MiniArt has released news about their new M3 Stuart Light Tank “British Stuart MK.I Honey Early Prod. Interior Kit” sure looks sweet. We look at the new kit & some of the real machines from this boxing in our preview..
British Stuart MK.I Honey Early Prod. Interior Kit.British Stewart MK.I Early Production. Interior Kit
From MiniArt
1/35th scaleModels
Kit No #35421
for five options in the box
DecalsPhoto-etch included
The M3 Stuart Light tank in British service:
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The five options for markings are based on photos from the article of real Stuarts. The 8th Hussars test their American M3 Stuart tank in the Western Desert on 28 August 1941. Around 170 Stuarts, out of a force of more than 700 tanks, took part in Operation Crusader, during the North Africa Campaign. The results were poor. The high loss of Stuarts during this operation was more due to the superior tactics and training provided by the Afrika Korps, than it was the superiority of German armored fighting vehicles in the North African Campaign. However, the M3 suffered from several technical flaws. The 37mm M5 cannon and the poor layout of the interior were mentioned in British complaints. Two-man crews were a weakness and many British units attempted to use three-man crews. These photographs show the Irish Cavalry (8 Hussars), who have recently taken possession of American tanks. Crews appreciated its high mechanical reliability and relative speed. The Stuart’s high level of reliability set it apart from other cruiser tanks, notably the Crusader which constituted a significant portion of British tanks in Africa until 1942. The crew is wearing US tank helmets. In Europe, Allied Light Tanks were assigned to cavalry or infantry support fire roles because their cannon armament couldn’t compete with enemy armored fighting vehicles. The Stuart, however, was effective on the Pacific Theatre because Japanese tanks, while rare, were also lighter than even Allied Light Tanks. In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks. In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks.
A Stuart tank on patrol near Mount Imeimat, in the Western desert, 26 August 1942.
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Although poorly suited to tank warfare in Europe, the Stuart tank proved effective in the Pacific. The Stuart tank served as an infantry supporting vehicle in New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The King’s Royal Irish Hussars. 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars Training with their new Stuart tanks, 28 August 1941.
The kit from MiniArt
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MiniArt’s new-tooled 1/35th scale British Stuart MK.I Honey Early Prod. The interior kit includes a full tank with 5 different marking options. These images show the options available for this kit. They include open or closed hatches and tools, as well as a movable suspension. Engine and transmission are included, with crew stations and weapons and ammo included.
This kit should be available next month from MiniArt’s distributors worldwide. This kit is available for purchase from MiniArt’s distributors worldwide.