layout. The two-man turret crew was a significant weakness, and some British units tried to fight with three-man turret crews. 

Another Stuart from this boxing is called "Carrine"
The Stuart also had a limited range, which was a severe problem in the highly mobile desert warfare as units often outpaced their supplies and were stranded when they ran out of fuel. On the positive side, crews liked its relatively high speed and mechanical reliability. The high reliability distinguished the Stuart from cruiser tanks of the period, in particular the Crusader, which composed a large portion of the British tank force in Africa up until 1942.

A British M3 Stuart knocked out by a hit in turret. Libya, November 1941. This is one of the marking choices in this boxing of the kit.

In Europe, Allied light tanks had to be given cavalry and infantry fire support roles since their main cannon armament could not compete with heavier enemy armoured fighting vehicles. However, the Stuart was still effective in combat in the Pacific Theatre, as Japanese tanks were both relatively rare and were lighter in armour than even Allied light tanks. Japanese infantrymen were not well equipped with anti-tank weapons and, as such, had to use close assault tactics. In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks.

One of the Stuarts was recaptured from the Afrika Korps at Sidi Rezegh and handed over to the Divisional Cavalry, now in use outside Bardia. It is still in its original camouflage scheme of sand, dark earth, and dull blue, complete with RAC colours on the turret and sand shields. Its name is "Colorado.". 
Although poorly suited to tank warfare in Europe, the Stuart tank proved effective in the Pacific. In New Guinea and the Solomons, the Stuart served in an infantry support role. Although the 37mm gun was not ideal, the small Stuart was much more practical for jungle warfare than the much larger and heavier Sherman that replaced it in late 1943.

The Kit: MiniArt's 1/35th scale Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. w/Sun Shields 
We have the sprue layouts of this kit, providing some details of the makeup of the model.
The clear plastic for the transparency & lights are, of course, included.
Photo-etch is included for the thinner parts of the kit.
MiniArt print their own decal sheet for the five variants on offer.
The six colour profiles from British/Commonwealth and even a captured German example are provided in this kit.

This kit from MiniArt will soon be available. Until then, keep an eye on the MiniArt website or just look in here for more info on MiniArt’s new stuff.