Military Model Scene

A recent release from The Plastic Soldier Company is this 15mm scale model of the early M3 Stuart, a kit which not only includes 5 complete kits in the box, but you can build them in any one of three versions.  The earliest, complete with sand shields and the angular riveted turret, allows for the M3 used in the desert by the British Army, where is was christened the 'Honey'.  The other two possibilities are both the US operated M3, both a mid- and a late-production version.  The models are largely the same, though a different turret for the Honey and the rounded one for the US versions, a different back end for the engine deck, one for the early and mid-production versions, and a more rounded one for the late.  The side panels on the hull are slightly different to each other.  For the Honey you need to drill out the location holes for the machine guns.  On the mid-production version the hole is 'plugged' and on the late version, plain plates with no trace of the hull side machine guns of the early variants.

Assembly is straightforward.  I was left with a bit of a gap that needed filling on the front section of the sand shield and track guard on the Honey, but no such problem with the other two versions.  In assembling the turret of either version, dry fitting them suggested the location pin needed shortening just a tad (say 1mm) to get them fitting nicely.  Overall, assembly went well.

Colours are really two, with a Caunter scheme finish suggested for the Honey, and plain olive drab for the two US Army options.  By the way, I should have mentioned that the small half-figure for the commander has two supplied, one in British headgear and the other in American.

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There are no transfers included in the kit, but the Plastic Soldier Company do have a good range of transfers available separately so you can choose your preferred units markings. For the gamer, with 5 per box, this is good for building up your units.

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Robin