Academy M3A1 Stuart?

Anonymous · June 13, 2003, 1:07pm

Anyone out there built one yet? I picked it up at lunch and plan to build the little critter straight out of the box if possible.

Any suggestions? Any pitfalls to watch out for? Thanks.

Rob_Gronovius · June 13, 2003, 1:10pm

I just won one at my IPMS club raffle, haven’t opened it yet. Cookie Sewell did a review on it and posted it to rec.models.scale. Here it is:
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=academy+m3a1+review+group:rec.models.*&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.models.*&safe=off&selm=20030112185318.02137.00000233%40mb-mp.aol.com&rnum=1

Anonymous · June 13, 2003, 1:24pm

QUOTE:

Since Academy did do its homework on the numbers, but did not correctly identify the culprit, they instead changed the angle of the bogie arms downward to a very awkward angle and thus achieved the correct height for the vehicle, albeit at the expense of its normal appearance. (Also note that since they didn’t do this for the idler assemblies, they now sit about 1mm off the ground!)

(SNIP)

Most modelers will probably settle for the early model M3A1. To get this model to appear correctly, all rivets must be removed from the side panels of the hull top, the upper perimeter and side edges (but not the bottom fastening strip or around the viewports) of parts B1 and B54; the late model will necessitate removing all of the rivets on the rear of the hull and sternplate part B37, cement it to the hull, and then round off the edges to create the appearance of a single bent steel plate. This isn’t a earthshattering change to make, but it is tedious and if not careful other details will be nicked up.

GAH. Why can’t these companies make these models accurately? It’s so depressing. I just want to build the model. I don’t want to remold it.

Anyway, thanks for the url to the review. I guess it will require more work than I had thought. I don’t know what I’m going to do about the wheels. I’m not going to buy a Tamiya Stuart just to build the Academy Stuart.

Anonymous · June 14, 2003, 9:13am

I made the “Honey” (American) version and I thought it turned out great. I think you will enjoy this model.

Rob_Gronovius · June 14, 2003, 9:24am

I think they cut corners so that they can use the same basic kit for multiple variants like the M3 Honey and M3A1. We’ll probably see another variant as well.

Anonymous · June 14, 2003, 10:37pm

Yeah, I just finished one. Just build it, you will enjoy it!

Scott