I just finished the Academy Honey, so here are some pics. I’ll do a base later on. I’ve got a figure for it, but that will be for later as well.
I thought the kit was mostly ok. There are some parts that lack locator pins, and that made it difficult to get them properly aligned. In some cases the instructions didn’t adequately show parts that went on the blind side of the drawing. The painting instructions are inaccurate. The Caunter scheme that they show was no longer used by the time the kit version came out, and the Bellman version was almost certainly painted in a different scheme. Here is the link to the reference for that: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/bellmanwm_1.htm
One area that gave me a lot of trouble was fitting the upper hull over the lower. Either the sand shields don’t fit properly, or I glued them on a little crooked because I had to pull them apart to get them over the running gear, especially the bolts on the drive sprocket. The shield on the right side pulled apart, and tore the decal. The red and white RAC markings on the sides of the vehicle didn’t fit properly, and tore over the rivet heads.
I followed Marshall for the paint scheme, but little else. I used Tamiya Desert Yellow, Flat Flesh and White for the the Light Sand, and that worked well. I used Field Grey for the Slate, and I probably should have lightened it some. I washed it with artists’ water colors, drybrushed it with artists’ oils, and finished off with some pastels. I don’t think I got the painting quite right. At any rate, here are some pics
The first is the interior just before I spent 30 minutes trying to put the upper hull on without breaking anything.
Thanks to all the folks who answered my questions when I started this in January, and as always, criticism is more than welcome.
I think it turned out great. I like your paint choice better than tring to do one of a famous one.[Bellman] I just like your colors better. The decals over the rivets give me trouble too. Well done.[tup]
That is a fine build of a cute, unusual subject. THat is a great looking little tank. Bill
The camo turned out very nicely. That scheme scares me. Well done.
Nice job! I like the unusual camo.
Very nice work on the Honey. I’ve been struggling with the M3A1 Stuart version of the kit. Hope mine comes out as well as yours.
Regards, Rick
Sorry for not offering up my thanks for the positive comments any sooner. So, thanks for taking a look. I appreciate the comments.
Looks good! Makes me want to get out the credit card and order one!!
[:D] looks great ,very nice build.[:D]
Looks great to me. Thanks for the pics.
Unfortunately the colour scheme you depict is inaccuarate. The same applies for the article on Hyperscale. The Caunter scheme of 3 colours lasted until December 1941, after which it was replaced by overall Light Stone without a disruptive pattern. The so-called schemes of two colours in patterns similar to Caunter did not exist and are a cock-up by those involved. Bellman was in 3 colours not two. How do I know? because I have the Official Orders issued by GHQ Middle-East Command and the photographs to prove it as well.
Take a look at the photo of the Stuart from the same unit as “Bellman” shown below (from http://www.warriorsaga.com/)
http://www.warriorsaga.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/m3tanks2.jpg.w560h256.jpg
There are quite clearly 3 colours. There are plenty of other photos showing three colours as well. The pattern varied slightly from tank to tank and in some cases it is difficult to distinguish the three colours. Bellman is one such case as it has the whole of the lower sand shield painted Silver Grey making it difficult to distinguish between Silver Grey and Light Stone.
You can correct your model by adding the third colour, Silver Grey, without too much trouble.
You certainly dug this one up from way back. Thanks for the reference, and the tips.
i am not a big fan of this tank, but i know what i like-- debate on paint job or not, it is well executed-- nice job-[:D]- treadwell
i have 4 stuarts by tamiya sitting in the pile
you make me want to start them
buff
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I appreciate it.
Nice build of a cute little kit.
And very good reference mtrl!
The rivets causing the decal problem are oversized as you can see from posted picture but personally I like the “bolted” apperance that is the result.
I would like to detail the turret, leaving the hatch open, input anyone?
Any conclusion on the colour scheme, OK to go with Acy’s suggestion?
Thanks for sharing buff!
Here is an IWM photo of A10s from the same unit, taken in November 1940 shortly after the Caunter scheme was authorised:
http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/media/images/Photographs/Image/E_001001.jpg
Note the different pattens. The tank in the foreground has nearly the whole of the sand guard painted Silver Grey. The only way to tell that there are three colours is to look at the rear of the turret where all three colours occur side by side on the same surface. I have not seen the Academy instructions, do you have a scan?
It looks truly excellent! Very well done!
Nice little tank buff!
Well Idont know enough about ww2 Brit stuff, to comment on the shcemes accuracy but its a fantastically executed model and very pleasing to the eye which i think is the essence of the modeling we enjoy , you managed to take a good but medeocre kit and turn it into something very nice indeed, very nice mate! K