TMN: Preview : MiniArt's 35th scale M3 Stuart Late Production

MiniArt's M3 Stuart light tank series continues with a late production M3. We have the CADs, as well as the original machines that will be captured in the colour choices of the kit, all in our preview...

Preview : MiniArt's 35th scale M3 Stuart Late Production

M3 Stuart Late Production

From MiniArt Models

1/35th scale

Kit No #35429

Decals for six options in the box

Photo-etch included

Product Link on the MiniArt Website

The M3 Stuart Light Tank:

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 that they nicknamed it “Honey.”

Taken in Tunisia around 1943, it shows a captured M3 tank during the North African campaign, which is featured as one of the six versions in this boxing.

The pictures in this article show the real tanks that the six markings were taken from - just like this M2A4 leading two M3 Light Tanks on Guadalcanal.

The M3 saw service with American forces in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in December 1941. Feedback from these actions led to improvements incorporated in the M3A1, which began production in May 1942, including the addition of a gyro stabiliser for the 37mm main gun and a power traverse for the turret. The addition of the power traverse required the turret to be fitted with a basket or floor that rotated with the turret. This was the first American tank to include such features.

We tracked this image down to a capture from a video of this M3 from the 1st Armoured Division with the welded turret & cupola low-profile turret.

The M3 also saw service with American forces during the North African Campaign. The 37mm main gun, which had proved inadequate for British forces a year before, was now even more ineffective since German armour had continued to upgrade. One veteran noted, “Popcorn balls thrown by Little Bo Peep would have been just as effective” in reference to the 37mm against German armour.

An M3 late Stuart tank of the 13th Armoured Regiment in Tunisia.

Following the 1st Battalion, 13th Armoured Regiment’s participation in the Battle of Kasserine Pass, the Stuart tank was relegated to the role of reconnaissance and flank security. The M3 and its successor, the M5, continued to be utilised in Europe through the end of the war.

Late model M3's with the lower, horseshoe style turret in 1942

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 largely replaced it in late 1943.

An M3 Stuart of the 153rd Guards Tank Brigade, 10th Guards Army, 2nd Baltic Front on the approaches to Riga, in October 1944.

The kit from MiniArt

MiniArt's new-tooled 1/35th scale M3 Stuart - with the late production kit features, easily identifiable with that low, welded, horseshoe-shaped turret. We have several CADs below, showing you the features of the kit.