1/72 Mirage M-3 (Finished)

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Above are pictures of the turret Assembly to the Mirage 1/72 M-3 Stuart. I posted these pictures because I found the way the turret goes together interesting. The turret and commanders copula sides are molded flat, and you have to fold them into shape. Interesting but it worked OK. So far so good, since I haven’t built a 1/72 in years. There are more pictures @ http://matt24.fotopic.net/c1082439.html

More to follow.

2

Looks great.

I saw that in my box too. It reminds me of trying to get a straight section of link-n-length tracks around a return roller.

Keep the photos coming.

I have both this kit and the M3A3 waiting for me to finish my other projects.

Grant

3

So what’s the progress on this kit? How did it go together? I’m about to start a Hasegawa vs. Mirage series on the M3, and I like to know what to avoid on the Mirage.

Grant

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More pictures @ http://matt24.fotopic.net/c1082439.html

This is the progress as of a hour ago.It’s going together relatively well considering older eyes, fat fingers, and tiny parts. IMHO, the older Hasegawa is no match at all. Reminds me more of a toy compared to the Mirage. (I’ve got both).

One thing about the Mirage kit is that the tracks are too long. I cut out two links each track and they fit fine. I used the way they connect to make to cuts. Easy though. I glued them together with Super glue gel, and then cut a small piece of paper to reinforce the connect point on inside of track… Super glued one side of the paper and put in place. After painting the paper black, I could not find it. The other thing is the guides on top of suspension. I cut them off and made others out of PE scrap. More to follow.

5

Looks great Mat (and tiny too) I know what you mean about the older eyes and fat fingers. Keep the progress pics coming.

6

Very nice work. Keep the pictures coming. Thanks for the tips on this one. I love building Stuart tank kits. I’ve built 3 of the Hasegawas.

Grant

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Thanks for the comments guys.

I’m a Stuart nut too.

8

hey matt[:D]-- cool build-- i don’t know how the heck you can work on something that small dude- the dang sprues are bigger than the pieces!!-i like the idea of the folding panels on the turret-- kinda like plastic P.E.!!–i went to your link on this build and the pics there are great also-- real nice build man[tup]-- don’t take this wrong man, but out of curiosity, why go 1/72 when there are great 1/35 kits of this tank?–nice job-- treadwell

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Thanks for the remarks. Yes this scale is kicking my behind! I bought this one and the 1/72 M3A3 Stuart first and foremost due to the subject. I got hooked on Stuarts by reading G.I. Combat comic books as a kid. (The Haunted Tank). Would I build more 1/72? I doubt it unless like these, I can’t resist the subject. I’ve got the Academy M-3s and the AFV Club M3A3 in 1/35, and I’ve got the Formations M5A1 conversion on order. It is definitely a change of pace!

10

I have a different point of view on 72nd scale. I started with these for war gaming, but war games took too long, so I just built kits after a while. Over the past 5 years I’ve been building 35th scale, but in the summer, I got very little done during the heavy work season, so the 72nd scale kits came out of the closet. I can build one during a few tv shows, and paint them in a few days. They are lots of fun, and the new wave of them from Mirage, Dragon, and others have fantasic quality.

Now that it is getting cold, I’m back to my 35th scale ways.

11

That has to be one of the more innovative turret construction methods I’ve seen, and it’s in braille scale to boot!

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More and bigger pictures @ http://matt24.fotopic.net/c1082439.html

Well here is my 1st serious attempt at a 1/72 subject. It was a nice change of pace. It’s box stock other than the return guids on top of the suspension housings. I made them from scrap PE. IMHO, these Mirage Stuarts are far superior to the older Hasegawa kits. The only thing I had to do was to cut out two links of the tracks to let them fit properly.

All comments good or bad are valued.

13

It turned out great Matt. [tup] I enjoyed the look at your site and I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that kit. It looks like a good one.

14

wonderful job it really amazes me to see you guys and these brail scale kits i have enough trouble at 1/35 scale, great looking stuart.

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Thanks for the comments. It was fun trying something different.

16

The M3 looks outstanding. Nice work.

On as side note…it puts to shame the Hasegawa version…with the rivet detail alone.

Grant