A development of the M2A4 light tank, the Stuart M3 benefited from the combat experience of the earlier machine. The most notable feature of the Stuart is the large trailing idler wheel which improved stability over the M2A4 configuration. Additional improvements included doubling the armor thickness to 51mm. Production began in March 1941 and the first tanks were sent to British squadrons in the Middle East by August. Although successful in desert combat, Stuarts suffered from insufficient range. To overcome this, a removable auxiliary fuel tank was mounted on the cupola when extended range was required. The Stuart was armed with one 37mm howitzer and five 30 cal machine guns, two of which were mounted in the sponsons and usually removed during combat. The Stuart was powered by a 250hp Continental radial engine. When these became scarce a 9-cyl diesel was substituted and the performance was comparable.
Please see the paint guide below for the manufacturer’s suggested colors.
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Product Details:
Scale: 1/35
Skill Level: 2
Parts: 375+
- Painting and assembly required
- 9 sprues
- Molded in high-quality plastic
- One decal sheet
- One-piece upper and lower hulls
- Includes small tube of cement
- Detailed interior
- Includes thread
- Optional one-piece black vinyl tracks or individual links
- Optional parts for US and Soviet versions
- Includes decals and paint guides for the following versions:
- US Army, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Tunisia, December 1942
- USMC, 3rd Marine Tank Battalion, Bouganville, November 1943, ‘Painintheass’
- USMC, 3rd Marine Tank Battalion, Bouganville, November 1943, ‘The Pay Off’
- Soviet Army, unit and location unidentified, 1943
- Soviet Army, unit unidentified, Woronez, summer 1942
- Illustrated instructions and paint guide
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Paint Guide:
Flat Black
Flat White
Gunmetal
Silver
Gold
Red
Flat Yellow
Light Brown
Olive Drab
Khaki
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